I am in the process of getting my first custom barrel and I am still deciding on the chambering. One of the manufacturers has a 338-280 Ackley reamer. This sounds interesting and unique but would it be too much trouble. I have a 338-06 now and have been thinking I would go with a 338-06AI on this custom but a 338-280Ackley sounds way cooler. What's the difference??

C-ROY

C-ROY......I think someone is pulling your leg.

Think about it. The .280 is the .30/06 necked down...right? If you expand either case (and they are the same) up to .338, what could be the difference?

With respect to go the "Ackely Improved" route I don't think you will pick up a lot of velocity unless you go to a longer barrel than you have now but the cases sure do look cool don't they?

The 280 isn't the 06 necked down. The 280 case is longer; 2.540 vs 1.494 for the 06 & the base to shoulder is 1.999 vs 1.948. A better option is the .338x62 (the 9.3x62 necked down to .338). The base to shoulder length is 2.039 on that one. You can easily make this wildcat by simply useing 35 Whelen brass & backing off the 338/06 sizing die to get the headspace right then fireform. Is it really worth it ballistically? Thats your call.

[ 11-16-2002, 01:52: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

There is a 338-280 Maximally Improved, it's in Howell's book I believe. The 280, being slightly longer then the 30-06, gives you a little more case capacity. It seems a good idea to me. You might want to look at the 338 Gibbs or 338 Howell if you're looking to get the most out of an -06 case. - Dan

Guys....gimme a break here. The difference is 5/100 of an inch......FIVE-ONE HUNDRETHS OF AN INCH.

How much more powder are you going to cram into FIVE-ONE HUNDRETHS OF AN INCH?

Now I will give you that's a lot with respect to chambering etc but.....FIVE-ONE HUNDRETHS OF AN INCH more of powder? PULEEZ!

You will see a bigger variation in velocity and pressure from identical guns in those two cartridges than theoretical "gains" can be attributed.
I feel that many AI cartridges are not only leaned on by their users (handloaders) to acheive a "gain", but many of thier users are leaned on by their own fragile hope to prove a "gain", thus you oftan see very optimistic velocities printed.
Take care
smallfry

To bad 9.3x64 Brenneke brass isn't more readily available. Neck that case down to 338 (.338x64) then you would have something! Dr Bill I live in a thousands of an inch world. Hell I had a micrometer for a teething ring!

How about an 8X68S case necked up/bumped back and trimmed to say 65mm?

I don't think it would be any harder than forming 8X57 from 30-06 brass, and that certainly isn't difficult.

A .338X65S? Has a nice "ring" to it don't it?