338-06

[apotheosis1321]

I'm making a custom 338-06 off a stevens.

Is it a bit too much for medium game?
I'm wanting a gun that will knock some deer flat, no tracking involved.

Also, if anybody has some good handloads, id love to hear them

-Apotheosis

[MaDa]

Some think 308's and 30-06's are too much for medium game. Others think they are just right.

It's personal preference. Usually depending on whether or not you want to harvest for meat usually plays a large factor.

[apotheosis1321]

I won't really lose much if any meat.
Im hunting in the WV mountains and the dear dont get enough food to get to big, so all of my meat usually comes from the footballs, hams, and backstraps

[jdr308]

I built a 338-06 ackley on a mauser action. It's an awesome round, shoots great and the recoil isnt bad. I would imagine a barnes 160 gr tsx would hit a deer like a freight train.! The heavier bullets may not expand on lighter animals but the 160 should work great.

[woodsman416]

Unless you shoot the deer in the head, you're going to loose some meat. I'm in a shotgun only state and when a 12 ga slug hits the shoulder bone you pretty much loose the whole quarter. It might not be that bad with a .338-06 though.

[Zeeriverat]

I have 2 338-06AI's that I use for deer hunting...they kill with authority and make a fair sized hole, but really don't damage as much meat as my old .308 or 280 did. I use 180gr accubonds and 200gr hornady interlocks..running at about 2700fps...in my 18" barrel tree stand rifle..

Z

[VLP.204]

I just finished building a custom 338 Federal that I plan to use for deer/black bear. From my research, the 200gr Hornady innerlocks are the ticket for medium game. Good expansion at 2500fps and cheep too!

[1Shot]

...I use 200gr Nos. CT's in my .338 Federal & it floors deer.. ;)..Coarse neck shots are the norm..

[pbcaster45]

The Hornady 200 gr. Interlock is the kiss of death on feral hogs! Whitetails too! I wouldn't hestiate to use the 200 gr. Nosler CT either... That's from a .338 Federal.

(Doesn't 1Shot have the best avatars?)

[efw]

Mine really liked RL15 & 180 gr NBTs, which shootersproshop has for sale on occasion. 200 gr Speer Hot Cors, too. Definately not overkill... From my experience it is shot placement & speed that destroy meat.

I really wish I'd not sold that tube. This cartridge is EXTRAORDINARILY versatile; I was getting sub-MOA from those 180s all the way through 250 gr Barnes O bullets!

When I do it again I will likely run whatever 225 gr my rifle likes best & call it good. W/ that you can confidently chase any big game in NA.

[BobT]

The only bullet I'll ever use in the .338/06 is the Nosler 210 grain Partition, I personally believe it is the ideal .338/06 projectile, any lighter and you might as well use a .30 caliber for better sectional density. I don't think it is too much gun for whitetails and have seen it used with great success. I think how fast an animal drops is more a function of shot placement than energy, at least in my experience it has been.

Bob

[cgeorgemo]

I'm making a custom 338-06 off a stevens.
Is it a bit too much for medium game?
I'm wanting a gun that will knock some deer flat, no tracking involved.
-Apotheosis


Yes it is a bit too much for medium game. I've gotten DRT with a 7mm-08, and 25-06, and on the other hand and I've had 2 miles of tracking with a .308.
It depends on where you hit them, it has always depended on where you hit them and it will always depend on where you hit them.
Are the deer wearing kevlar where you hunt?
The 338-06 seems like it is suited for hunting bigger game than whitetail deer.

[375Win]

I don't think your over gunned. I did alot of hunting using the Benoit Method befor I knew it was the Benoit Method in northern WI and MN, the deer run big. Hunting like that you don't always get the nice broadside shot. I like heavy for the cal. bullets and 220RN in my 06, 250's in my 375 Win and 250RN in my 35 Whelen. I can take come, going and crossing shots knowing that it will always reach the vitals. They leave a lot more eddible meat than my 270 did if I hit a ham or shoulder. With big heavies you can eat right up to the bullet hole.

[kschilling]

375 ++++++++++++1

Totally agree!!! We push bullets too fast for hunting. When you slow them down to 2400 fps, unless you're pushing it for distance limits, it will save so much meat. Big bullet and moderate speed will always produce less meat damage. Couple years ago, I used the 6.5 Swede with a 140 grain Core-lokt..... slowed it down to 2300 fps. Had the chance to take two deer at the same time. Hunting partner was using a .25-06. When we cleaned the deer, her's lost the entire shoulder..... mine lost very little and the shots were almost in the same location.... 150 yards......

I've got a .338-06 now and I've got loads developed based on "distance" hunting. I don't do much Spot and Stock hunting, it's mainly from a hasty blind based on travel patterns and lack of cover. Yes, I have several different loads for different distances and I carry them all. This doesn't work for everyone, but I hunt in wide open states that allow for this luxury.


Bottom line..... that .338-06 will do anything you want it too do..... plus some. Hunting loads are effective from 2300 fps to 2700 fps based on distance and shot placement and your loss of meat will clearly show..... The .338-06 has a special following..... there's a reason for it.

[Harry Pope]

Anyone who says the .338-06 is "too much for deer" clearly hasn't used one. I built one 20+ years ago and used it extensively in Alaska and Texas on game from moose to Sitka blacktail. Tailor the load to the game and it performs as well as any other. For the deer I loaded 200 Hornadys at 2350 fps and it killed deer very well - minimal meat damage, quick kills, less than 2" drop out to 200+ yards and recoil like a .308. That load about duplicates the old .33 WCF with far better bullets. I tried 180 BTips once at 2500 fps (.338 Fed performance) and they worked well for longer distances, but more deer are taken under 200 yards.


.

[handirifle]

Read the book, "40 years with the 45-70". He pushed the 400gr bullets to 2,000fps in a Ruger #1, and had deer run 50-75yds after a solid double lung hit. So, no the 338-06 isn't too much, and yes shot placement is almost everything. I say almost cause unless it's a brain shot, or a spine shot, a deer could drop in its tracks or run 100yds. Never a guarantee of a DRT.

[M.O.A.]

it is better to be to big than to small i allways say

[earl39]

As long as there is meat to eat does it matter how big the bullet is. Remember dead is dead. I like my 338-06 but hunt with everything from a 223 up to the 338.