I have a Rem P17 still in the original 3006. Major work to rebbl to 338 Lapua? I know there's bolt face and feed rail work but how about the mag box? Is this feasible? I haven't been able to find the 338 case dimensions but the ballistics are impressive. Thanks.

I know a fellow up here in British Columbia who has made some fabulous long-range rifles out of exactly that action. Here's a link to one of his latest projects, a .300 Remington Ultramag, which apparently works beautifully.

If the huge Ultramag case works, it stands to reason that you should be able to make it work with a .338 Lapua. Another similar cartridge worthy of consideration might be the .338 Remington Ultramag.

Here's the link: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/viewtopic.php?t=19540

You can also build the 338-416 Rigby Improved on this action. Or pretty much anything else smaller then the 50 BMG, for that matter. - Dan

Thanks P 17. I'll dig around in the web site. Dan, the stuff I've read says that the 338 Lapua was originally designed using basic 416 brass for the U.S. Navy and was chucked due to lack of funds so it's probably very similiar to the 338/416. I guess the Fins and the Swiss are using it for their military sniper rifle and also tact police rifle. Sako Chambers two rifles for it, the TRG and The TRG S. (I think). The TRG S is a hunter, detachable mag, a little over eight pounds and a little over $800. I bet the recoil is rough. I'm looking at around ten and a half pounds. Anyone know where I can get the case dimensions? Thanks.

Hi Bob,

I'm having a 338 Lapua Mag being built as we speek. The metal work is finished and I'm waiting for the stock work to be completed. Mine is built on a P-14 with a 29" 1.250" barrel with a brake. The specs can be found at http://www.clymertool.com/ Hope this helps some, Ed Coffey

Thanks Big Dog. Was extensive work required on the magazine box? Or is there a mag box available that will work? What is the capacity? Appreciate the help.

First you need to recut the bolt face larger in dia and DEEPER, The rim thickness on the Lapua is .065" while the 30-06 is .045".Otherwise you have to thin up the extractor hook, which is not a good idea. A lot of gunsmiths forget about the rim thickness difference.

You need a new longer extractor that I make, or you can open up the P17.

Rebarrel now is straight forward.

The magazine box can be formed from .050" mild steel to work in the old guard. It needs to be of the proper width in the rear and taper to fit the cartidge.
I make new milled steel trigerguards for the Enfield however I don't have any on hand at this time for this caliber.

The feed rails will have to be remachined to match up with the box. This will be a milling machine show with a carbide ball end mill of 3/8" or 7/16" dia.Then the final work done by hand.

You will also need a new follower since the box is wider now.

The work is much like converting to 416 Riby, I published an article in the Gunmaker several years ago about this.

Jim Wisner

Some of those P17's are almost a century old and steel looses toughness as the carbon keeps coming out of the grain boundries. A 338 Lapua is a maximum cartridge and the P17 is not a containment design if a case ruptures. Neither is that good at getting rid of gas.

I would leave it as is and find a newer action.