I know there are some posts out there that succintly cover the pro's and con's between these two, but I can't find them. Can any of you guys tell me the ups and downs of these chamberings? I am leaning toward the AI for a number of reasons: headspacing, and capacity being the main two. But I have heard (I think) of problems with feeding on the AI.

All repsonses are appreciated.

Kynadog,

I have the Ackley version because my gunsmith had a barrel so chambered that another client had changed his mind about--seems after his rifle was built and before he shot it he decided he'd rather have the unimproved version. Anyway, there isn't a whole lot of difference in the 2 other than an increase of 50+ fps with the Ackley. I have encountered no feeding problems with mine but have only been shooting it for about 2 months. It is built on a CZ550 action. I am making most of my cases using mil. surp. Lake City 69 brass necked to 338. Fireforming with RL22 and 250 grain Hornady bullets using 2 grains under the max 338-06 loads listed in the manuals. I have some of the Weatherby brass just in case I think I need some cases that are headstamped 338-06. Either way you go, these are fun cartridges.

Good Hunting,

kynadog,

I think there are a couple of other interesting 30-06 based .338's out there as well ie the .338 Sabi (sp) of South African origin and I think Hawk also produce a .338 ...
Although not a true 30-06 design I wonder what a (.366) 9.3x62 necked down to a .338 would be like? In fact that might be the origin of the Hawk??

Regards,

Pete

I'd recommend getting a .338 Win. Mag. instead of either one of them.......

AD

OR a 340 Weatherby....right Allen

Andy Regarding using mil cases to form you 338-06 imp. Normally when you go to an improved case one of the things you are trying to do is maximize case capacity and velocity.Win cases have about 2-3 grs more capacity than military cases. Your fireformed military cases will be similar in capacity to std Win brand cases. Why wouldn't you use a case with the max capacity as the basis for fireforming? Just a question.

Excellent point, Brad... I think you just talked me out of building a .280AI and into a 7mm Mag!

Are you kidding? take 5 rifles of each and you will a bigger deviation between velocity, than the "gains" represented by the AI. Just buy a 375 H&H and be done with it.

Thanks for all the stuff about .338 Win Mags, but I have decided to get either a 338-06 or 338-06AI. I know a .338 Win Mag is superior. And a .338 Dakota is superior to that. But then again, a .338 RUM is superior to that(or is it it the other way around?). But then again a .375 H&H is, once again, superior to that.

I may be dumb, but for what I want either of the two .338-06's will do fine. (I already have a 375). I am really interested in the difference between the two cartridges.

Any input on the issue is appreciated.

Velocity is not always neede to make for a very lethal combination. One big advantage to the 338/06 is that it does not need bullets that cost $1.00 each to penetrate the animal enough to deliver a lethal blow. The magnums are better at longer ranges, but at 300 yards or less no animal could tell the difference. I have a 35 Whelen AI and the "gain" is with the 250gr and bigger bullets, headspce is not a problem with the standard version unless you don't know how to check and adjust your FL sizer die(it seems most expert magazine BS's don't).

I went through the same queation and finally built a 338 Hawk. Why - there was no 338-06 factory ammo then. Still not much now. I load my own anyway. Effectively the 338-06 is a wildcat.
So if I'm going to make a wildcat and plan to hunt with it, then I looked at feeding and case capacity along with available data. I picked the Hawk.

One disadvantage to an improved version is the need to fireform cases. However they last a long time.

I'm very happy with my 338 Hawk. Z-Hat's load data was right on. I got a Mule Deer, Antelope and Whitetail with mine, worked well. I shoot a 210 Nosler partition at 2850 fps and this is not a max load. No pressure signs. Some cases on load #5 now. I got a good 225 Partiton load at 2750 fps. that's from a 24" barrel

I did hit 2950fps in load development with the 210, but it was a warm.

good luck.

I've had good luck with my standard 338-06.It's got a 24" tube and I think I could probably get 2800 with the 210 Partition and 2700 with the 225 without hot loads. I have my data and others on a spread sheet I would be willing to send you but remember to start 10% below any charge and work up as each rifle is different as I'm sure you know.

Don't bother with a wildcat as the others have suggested. If you must have a .338 bore then have the headspace to the shoulder set closer than standard and reload it carefully. I would much rather have the common .338 Win Mag than any wildcat. I just made up a "7MM Mauser" load for my 7MM WSM and it's very accurate and fun to shoot.

The rifle and bullet are more important than the cartridge. Don't get caught up in the wildcat and improved baloney.

Kynadog,

Since both are considered wildcats and resale would be equally compromised, I would opt for the one with the most potential if you dont mind fireforming. Theres not going to be a lot of difference in performance, probably not enough to notice in the field, but the AI does have a slight edge. Of corse there is the possibility that someone like Remington could commercialize the 338-06, they really should IMHO. Thats not gonna happen with the AI though.

As for the 338 Mag advocates saying dont bother, you "could" load down a 338 WM to 338-06 velocities but it would still be using more powder and its highly unlikley that such loads would be as accurate as an honest 338-06 load. Where is the superiority in that?

[ 02-02-2003, 22:19: Message edited by: Wstrnhuntr ]

oops!

[ 02-02-2003, 21:31: Message edited by: Wstrnhuntr ]

There is little velocity difference; the biggest difference you will see is in the price of the dies, with the .338-06AI dis costing more.

George

Snowman,

Sorry I didn't reply to your question about using mil surp cases sooner--musta missed it. The reason is because I have 500 of the Lake City cases and that's the only reason. I may get a hundred WW cases later just to play with and to compare velocities, etc. The only reason I went with the improved cartridge was because I got the barrel free!

Good Hunting,

Dies for the AI are more expensive and I doubt the extra case capacity is worth more than 50 fps. It was the price of the dies that did it for me. But I like to keep it simple.