As mentioned in another post, I just aquired a Ruger 77, tang safety model custom chambered to .30-.338. I have no reason to want for that particular caliber and bought it with two options in mind. 1. Sell the gun as is and try to make a little bit. 2. Keep the gun and chamber it to something else that interests me...problem is I don't know what that is.

I thought I would start with finding out what options I have.

The gun has the original Ruger barrel on it, but I cannot find it stamped as to what it was originally chambered to. It looks like two different smiths had their hand in getting it to it's current configuration as there are two .30-.338 designations by two different sets of initials (one is turned enough under that the stock hides it). I am assuming it started it's life as a 30-06 as the barrel is a 22" sporter, it is a ruger barrel, and it has been reamed to be a .30 caliber magnum. I am assuming the only logical choice would have been an '06. Please tell me if I am wrong.

Anyway, going on my assumptions that it was an '06 and is a standard length action as such, what calibers could I put a new barrel on and rechamber to? I am not really interested in anything above .284 caliber as I already shoot a .30 caliber magnum and I don't have a need or want for anything larger. As I am maturing as a handloader/shooter I am becoming more and more interested in accuracy as well, if that plays in to any ideas.

Thanks.

Your options are limited to Magnum calibers. What Magnum caliber would you like? Any of the standard and wildcat cartridges based on the .338 size case would be fine.

Is it limited due to whatever the gunsmith(s) had to do to the action to get the .30-.338 to work, or is it because it probably wasn't a 30-06 to begin with?

Something in the neighborhood of another .257 Weatherby or a .270 Weatherby, 7mm Weatherby, 7mm Remington Magnum might be of interest.

My initial thoughts (but won't work) were a .280 A.I., or maybe a 25-06.

Limiting it to a magnum does limit it quite a bit.

Thanks.

If it is currently a 30-338, you will need to keep it chambered to cartridge based on the mag case so the extractor will pick up the case. I'm not real familiar with rugers, but I do not think the claw will hold onto a 473 case head?

quote:

Originally posted by 300winnie:
Is it limited due to whatever the gunsmith(s) had to do to the action to get the .30-.338 to work, or is it because it probably wasn't a 30-06 to begin with?

Something in the neighborhood of another .257 Weatherby or a .270 Weatherby, 7mm Weatherby, 7mm Remington Magnum might be of interest.

My initial thoughts (but won't work) were a .280 A.I., or maybe a 25-06.

Limiting it to a magnum does limit it quite a bit.

Thanks.

Yes, you can forget cartridges like the 280 and 25-06 on this action. If it were a 30-06 to begin with it won't matter now because now it's a magnum. Those magnums calibers you mentioned above are all good choices for this action, although I personally find the 30x338 to be an outstanding choice for a .30 cal magnum.

Thanks malm,

I am thinking it will probably remain a .30-.338 with the education you have given me. Now I just need to decide whether to keep it or sell it.

Thanks.

I had one of mine re-barelled to a .416 AR. It has held up nicely for the past few months of light shooting. I have another, although a MkII that will become a .470 or maybe the new .500 something AR.
Both started as .338's as you now have. If you decide to sell it, please let me know.
Frank

Frank,
sure enough



though it did start as a 7rem, the action would be the same.


the 416, 458, and 470 AR are more or less drop ins for the rugers

jeffe

quote:

I am thinking it will probably remain a .30-.338 with the education you have given me. Now I just need to decide whether to keep it or sell it

Like the others have said you are now limited to a mag case due to the bolt face change. The 30-338 is basically the 308Norma magnum. It gives up only a couple FPS to the 300Wmag. In your length barrel probably less. I've had a 300 and now use a 308Norma. I miss nothing and would not go back. If you simply don't want the wildcat a 300Wmag reamer "should" clean up the chamber then you could shoot factory.