In the world of big game hunting cartridges, among the most popular are the 338 Winchester and the 30-06. Both of these rounds have their reputation as reliable and effective cartridges. However, even though they are used for the same tasks, they are not often compared. So in this article, we will compare the two to see which is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 338 Winchester Magnum has better long range ballistics, making it a better choice for large, tough, game at longer ranges. The 30-06 Springfield is a more versatile cartridge, with a flatter trajectory and less recoil, making it suitable for a wider range of game and hunting situations.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their history, their ballistics, and how the two cartridges compare in depth.
In-depth look at the 338 Winchester Magnum
The 338 Winchester Magnum is a powerful cartridge that was introduced in 1958. It is based on the 375 H&H Magnum case necked down to a .338 caliber bullet. The 338 Winchester magnum is a super powerful magnum length rifle cartridge that is commonly used to take game like moose and grizzly bear.
Because of the flat trajectory, high energy, and reliability of the 338 Winchester magnum, it is a popular round among many big game hunters and some long range shooters. However, where you will find this round most used is for those who are looking to stop charging bears or large moose.
The downsides to the 338 Winchester is that it is both expensive to shoot and heavy recoiling. Because of the size and material that it takes to produce the 338 Winchester, it is going to be quite costly to shoot. Also because of the sheer size and power of this cartridge, it can take a toll on the shooter.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 338 Winchester Magnum with a 225-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2850 | 4058 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2754 | 3790 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.7 | 2661 | 3537 |
| 150 | -1.1 | 1.5 | 2569 | 3297 |
| 200 | -3.4 | 2.7 | 2479 | 3071 |
| 250 | -7.1 | 4.2 | 2391 | 2856 |
| 300 | -12.5 | 6.2 | 2305 | 2654 |
| 350 | -19.4 | 8.7 | 2221 | 2463 |
| 400 | -28.2 | 11.6 | 2138 | 2283 |
| 450 | -38.7 | 14.9 | 2057 | 2114 |
| 500 | -51.4 | 18.7 | 1978 | 1954 |
In-depth look at the 30-06 Springfield
The 30-06 Springfield is a versatile cartridge that has been in use since 1906. It is based on the 30-03 cartridge and has a long history of military and civilian use. The 30-06 cut its teeth as an effective big game cartridge after its use in both world wars where it was soon used by the same veterans to hunt game like elk, moose, and deer.
The 30-06 Springfield typically fires bullets between 150 and 220 grains, although it can be loaded with bullets as light as 110 grains, which makes it extremely versatile. The wide bullet range coupled with the higher energy that the 30-06 makes it ideal for everything from hunting antelope and deer to game as large as moose.
Like the 338 Winchester, the 30-06 does have the disadvantage of being a heavier recoiling cartridge. Most shooters will be able to handle the recoil that the 30-06 provides but it could cause an issue of developing a flinch in lighter rifles.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30-06 with a 180-grain soft point:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 2913 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2584 | 2668 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2470 | 2439 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 2 | 2359 | 2225 |
| 200 | -4.2 | 3.7 | 2252 | 2026 |
| 250 | -8.8 | 6 | 2147 | 1842 |
| 300 | -15.3 | 8.8 | 2045 | 1671 |
| 350 | -23.8 | 12.1 | 1945 | 1512 |
| 400 | -34.6 | 16.2 | 1848 | 1365 |
| 450 | -48.1 | 21.2 | 1756 | 1232 |
| 500 | -64.6 | 27 | 1667 | 1111 |
In-depth comparison
The biggest difference between these two rounds is their energy. The 338 Winchester has over 1000 more foot pounds of energy at the muzzle when compared to the 30-06. this means that the 338 Wichester will be a better round for taking game such as moose or grizzly bear where a little more reassurance that your round will do the job is welcomed.
Due to the fact that the 338 Winchester has more power than the 30-06 it will also be a heavier recoiling cartridge. So those who are more sensitive to recoil, are looking for a cartridge to use in a lightweight range, or those who will be shooting a lot of rounds in short succession will want to look at the 30-06 rather than the 338 Winchester.
When it comes to cost, the 30-06 has the 338 Winchester beat. This is because the 30-06 uses less material in its cartridges and is therefore cheaper to produce. This would make a difference for the shooter who is looking to get as many shots in the range as possible without driving up a large bill.
The last thing to consider when comparing these two rounds is versatility. It is not hard to see that the 30-06 has the 338 beat in this regard. The 30-06 can be used with bullets as light as 110 grains or as heavy as 220 grains effectively making it capable of taking everything from coyotes to moose. On the other hand, the 338 Winchester magnum is a cartridge that is going to be specific to the big game hunter who is looking to have the most effective round for taking large animals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 338 Winchester Magnum is a powerful cartridge that is well-suited for hunting large, tough game at long ranges, while the 30-06 Springfield is a versatile cartridge that can be used for a wide range of hunting situations and is going to be easer to shoot for long durations of time.