24 June 2004, 07:44
pdhntr1338-06 Questions and Pix
Just finished building the stock for a 338-06 that my gunsmith buddy and I put together for a customer. My question to all the experts that lurk here: is 338-06 brass available new, is it cheaper to form from 30-06 brass, if forming is the way to go, which dies do you recommend and proceedure used. Thank you!!
24 June 2004, 07:57
ricciardelliFirst of all...very nice wood (except for the cheekpiece...)
Norma has .338-06 brass.
24 June 2004, 08:07
tiggertateThe Norma stuff is good. The cheapest is probably expanding 30-06 followed by necking down R-P 35 Whelan. Either is one pass through the full length sizing die. 30-06 gives you a lot of choices as to brand, though.
Is the Norma stuff the same as that sold by Weatherby?
24 June 2004, 09:06
fredj338Wby. has headstamped brass (made by Norma). Brass can be made by necking up 06 brass or necking down .35Whelen. If you are necking up, you will need dies w/ a tapered expander button, I like Redding. Just lube the necks well & full length size & away you go. A great caliber & a nice rifle.
24 June 2004, 09:23
tiggertateYes but Weatherby charges a premium.
24 June 2004, 11:01
PerforatorJust curious about this caliber. Is it like a .35 Whelen or significantly better in performance?
Thanks for the confirmation. So, I've only seen the Weatherby brass for sale, any idea where I can find the Norma brass? Thankfully I was given a few boxes of Weatherby ammo by an editor.
24 June 2004, 15:13
<9.3x62>Get a few boxes of the Norma/Weatherby brass. I think
www.midwayusa.com has it. It is very good brass and will last a long time, so you won't need to buy a lot of it. Skip the 30-06 neck - that is an fine and expensive (I'm sure) rifle, why cheap out now. I always like having properly head-stamped brass when possible - JMO.
Great round - I just had one made a few months back. I've had a couple of others in the past, and all have been great guns. For a while, I'd sworn off the 338-06 in favor of the 9.3x62, but now I again have both. Life is good...
24 June 2004, 15:22
PerforatorThanks for the info Bob. Interesting round that might find its way into the Encore barrel lineup. I guess for now I'll use my 7mm Mag for most hunting and bump up to the .375 for the heavy work.
24 June 2004, 19:31
fredj338The .338-06 & .35Whelen are so close in perf. that no animal is going to drop faster hit by one or the other. The Whelen may have a slight edge up close having a bigger dia. bullet but the .338-06 has a bit better downrange perf. Take your pick, both are great general purpose rounds. I looked @ the Huntington site today & they catalog Norma bulk .338-06.
www.huntingtons.com I may have to get (100) for trips across the pond, but regular or match 06 brass works great.
25 June 2004, 05:08
pdhntr19.3x62, (and others)
Thank you all for the information. I will pass this on to the owner when he picks up his rifle.
9.3x62: Sage Advice!!
pdhntr
25 June 2004, 12:05
DeerdogsIt is like a 318 Westley Richards but without the class.
26 June 2004, 04:03
OldsargeQuite so! Effective, admittedly, but lacking charm, history and
panache, what?
26 June 2004, 05:14
tiggertateDepends upon who's history and what one finds charming, eh?