.338-06

[Amphibious]

as I have been recently aquired a P17 and am the tinkering sort, I think It would make a nice .338-06.

now, for those of you who shoot this wildcat, I have a few questions:

Brass - what makes the best brass? do you blow out a .30-06 case, or neck down a .35 whelen? I know wby has .338-06 brass, but it is cost prohibitive.

Over all impressions? is it worth the effort? does it have that much of an edge over a .35whelen?

Thanks for your help :D

[bone-collector]

I think WBY makes 338-06 brass Willer , or Geoff had some WBY 338-06 brass for sale

[todbartell]

It is my *hunch that 30-06 brass would be the best way to go about making 338-06 cases. Necking Whelen brass down could lead to thick necks, and would need to be turned... :?: Something probably not to be encountered by necking up 30-06 cases.

Here are some ballistics on the 338-06: :idea:

180 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 2950 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 286 yards (243 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2270 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2055 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 4.4"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 7.6" (10 mph crosswind)

200 gr. Hornady Interlock @ 2800 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 271 yards (231 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2120 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2000 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 5.9"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 8.5" (10 mph crosswind)

210 gr. Barnes XLC-BT @ 2725 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 272 yards (231 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2205 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2265 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 5.8"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 6.5" (10 mph crosswind)

225 gr. Nosler Partition @ 2625 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 262 yards (222 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2100 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2200 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 7.1"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 7.2" (10 mph crosswind)

250 gr. Speer Grand Slam @ 2500 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 249 yards (211 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 1965 fps *2135 @ 200y*
Energy @ 300 yards - 2140 ft-lbs *2530 @ 200y*
Drop @ 300 yards - 9.1"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 8.2" (10 mph crosswind)

275 gr. Swift A-Frame @ 2350 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 237 yards (201 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 1870 fps *2185 @ 100y*
Energy @ 300 yards - 2140 ft-lbs *2915 @ 100y*
Drop @ 300 yards - 11.3"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 8.2" (10 mph crosswind)

A very versatile big game cartridge to say the least :)

[Amphibious]

nice work bud, got any numbers on the Nosler 200gr BT? the hornady 225gr SST? :twisted:

[todbartell]

200 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 2800 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 275 yards (234 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2205 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2155 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 5.4"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 7.3" (10 mph crosswind)

225 gr. Hornady SST @ 2625 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 265 yards (224 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2155 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2315 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 6.7"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 6.3" (10 mph crosswind)

[GreyDog]

You can go either way. There is no problem in using 35 Whelen brass since neck clearances are adequate to allow this. The only problem is that 35 Whelen brass is Remington brass and I prefer Winchester.
I have made a bunch of 338-06's but have never used one. I've used a 35 Whelen for the last 17 years and like it very much.GD

[Mauser98]

I've used a .35 Whelen for a nunber of years. I started with buying brass for it but soon went to re-sized .30-06(or .270 Win) cases. I didn't care for the Remingtom brass. About the only thing I would recommend if you do neck up is to use a tapered expander in the resizing die. RCBS .35 Whelen dies come standard with one. I don't know if other brands do.

If you do buy Whelen brass and neck down, be sure to check case length as you may find it needs trimming. When I neck up .30-06 brass, the resulting case is shorter.

Over all impressions? is it worth the effort? does it have that much of an edge over a .35whelen?


To my way of thinking, the .338-06 and the .35 Whelen are twins. The .338-06 absolutely has no edge over the Whelen. There is a good bullet selection for both calibers.

For a given bullet weight, the .338-06 has higher sectional density and so should give better penetration but the Whelen gives higher velocities and a bigger hole. The .338-06 bullets may have higher Ballistic Coefficients but IMHO, small differences in BC's are insignificant in downrange performance.

