.338-06

.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 mass/type Velocity Energy 200 gr (13 g) BT 2,720 ft/s (830 m/s) 3,286 ft⋅lbf (4,455 J) 225 gr (15 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

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. The trade off though, is less available range due to reduced muzzle velocity. It is similar in concept to .333 OKH as well as the .35 Whelen, which also use the .30-06 brass case as a basic for the cartridge.

See also

• List of rifle cartridges
• 8 mm caliber Other cartrides in the same diameter range.

References

• .338-06 at The Reload Bench
• .338-06 at Quarterbore.com
• .338-06 reloading data from Reloaders Nest