I have everything but the barrel and trigger here for another rifle. The action is an American Rifle Company Nucleus in long action with a 30-06 bolt face.

I have a long range but ultra lightweight stock from Iota.

The action requires the use of a external AICS magazine, and does not work as a BDL or ADL. So I have to buy another Magpul bottom metal or buy a aluminium one. With a carbon fiber barrel it should finish at 9 pounds with a big scope on it.

I am torn between the 6.5-284, 280 Ackley, 30-06, 338-06 (I have a mountain of 338 bullets) and 270. Really thinking about that 280 Ackley.


What would you build?

I currently have a:

6mm BR weighs 15 pounds scoped

300 Winchester weighs 13 pounds scoped, but I have used it hunting.

308 WCF heavy barreled little 16 inch barrel with a 3-15x56 on it. Nice gun for a blind or a truck. Weighs about 8-9 pounds.

6mm Creedmoor Heavy barreled rifle in a long range type set up.

6.5 Creedmoor Heavy barreled rifle in a really heavy APO chassis

223 Remington M700 Varminter

I built a 6.5-06 last summer and love it.

If you’ve got a “mountain of 338 bullets”, I’d go with the 338-06. It’s a great round and is very easy to load.

quote:

Originally posted by Uncle Grinch:
If you’ve got a “mountain of 338 bullets”, I’d go with the 338-06. It’s a great round and is very easy to load.

That's what I would do, even if I didn't have .338-caliber bullets. The standard .338-06 is quite a neat package, and there are all kinds of 338-caliber bullets one can choose from. For this cartridge I would load bullets from 180 grains on the low end, to 210 grains one the heavy side (unless one is hunting close, in forested areas, in which case there is nothing wrong with 250-grain NOS partition bullets).

I just built my first 338-06 a couple of weeks ago and I waited a few decades too long. It is a great round, very efficient and powerful. Not magnum recoil; very accurate.
I will build more.....

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
I just built my first 338-06 a couple of weeks ago and I waited a few decades too long. It is a great round, very efficient and powerful. Not magnum recoil; very accurate.
I will build more.....

Tom I was going to build one back in the 90's and never got to it. Guess like you. Maybe it's time for me too!

Building my 3rd and last one. Its a great package especially with todays bullets.

I have 2, 338-06AI rifles that I built on Mauser actions, and I really like them! But I could find joy with the standard 338-06.

Pleasant to shoot with plenty of energy for most hunting. I’ve used mine on everything from coyotes to elk and have never been disappointed.

I vote 338/06. The modern equivalent to the 318 WR. A lot can be done with a 338/250/ grain bullet at 2400 fps.

The 225 would be more balanced than he 358 225 so popular in my Whelen.

280AI

Simply sell the bullets that you don't want.

Zeke

Sounds like the 280 AI is calling to you. If so, do that one. If it was me though, it'd be the 338-06.

After we get moved I am going to order a barrel for the 280 Ackley.

My 300 Win barrel is about half way broken in, so I'll probably get some kind of 338 Win or 338 PRC barrel started too.