[lefty338-06]

I DO HAVE SOME WBY 338-06 BRASS AND I WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD DEAL 0N SOME I REALLY THINK THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO CALIBERS BUT I DO PREFURE THE 338-O6 I LIKE THE 338 BALLISTICS AND NOW YOU CAN GET A GOOD BULLET SELECTION
THE 35 IS EASER TOGET THE RIGHT HEAD STAMP BRASS I HAD TO USE NEW 30-06 WIN BRASS BECAUSE OF THE TIGH CHAMBER IT IS A S/S BBL GILLARD ON A L/H REM700 WITH A LAMINATED STOCK AND IT SHOOTS 1/2 GROUPS THE ONLY OTHER THING TO CONSIDER IS THE COST OF THE DIES 35 ARE 1/2 THE PRICE OF THE 338-06 THE OTHER FELLAS HAVE SAID IT ALL AND I KNOW THE MOOSE CANNOT TELL YOU WITH HE WAS SHOT WITH GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU WANT SOME BRASS..... LEFTY 338-06

[bone-collector]

willer are you dreaming again http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_2_17.gif

[Amphibious]

well SOMEBODY did promise me a P17, and what a waste it would be to leave it a boring .30-06 :D

[bone-collector]

ahh alass yes i did and yes you can make a new toy with it so heres lookin at you hahahttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_6_4.gif

[Amphibious]

all class Rob, All Class.... :D

[bone-collector]

you like them bad boys hu haha http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_1_125.gif

this is what happens when you take 1 human , -all the sleep , and make him drive a log truck in a blizzard all night 8O


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_5_134.gif

[todbartell]

Here is some 35 Whelen numbers to compare with:

:idea:

180 gr. Barnes X @ 3000 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 282 yards (240 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2155 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 1855 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 4.8"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 9.6" (10 mph crosswind)

200 gr. Hornady Interlock @ 2900 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 269 yards (230 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2010 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 1800 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 6.3"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 10.9" (10 mph crosswind)

225 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 2700 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 267 yards (226 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2125 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2255 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 6.5"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 7.5" (10 mph crosswind)

250 gr. Nosler Partition @ 2550 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 254 yards (216 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2025 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2275 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 8.2"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 7.6" (10 mph crosswind)

280 gr. Swift A-Frame @ 2400 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 237 yards (202 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 1825 fps *2200 @ 100y*
Energy @ 300 yards - 2065 ft-lbs *3305 @ 100y*
Drop @ 300 yards - 11.3"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 9.8" (10 mph crosswind)

[Amphibious]

wow - lots of good info guys. I guess I should be more specific. I'm looking to build a rifle for Black Bear - Moose - Elk. No Deer, no Grizz, no dinosaurs. pretty much have my choices down to .338-06 or .35 whelen. no .30-06 either. it's to boring :D

[todbartell]

30-06 works pretty good on moose/elk/black bears I hear 8)

more boring numbers for comparison sake: :lol:

:idea:

165 gr. Barnes XLC-BT @ 2875 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 288 yards (244 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2370 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2060 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 4.1"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 5.6" (10 mph crosswind)

180 gr. Barnes TSX-BT @ 2750 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 278 yards (236 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2300 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 2115 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 5.1"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 5.4" (10 mph crosswind)

200 gr. Nosler Partition @ 2600 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 261 yards (221 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 2105 fps
Energy @ 300 yards - 1965 ft-lbs
Drop @ 300 yards - 7.3"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 6.8" (10 mph crosswind)

220 gr. Nosler Partition @ 2475 fps
+/- 3" Point Blank Range of 241 yards (205 yard zero)
Velocity @ 300 yards - 1830 fps *2250 @ 100y*
Energy @ 300 yards - 1635 ft-lbs *2470 @ 100y*
Drop @ 300 yards - 10.7"
Wind drift @ 300 yards - 10.5" (10 mph crosswind)

Good ol '06 :P

[Mauser98]

I've owned a number of .30-06's and I've NEVER been able to get 2700 fps let alone 2750 with 180 gr bullets.

[todbartell]

I've owned a number of .30-06's and I've NEVER been able to get 2700 fps let alone 2750 with 180 gr bullets.

