I am not surprised at the fanfare and was attached to the old 318 way back in the day.

I have never used (or seen used) a 318 WR. But I have the 338-06 quite a few times. The 2 rounds are very similar in performance when complaining bullet weight and velocity.

In my 338-06 rifles I have used the 210 grain Nosler Partition the 250 grain Partition and the old 275 gr Speer.

One of the fastest kills I ever made on an elk was with a 338-06 and the 275 gr Speer. Shot was about 165 yards with the bull walking away at a 45 degree angle. I fired for mid body and wanted to run the bullet from center chest to the base of the neck on the off side. At the shot the bull simply dropped like all it's legs disappeared. I was glad, but thought I must have pulled high and spine shot it. Nope. The bullet hit exactly where I intended it to go, and only hit a rib going in, went full length across the forward part of the body and exited in the neck about 3" to the other side of center. No major bone was hit. I was wide-eyed when it hit the ground like it fell into a pit. Considering the lack on damage to the bones, it was amazing how fast the elk dropped.

I have talked to a few other hunters and all have said the 338-06 is a real killer on about everything. Results are consistent. (I like that) Not always "electric" like the elk I described above, but VERY short blood trails are the rule.

Considering the 318 and the 338-06 are almost the "same thing" with only .008" difference in diameter and no difference in speed or bullet weights. I have no doubt the old Westley Richards would become the darling of many in the old days of Africa.