What is the smallest Douglas contour you guys would build a 338-06 on? I have a Ruger with a Douglas #2, thinking of a rebarrel job to 338-06. Was looking at cutting it to 22".

I've done a .375 on a #3. Would do a 338 on a #2.

I'm guessing your Ruger is already a rifle based on the .30-06 correct? Since you want a .338-06 on a Douglass #2, I'd call JES Reboring and have him punch out the tube. It'll be far cheaper and quicker turnaround time than waiting on a new barrel and a smith to install it.

It also depends on the barrel company if they'll do a .338 caliber in a #2. I built a .338-06 and wound up using Pac-Nor #3. I called several barrel companies and most wouldn't do a stainless steel barrel in a contour as light as a #3.

I actually wanted a #2 as well but Penny at Pac-Nor put me on with one of the tech guys and he talked me out of it. He thought there would be way too much barrel whip with a #2. Anyway I'm not upset that I went with a #3 in the end my goal weight was 8.5 lbs all up with sling and full magazine. I didn't quite make my goal but I did make 8 lbs 9 oz with a 24" barrel. I may cut it back to 22" but I need to do more testing before I make that decision.

quote:

He thought there would be way too much barrel whip with a #2

Wonder? was he asking about safety or accuracy?

Wasn't all the Interarms Mark X factory barrels .625" at 23.5"

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

He thought there would be way too much barrel whip with a #2

Wonder? was he asking about safety or accuracy?

Wasn't all the Interarms Mark X factory barrels .625" at 23.5"

He was more worried about accuracy. He said he'd build me whatever barrel I ordered. However, since was wanting a 24" finished length he thought it better to finish with a little more meat at the muzzle. I used the Shilen #3 which is .625 at 24" vs. the #2 at .575 at 24".

My McMillan stock which I bought used was already inlet for the Shilen #3 contour though I wouldn't have had any issues using a #2 in it. I went with Pac-Nor because my smith recommended the 3 groove Super Match barrel when I told him my choices boiled down to Pac-Nor, Lilja, or Shilen. Though he recommended Bartlien, Brux, and Rock first but none would do a #3 Shilen contour in stainless.

Taylorce1,
Tell me what fill weight and model McMillan that stock is! Why did you choose the 338-06 over a win mag? If the rifle is balanced right I'll stick with the 24"

Taylorce1,
I have three .338-06(kinda' like them) and the last one has a Kreiger #2 barrel on a Mark X action installed By Dale Hegstrom. Sure is accurate. The other two are slightly larger. An A & B on an FN commercial and a McGowen on a CZ550 that AHR did a complete job on.
Now I am too old to get to the high country elk hunting, but that is life.

Don

I had a Ruger barreled with a #5 Douglas SS in 338-06 and none of the factory ammunition in the caliber would do better than 1.5".

Put me off to the caliber, Rugers and Douglas all at the same time.

quote:

Originally posted by smallfry:
Taylorce1,
Tell me what fill weight and model McMillan that stock is! Why did you choose the 338-06 over a win mag? If the rifle is balanced right I'll stick with the 24"

It's a McMillan Hunter with Edge fill. It's a little muzzle heavy at 24", not bad but that's why I need to shoot it more and see if I want to trim the barrel back. When I built it I just started a new job and had to live on the road for a year. Then selling a house and moving, a new promotion at work, and now a broken leg have gotten in the way and I only have about 30 rounds down the barrel in three years.

I've owned a .338-06 for nearly 10 years and always wanted one since I read the intro to the cartridge in my first reloading manual. My firs on is a 1903-A3 sporter with 24" magnum contour fluted Lilja barrel. It prints tiny groups with 200 and 225 grain Hornady's at 2900 and 2700 fps respectively so I never saw the need for a .338 Win Mag. Plus I wanted something a little off the beaten path.

Nice, gotta love the 338 bore. I am putting another together but haven't decided if it's going to be a win mag wby. I need to evaluate the factory barrel after I get it chopped.

I have a 35 Whelan M1903 with a 24" Douglas #2 contour. The rifle and scope weight 8 lb 11 ounces. It kicks like a mule! It is painful to shoot off a bench. Getting exact barrel weights is just about impossible from barrel makers, as the calibers all vary. But given my experience, I would go with a #3 or a #4 Douglas. According to the numbers I have written down, (Douglas numbers) a #2 is 2.75 lbs, #3 is 3 pounds, and a #4 (26 inch) is 3.5 lbs.

I bought a couple of short chambered barrels and weighed them, this might help

24" F34 Green Mountain barrel 30-06 Mauser action, 3 lb 2.0 ounces

24" F34 Green Mountain barrel 35 Whelen Mauser action, 2 lbs 15.2 ounces.

Safety is not in question, even a no. 1 is safe, but it is too light IMO..Id go with a no. 3 Douglas on a .338 win or larger...I like the no. 1 and 2 on 30-06 based cartridges up to and including the 30-06..

You could always flute a no. 3 if it was too heavy.

The gun currently has a Douglas #2 in 7x57. The stock is a McMillan that is inletted for a #2. Was hoping to build on the same contour as well. It looks like I may end up with a #3. Thanks guys.

Well, that sheds more light on the subject, its going to be very light, but do-able, and will kick the snot out of you unless you add a brake for instance or can handle snappy recoil..

Were it me, I would still go with a no. 3 and its easy to open the barrel channel from a #2 to #3, any half a$$ed stock maker or careful amateur can do that with a little stock black or lipstick, and a sharp scraper..

Hawk, I built that exact gun several years ago. Douglass had no problem with a #2 contour .338 at that time. I bedded mine in the factory plastic stock and it would keep MOA with 210gr Partitions and was an absolute joy to shoot.
Just choose who does your barrel work carefully as that is the key to how well it will shoot.
Good luck with your project.