.338-06 What happened?

[The Z-Man]

Just a curious quick question.  What happened to the .338-06?  Didn't Weatherby make a rifle chambered in .338-06?  Why has it faded out? 

Thank you.

-Z

[eford]

Low sales numbers of the 338-06 in Weatherby rifles is probably what brought it to an end. The same thing holds true for the 280 Rem.  Making good rifles isn't good enough if there isn't a steady sales number that meets profit goals.

If  you're able to find a 338-06 or 280 made by Weatherby, I will bet it is a fine rifle that shoots very well.

[Corn-Picker]

That caliber seems to have faded away, even moreso than the 358 winchester and 35 Whelen. It'd be nice to have a 308/30-06 based non-belted non-magnum cartridge above thirty caliber. Other than the Browning BLR and CVA Scout I can't think of any currently produced rifles in that cartridge class, although CZ does chamber in 9.3x62, which is similar.

The problem with pet rounds is that everyone has a different one. Some want a 257 roberts, some a 6.5x55 (or 6.5 Grendel), some a 7mm Waters, some a 338-06, some a 358 winchester, and some want somethimg even rarer. There's just not enough demand to justify some of these niche rounds unfortunately. It's a real shame, as some of these rounds fill a real niche. For instance I'm fond of the 358 Winchester, what caliber could be better out to most people's ethical hunting range of 200 yards?

[telemaster]

That caliber seems to have faded away, even moreso than the 358 winchester and 35 Whelen. It'd be nice to have a 308/30-06 based non-belted non-magnum cartridge above thirty caliber. Other than the Browning BLR and CVA Scout I can't think of any currently produced rifles in that cartridge class, although CZ does chamber in 9.3x62, which is similar.

The problem with pet rounds is that everyone has a different one. Some want a 257 roberts, some a 6.5x55 (or 6.5 Grendel), some a 7mm Waters, some a 338-06, some a 358 winchester, and some want somethimg even rarer. There's just not enough demand to justify some of these niche rounds unfortunately. It's a real shame, as some of these rounds fill a real niche. For instance I'm fond of the 358 Winchester, what caliber could be better out to most people's ethical hunting range of 200 yards?

THE 338 FEDERAL IS THE 308 NECKED UP TO 338 AND AVAILABLE IN RUGER,THE 358 WINCHESTER IS ALSO A NECKED UP 308. BOTH PERFORM VERY WELL.

[zonie]

Two big one's  bean counters running the nut house and timing. 

[yooper_man]

I got luckily in 2009. I found a steal of a deal on a lightly used Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 338-06 A-Square. I have the tan with black spider web stock and it wears a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40mm scope. I hand load using mostly IMR-4320 with Nosler 210 grain Partitions. Inexpensive and easy to reload using 30-06 Springfield brass.

I've always wanted a large caliber cartridge based off the 30-06 Springfield in a bolt action rifle. I almost bought a custom Remington 700, but I am glad I did not. I know Weatherby discontinued this 338-06 A-Square cartridge, but that makes my rifle rare.

Andrew

[Truck Driver]

Expensive ammo and Rifle combo and the ammo manufacturer couldn't get it right.
Nosler still chambers their M48 for the 338-06 and the 35 Whelen. I have a M70 donor rifle I'm thinking of having rebarreled for the 338-06 and I have a Remington 700 in 35 Whelen.
The 37lbs of recoil that the the 225 gr bullets generate in these 06 based cartridges could also be a reason though a decent recoil pad helps to tame them some.

[SMEdgerton]

I was very interested in the MK IV in 338-06 just after Lane Simpson did his article on it. I tried to order one and was told that they were not available. So I got to digging and found out that they had 2000 in stock all with bad chambers. The company that chambered the barrels was claiming that they chambered them to Weatherby’s spec. Weatherby had to bring suite against the barrel manufacturers to have them rechambered and the headspace reset, by then the flame was off of the candle. The repaired rifles sold and most of the people I have had contact with have loved them.

[eford]

I would love to get a 338-06 in a Vanguard, Mark V, or Model 70 action.

[PARA45]

eford, I was lucky enough to find a Weatherby MK-V in 280 Rem for a very reasonable price.  I have not shot it yet because I didn't have a scope for it.  That will change this year.  I'll let you know how she shoots.   

[truck driver + 2]

I would love to get a 338-06 in a Vanguard, Mark V, or Model 70 action.

I know at one time you could get the Nosler M48 in 338-06 and their action is similar to the M70 as is a Cooper.

[224KING]

Every once in a while I see the old grey spider webbed ultra lite for sale on gunbroker.That was the original one with the stainless,fluted barrel and blued action.

[Chris338378]

Don't get me wrong the .338-06 is a great round but I think given the choice between that and the 35 Whelen a good portion of the people would opt for the Whelen as it's a more commonly chambered round, ammo is a good bit cheaper, and it's available from more ammunition companies.  A lack of a viable and reasonably priced ammunition is a big hurdle to over come for a new caliber and even old ones. 

[Dino82520]

Several years I found a 700 Classic in 35 Whelen.  It's my back up elk rifle and my primary rifle when hunting the Grassy Lake area south of Yellowstone Park.

[truck driver + 2]

Norma/Weatherby high price ammo along with Weatherby  barrel supplier screwed up the chamber dimensions on the rifles they sold so the ammo didn't fit the chamber.
Remington beat them to the punch with the 35 Whelen making a older wildcat legit. Had Weatherby offered cheaper ammo and had better QC when they released the 338-06 A-square it would probably still be around today in a factory chamber. I'm not sure but I think Nosler also offered a rifle and ammo for it but there again cost was out of reach for the average hunter.
Either cartridge 35 Whelen or 338-06 when loaded to 62K psi will come up just short of a 338Win which ain't bad for a non magnum cartridge.
I opted for the 35 Whelen AI which when loaded to 64K psi is everything you would need to use for North American game (JMO).