338-06 Project Finally Started

[mattri]

Have been kicking around the idea of a 338-06 for a couple of years, just hadn't pulled it together.

Then a few days ago an old A/B barrel popped up for sale and I couldn't resist.

So far here's the idea-

Build a light/med weight mid-range hunter that will be accurate and fun, always like working with things a bit different.

Platform is a Stevens 200 T&T'd action with RB trigger, Boyds Prairie Hunter stock pillar bedded wearing a Vortex 2.5-10 mil/mil. Previously this rifle had a CBI 7mm-08 barrel which will be unscrewed for this build (can always put it back).

The 7mm-08 was a little finicky but still a consistent 1-1.5 MOA out to 500m, hope to achieve at least that level of accuracy with the 338-06.

Looking to shoot 200-225gr bullets at a decent velocity, accuracy always trumps- may look at the lighter bullets after initial testing.

So far have the barrel on its way, 225 Hndy Interlocks on order and just today the PPU 30-06 brass, Lee Pacesetter dies and Speer HotCores arrived.

Case forming was very simple, decent amount of Lee lube and a pass through the full length sizer opened up the neck without a hitch. Only had time to size a handful of cases after work but hopefully the rest go as well.

Have H414, H4350, H4831, H4895 and R17 to work with, hope to have some test rounds ready to go in the next week or so, will post results.

[scooterf79]

Sounds good, noticeably more knock down than the 30-06 but less recoil than the big magnums. Im curious as to your results
Scooters

[mattri]

Not the best pics but you get the idea. Just finished forming 100 cases of the PPU brass. Have to say am very impressed with these PPU cases, weights are very consistent, annealing looks uniform and cols are very close- they are as good or very very close to the Lapua brass I've used in the past and definitely better than WW or RP.

[scooterf79]

Ive not used them but Ive read several people say theyve had good luck with them. Forming looks to have went well
Scooter

[mattri]

338-06 with a 200gr Speer HotCor next to a 7mm-08 with a 150gr SGK.

[olddav]

Sure looks like a thumper.

[Bearguide444]

I havent been trying to develop loads for my 338-06 just loaded some up to fire since I also just finished my 338-06 project and wanted to fire lead down range. I had an 06 barrel and had JES open the barrel up to the 338 dia. I was using hornady 225 with IMR 4895 and had 3-3 shot groups less than 1 inch like I said havent worked on load development yet but very happy with my results.

[mattri]

First range session went pretty well- the gun shoots and functions well. Tried a few loads of R17 with a 200gr Speer Hotcore. 61grs shot well and gave an average of 2715fps. 62grs netted 2750 but accuracy wasn't as good. Want to try some different powders and some 225gr bullets.

This was 61grs @ 100 yards:

[scooterf79]

Nice! Looks like everything went together well and ya gotta shooter it seems so far
Scooter

[Bearguide444]

Very nice shooter. In think you will be very happy with this round

[mattri]

Like it a lot- am already considering an ai.

[Marine24]

I'm a big fan of the 338-06 as well. Most recent build was a Savage 110 with a Shaw barrel. Magnum contour was the only one they had and worked out fine but little heavy for toting in the mountains. My preferred bullet was the 185gr Barnes TSX. Good accuracy and performance on elk and mule deer was excellent. R17 was my powder of choice.

[mattri]

Good to know, I've thought about trying some Barnes bullets but hear really conflicting reviews of their performance.

[Marine24]

I've used Barnes TSX and TTSX exclusively for over 20 years on my 257 Wby, 270, 308 and 338-06 with no issues for accuracy or performance on game. One reason I like Barnes is that I'm able to comfortable load a light for caliber bullet (ie 185gr vs 210gr in the 338-06. Nothing wrong with your Hornady's though. My 7mm-08 prefers the 160gr Accubonds to the 140g Barnes TTSX.

[mattri]

Shot some 225 Hornady Interlocks today- got up to 2760 without pressure but the accuracy was at 2710.

Hornady also makes a 225 SST with a much higher BC that I may try.

[drybean]

Great shooting, looks good

[scooterf79]

Looks really good, I doubt any critter is gonna notice the difference of 50fps anyway
Keep it up
Scooter

[mattri]

Thanks for the replies- this project has been a ton of fun.

This round has proven to be pretty accurate with a number of different bullet/powder/seating combos. Haven't really had a "bad" batch yet.

Shot some 225gr SSTs today- here's a pic of the bullet with a 22lr:

[mattri]

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics- I'm not too tech-savvy.

[sixonetonoffun]

Looks like a lot of fun! I like the idea of 338-06 and 338-375 gets ya away from the silly belted.cartridge.

[tammons]

After trying a few different bullets in the 338-06 I settled on the 338 160 gr TTSX.

It just dumps deer and hogs on the spot.
Last deer I shot with it, and that was a reduced load running at about 2900, it blew a softball size lung balloon out the opposite side. That one did make it about 5 yards before keeling over.

If going after Elk I would dial it up to a 185-210 gr TTSX bullet.

With a 24" bbl you can max out at about 3200 FPS with the 160 TTSX with the right powder.
Never have tried to max it out myself.

[mattri]

May have to try some Barnes bullets after all.

The 225 Interlocks are shooting right around 1/2-3/4" @ 100 and honestly with a lower powered scope and a semi-improvised rest that's about as well as I can shoot on a regular basis anyway. I'll get the occasional 3-in-1ish group but truthfully its more often luck than skill- if a load shoots 1/2-3/4" out of a hunting rifle I call it good to go.

The SSTs aren't shooting quite as well but haven't worked with them a whole lot. Love the higher bc but if the Interlocks are that accurate they're getting the nod for right now.

Plan to finish loading the virgin brass with the same load of 61.5gr of R17 and the 225 Interlocks to hammer down a zero and confirm chrono #s then stretch its legs. If it can hold together to 500 I will be very, very happy.

[Bearguide444]

what was the load you used for that group I might want to try that in mine work my way up of course. powder weight - powder type since I am also using 225 hornady interlocks

[tammons]

May have to try some Barnes bullets after all.

The 160 grainers are nice. Not much more recoil than a 30-06 and a real sledge hammer on game.
Very flat shooter too. At 3150 if you can get that, it has over 1200 FPE at 500 yards.

I sold my 19" 338-284 (about same as 338-06) barrel to a guy in colorado and his father in law used it loaded with 185 gr TTSX bullets.

He Shot a 850# Cow elk at about 100 yards and said it took 2 steps and tipped over DRT.

I wanted to try the Cutting edge Raptor bullets but never got around to it.
I load them in 6.8 SPC and they are another heavy hitter slice and dice bullet only more slice and dice.

Right now I have gone to an AR10 in 338 fed and for hunting bolt guns 8mm and 9.3x62 mausers but may swap out the 8mm barrel to something else.

So sort of out of the loop on the 338-06 for a while but its a hammer.

[jonbearman]

Who made the barrel? Is it another CBI?