So far I'm thinking stainless, controlled feed, and I'd like iron sights for backup, preferably a sturdy post in front with a rear aperture. Readily detachable scope rings (not necessarily QD, the Ruger system is OK by me). Synthetic stock. Reasonably heavy to take up some of the recoil.

Which rifle would you build it on? I'm inclined toward the Ruger for the scope mounting system and because the 26" barrel on the Winchester seems a tad long. But I could be convinced otherwise.

Any way to add some weight (other than the scope and sling) while maintaining decent balance? I'm 6'2", 185 lbs. and find a pre-war Model 70 .30-'06 (9.6 lbs. scoped) very comfortable despite lack of a recoil pad (except from prone), and a new M70 Safari Express .375 quite bearable for a reasonable number of shots from sitting or offhand. But a 7-lb. .338 sounds a tad rough.

Any other suggestions to fill in details (e.g., aperture sight makers) would be welcome.

John

You may find the Sako a tad lighter than you are wanting. Mercury recoil absorbers added in the buttstock will soak up a lot of felt recoil, but they obviously shift the balance rearward. I suppose you could make up for it by adding an aftermarket muzzle weight - accurizer, but that will make your barrel longer. I agree that 24" is about right for a .338.

If you really want just the right weight, balance, barrel weight, etc, then you're going to have to go custom. In that case, the Ruger would be the cheapest place to start, but after retrofitting a trigger, which would not be necessary with the M70 or Sako, you'll still have just about as much in it.

P.S. The Ruger is a controlled round feed contrary to the previous posters information.

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Phil- Life Member NRA & SCI

[This message has been edited by Phil R (edited 06-04-2001).]

If I weren't somewhat cantankerous, and had to build a 35 whelen ackley on a mauser, the Ruger 338 would be my big game rifle for Alaska. I'm still considering getting one and re-barreling it to a 416 Howell.

I like the M70's as well as most, but for a reasonably priced tough duty rifle, the M77 ss/syn can't be beat. I'd venture to say its the most popular hunting rifles in Alaska, certainly right up there.

About recoil..I�m 5'8", normally buildt, and my old Rem 760 pump in .30-06 hurt me more shooting prone than the Ruger.
I think you will be surprised about how comfortable the rifle is to shoot, so don�t add any extra weight or gimbos until you had a chance to try it.

Arild

Some of the original MK-II were not CRF. They had the large claw extractor, but the lower section of the bolt's face had a rim that prevented cases from popping up between the bolt and the extractor. Mine was not a true CRF when I purchased it, but Ruger did some work to it, and replace the original bolt with a CRF one. I believe their rifles were made CRF somewhere around 1993?

Ruger also makes a stainless .338 with express sights, but it is more expensive than the one I own.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ray, Alaska:
I have been using a stainless Ruger M77 MK-II that is CRF.

Some of the original MK-II were not CRF. They had the large claw extractor, but the lower section of the bolt's face had a rim that prevented cases from popping up between the bolt and the extractor. Mine was not a true CRF when I purchased it, but Ruger did some work to it, and replace the original bolt with a CRF one. I believe their rifles were made CRF somewhere around 1993?

Ruger also makes a stainless .338 with express sights, but it is more expensive than the one I own.

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I was unaware that Ruger had changed its original action on the M77 to actual CRF. My experience with the 77 dates back to the "dogleg bolt" model which was push feed, but did have a large Mauser-type extractor. From what I've read, though, Ruger triggers have gotten worse and not better, so you need to count on replacing the factory trigger or having a trigger job done.

Good luck with your project!

The triggers are heavy but there are a couple of aftermarket drop-ins available now. One of them (can't remember which) is all stainless.

quote:

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Originally posted by John Frazer:
Would like to have a .338 Win. Mag. for rough duty hunting of the larger varieties of N. American big game (esp. moose and elk in the rainier climates).

So far I'm thinking stainless, controlled feed, and I'd like iron sights for backup, preferably a sturdy post in front with a rear aperture. Readily detachable scope rings (not necessarily QD, the Ruger system is OK by me). Synthetic stock. Reasonably heavy to take up some of the recoil.

Which rifle would you build it on? I'm inclined toward the Ruger for the scope mounting system and because the 26" barrel on the Winchester seems a tad long. But I could be convinced otherwise.

Any way to add some weight (other than the scope and sling) while maintaining decent balance? I'm 6'2", 185 lbs. and find a pre-war Model 70 .30-'06 (9.6 lbs. scoped) very comfortable despite lack of a recoil pad (except from prone), and a new M70 Safari Express .375 quite bearable for a reasonable number of shots from sitting or offhand. But a 7-lb. .338 sounds a tad rough.

Any other suggestions to fill in details (e.g., aperture sight makers) would be welcome.

John

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If you are looking for a .338 I have the gun for you. It is the Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker with the B.O.S.S. system in .338 Win. It has a synthetic stock and stainless barrel which means you can take it anywhere in any type of weather. The clip it has is also a handy feature.

I have hunted taken this breed of gun to Africa for kudu, zebra, warthog, wildebeest and other plainsgame. I've used it extensively for big Alberta deer, moose and bear with great success.

Heck, Ive even gone to Victoria Island muskox hunting with it.

These guns are readily available and you can get them for a decent price. The recoil factor is nothing to worry about as I also have a Winchester Pre'64 in 30-06 and I find it pretty much even with this .338

The Browning is a well made rifle and I have had no problems with it. With the BOSS system your groups can become very,very tight. I can routinely shoot .75" or less groups with this rifle.

As for a scope I have a leupold vari X-III
3.5-10 which suits it just fine. I can turn it down when moose hunting in bush or crank it up when I reach out and touch a whitetail across a huge wheat field.

I truly urge you to look into this gun as it is what you are looking for- a rough duty hunting rifle for the larger breeds of game.

A great load for the .338 Win is 70.0Gr of IMR 4831, Remington Case, Federal 215Match Primer, with a 250Gr Nosler Partition, crimped with a Lee factory crimp die.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

The A-bolt will shoot 180 grn B-tips, and up to 250 grn A-frames, thru a ragged hole. Its a fantasticaly accurate rifle for a box rifle.

I love the rifle but must warn you, weight reduction and price reduction comes at a price. While in Africa I was useing a roll bar of a Bakkie as a rest. I had the trigger assembly in front of the bar. When I touched off the trigger the recoil shoved the rifle back, and the trigger assembly against the roll bar.

The whole trigger, and trigger houseing, was sheared off. I was standing there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, with my trigger and houseing sheared off, from shooting the damn thing against a bar, and of all things at a rabbit!

My hunting partner's were fighting a loseing battle trying to keep from laughing, "I looked so silly and pathetic looking at that rifle, while in the heavy Northern bush of RSA". I finnaly broke up laughing at the whole thing, the only reason I didnt chuck the rifle was I had a Leo lll on it.

Is the Browing a bad rifle ? No! I still love mine. But the price in weight reduction comes in the use of lighter strength metals in, so called, "non-critical" componants. That same thing wouldnt have happened to a Winchester, tho a Winnie is going to weight much more too.

Just food for thought. I had my 3006 and it saved my "trip of a lifetime", as '06's have been doing for 100 years...........good shooting......10

quote:

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Originally posted by Phil R:
www.newenglandcustomgun.com has some nice aftermarket front sights and a great quick detach peep sight that clamps onto the rear ring mount position and holds its' zero when removed and reinstalled.

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Thought I'd resurrect this thread since my FFL sent me a good price on a Ruger--does anyone else have any experience with these detachable sights? They look like the proverbial cat's pajamas.

John

[This message has been edited by Old Timer (edited 08-12-2001).]