338-06 bullet choice

[death-from-above]

You guys that shoot the 338-06 ... Anyone load up with barnes bullets? If so, which style bullet, and what weight? I am thinking about loading some tsx in the 210gr. Anyone want to share some load recipes. ?

 

[Cliffy]

I've shot my 338-06 on 4 of my 5 trips to Africa I have probably tried 40 to 50 different loads since 1999 in it and I always come back to Nosler Partion 225 gr bullets. They shoot the most accurate out of my barrel and perform outstandingly on game animals. Accubonds at 225 gr are second. I can't get ANY Barnes bullets to shoot accurately with my rifle. Tried 5 or 6 different ones. Not knocking them, just can't get them to shoot in this rifle. Now, I may have too long a throat in it so I'm going to do some more work on seating depth this year to see if that makes any difference. Love my Thumper!

 

[death-from-above]

Thanks cliffy, I will keep that in mind if my new one won't shoot Barnes.
Anyone else ?

 

[elmerfudd555]

210 TTSX shoot great in mine. Ditto the 185s. Did not take this rifle to Africa, I purpose built it for shooting hogs and black bear but I have used it on two elk, a cow last year and a bull this year, in both cases one shot took care of things and neither animal ran away. Complete pass throughs at 100-150 yds. Shoulders broken in both cases. Really like RL 15 powder in this cartridge

 

[death-from-above]

Thanks. I will pencil that down. My rifle should be done by spring thaw. I will more than likely take it to Zimbabwe in July as long as I get a proper load worked up.

210 TTSX shoot great in mine. Ditto the 185s. Did not take this rifle to Africa, I purpose built it for shooting hogs and black bear but I have used it on two elk, a cow last year and a bull this year, in both cases one shot took care of things and neither animal ran away. Complete pass throughs at 100-150 yds. Shoulders broken in both cases. Really like RL 15 powder in this cartridge

 

[Cliffy]

Zimbabwe is where I took mine the first time. It worked great. Find a good load and the cartridge will do the job Keep us posted
I used Rl15 then and I'm playing with RL 17 next.

 

[Alaska]

Reloader 17 getting 2700 fps with 225 Nosler Part in 338-06 in 24”
Excellent Accuracy!

 

[Vanguard2279]

I've taken my NULA .338-06 to Namibia and South Africa. It's pet load is a 210-grain Barnes TTSX backed up by 63 grains of H414 with Norma brass. This load is safe in my rifle gives me an average of 2,750 fps. My best group has been three rounds into one hole at 100 yards. I've never done that twice, but the load is usually under an inch with five shots when I do my part.

 

[Graham Hunter]

I run 210 NP. 2nd choice is 225 Accubond.

 

[Capebuffalo]

I've shot my 338-06 on 4 of my 5 trips to Africa I have probably tried 40 to 50 different loads since 1999 in it and I always come back to Nosler Partion 225 gr bullets. They shoot the most accurate out of my barrel and perform outstandingly on game animals. Accubonds at 225 gr are second. I can't get ANY Barnes bullets to shoot accurately with my rifle. Tried 5 or 6 different ones. Not knocking them, just can't get them to shoot in this rifle. Now, I may have too long a throat in it so I'm going to do some more work on seating depth this year to see if that makes any difference. Love my Thumper!

Cliffy,
For a person who grew up in the Bushveld of northern South Africa, I must admit, the 338-06 is tailor made for plains game of that area. It is also there where the 338 Sabi Sabi was developed, a very similar cartridge.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks. I will pencil that down. My rifle should be done by spring thaw. I will more than likely take it to Zimbabwe in July as long as I get a proper load worked up.

@death-from-above
Woodleigh make some beautiful bonded bullets specifically for the 338-06 and 338 federal. They are designed for the lower velocities of these cartridges instead of magnums. Should work well if you can get them.
Bob