In my 22" barreled m70, I can get 2715 fps avg with 60 grs. WXR and a 180 gr. Speer spitzer. With a 22" barrel, I'd see no great strain reaching 2700-2750 fps with 4350's, RL19, RL22, h4831 or WXR. :idea:

[bone-collector]

in my ruger M77 MK2 30-06 we had cronied 180Gr speer grand slams leaving a 24" barrel @ 2842fps , the load I will NOT share but it came out of a 1951 reloading manual as a max load and the bolt WAS stiff to open and out of a 165Gr GS bullet we acheived 3008fps but once again the bolt was tight after firing ...both loads were sub 1/2 MOA @ 100 5 shots

[todbartell]

we had cronied 180Gr speer grand slams leaving a 24" barrel @ 2842fps , the load I will NOT share but it came out of a 1951 reloading manual as a max load and the bolt WAS stiff to open

wow that is quick 8O I was not aware Ruger made their MKII's with anything longer than 22" tubes. :?: Did you take any game with this load with the 180 gr. GS?

[Amphibious]

Some Good Reads:

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/338_0113/

http://quarterbore.com/library/articles/33806.html

[itsme]

i just got rid of a 338 -06
it was a great gun - i would use 30-06 brass- cheaper and never had any problems using it.
you will like the gun if decide to go for it.
i do not know why any one has taken that and made a production gun from it
i have a nice 338 magnum custom built on a mauser action with a slide in clip
been sitting in gun safe to long as was using the 338 -06 got rid of it so i would shoot the 338 magnum
now i go and get a 375 h and h and love that - uuhh- hope it does not si ther eto much lnger - will just ahve to put a scope and shoot it
but 338 -06 nice - you will like it

[YukonJack]

I've owned a number of .30-06's and I've NEVER been able to get 2700 fps let alone 2750 with 180 gr bullets.

In my 22" barreled m70, I can get 2715 fps avg with 60 grs. WXR and a 180 gr. Speer spitzer. With a 22" barrel, I'd see no great strain reaching 2700-2750 fps with 4350's, RL19, RL22, h4831 or WXR. :idea:

Interesting. At the hazard of being taken the wrong way, Mauser 98, have you tried to achieve these velocities with mid-range powders? The interesting part is the actual reduction in pressure signs that can be seen when increasing the loading density of any given powder in a medium to slow speed powder. Slower burning powders like Firebird uses seem to have the ability of being compressed like this, with reductions in pressure, and modest gains in velocity. It's a fine line up there to be sure, and once satisfied with the load, one should stop increasing the density.
I personally don't experiment with such things, and am not saying Firebird does either.
Chamber condition, case prep(sized full or neck only), temperature, amount of lubrication in chamber, primer type, powder type ect. all have an effect on how much the case will expand within the chamber, and how much energy of the cartridge explosion is free to act on the bullet as resultant velocity. Barrel length is the last velocity factor...how long will that energy be able to act on the bullet, or is the length of the barrel actually now slowing the bullet due to friction. 8)
All things equal, your loads may be "up to speed" in somebody else's rifle. 8)

[bone-collector]

we had cronied 180Gr speer grand slams leaving a 24" barrel @ 2842fps , the load I will NOT share but it came out of a 1951 reloading manual as a max load and the bolt WAS stiff to open

wow that is quick 8O I was not aware Ruger made their MKII's with anything longer than 22" tubes. :?: Did you take any game with this load with the 180 gr. GS?

Mark it was my error yes a 22" tube on the gun :oops: and yes 3 moose and 2 bears with it and am still pissy i sold it , never ruined 1 ounce of meat and dropped every dam thing in its tracks ..one of those hindsights ruger does make 24" tubes which was on the 25-06

I can get the load from my buddy in kitimat for you if you like and you can play with it

[Amphibious]

Friend of mine asked me the other day:

"if this round is so amazing why doesn't anyone chamber it?"

so it got me thinking and I did a little reading. best answer I can come up with is AGE. .338-06 was standardized by A-Square in 1998. didn't realize this was such a young cartridge.

[Mauser98]

It's not that young

Here's a quote from 'The Reload Bench' website .http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w33806.html

Back in 1945-1946 Charles O'Neil, Elmer Keith and Don Hopkins developed a cartridge they named the 333 OKH which was based on the 30-06 case necked up to 333 caliber. It was a very good big game cartridge, but today it suffers from the lack of good, readily available .333" diameter bullets. When the .338 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958, it was followed immediately by a variety of commercial .338" diameter bullets. Shortly there after, several individuals at different places conceived the idea of either altering their 333 OKH's or necking up 30-06 to accept .338" diameter bullets. Any difference in performance between the 333 OKH and the 338-06 is purely academic and almost invisible. The latter uses a standard commercial diameter bullet readily available through handloading supply dealers, which is a big advantage. The two cartridges are so nearly alike that one could use loading data from the 333 OKH in the 338-06 with virtually the same results.

