I really like all of my Ackleys, but I tend to push them hard. The 338-06 Imp. is 30 this year, so predates the A-Square. A stainless A-bolt stalker with a 25" Shilen select barrel. It only has a 1.5-5x scope, so not the best rig for shooting tiny groups, but adequate for 300+ yd on deer size animals. No feeding problems at all as long as I stay under 3.4" OAL. CH made dies for my chamber at a reasonable price. Get the tapered expander as an option or add-on. There has been about 820 rounds down the tube so far including F/F. The Teslong shows no ugliness anywhere in the barrel. I still have the unfired factory '06 barrel that will screw right back onto the gun. It really doesn't matter, but will someone please explain why the resale value would take a hit?

No standard 338-06 to compare it with, but I can reach 3000fps with 200s & 210s with a casefull of H4350 & between 1/2" to 1-1/2" 4-shot groups @100yds. Mostly under an inch. For comparison... this is approx. 8-10gr less powder than a 338 WM uses to get the same speed. Big Game is also showing promise. Two different lots of RL17 didn't quite get it accuracy-wise in my rifle. Speeds were up close to 3000. Hornady 35 Whelen brass is on the 5th or 6th full power firing. Primer pockets remain tight. I've used 280, 30-06, & the Horny 35 Whelen brass so far with success. With past lots of brass, it rarely needs trim after F/F (to square mouths). The rifle was built specifically for the 210 Partition & I can see no reason or need to shoot anything heavier than 215 Sierras, or maybe 225s at 2800+ & 2600fps respectively in very limited testing so far.

Nothing needs to be "wasted" during fireforming. If you're that damned cheap, I wouldn't hesitate to take it deer hunting around here with F/F loads. Of the last 25 I formed with Speer 200s & the remnants of an $11 price tagged can of IMR4895, 18 shot into 1-1/2' @ 100 yds. at 2764fps 10' instrumental. The 2 flyers opened it to about 2-1/2". The last 5 rang a 6" steel plate at 200 yds. with a 1" high 100 yd. zero. Range notes say it was, not windy, but WINDY that day. Not too shabby for a bunch of leftovers.

Sacred cows make good burgers when you know what temperature to cook them at.-Rev. Billy