If I'm sizing up a 30-06 to a 338-06 do I use a neck sizing die or a full length die? I have both, and plenty of powdered graphite for the case neck.

Thanks!

Either provided they have a tapered expander.

the powder graphite is a pain, I use the spay lube, lots less mess

I have a 338-06 Ai and I have sized quite a few using Sizing Die Wax. Works great, put plenty on the inside of the case mouth, clean it well after you finish.

Out of curiosity, what bullet, and what is the MV?

Fireman,

If your'e asking me, it's a 225 grain Hornady SST. MV is approximately 2,650 fps. Mine isn't an AI. It's just a regular 338-06 A-Square.

I wasn't, but I'll sure take it.

That delivers some serious energy!

I load several different bullet weights. 200 Bal. Tips, 215 Sierras, 225 Horn. Interlocks and a few 210 partitions. I don't have a chronograph. I usually start at a lower or mid level out of the reloading book and work up. When I get the bullet groups that I want I stop. I have never felt the need to see how fast I can push them. All of the bullets above will shoot MOA or less.

It's a shame that the 338-06 isn't more popular with rifle and ammo makers. It's just a workhorse of a rifle. Pleasant to shoot and devastating on just about any game in the United States or Canada.

The above 30 caliber bores have never been as popular as the 30 and smaller since the advent of smokeless powder. Many want speed but there is enough shooters and mostly hunters that realize the value of mid bores to keep them alive. One of my favorites of the mid bore rounds is the 350 Rem Mag but the 338-06 and whelen are both great rounds. Bought a 338 Federal a few years ago and that is another cool mid bore IMO. They are not fast like the smaller bores but that larger frontal diameter heavy bullets sure do a perform well in the game fields.

On necking up cartridges I like the Hornady New Dimension line of dies as the tapered expander in them makes it easier to expand the neck. A good slick lube helps for sure, most of the time I use the white Lee lube when necking up cartridges though the Imperial Wax works well also but the Lee lube seems a lot easier to clean up the cases from.

You can get speed with the .338-06. The .30-06 pushes a 150 grain bullet at 2960 fps. The .338-06 delivers 3100-3200 fps with the 160 grain Barnes TTSX.

Postoak, I agree with you that you CAN get speed out of the 338-06, but the strength of this round for me is being able to push 225 grain bullets. If I was going to chase speed, I'd definitely consider a 338 Win Mag but that's not my intent with this caliber though. I like a fairly soft, heavy bullet moving at about 2600 fps. Hornady SST's are great for this caliber in 225 grain. You can even anneal them to soften them up a little more when the need arises.

I appreciate everyone who's chimed in on this. It's been helpful and interesting.

The best inside neck lubing I have found for making 35 Whelen cases out of 30-06 brass is to wipe the inside of the case necks with an Armorall protective wipe cut to cleaning patch size and put on a short cleaning rod. You don't have to clean it out and it works like magic. I have also found federal cases give the least trouble when necked up.

I like that idea and will need to give it a try. I just picked up a Ruger 77 30-06 and looking to transform it into a 338-06.

I use imperial sizeing wax on the neck, expander and the case.
I have a friend of mine who told about this.
This is used sparingly, I don't use the spray case lube on my dillon.
I can control imperial was exactly wear I want the lube.
Imperial dose not migrate like some lubes do.

I use mink oil on the outside, motor mica inside the case necks for resizing brass. Works every time, never had an issue.

The idea of using ArmourAll is intriguing. Thinking back on that, I recall when my knothead nephews washed my truck for me and used ArmourAll on the rubber floormats. Definitely made em slick!