This project has been a long time in the works and its finally done. It started out as a M38 Turk Mauser I bought at a gunshow for $100.
I did file off the charger hump myself and spent multiple hours polishing the metal with files, abrasive stones and buffing wheels. I also did some basic inletting for the stock, which I am capable of.

I sent it off to Jack Hamrick in SC to do the metal work, blueing, assembly and chambering. Jack provided the side swing safety and the buttpad on the stock.

I could not be more pleased with Jack's work. The blueing is deep and dark and the floor plate has colors in it that make it look like it had been casehardened before it was blued.

Inventory of parts and labor:
*M38 Ankara Turk Mauser
*24" A&B barrel short chambered in 338-06 - Midway
*Bolt from R&R guns - I don't think I'd do that again and would just stick with Jack
*Timney Trigger - Midway
*Side swing safety - by Jack Hamrick
*Boyd's JRS Mauser stock
*Burris one piece scope base and rings
*Barrel band swing swivel - JH
*Pachmayer Decelerator buttpad

Jack lengthened the magazine box to 3.330, adjusted the feedrails, polished all the metal and the feedramp, finish chambered and headspaced, installed the buttpad, glass bedded the action, did the blueing wonderfully, drilled and tapped for the scope, installed the barrel swing swivel, polished and blued the bolt handle, installed and tweaked all my miscellaneous parts to make it work as a whole.

Well that turned out really nice. I like it.

Terry

well now leoparddog....you have a substantial investment in it and it's quite well done.....but for crying-out-loud get it checkered so it's beautiful....it's certainly worth it!

Nice job!

Pretty, pretty!

Congrats. Will be a good friend in the field.

Yes it needs to be checkered. Actually I've been thinking about restocking it with a Bell&Carlson composite stock to lighten it up a bit. The stock it wears now makes it quite heavy for a field piece. I might investigate removing some wood from inside the rifle butt, but I think it really needs to be about 1 lb. lighter and I don't think I could remove that much wood.

I'm really very happy with how it turned out though. Thanks also goes out to some members here who gave me advice and whose posts convinced me to go with this caliber.

Bell & Carlson medalist stock.

Well it is really nice. It would look superb if you could fit a frontsight and midsight to the barrel too. It might surprise you but I think that you would probably get about six ounces out of the butt. A bit if you drilled the ball on the bolt handle and more if you fitted a lighter telescopic sight. Plus some if you shortened that pistol grip.

Thank you for sharing it. It looks good.

Now that's a fine looking weapon! I like the grain on the stock and the color of the wood as well.Hope she shoots small groups for you.

If you get a new stock I want to be in front of the line to bid on the one that's on it.That is exactly what a stock should be. roger

I like it. My curiosity continues to grow about this caliber.

A great caliber you will love it.

After grousing about the weight, I picked up my Rem700 in .308Win in one hand and the new 338-06 in the other. I couldn't tell the difference in weight. I took both of them to my bathroom scale and both weighed between 8 and 9 lbs. I guess I've just gotten spoilt carrying a 6.5lb 260Rem deer hunting the last few years.

My .338-06 is built on a commercial FN action with a 22" #4 Douglas tube. With custom mounts and a heavy scope (Zeiss 1.8-5.5x Conquest) and a Fajen's Synthetic stock weights abt 8.5 pounds.

Is not bad. Certainly has less recoil than my .338 WM built to the same weight on a pre64 M70 action fitted with a McMillan stock even though it is MagnaPorted.

Nicely done. My 338-06 is on a Ruger M77, laminate stock, 22 1/2"bbl. & it comes in right @ 8.5# ready to hunt. I don't think I would likle too much lighter.

yessiree bob! a job well done! as with most of us, it is money well spent. now show us how it shoots.

After youve shot some 250 grainers out of it you may change your mind about making it lighter..

I opted for a 35 Whelen but I dont think there is really much difference, I think you'll love it. They make fabulous Elk rifles.

Nice looking rifle!

Jack is working on a .404J build for me, on a Ruger M77MKII. He is a pleasure to work with.

Some times my mind says " If you're going for elk why go larger than a 30-06?" Does anyone else have that mental block? roger

Elk is what I had in mind when I went with the 338-06 here. I don't currently own a 30-06, but do own a .308Win and I just couldn't see building this into an '06.

I guess its sort of a "niche thing" .22s for varmints, a 260 and 308 for deer and something bigger for something bigger. I don't currently own a 45-70, but used to and wish I still had it, but wanted something bigger and a bit flatter shooting for Elk, and this fit the bill nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Some times my mind says " If you're going for elk why go larger than a 30-06?" Does anyone else have that mental block? roger

Roger, Roger, Roger..... you have an entirely too practical and well reasoned mind. With me it is always, "Okay, what kind of an odd-ball have I got in the vault which will be fun to use, effective, and finally blooded?" The more esoteric, idiosyncratic (weird) and unusual, the better...unless I am in one my "classic" phases...then it's gotta be at least as old as a Pre-War Model 70.....

Being nuts doesn't lead to greatness, but it sure as Hell is fun!! BTW, got your package this a.m. Will send your check tomorrow a.m.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Some times my mind says " If you're going for elk why go larger than a 30-06?" Does anyone else have that mental block? roger

I love the 06 and probably the .270 a little more. I love to try new things best of all and that is why I'll kill a few elk with the .338-06 before I try another rifle. Not because the .338-06 will kill the elk any deader than the .30-06, but because I have it and I can use it.