I know what a .338-06 is, but I was told by a co-worker that he had built a .338-06 Ackley Improved. Is there such a loading? And is it worth to improve something that could be done with .338 Win. Mag.?

[This message has been edited by CK (edited 01-11-2002).]

Yes there is such a thing, and it can almost reach 338 Win with most bullet weights. The main advantages over the WinMag are better headspace control and reduced case stretching, which common with most improved cartridges. In my opinion there is also the advantage of being unbelted.

All one needs to do with belted cases is to set the dies to re-size so the belted
cases headspace on the shoulder like non-belted cases.
Just because it's belted don't mean it must be headspaced on the belt... thats not necessary once one realizes they are allowed to set their dies right.
The 338-08 AI is a nice cartridge. I had one made on a M721 Remington. I got within 100 feet of the 338 Win Mag with my favorite bullet for this cartridge, the 210 grain Partition.
Were I to do this one again, I'd have it throated for the 210 Partition exclusively, and for-go the longer heavier bullets.
~~~Suluuq

Another advantage of the 338-06 comes when you already have a rifle chambered for a 30-06 size cartridge. (Most Mauser 98's and long action Remchesters.) To rebarrel these actions to a magnum caliber requires the bolt face/extractor to be opened up to the larger case head size as well as some magazine work to get them to feed. This extra work (read money)is not required when you stick with a 30-06 based round.

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J.W.
Hero of the Hapless
Master of the Obvious

Rusty,
I know you can properly setup your die to do anything, but as I said it was a opinion. I just find belts to just get in the way, especially in magazine use. Also, I don't like them, but I have 300 Weatherby, I love it, but if I had to do it again I would probably use the new UltraMag.

CK
I have been shooting a .338-06 since 1968. I still have the rifle and use it regularly.
I have been playing with wildcats for over 35 years and have worked with some really good ones and some real duds.
The .338-06 Ackley Improved in my experience is only able to achieve a few more feet per second than the standard version. The standard version will kill anything that walks in North America with one shot. The AI version is not, in my opinion, worth the effort.
Also, many rifles will not feed the AI version nearly as well as the standard. I have owned several .338-06s and they have all fed flawlessly.
My guns are long throated and use a COL of 3.475". With the 225 gr Nosler Partition, I can get 2700 fps and with the 250 Nosler Partition, I get 2550 fps. I also get 2375 fps with a 275 Speer "Hot Cor" (now discontinued). All of these out of a 24" tube.
This is respectable performance and not too far behind a sanely loaded .338 Win Mag.
Now, A-Square has standardized the .338-06 and calls it the .338-06 A-Square. Factory ammo with 210 Nosler Partitions will soon be on dealers shelves.
If you have to have a "big boomer" by all means go with one of the factory rifles in .338 Win Mag. My nod goes to the new Winchesters with the pre-64 style claw extractor.
Hope this helps.
Good Shooting.
The Bearman