| .338-06 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | |
| Place of origin | USA | |
| Specifications | ||
| Parent case | .30-06 | |
| Case type | Rimless, bottleneck | |
| Bullet diameter | .338 in (8.6 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | .369 in (9.4 mm) | |
| Shoulder diameter | .441 in (11.2 mm) | |
| Base diameter | .472 in (12.0 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | .473 in (12.0 mm) | |
| Case length | 2.494 in (63.3 mm) | |
| Overall length | 3.37 in (86 mm) | |
| Rifling twist | 10 | |
| Primer type | Large rifle | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 200 gr (13 g) BT | 2,720 ft/s (830 m/s) | 3,286 ft·lbf (4,455 J) |
| 225 gr (14.6 g) SP | 2,620 ft/s (800 m/s) | 3,430 ft·lbf (4,650 J) |
| 250 gr (16 g) SBT | 2,516 ft/s (767 m/s) | 3,515 ft·lbf (4,766 J) |
| Test barrel length: 24 Source(s): Accurate Powder [1] |
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The .338-06 is a wildcat cartridge based on the .30-06. It allows heavier .338 caliber bullets to be used from the .30-06 non-belted case. This is a better choice for heavy bodied game such as moose, elk, and brown bear than the .30-06. 338 caliber bullets became more widely available after the introduction in the late 1950s of the .338 Winchester Magnum cartridge, frequently chambered in the Winchester Model 70 rifle. The .338-06 maintains much of the benefits of the .338 Magnum cartridge but has substantially less recoil, makes more efficient use of powder, and allows use of widely available .30-06 commercial and military cases. It is similar in concept to the .333 OKH as well as the .35 Whelen, which also use the .30-06 brass case as a basis for the cartridge. Thanks to the large number of rifles based on the .30-06 family of cartridges, having a .338-06 made usually only requires a simple barrel change by a competent gun smith. A-Square adopted the caliber as the .338-06 A-Square in approximately 1998, and was approved by SAAMI as a standardized caliber. Weatherby offered factory rifles and ammunition, but has now dropped the rifles from its inventory. The 338-06 A-Square has a slight advantage in velocity, and uses bullets that retain velocity and wind resistance better than bullets of the same grain weight in the .35 Whelen.
The .338-06 is a very versatile big game hunting cartridge. Loaded with light weight bullets, such as the 180gr. Nosler Accubond, it is adequate for smaller big game species like deer or pronghorn at medium to long range. When loaded with medium weight .338 bullets from 200gr. to 225 gr. the .338-06 really comes into its own as an outstanding big game cartridge. Loaded with a 210gr. Nosler Partition the .338-06 is among the best elk cartridges ever developed. Heavier premium bullets like the 225gr. Nosler Partition or even the 250gr. Partition allow the .338-06 to handle the largest game found in North America like moose and brown bear. Because of its versatility many knowledgeable riflemen choose the .338-06 as their main rifle cartridge for all of their big game hunting.
Rifles cambered in .338-06 are often shorter and lighter than comparable magnum chambered rifles. This makes .338-06 chambered rifles more desirable for mountain hunting or where excessive weight is an issue. While the .338-06 performs well from a 24" barrel most magnum rifle cartridges, such as the .340 Weatherby, require a longer 26" barrel to reach their full potential.