.338-06 vs 30-06

Salavee · #1 12-25-2020, 10:59 AM

Seeing that the 30-06 is such a popular cartridge, I'm wondering why the .338-06, although gaining popularity is not getting the recognition it deserves. It doesn't seem to be catching up to the .30-06 as fast as I feel it should.
It's a SAAMI spec cartridge, very easy to load for with lots of 30-06 brass available. Loaded with 185 to 225 grain bullets, it performs like a .30-06 on major steroids, is not a powder hog, and a lot of great bullets are readily available. It also has a very acceptable PBR with only medium recoil, that is not at all difficult to manage.
The only downside that I can see, since the demise of A-Square and the cartridge being subsequently discontinued by Weatherby is factory ammo availability for those that don't reload. Apart from that it should be one of the most popular N American hunting cartridges out there for hand loaders. Sure would be nice to see factory head stamped brass again. What am I missing?

Pathfinder76 · #2 12-25-2020, 11:19 AM

With the 9.3x62 so available it makes it tough to give the 338-06 any traction.

Dick284 · #3 12-25-2020, 11:22 AM

The 338/06 and the 35 Whelen are great game getters, but they will always be in the shadows of the 30/06, because you can buy 30/06 in every jerk water town out there, while the 338/06 and 35 Whelen are reserved to more specialized gun emporiums or reloading.
The other inconvenient truth is that deer hunting rules supreme in North America, while the 30/06 is pretty much not needed to kill a deer it’s a better compromise towards the occasional moose or elk being hunted, with deer as a constant, as opposed to concentrating on larger ungulates and being far over matched to deer.

There’s also the fact that dedicated moose/elk cartridges exist in the far more prolific .30 magnums, and .338 Win Mag.

You can love the red headed step child, and I encourage it, but the fact is they will always reside in the shadows of better marketing and supply chain realities.

Salavee · #4 12-25-2020, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

The 338/06 and the 35 Whelen are great game getters, but they will always be in the shadows of the 30/06, because you can buy 30/06 in every jerk water town out there, while the 338/06 and 35 Whelen are reserved to more specialized gun emporiums or reloading.
The other inconvenient truth is that deer hunting rules supreme in North America, while the 30/06 is pretty much not needed to kill a deer it’s a better compromise towards the occasional moose or elk being hunted, with deer as a constant, as opposed to concentrating on larger ungulates and being far over matched to deer.

There’s also the fact that dedicated moose/elk cartridges exist in the far more prolific .30 magnums, and .338 Win Mag.

You can love the red headed step child, and I encourage it, but the fact is they will always reside in the shadows of better marketing and supply chain realities.

That makes sense. For some reason I forgot about the fact that Deer hunting comprises the vast majority of BG hunters in NA. Certainly no need for a cartridge like the .338-06 in that scenario...that's 6.5 Creedmoor territory. As I was born in Western Canada at a very young age, I tend to forget about the rest of the Continent.
I will say this though. Any Deer shot with with a med velocity mid-bore, with a mid- weight or larger bullet shows a lot less carcass damage than one shot the same with any Magnum at high velocity... not that this will be a game changer, but may be food for thought. Thanks for the wake-up.

Big Thumper · #5 12-25-2020, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salavee

Sure would be nice to see factory head stamped brass again.

Still some around, I buy mine here
https://store.prophetriver.com/weath...20ct-brass386/

Dubious · #6 12-25-2020, 01:50 PM

Most people find 30-06 to recoil high with heavier bullets and lighter rifles. The fad these days is to get away from the heavy recoiling or magnum rifles have a light setup for that back country dream, the 6.5 7mm 6mm 25 270’s all the creedmores still knock down elk and moose. Is the 338-06 going to make game any more dead than than plethora of lighter recoiling lighter weight less powder burning rifles? This chambering seem to be more of a reloaders cartridge, theres nothing wrong with that it’ll probably end up a cult classic like the 25-06.

Salavee · #7 12-25-2020, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Still some around, I buy mine here
https://store.prophetriver.com/weath...20ct-brass386/

Thanks a lot for that. I didn't think there was any more around. Ordered some.

Big Thumper · #8 12-25-2020, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salavee

Thanks a lot for that. I didn't think there was any more around. Ordered some.

Good for you, glad it was helpful.

I'll have to check my own stock and maybe grab a few more next time I'm in town.

huntingfamily · #9 12-25-2020, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Still some around, I buy mine here
https://store.prophetriver.com/weath...20ct-brass386/

Pricey stuff! I'll keep sizing up Lapua 30-06 brass.
Btw, absolutely love my 338-06! The 30-06 Sako Bavarian has been relegated to the safe for a long while now.

Salavee · #10 12-25-2020, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubious

Most people find 30-06 to recoil high with heavier bullets and lighter rifles. The fad these days is to get away from the heavy recoiling or magnum rifles have a light setup for that back country dream, the 6.5 7mm 6mm 25 270’s all the creedmores still knock down elk and moose. Is the 338-06 going to make game any more dead than than plethora of lighter recoiling lighter weight less powder burning rifles? This chambering seem to be more of a reloaders cartridge, theres nothing wrong with that it’ll probably end up a cult classic like the 25-06.

Knockdown is Knockdown and Dead is Dead ... whether it be 300yds away, 2 miles away, or DRT. I'll go with the quickest, easiest recovery every time. Bigger is Better. regardless of a bit of recoil . I agree though , everyone needs a 5 1/2 lb rifle these days, so I guess a larger bore is out.

stob · #11 12-25-2020, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

With the 9.3x62 so available it makes it tough to give the 338-06 any traction.

X2 and the energy dump from a 9.3 is truly amazing..basically a poor mans 375 ouch and ouch

510-Gem · #12 12-26-2020, 12:19 AM

I shot a mature bull moose this fall with a 300 win - one shot thru the front shanks and one thru the lungs. Dressed out everything looked fairly clean and tidy.

I picked it up from the butcher the other day and the invoice read ‘Bloodiest animal of the day’. Don’t ask me wtf that is supposed to mean in terms of service but the cuts I (and others) have had so far were truly awesome. I was shooting 180 partitions and retained about 115gr.

Anyway, I am learning that velocity and more-so shot placement does matter when it comes to meat damage, and I am certainly interested in the big-bore cartridge that supposedly render less meat damage. If I had crossed paths with a 338 Federal or 338-06 in the last year or so there is little doubt I’d be poorer for it.

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Jerry D · #13 12-26-2020, 04:00 PM

Modern bullets out penetrate those old and heavy cup and cores as well!

Smaller wound cavities though with smaller frontal diameters sometimes

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Desert Eagle · #14 12-27-2020, 02:42 PM

The knockdown from the 338-06 is certainly something to experience. It hits a lot harder than the 30-06.

The frontal diameter and increased weight make a big difference.

Every animal I took with the one I had was literally blown off their feet. That was it. Down right there and game over.