338-06

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AKaviator

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Jul 26, 2012
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Anyone using a 338-06? I'm considering getting one but have no experience with this caliber. On paper it looks like it would be great for moose and bear. My wife is right however, I don't need it! But, I sold my 35 Whelen and it was my go-to moose gun. I have a 30-06, .300 Weatherby and a .375H&H. Who really ever NEEDS a new rifle anyhow?

My wife is great though, She doesn't mind if I do get it, especially if she can use it on a moose next season.:)
 
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AKaviator

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Jul 26, 2012
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Edelweiss, I have not used a Cooper rifle but their accuracy looks impressive from the targets they provide. I'm curious, do you not care for Cooper rifles or is it specifically their magazines that you don't care for.

I used to have a real nice Mannlicher-Schoenour(sp) in 8X68S that was fun to play with. Lots of caribou and Sitka bucks fell to it. I didn't enjoy the Berdan primers though. Nice overall caliber for up here though!
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

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Apr 25, 2011
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I have shot many Cooper Rifles. A close friend owns a whole stable of them from .223 to 300 WM. They are all crazy accurate and have superb worksmanship all the way around. I will check to see if they have a welded or soldered handle, but I have not heard of any problems with them. The magazine is the weak point of the design, but I would get one in half a heartbeat. Another huge benefit is the 90 degree bolt lift, which allows a very low scope mount. Ken Farrell and US Optics make excellent picatinny rails for Cooper rifles.
 
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AKaviator

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Jul 26, 2012
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Someone must have beat me to the rifle, it's not listed anymore. Oh well, I'm not keeping up with shooting the ones I have now. When I do finally make a trip to Wyoming, I'll likely carry a .25-284 for deer/antelope.

Thanks for your opinions guys!
 
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Fish

Active Member
Jul 8, 2011
319
3
WA State
AK,

I had a 338/06 built in 1990 on a Ruger tang safety action, It sports a Douglas 22in barrel and a Bell& Carlson stock that has been glass bedded. I had it throated for the 225gr Hornaday bullet to just fit in the mag. I really saw no use in using a 250gr bullet in the 06 case, although it may be a good bullet in the dark timber. It shoots well under and inch even with the old style Barnes 200gr bullet, which is my main bullet for large game.
Its been to African 2 times where its taken 10 of the large African antelope, all being as large as an elk or larger, an eland.
It has accounted for a moose, two elk, two deer and 7 or 8 reindeer in AK. Its killing effect on game far exceeds its balistics on paper.
I get 2820fps with those 200gr Barnes X's. My furthest shot has been 275 yd on a reindeer bull.
Its recoil is on par with a 300 win mag but much less than a 338 win mag , especially a light weight one. I love mine and will never sell it. I plan to use it this Dec, on a left over cow elk tag in WY.
 
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A

AKaviator

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Jul 26, 2012
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1,084
Fish,

I guess that I'm not surprised at the results you have from that rifle, although I'll bet a lot is good marksmanship too. You obviously have lots of experience with this caliber.

The rifle I was considering must have sold already. I'll watch for another one. With the recommendation you give it, I feel certain that I need that caliber. I probably have 1 more brown bear to shoot someday and my son needs to get one. That's a rifle I would have him use while I probably would stick with my .375H&H. If you can take an Eland with it, moose and bear should be perfect. Those Eland look tough and huge!

Do you hunt the reindeer out in the Aleutians or on Kodiak? I know some big ones are taken in the Aleutian Islands but I've never travelled out there to hunt them.

Thanks for sharing the info.
 
F

Fish

Active Member
Jul 8, 2011
319
3
WA State
AKaviator said:
Fish,

I guess that I'm not surprised at the results you have from that rifle, although I'll bet a lot is good marksmanship too. You obviously have lots of experience with this caliber.

The rifle I was considering must have sold already. I'll watch for another one. With the recommendation you give it, I feel certain that I need that caliber. I probably have 1 more brown bear to shoot someday and my son needs to get one. That's a rifle I would have him use while I probably would stick with my .375H&H. If you can take an Eland with it, moose and bear should be perfect. Those Eland look tough and huge!

Do you hunt the reindeer out in the Aleutians or on Kodiak? I know some big ones are taken in the Aleutian Islands but I've never travelled out there to hunt them.

Thanks for sharing the info.
Click to expand...
AK,
I shot the reindeer on ST Paull and ST George Islands. I work up there doing research work on the fur seals. We buy a permit off the natives. They had a big winter kill last year and would not permit hunting this year.
Its very easy and cheap to build a 338/06 on any 270/30/06 action. Loading dies were around $50.
I haven't been able to connect on a big black bear here in WA with it.
I believe Weatherby made their rifle in 338/06 for a short period of time.
 
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