I like your story and I've been pretty close on several of the points, e.g., gun deals with relatives. I, too, use an inherited 338-06AI, and I've predominantly loaded Re-15 under bullets like the 200 NAB, 215 SGK and 210 NPT. I'm now trying Re-17 with some of those bullets, as well as 210 Sciroccos. I have it stocked in a B&C with alum. bedding block (debating whether to skim glass bed it--accuracy is pretty respectable right now).
