I have a very nice Mod 70 Featherwt on 30-06 with a 22" barrel. Excuse my ignorance on topic, but can this rifle be rechanbered and rebarrelled to the new 338 Federal? I know the '06 is slightly longer than the 308, but will it work?

Yes, it'll work but you'd be far better off rebarreling to 338-06.

I haven't reloaded in years. but I used to handle 270 up 375 H & H,so I'm not totally ignorant, just rusty!! The only equipment I saved is the tumbler unit. Can 338-06 be bought commercially yet? What would be terminal ballistics with the 338-06.
I probably would be better off just waiting to get a 338 Federal when some manufacturer's start producing.ds What are your thoughts, Vapo?

yes vapo is 110% right as usual...

you would do that only if you had a 308...

338-06 ai if you wanted an extra 25 fps over the 338-06

the mod 70 is big for the 06 to begin with...they use it for the 375 h&h!

By the same token, Winchester is not making rifles any more, and what you have is becoming "collectable."

Do you really need an "excuse" to go buy another firearm? *LMAO*

Seems like you could find something decent in 338 - 06 or 338 Fed. whatever, and hang on to the '06. It's a versatile, classic caliber, and you have a classic Mod. 70.

Thanks for the input. Boom- you missed the fact it is a nice little Featherweight with a 22" barrel. Trigger is smoothed, its been bedded, free floated, and 3/4" groups are the norm @ 100 yds, so I will leave the little 06 alone. I have a Kimber Montana in 7mm WSM coming in a week or two, so my excuses for buying another rifle is "what can I hunt for with the next new one?"
45-70-I have been thinking seriously about a Cowboy in your caliber. I love the slim forestock compared to the wagon tongue feel of the 1895's, but I need to work out the Montana for a Manitoba Whitetail hunt in Nov 2007.
I really like what I see and hear about the 338 Federal, so thanks again for input.

dano...

there are a couple sources for factory 338-06 if i am not mistaken...please chime in if you know where...also specialized places like conley precision will do it too. good luck!

I would personnaly leave it as is or sell it to someone whoe wants a M70. Get yourself a beat up short action Ruger or Rm. M700 & have your .338Federal made. That's waht I am thinking about doing.

If a shooter wanted a 338 Federal he'd be advised to start with a short action as fredj338 suggests.

The best use for that cartridge is in the Savage 99 if one wants to rebarrel a 308 or 243. This turns a good gun into a very good elk rifle if you like leverguns.

Duikerman,
I really like your suggestion of converting a Savage 99 into 338 Federal. Would it have to be a 243 or 308? I have just looked at a picture of a couple of rounds, and the 300 Savage neck is much shorter than the 308.
Fredj338- I alos like the old Ruger idea. I'm guessing you mean a Mod77?


Dano

dano36
Why? Load your 3006 with 220 or 240 grain woodleighs and you got something much more versatile than a 338 federal.

Cheers
/JOHAN

Around here there are plenty of short action rifles from various manufacturers, for cheap prices... especially with hunting season ending... at the local pawn shops...

I'd pick up a short action there and rebarrel it to 338/08 Federal...

That Featherweight sounds great... I wouldn't touch that puppy... leaving it exactly as it is...All of my Winchesters became " Royalty" the day Winchester closed their doors... even if they start making them in JAPan....I will never let my American Made Winchesters go....

In fact, my Model 70 in 338/06 is getting a new laminate stock this winter, and I am looking at ordering some barrels from ER Shaw, or PacNor in various calibers... to make a switch barrel out of it....a heavy barreled 220 Swift is going to be the first chambering on the agenda....

OK Guys!!No Moving or Alteration of The Winnie Fthrwt. Case Closed. I'm surprised over minimal commentsw on the Montana 7mm WSM that is coming. Once again, long range Whitetail round for Manitoba Hunt Nov 2007. I went up to Bear Valleu Outfitters (.com) in 1990, just a few years after Chris opened. At that time I had a 300Win Mag with 180 grnrs (NP). I would like to revisit nest year. He and I have both had MVA's caused by others where we have each had both hips broken in the accidents. He has great heated blinds and some big bruisers. I'm going for the open range deer hunt, not any of his "trophy fenced" areas. I was with my bro aqnd we had more fun than we could have imagined.

I've heard of the Woodleigh's, but know minimal about them.