As you said, the .338-06 was commercialized by A-Square in about 1998 and in recent years Weatherby has been chambering some of their rifle for it. Apparently, it has been dropped from Weatherby's line this year

[Amphibious]

oh yeah - read about the creation of the cartridge, much older. but nothing really comes into widespread use untill one of the ammo makers starts putting it out en-mass.

[todbartell]

It's been lost in the short mag races, and the Ultra Mags before them... :cry: I hope Remington chambers the 338-06 or the 35 Whelen again sometime soon, these cartridges really are too good to just be wildcats (basically it is what they still are) :?

[rrfred]

hi all; been thinking about the 338-06 for a while too,not a magnum fan anymore, 338-06 represents a really nice balance for a mid caliber, not too much thump on the shoulder and enough poop to do the job on the bigger critters; I really like the 7mms, but may opt for this one if I go back after the really big stuff again. my .02 ---cheers rrfred

[Downwindtracker2]

I have a 338.06 on a FN and a 308Norma on P-17.If I were rebarreling a P-17,I would look a 358Norma Long Neck,simply resized 300WM cases, for a number of reasons.The box on a P-17 in standard form is 3.40" ,the norma cartridges are bit shorter than the 300WM and fit the 30.06 box length better.That box is so deep you can easily fit five magnum rounds in it,or four if the straightened guard.A 338WM works too,just that I think the Norma round is more interesting .

Were the 338.06 is a better choice is the smaller boxed mauser actions.I haven't chronyed any loads but for 225gr Hornadys I am looking for 2600 to 2650,max with a full case of H-4350 max is 2700.

[geologist]

Oh great! Now you guys have me thinking about converting my BRNO ZKK from 30-06 to 338-06. Put on a receiver sight, switch to Warne detachable rings for my B&L 3200 Elite and it'd be perfect for anything in North America at any range.

[bone-collector]

stick around for a week you will change your mind again :lol: :lol:

[Marc]

I'm in the same boat guys. I'm seriously thinking of converting my browning BBR 30-06 into a 338-06. It will all depend on how much coin I can save over the winter. I like the extra energy down range compared to the 06 incase I meet up with a grizz with an animal down. I'm terrified of grizzly's and I've never seen one. I'd sleep a little easier at night with a 338-06 beside me in my tent. :lol:

[Gatehouse]

I'm in the same boat guys. I'm seriously thinking of converting my browning BBR 30-06 into a 338-06. It will all depend on how much coin I can save over the winter. I like the extra energy down range compared to the 06 incase I meet up with a grizz with an animal down. I'm terrified of grizzly's and I've never seen one. I'd sleep a little easier at night with a 338-06 beside me in my tent. :lol:

Grizzlies are waiting to POUNCE, too!
:)

If you are a reloader, the 338-06 makes great sense, but I odn't know how many factories are making ammo for it.

I really like the 338-06, and I'd own one, except I really don't have the need. I've got all the bases covered with my 22-250AI, 7RM, 300WSM and 375 H&H. I'm even considering selling off a good chunk of the rest of rifles..

[todbartell]

I'd get one, maybe someday, but I don't need one now..."need"??? what's that...:confused: :mrgreen:

[Boo]

I've owned a number of .30-06's and I've NEVER been able to get 2700 fps let alone 2750 with 180 gr bullets.

My top velocity load in the .30-06 is a 180 grain Scirocco over a maximum charge of Reloder 22. It reads ~2830 fps @ 10 feet from the muzzle. 180 Ballistic tips out of the same rifle average 2800fps. This is from a 22" barrel.

