I've been collecting part for my Mauser 338-06 rifle for almost 8 months and I've finally got all my parts and gunsmith lined up. I'm sending it to Jack Hamrick in SC to work up. I've bought parts from lots of different places including Boyds, Midway, RRGuns and Hamrick Customs.

Its going to have a Boyd's JRS stock, RRGuns forged bolt, Hamrick sideswing safety and Timney trigger. I did go cheap on the barrel and may regret it - an A&B. Midway had them on sale and it was an impulse purchase. I figure if I don't like the way it shoots, I'll send it back off to get a new barrel later. I've heard some good and some not so good about the A&B barrels. Hopefully, I'll get a good'un.

Its going to get a Pachmayer Decelerator pad to finish it all off.

I'm shipping it tomorrow and I feel like a kid waiting on Santa Claus to show up.

Good luck getting the new rifle together! If you haven't shot the 338-06 before...I think you are really going to like it.

Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers

Thanks Kreyton,
I'll post a pic and range report when I get it back.. Never fired a 338-06 before.

I bought some headstamped Weatherby brass to send off with it, but those were too expensive to buy many. I think I'll be re-sizing 35 Whelen brass for my loads.

My starting loads are going to be IMR4895 @ 50gr under a 215gr Sierra SP. I only used the IMR4895 cause I had some on hand. I hate the way those long grains cut in the measure. I'll be looking for some loads with easier to dispense powders next.

I am getting the magazine lengthened to enable me to seat the heavier bullets a bit further out, but I doubt I'll be shooting anything heavier than 225s

You'll love it! Welcome to the 338-06 fraternity. If you need any help w/ loads, bullets, etc. many here have fallen for this great cartridge. Mine has taken game from Duiker to elk & zebra. It's a very good game getter w/ 210grNP @ 2750-2800fps. If you are throwing charges, W748 is worth looking into. I use H4350 & weigh charges but the accuracy is so good w/ this powder, it's worth it to me.

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I bought some headstamped Weatherby brass to send off with it, but those were too expensive to buy many. I think I'll be re-sizing 35 Whelen brass for my loads.

How much brass are you looking for? I have some virgin Norma .338-06 A-Square brass. I bought it from Huntington a couple of years ago. I could possibly spare some, or you can buy 100 pieces for $120 from Huntington part #28511A.

You will love the .338-06 I know I do, and I wouldn't worry too much about the A&B barrel. My .375 Ruger with the A&B barrel shoots pretty darn well with factory ammunition, if I'm doing my part no problem holding less than 1.5" 3 shot groups. I need to get busy and work up some handloads for it, I'm sure I can get the group size down.

I used an A&B barrel for my 338-06 AI. Bought it on sale for 69.99 and had a gunsmith ream it to AI. Shoots 210gr TSXs at 2700 fps into 0.8in. I also used a CZ24 action, timney trigger, and JRS stock. Good luck.

My 338-06AI is being done as we speak. Ordered a new barrel and my gunsmith will do the work. Being placed on a new Sako m75 Greywolf (IV action) I finally found, topped off with a Leupold VX3 gunmnetal grey scope thats been waiting for a home for 2 years. Should be ready by end of June.

I'm just jazzed and cant wait. My reloading buddy will be building the same caliber based on a Winchester model 70 rifle later on.

Its good to hear good stuff about the A&B barrels. I know its not a Douglas or Shillen, but this is a hunting rifle and if it can do 1.5 moa or a little better, I'll be happy. That will keep me to minute of deer/elk out past where I should be shooting anyway.

Thanks for the Huntington Tip. I've never shopped there. I ordered 100 rds of 35Whelen brass today from Midway, I may send it back and order those from Huntington.

I've been looking for load data and I'm surprised at the variation of 338-06s that there are. Over on LoadData they have them for 17, 34 and 40(AI) degree shoulders. The A-Square standard is the 30-06 standard 17+ degree shoulder.

Are you hesitant about 338-06 loads when you find them and the case specs aren't included?

quote:

Thanks for the Huntington Tip. I've never shopped there. I ordered 100 rds of 35Whelen brass today from Midway, I may send it back and order those from Huntington.

I've been looking for load data and I'm surprised at the variation of 338-06s that there are. Over on LoadData they have them for 17, 34 and 40(AI) degree shoulders. The A-Square standard is the 30-06 standard 17+ degree shoulder.

Are you hesitant about 338-06 loads when you find them and the case specs aren't included?

Huntigton's is your best bet for proper hedstamped Norma brass. I have made 338-06 mostly from 06 brass but I have also tried Whelen w/ no real diff. in accuracy or case life. It's just easier to form the 06 brass, you'll have to trim the Whelen brass abit. The only established printed load data I have seen is for the 17deg, non improved 338-06. Being a semi wildcat round, load info will vary alot so as always, start low & work up.