I am considering upgrading an existing 30/06 in a model 700 to a 30/06 AI or 338/06.
I realize that the two are not a good comparison but I wanted public opinion.

The .338-06 is perfect solution to an extra .30-06. I would go w/ a 23" lt.wt. bbl. You can get 2800fps w/ a 210grNP & 2500fps w/ a 250gr bullet, you'll love it!

I have both. Build the 338-06. - Dan

"Public Opinion" will mean more if you tell us some about what you're loking for. The two calibers side-by-side in a vaccuum don't have anything to compare. The 338 will hit harder for a shorter distance, with less bullet selecion. But inside 300 yd I'd take the lesser trajectory over bullet selection anyday (there's tens of bullets anyway.)
If you already have an '06 you like, the AI won't be different enough to spend the money on. A 338 or 358 would be just great.
However, if you're just looking for a little more oomph out of the old girl, then I'd stick with the .308" if for no other reasons than (a) they're all three good and (b) you already have a barrel fitted to your stick.
Whichever you do, consider some of the other wildcats based on the '06; Ackley wasn't the end-all. The Hawk line loks pretty intersting, for example. You can't shoot factory '06 out of it, but once you have your cases, you'll really be making use of the extra space. Then there's the Howell: you have to buy his cases (Huntington's) because the brass is a bit longer, but it should do you even better.

To start with you won't gain squat with the AI in the o6, even Ackley said the the 250, 7x57 and 257 Robts were his only successes....

Go with the 338-06, but if it were me I'd go ahead and do a 338 Win. It will do more than the 338-06 will do with the same recoil factor and you could always load the 338 Win. down to 338-06 velocity but not the reverse.

I agree with Ray's rational completely. If you want more power than the excellent, original .30-06 provides, the .338 Win. Mag. will to all that it, or the .30-06 AI, or the .338-06 will do and then some.

AD

I suppose you could make a 300 magnum out of it too. Common sense says to leave it alone if it's any good now and get another rifle in whatever cartridge.

What's the sense of throwing a good barrel out?

Here's my thoughts on this. I'd do whatever turns your crank!

Personally I'd go for the 338/06. Why because I feel it is kind of a neat round-I liked mine. I honestly do not feel there is much difference though between it, and a good 06 with a 200 in it.
Although I've not gotten the speeds most seem to with a 06.

On the 06 AI, I feel you'd gain 100 fps perhaps a bit more over the non steroid version. Perhaps this is worth it to you and perhaps it is not. I do feel the gain would be there. Then again to me the gain of 100 or 125 fps doesn't mean much anymore.

Now to the 338/06 mine is with a 23" tube, it'll do 2590 with a 250. That is a bit faster than one of my friends 338 with a 24" tube(he is topped out at 2500). Yeah I know his is a "slow" tube-however I do feel that most 338's will beat a 338/06 by about 100 fps perhaps a tish more. To me that is once again not an issue.

You are looking at doing this on your standard 700 action if I recall right-if you want to stay that way I'd go 338/06. If you want a 338 I'd find a mag action and go from there-I would not go and change my standard action over to a magnum for the potential gain of 100 fps or so. Just my thoughts.....

Have an awesome day and do what turns your crank-build it so you'll love to shoot it and love to carry it. I don't much about calibers anymore-get yourself and honest rifle that you are intimate with and get to the hill! (a lot)

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

[ 12-04-2003, 17:48: Message edited by: Mark R Dobrenski ]