338-06 & T/C Encore

[c.r.]

I've been interested in the 338-06 for a number of years. I don't know anybody that shoots one. I've never even seen one. I have to admit that the motivation for bringing this up right now is probably because i've been doing some reading of Keith's works and the 333 OKH has made me think about the 338-06 again. I just can't help but think the 338-06 is the modern day 333okh.

I'm mentioning the Encore because i think this is a platform that will let me get into a 338-06 relatively inexpensively and keep the weight of the rifle down. I'm most interested in bullet weights in the 250-300 gr weights.

Does anybody have any experience with the 338-06? If so what do you think about it and your opinion of it in an encore?

(There is also a wildcat called the 338 Hawk, i believe. it's a 338-06 with the shoulder moved forward a bit. Just another 338-06 variant that comes to mind.)

Thank you,
c.r.

[boxhead]

I have been shooting one since 1995 or so. My go to load has been the 210 gr Partition at ~2800 fps and a few elk and other critters (nilgai, hogs, deer, black bear) have dropped to it and rather quickly. I have not recovered a Partition. The last elk I took with it dropped right now at 280 yards with the 185 gr Barnes TSX at 2925 fps. In low behind the quartering away shoulder and recovered under the hide after quite lierally centering the off shoulder. Here's the bull and the bullet, both took quite a beating...





In the future I will revert to the 210 gr Partition for elk and the like. Best groups have been achieved with the 225 gr Partition at 2650 fps but not enough to matter. My take is the 210 gr Partition is ideal for the 338-06. If it's just deer and hogs then any 338 cal bullet will suffice no doubt. I use VV-N550 in my rifle with the 210 or 185. If I feel a need for a heavier bullet I move to my 35 Whelen (225 gr Barnes TSX) or 9.3x62 (250 gr Barnes TSX). That said, IME, I really do not believe they did any better than the 338-06 and the 210 gr Partition. Good luck, you will enjoy it.

[Gary @ R&G]

I have a CZ Model 1908/34 mauser converted to 338-06 that I bought at a state auction last year. After reading this I may have to keep it and play with it.

[doghawg]

C.R.

I've got a .338/06 AI with the 40 degree shoulder. Had it built in 1986 by a custom smith named Wally Strutz. It's on a Whitworth (MK. 10) action with a 10 twist Douglas barrel and sits in one of the earliest versions of a Brown precision fiberglass stock. The one elk I shot with it was with a 225 Hornady at 2650 fps and the 5 x 5 had no clue there wasn't a belt on the case. It shoots tiny little groups with 250 gr. Sierra boattails at 2450 fps. The two powders I settled on for most loads are H414 and H4350 but always meant to give Rel 19 a try...

I tried making cases by expanding '06 but didn't like the lopsided necks after being dragged over the expander ball...regardless of lube. Fireforming was a PITA also. Finally bought a batch of .35 Whelen cases and sized the necks down just enough to chamber...perfect.

I've always had the opinion that the .338 Win mag was an obnoxious kicking beast and the .338/06 is much more pleasant route to take...and doubt many critters would notice the difference. FWIW

[c.r.]

thanks for the info. It sounds like I my assumption of 300 grain bullets my be a bit off. It sounds like the 338-06 is more a 200-250 gr gun. Which is fine. I couldn't ask for better results than what I read from above.

I'm not a big fan of magnum cartridges either. The only one that comes to mind that I'd like to own is a 375 H&H.

on the subject of expanding the 30-06 cases to 338. I have read of at least one other person stating similar trouble. Rather than step up to 35 Wheelen, he had plenty of .270 cases. He ran them through the die and the result was a longer COL than the 30-06 gave, then he just trimmed them down.

[doghawg]

I was convinced if the necks stretched more on one side than the other the neck thickness would be uneven also. Never had a ball mic to see if that theory held any water though.
I was digging through some old load notes...I could hit the 2500 fps mark with 250 gr. bullets and 2700 with 225's. This from the "improved" version but I doubt if there's much of a velocity advantage over the standard. My barrel is 23"....couldn't make a decision between 22" and 24"!
My best ever whitetail buck took a 200 gr. Speer in the lungs at 40 yards....probably about 2750 impact velocity. The bullet turned into a grenade and never exited.....no tracking required. Wouldn't want to try that on an elk shoulder.

If limited to three rifles....I'd get along just fine with a .223, a .257 Robts and....a .338/06.

[bloodhound]

I HAVE A CUSTOM PRE 64 MODEL 70 IN 338-06...LILJA STAINLESS BARREL...I WAS GOING TO TRY TO POST A PHOTO THIS PAST WEEKEND, BUT GOT TOO BUSY....EXCELLENT CALIBER AND CARTRIDGE..... ;D

[ohnomrbillk]

I have a 375-06 JDJ in an Encore pistol. If you are looking for Thor's hammer, it is it. I realize you were looking for the 338, but there is a great deal of overlap. It does very well with bullets from 220 to 300 grains. Mine has been a great deal of fun for target shooting, and has harvested a few deer as well. I have been impressed with the Encore overall, and this setup is no exception. My only complaint is now that I live in a big metro, and have a hard time getting to an outdoor range, I don't get to shoot it.
Bill