[Boo]

As for .338-06 velocities.............
Out of my rifle with a 24" barrel I get at 10 feet:

225 grain Hornady SP = 2750 fps
200 grain Ballistic Tip = 2850 fps
175 Barnes "X "= 3000fps

[Downwindtracker2]

There is thread on AR Medium Bores,an Aussie using a 24" pressure barrel 30.06,to get the 2800 you have to run magnum pressures,64,000psi.I use H-4350 and N-560 maxs to get 2730-2740 with three 22" factory 30.06s

[Boo]

There is thread on AR Medium Bores,an Aussie using a 24" pressure barrel 30.06,to get the 2800 you have to run magnum pressures,64,000psi.I use H-4350 and N-560 maxs to get 2730-2740 with three 22" factory 30.06s

Nosler #5 lists 2872 fps using RL22 and a 24" barrel and the pressures are kept modest.

Using the load I use, based on the Nosler data, I have reloaded a number of cases 10 times or more WITHOUT having to trim and with the primer pockets staying tight. Like I mentioned earlier I get chronoed 2830 out of a 22" barrel with no excessive pressure signs.

RL22 is such a great powder for the 30-06 and heavy bullets that it pains me to no end that I am down to my last pound and no new supplies in sight.

[Marc]

Nosler #5 lists 2872 fps using RL22 and a 24" barrel and the pressures are kept modest.

RL22 is such a great powder for the 30-06 and heavy bullets that it pains me to no end that I am down to my last pound and no new supplies in sight.

What type and grain bullet we talking about? Is R22 discontinued or you just havent had the opertunity to get more?

Thanks, Marc.

[Boo]

What type and grain bullet we talking about? Is R22 discontinued or you just havent had the opertunity to get more?

Thanks, Marc.


180 grain Ballistict Tip @ 2800 fps+.

I also use the exact same load with the 180 Swift Scirocco, which has a slightly longer driving band than the BT and pick up a few extra fps over the Nosler bullet.


Reloder 22 has not been discontinued but no one I know has been able to find any in western Canada for the last 5 - 6 months. Alliant, the present distributor of the Reloder series, happens to be one of the major powder suppliers for the US military. That may have something to do with it.

For a point of comparision the Hornady "Light Magnum" load for the .30-06 boasts well over 2800 fps with the 180 grain Interlock. I bought a box to see if their claims were true and I was happy to say they were close. OUt of my 22" barreled '06 they tripped over the chrono at 2800 fps on the nose. I imagine with a 24" barrel they would have done 2830-2860 easy.

[Downwindtracker2]

Boo,RL-22 came closest to 2800 under 60,000.His data,but I only believe data that has pressure numbers,and those in psi only.Stan Watson suggests,from his pressure testing,brass handles over 70,000psi.

I wouldn't worry about losing RL-22, VihtVouri N-560 is very close,more expensive but also more lineal.

[Mattimoose]

as I have been recently aquired a P17 and am the tinkering sort, I think It would make a nice .338-06.

now, for those of you who shoot this wildcat, I have a few questions:

Brass - what makes the best brass? do you blow out a .30-06 case, or neck down a .35 whelen? I know wby has .338-06 brass, but it is cost prohibitive.

Over all impressions? is it worth the effort? does it have that much of an edge over a .35whelen?

Thanks for your help :D

Amphibious:

Why not figure-it out for yourself. Find a reputable gunsmith who does re-boring, like I had done on my own BLR. It was in 7mm rem. Mag and I had it re-bored and re-rifled to .338 winchester magnum. It shoots 1" groups consistently at 100yards with 225 and 250-grain bullets and some diligent handloading. The P17 barrel is beefy and the metalurgy is top-notch. Get-it re-bored to .338-06 and shoot the hell-out of it. After a few thousand rounds, have it re-bored to .35 Whelen, and shoot the hell out-of it! Then take 2" off -of the barrel and have-it re-bored to.375 Whelen and when you're done doing that, decide which you like best, and put a new Douglas or Shilen barrel on it and hand-it down to your grand kids!

This is what I mean to do, but I missed a step. I should have re-bored the BLR to .30-338(.30 Belted Newton) first. I even have the reamer, which incidentally is a good thing to do with a P-17 also. Re-chamber the P-17 to .30-.338, then to.338, then to .358 Norma I guess; and on to .375 Weatherby. Sky's the limit my friend. Steve Holborn in Warren, Ont. did my re-boring; but he knows a guy in Saskatchewan that's pretty good and I'm sure someone in BC could do a good job of it. I was worried I'd hit my sight-screw holes on the Browning, but it was all in my head, and it was the best thing I've ever done.

