I'm thinking of getting a Model 70 re-barreled to 338-06. I've never had a custom barrel before and am looking for suggestions on where to start. There are a few gunsmiths locally who can do the job, but are there some others out there who you would recommend. Any particular barrel (Pac-Nor, Douglas, etc...) that you would recommend. All feedback appreciated.

Any of the "good" barrel makers. Douglas, Mc Gowen, Shilen, Pac Nor etc would be fine.

Avoid Bargain barrels. You get what you pay for.
If you want real quality, get a Lothar Walther.

If you don't mind stainless, a #3 contour Hart with a 10" twist would be really tough to beat for a .338-06 with a 22" barrel.

AD

I would find a local Smith you trust and go with what he suggests. I should be receiving my 338-06 any day now. My Smith likes to use Lilja for larger calibers so I went that route. If you want to send it out to a barrel maker to install I would suggest Kreiger. I've had them do a couple and Pac Nor do one. Based on that limited experience, definately Kreiger.

I agree with Allen on this as I had a pair of .338 Mags. made with Hart barrels circa 1990. The accuracy of the first was superb, but, the second shot groups so small that I will not post them. I am going to have a .338-06 built on my Brown stocked Husqvarna 4100 which has a good trigger and Wisner safety; it is a 7x57 and will make the lightest crf .338-06 for an old mountainboy like me of any action out there, it will have a Hart bbl.

I think that a light .338-06 is about perfect for mountain hunting in big bear country, old Elmer was right, IMHO.

JAB
I was considering a 338.06
But if you can load down a 338 wm to 338.06 velocities
what benefit does a 338.06 have over a standard wm?
Just wondering as I already am having the wm built.
Jeff

Jeff, the .338-06 is great for the guy who wants a lightweight mid-bore with moderate recoil, yet with more punch than a .30-06. The five-shot magazine is also seen by some to be an advantage.

Personally, I prefer the .338 Win. Mag. for my own use. I want the extra velocity, and I don't mind the extra recoil.

AD

Allen
How much will a 338.06 weigh vs a 338 wm?
The 338 wm my smith is making on a pre 64 action
Echol's legend stock will weigh a little over 9
lbs according to my smith.With talley rings less
scope.
Just curious as my rifle is close to done.
Jeff

Jeff, that seems a little on the heavy side and I would expect 8.5-9lbs scoped. What is the barrel contour?



Built to the same specs both chamberings will weigh, essentially, the same. However, the 338-06 would be more user friendly in a lighter rifle if that was the desired route.



I would love to see pictures of the completed project.



Chuck

I'm agreeing with Chuck.

My Echols Model 70 .338 Win. Mag. with 24" barrel (Echols' contour), 2.5-8X Leupold, sling, and four rounds in the magazine weighs about 8 3/4 lbs.

Your barrel contour will have a lot to do with the finished weight.

AD

Well,the barrel is the LW lowfire.I told my smith I like
the pre 64 standard weight contour for an end diameter.I don't like F/W barrels.I believe he told me the lowfire is a straight contour after the first 3 inches.It is 24".
I ordered the rifle last fall so maybe that 9+ lbs was with
the scope.I have a S&B 6x42 in talley QD's,with a Leupold
6x42 for the spare.
Pics will be posted as well as performance write up.This is
my first custom built rifle.But I did give my smith leeway
as my main goal was a rifle that feeds,fires,and shoots well.My idea of well is a consistant moa rifle.I'm still
young so a few ozs will not bother me.
This will be my main Moose,bou,elk,bear rig.As I hunt AK alot.

My .338-06 is built on a Model 98 action circa 1942. The barrel is a Shilen CM #3, 22 inches. It will easily shoot an inch or better. No complaints. It shoots 200g Ballistic Tips to the same point of aim as 210 Partitions. The gun overall is not light -- probably 9 lbs. plus but is balanced really well. It doesn't feel like 9+ when mounting or swinging, only carrying.....


MKane 160 aka BigDogMK

Jeff, yours sounds like an ideal hunting rifle in the making, very similar to my old .300 Win. Mag.

That rifle was built for me by Glen Pearce of Casa Grande, AZ, and finished early in 1994. I've used it from Alaska to Tanzania on everything from Dall's sheep to Cape buffalo, and just about everything in between. It weighs over 8.5 lbs, and I've hauled it up some very steep mountains without a complaint.

I had it built on a Model 70 Super Grade (Classic) action, 24" # 4 contour Hart barrel, McMillan Model 70 Super Grade stock, and Leupold 2.5-8X scope in Talley rings with special bases by Gene Simillion. Robar's NP3 finish on the action, blacked barrel, and brown stock paint. It's sort of ugly and somewhat beaten up, but it's been one of the greatest, most accurate, most durable, and most utterly reliable rifles I've ever owned. It's now in retirement, but I'll never sell it. Lots of memories!

AD

I have a 338-06 AI , savage 110 G action/douglas brl. (24")Savage syn. stock, pillar bedded. 200 gr hornaday, 3000 + -
and very small holes at 100. about the same weigth as my Rem. 700 .243 with20" brl.
Love the gun- hunts great
Dick

I have had great luck lately w/ bbls. from PacNor. Accuracy is great & they clean up fairly easily. As others have said, just stay away from the bargain bbl. guys. My .338-06 has a 22 1/2" #3 on a Ruger M77 in a lam. stock. The rifle weighs a bit over 8 1/2# scoped. If I were going to rebarrel I would go #2 or #2.5 & make it an even 23". A great caliber if you don't mind handloading. Nothing wrong w/ the .338WM but if you are always loading down, then why go w/ the magnum? Just get 75yds closer & you have the same perf. level as the WM.

There is absolutely nothing substandard about a Douglas Premiem Grade barrel. My most accurate rifle wears one, and it has made more than one 5-shot group @ 100 yards that is one ragged .28" hole! (6mm/284)

Douglas makes a really good barrel.

AD

JAB

You have heard about all of these barrels and now you have to choose one. I think it is well to remember that the accuracy of a particular rifle is the sum of its pieces. An inherently accurate barrel that is not installed in a precision manner may not be any more accurate than a barrel costing much less that has been precision installed.

I cannot count the times I have read where people using inexpensive barrels have gotten good results with them when they have been installed by a competent craftsman who takes the time to check various things such as that the threads of the receiver are square to the centerline of the bore, that they lugs are lapped for proper contact, that the bolt face is square, that the receiver shoulder is square, that the scope is mounted properly, etc. And then of course, all of that can be for nil if you have a wood stock that puts undue pressure on a barrel when it gets wet or something.

So if you want really really fine accuracy it may pay to shop for a your Smithy as much as for the brand of barrel that you will use.

Blue

JAB,

Just call Homer and have him do it for you.

Accuracy Arms
7151 Candace Cir
Anchorage, AK 99508