A classic wildcatter's answer to the .30-06 — neck it up to .338 for a powerful all-around hunting round that works in any standard .30-06 action.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1944, United States
Parent case: .30-06 Springfield
Standardization: Wildcat
Bullet diameter: 0.338" (8.59 mm)
Case length: 2.494" (63.34 mm)
Overall length: 3.34" (84.84 mm)
Max pressure: 60,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:10
Muzzle velocity: 2500–2800 fps
Muzzle energy: 2776–3781 ft-lbs
Effective range: 500 yd
Common bullet weights: 200, 210, 225, 250 gr
Primary use: Hunting
Production status: Limited
Also known as: .338-06 · .338/06
History: Developed by Charles O'Neil, Elmer Keith, and Don Hopkins in 1944 — the same triumvirate who created the .333 OKH and other classics. A-Square later commercialized it. The .338-06 sits between the .338 Federal and .338 Winchester Magnum in performance, offering more power than the Federal with less recoil than the Win Mag. SAAMI never standardized it despite A-Square's efforts. Nosler and several…
Notable firearms: Custom .30-06 conversions, A-Square rifles, Nosler Model 48
Similar cartridges: .338 Federal, .338 Winchester Magnum, .35 Whelen