My father and I have built a few .338's on P-14's by having them re-bored as the bolt face is already magnum-sized and the Extractor lends itself to single loading. One customer fired his .338 with 1-inch of mud in the end and it knocked him on his ass but he was unhurt. The steel had split to 2" from the end of the chamber, but had not come apart. If any part had come-away to become individual missiles, I shudder to think what may have happened.

The customer did not want a new commercial barrel, as he realized how tough that one had been for the pressure that must have been generated, and another,shot-out P-14 barrel was sent with-it to Steve Holborn for re-boring and re-chambering. Steve got a real chuckle outta that barrel, and now his rifle looks the same, save the new forend cap and the faint glue-line renning-up from the front of the magazine. Oh yeah, and the piece of tape over the muzzle!

[Hank Hunter]

TOD, The big green chambers the 35 Whelen in the 700 CDL

[Amphibious]

have had my Rem 700 338-06 for over a year now. had compleatly forgotten about this thread, funny that, as it's 3yrs old.

[todbartell]

TOD, The big green chambers the 35 Whelen in the 700 CDL
yeah...note my post date, three years ago

[Mattimoose]

I have a 338.06 on a FN and a 308Norma on P-17.If I were rebarreling a P-17,I would look a 358Norma Long Neck,simply resized 300WM cases, for a number of reasons.The box on a P-17 in standard form is 3.40" ,the norma cartridges are bit shorter than the 300WM and fit the 30.06 box length better.That box is so deep you can easily fit five magnum rounds in it,or four if the straightened guard.A 338WM works too,just that I think the Norma round is more interesting .

Were the 338.06 is a better choice is the smaller boxed mauser actions.I haven't chronyed any loads but for 225gr Hornadys I am looking for 2600 to 2650,max with a full case of H-4350 max is 2700.

Ditto, but I bought a Clymer Reamer for the .30-338. It works well in the P14 also with a P17 magazine box. If you can find a P14 with a good barrel, a nice .303 magnum works well, but requires .312 throating; the reamer for which I extemporized with a 5/16" chucking reamer. I ground an Ogive onto it and centered through a .338 case that had been through the .30 Belted newton Die. I got the FL die on-sale at Huntington's in 2000 for 20.00 US. In my travels, I picked-up 2 boxes of 220grain Speer Grand Slams in .311 diameter that were a proprietary offering for the now extinct .303 Imperial or Canadian Magnum. They should last a while for moose, but I have a few hundred 174-grain Boat-tail FMJ's and some 180 Grain Speer professional Hunters and some 220 grain Round-Nose Herters Bullets to play around with.

The P14 was designed originally as the P13, in .276 Enfield, whose exterior ballistics resembled a shortened, semi-rimmed.280 Remington but was expeditiously changed to .303 in 1914 by changing the magazine box. The American factories satisfied the British needs for the P14 and then went into production of the P17 to supplement 1903 Springfield as substitute standard. This was easier than it sounds as the original .276 was more like a .30-06 than a .303 so the magazine box was just changed back and the Bolt Face altered to the smaller rim.

In closing, I too like the longer neck of the Norma, but there is less trimming and ample neck with the .30-.338 In the .303-.338, the substitution of expanded 7mm.Remington magnum brass for .338 and the inclusion of a .311 expander solves any difficulties in neck thickness difference from. 308 to .311. So many people are blind to the fact that the .264 Win. mag., 7mm Rem. and .338 all share Identical case bodies and differ only in neck.

[Rod]

So does anyone know of someone willing to part with any brass that is properly stamped? 2 boxes would be great but I would be happy with one.

Rod

[Hank Hunter]

Wow, I really need to catch up

[todbartell]

no worries, its not usual to have posts bumped up from years past. Usually only happens with new guys come aboard and dig back through time and feel the need to comment on stuff that is long gone done discussed :lol: :roll:

[Mattimoose]

no worries, its not usual to have posts bumped up from years past. Usually only happens with new guys come aboard and dig back through time and feel the need to comment on stuff that is long gone done discussed :lol: :roll:

Yep, I didn't look at thed date!