I'm in the process of having a 338-06 Ackley built. I haven't fired one of these so I'm not sure if I should go ahead with a skeleton buttplate or a Decelerator. Input is appreciated.
Thanks,

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Andy Cooper

I have been considering building a 338-06 on a DWM Berlin Mauser 98 Action.

What are you using (action, stock, barrel, trigger, scope, mounts, etc.) to build your 338-06 AI?

However, I have a chance to buy a pristine Winchester Model 70, Pre-64, in 338 Win Mag and I may end of going that route.

Hi Tim,

I'm having mine built on a new CZ550 action, Douglas XX air-gauged barrel with a barrel banded sling swivel, factory trigger (at least for now) and a fancy piece of fiddleback Claro walnut (unless I change my mind and go with English) done in a classic sporter style. As I said before, I haven't made up my mind about the buutplate or pad. It will wear a 2X7 Leupold on Warne mounts. I have a bit of time to make some of the final decisions while my gunsmith (Roy Bedeaux of Bedeaux Gun Shop, Albuquerque, NM) is finishing my 416 Taylor. I wish you well with your project--let us all know how it's going!
Good Hunting,

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Andy Cooper

Depends if it's going to be a show piece that just goes to the range or a hunting rifle.
If it's going to be used for hunting go with the recoil pad....for utility and they don't look bad either.

Well, I had a Niedner steel buttplate on a light (8#) .308 Norma Magnum, and was able to shoot it with 180 grain bullets at 3150 feet per second, so I would opt for the better appearance of the steel, rather than go for a rubber pad. Rubber just doesn't have the class!!

I've got a 338-06 AI that weighs 8.5 lbs ready to go. I have a Decelerator on it. It has a nice peice of XX Claro on it and I wish I had gone with a skeleton steel buttplate and grip cap. Cap and tip are ebony. I shoot 250 gr Hornadays all day at 2550-2600 fps. I don't think recoil would be a concern. If it weighed 7lbs or less....it might.

-Catter

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Shoot the largest caliber you can shoot well, and practice , practice, practice.

Hey Catter,
I was kinda hoping you'd weigh in on this one! I've always wanted a rifle with the skeleton gripcap and buttplate. It sure wasn't going to be my 470 NE or 450 Rigby or 416 Taylor. Looks like I'll have to go with it on this one. It'll be a bit fancy to hunt with----but that's the only kind of rifles I own--the one's I hunt with. Thanks for the input and for the package you sent! Hope the return I sent your way gets there soon.
Later,
Andy

ACRecurve,
I got it on Friday. Thanks alot. What make is your 470 NE?

I need to get you some data for the 338-06AI. Here's a little.

250 gr Hornaday RN-55.5 grs 4064-2551fps

""""""""""""""""""-55 grs RL-15-2542fps--Hot

200 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip- 59 grs RL-15-2917--Warm

215 gr Seirra- 59 grs RL-15-2808

210 Nosler Part.- 58.5 grs RL-15-2915 fps-Warm

All velocities taken with Ohler Chrono on Sept. 6, 2001
63 degrees F 23" barrel 1909 Arg Mauser

Hope this helps

-Catter

Catter,
Thanks for the loading data. Looks like this should be an excellent addition to my collection. My 470 is a Searcy field grade with ejectors. It's a blast to shoot as long as you hang on tight with both hands! I have a light lead load that almost duplicates the old 50 3 1/4 Sharps. It's a 480 grain lead bullet in front of 45 grains of XMP-5744 at 1650 fps. It's much milder than the 500 grain jacket or solid loads at 2150 fps but neither is awful.
Later,
Andy

Sounds like the inferior little sister to the German 8,5 x 63 Reb (invented in 1983, and now even chambered in some factory rifles). ;-) Sorry, I could not resist...

Regards, Carcano

Hey ACRecurve,

Does that light load regulate in your double? I've read that any alteration in load from the one used to regulate can throw things off a bit.

-Catter

Catter,
The lead load isn't as accurate as the jacketed hunting loads. The full house loads will usually group at 2-3" at 100 yds. That's if I do my part--I suspect the rifle is more accurate than that but only practice will tell! The lighter loads group 4 shots into 4" at 75 yards. Since most of my practice shooting is between 25 and 50 yards with this rifle, 4" is good enough. I carried it on a cow elk hunt in November up under the Colorado state line between Raton and Chama but only saw 1 bull (and 1 cow hanging in another camp.) I should have taken my fishing gear because the weather was hot and dry. I don't really like seeing my shadow by moonlight at 4:30 a.m.! Anyway, if you come through on your way to Utah give me a shout and we'll do some shooting. Oh yeah, I'm kinda hesitant to let folks just look at my Searcy--I usually insist that they shoot it! I better sign off for now before they kick me off the Medium Bores section (even though anything less than 50 caliber seems to be medium to some of these guys!)
Later,

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Andy Cooper

Well Elk General season starts tomorrow here in Oregon... as I fix up loads for my 338/06, I thought this might be an appropriate bump... on the oldest thread here in Medium bore rifles...

Maybe AC Recurve can give us an update on what he did, and how it worked out...

Carcano does the 8.5x63 have a shorter neck & tberefore more room for powder than the 338/06?

For you left handed shooters out there, I just saw a M70 push feed for sale in 338/06AI, it has a great stock and express sights on it. Email me and I'll send the contact details. If it were a RH gun, I'd buy it.

Hello, I had a 338-06 AI built on a ruger #1B.
I had the barrel cut back to 22', shortened the forend and put an in line muzzle break on it. I had the typical #1 problems finding a load but when I found a couple, it sure shoots good. I got a Burris 4X w/Warne mounts on it. Its a perfect elk gun for here in the Pacific Northwest (My opinion). Its short, light and accurate.