.338-06 A-Square Load Data

Caliber Overview

The .338-06 A-Square cartridge traces its lineage to the classic .30-06 Springfield, which has served as a versatile foundation for countless wildcat and commercial cartridges since its introduction in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, wildcatters began experimenting by necking up the .30-06 case to accept .338-inch bullets, seeking a middle ground between the hard-hitting .338 Winchester Magnum and the manageable recoil and versatility of the .30-06. Recognizing its potential, A-Square, a well-known ammunition manufacturer and custom gun builder, standardized the cartridge as the .338-06 A-Square in the late 1990s, leading to official acceptance by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI). This commercial adoption solidified the cartridge’s reputation for reliable performance, particularly among North American hunters and reloaders seeking effective power without punishing recoil.

The .338-06 A-Square quickly garnered appreciation for its impressive versatility and effectiveness, making it a popular choice among hunting enthusiasts and ammunition reloaders. This cartridge bridges the gap between the .30-06 and .338 Winchester Magnum, delivering significantly greater energy and bullet weight than the former, with less recoil and powder consumption than the magnum. While factory ammunition can sometimes be hard to find, the .338-06 A-Square thrives in the hands of reloaders who enjoy customizing loads for specific applications. Its mild recoil and efficient case design allow for extended shooting sessions and consistent accuracy, whether from a sandbag at the range or in the rugged outdoors. The cartridge’s ability to utilize a broad spectrum of .338-inch bullets adds to its appeal, making it suitable for everything from target shooting to big-game hunting across diverse environments.

For hunting applications, the .338-06 A-Square excels as an all-around cartridge capable of handling a wide variety of game species. Its hallmark lies in delivering authoritative performance on medium and large North American plains and forest game. Whether you’re pursuing deer, black bear, elk, or even moose, the .338-06 A-Square offers enough energy and bullet diameter for deep penetration and reliable expansion. While some hunters have successfully used it for African plains game or even brown bear, it shines best in scenarios calling for moderate recoil and substantial stopping power. The cartridge’s ballistics offer relatively flat trajectories and effective downrange energy retention, making it a smart choice for reloaders tailoring ammunition to specific hunts.

Ammunition reloaders appreciate the .338-06 A-Square for its flexibility in bullet selection and loading parameters. Typical bullet weights range from 180 to 250 grains, though the 200–225 grain class bullets are generally considered optimal for versatility and performance. Lighter bullets in the 180–200 grain range are well-suited for smaller game or for flatter shooting at longer ranges, while heavier 225–250 grain projectiles deliver deep penetration on tough game. The cartridge’s moderate case capacity means efficient powder usage, reduced barrel wear, and manageable recoil compared to magnum calibers, all while offering a substantial ballistic upgrade over the .30-06. Whether loading for penetration, expansion, or trajectory, reloaders find the .338-06 A-Square’s broad performance envelope and dependable characteristics an asset for both hunting and target shooting pursuits.