After several weeks of screwing around with my 8mm magnum, have decided it is time to get a new rifle in a calibre that has more readily accesible components. Decided on a .338 mag. but don't know which brand. Leaning toward a Ruger or Tikka. Any suggestions from you guys?

Have one built on a good '98 Mauser action. Paul.

I'd pick either a Win or Ruger personally. Both are likely to need a little work though.

Look around and find a Browning F.N. action with the long extractor and then buy a Sunny Hill steel mag box,a McMillan stock and a Ron Smith barrel-he's in Wimborne- and iron sights from New England Custom Gun as well as Talley mounts. Get Corlane Sports in Dawson Creek, B.C. to put it all together in .338 and you are good to go. You can find an old browning in .264 or .308 Norma for a few hundred bucks and you will have a rifle about as good as it gets.

Another option is to find a Pre-64 mod. 70 in .264 Win. that is well used and strip it for the action.

Just buy a new M70 for $550.00 or less.

I'm on the M70 band wagon. Having said that, my .338mag is a Ruger #1 in .338x74Keith (weird I know). My other off the shelf bolt gun choice would be an early model Ruger M77 w/ the tang safety.

Thanks guys- I am looking for a production rifle not a custom job (the 8mm is ) I just want a knock about rifle that will be reasonably accurate. My one Ruger was a tack driver in .30-06, that is why I'm leaning that way. the Tikka is known to be very accurate but is light and probably would have a bit more recoil, not that that is a major point just something to ponder. Thanks-Karl

You want a good solid, dependable, accurate .338 Win. Mag. then get a Ruger M77 and stick a Timney adjustable trigger on it and don't look back. Lawdog

Yup, if it's a production rifle you want, the Ruger is the way to go, especially the stainless, laminated one. I would glassbed the recoil lug area, change the recoil pad to a Decelerator, have the safety checked and tuned and definitely put in that Timney trigger. I also prefer the one with sights and would change these out for N.E.C.G. sights. Then try the Nosler PT. Gold Moly Free 250s over RE-22 in Win. brass all of my .338s shoot this like dambusters.I have owned a pile of Rugers and have a few now, they are good people who make good guns.

I would love to have a single shot in the .338 Keith, what a neat rifle!

Kutenay, you and I are going to disagree on Corlane for putting a rifle togethor. I have had two built there (at the same time), and well, they do a pretty good job painting a stock. But that's about it.

Chuck

Thanks for all the information guys, I think Ruger is the way to go, now another question. I am interested in the rifle having open sights. I have all my other rifles set up with Leupold quick release rings and bases. What suggestions for a similar situation with the Ruger seeing as they supply rings. Thanks-Karl

The ruger is available with factory iron sights. You can get q/r rings as well, or just use the factory rings and sequentially tighten them with a screwdriver or coin. I've found the Ruger rings are pretty good at returning to zero, usually within 1" at 100 yds.

For the $, you can't beat the Ruger M77 as a factory offering.

Just put a small indicator mark on the rings when everything is tightened up and sighted in, then, tighten the rings to this point when re-installing them and you should be good. I use Ruger rings on a custom made quarter-rib with integral, adjustable peep sight on my Merkel drilling, they work just fine.

If, you don't want to do this, I think that Talley makes rings for Rugers, but, they are a bit pricey although very fine.

Chuck, I have been in their shop, talked to them and know guys who are very happy with their work-so, I would be VERY interested in details, if, you are feeling better, maybe you could p.m. me? I have a number of projects that I was thinking about having them do, some of these are pretty nice pieces and I don't want any shenanigans. For obvious reasons, we should discuss this via p.m. I will also call you later in the week as tonight is busy, but, let me know.

Thanks, bud, hope you are feeling better, D.

I don't know if you're aware of this, but Leupold makes detachable rings to fit the dovetailed Ruger 77 receiver.

AD

Allen, do they make those Leupy's in low configuration? I've only seen the medium or high ones.



Chuck

Kutenay, I am feeling better, thanks for asking. In fact, this long weekend has given me a chance to get over this thing so I can get back to work tomorrow. How nice is that . Actually it isn't to bad, as it snowed all weekend anyhow.

Give me a call for sure as long as it isn't during the games involving the Flames run for the cup , bitter pill for a BC boy I'm sure . Sorry I'm rambling, the rest goes in the PM.

Chuck

Don't forget to check out a Sako 75 is you can afford one. My stainless 75 shoots 1/2 MOA out to 300yds with 225gr accubonds, and since I shot my first Elk with it last year it's one of my pets. They are one of the smoothest operating factory guns I've ever tried. IMHO they are a little better manufactured than most other factory offerings.........DJ

warne scope mounts has quick release mounts for a ruger,
Try 1-800-683 5590. Lawdog was right about the timny trigger i put one in my ruger and is is great, I would not be to suprised if you put a differend recoil pad on her too,
Ruger makes a fine rifle but the recoil pads are not much softer than the wood !
...tj3006

My 338 Win. is a custom rifle on a Mod. 98 chilian Mauser with a Obermyer barrel...I have had it for years and shot a lot of game with it including several Cape Buffalo..It is a grand caliber...

You couldn't go wrong with a Ruger, pre 64 Win. or any good 98 or FN Mauser...that would be my pick, and I would lean towards the pre 64 Win. Alaskan model...Hard to beat...

I feed mine 210 Noslers at 3003 FPS and 300 gr. Woodleigh RN at 2450 FPS..the 210 is 3" high at 100 and the 300s are dead center with my gun...

I don't think you can get the Ruger with iron sights anymore. I tried to order one a while ago and the distributor said they weren't making them. I like NECG sights better anyway.

I would get a win or Ruger personally I would steer clear of the Tikka....far to much plastic for me...and I don't like the way the bolt handle is dovetailed in. I am not sure if this is a weakenss or not I just do not like it.

Ruger does not make low rings in 30mm, but I beleive that they do in 1"......DJ

I'm with Ray Atkinson on the load, a 210 Partition at 3050 fps from my Browning A-Bolt. As far as the rifle, I'd have to disagree with everyone on the Ruger. I have seen VERY mediocre to poor accuracy from Rugers as of late. On the other hand, my A-Bolt .338 shot my first load I ever tried into .75" MOA. IMR 4350 is the powder and it gives me 3050 fps over my chronograph from the 26" barrel. It really packs a wallop on elk size game!!!

bowhuntr

Karl, why don't you just rebarrel your 8 Mag to a 338 or 340 Wby? Should be a little less expensive, you can get a Ron Smith barrel for not too much money, and just chamber and fit. I think you'll be MUCH happier with the accuracy of an RS barrel, in either caliber. FWIW - Dan