I have a 338-06AI coming in the next couple weeks and have a question about dies.
Right answer is probably to get the correct dies for the caliber but I can find lots of std 338-06 dies at reasonable prices and no AI dies. Can I reload brass that has been 'improved' by firing in my rifle with the std dies if I adjust the FL sizer to neck size only? I guess the alternative is just to make std 338-06 rounds and only fire them one time until I can get the AI dies. Thanks

I have both the AI and standard .338-06 in several rifles.
You will need to order the custom .338-06 AI dies. It may take awhile to get them, but you should get them.
Cheers, and you will find it is a great cartridge. I have found IMR4350 to be the best powder in my guns.

Thanks Dennis, I was hoping to get out of it on the cheap by using std 338-06 dies set up short. It may get rebarreled back to 30-06 or something common like 35 Whelan.

CH4D dies are good quality and very reasonably priced. The offer 338-06 AI dies with 24º, 28º, 30º, and 40º shoulder angles.

I'd recommend once received, that you fire three standard 338-06 cartridges in your new rifle and then send the fired cases to CH4D to match against their die sets.

Alternatively, and likely much more expensive, would be to purchase the 338-06 AI reloading dies from the manufacturer of your rifle (presuming its a new rifle and not a rebarrel job) as some of the manufacturers stock reloading dies to match the finish chamber reamers they use in chambering their rifles. Just a thought...

You could order just a neck sizing die if you want to neck size and it would suit your purposes as long as you are not shooting "hotrod" loads.
Your AI case is wider at the shoulder than the standard die so you could not even partially size the neck without bumping the shoulder. Getting the custom dies made against a fired case is the best way to go and then if you want to neck size get a "universal" neck size die in 338 caliber.

quote:

You could order just a neck sizing die if you want to neck size and it would suit your purposes as long as you are not shooting "hotrod" loads

You could probably also get buy with a 338Wmag to neck size. But bottom-line buy a set of AI dies.

Thanks Guys for the fast and thoughtful answers. I didn't consider that the shoulder was
wider or that there were choices in shoulder angle. I'll try to scare up a few 338-06 rounds or do some Cream of Wheat fireforming to generate exact shape of my chamber.

Don't use cream of wheat; just load them up with .338-06 load data and shoot.
I load mine at near max. for the data and it's quite accurate and could actually hunt game while fire forming.

quote:

I'll try to scare up a few 338-06 rounds or do some Cream of Wheat fireforming to generate exact shape of my chamber

The fast majority of the AIs are simply 40deg.

I doubt that a COW load will have enough pressure to fully form the brass. As Dwight said simply load up some 338-06 at close to max with a medium powder and go shooting or hunting. You need to form your brass anyway and it will probably be plenty accurate.

I sure wouldn't worry about custom dies. Verify the shoulder angle or hopefully the previous owner knows order the proper off the shelf die set and you are ready to go.

Heck to verify the angle a 30-06 would probably work.