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Nearby neighbor kid (he's 25) is embarking on an adventure: to build himself a .338 caliber rifle. Not sure of cartridge yet, but he's studying the books and so far likes the .338-06 (or the AI version). He is of sensible tastes (big game guns are 6.5x55 and .308), and a VERY good handloader for his age, including Blackpowder Cartridge.

Purpose: A prospective elk rifle that can be enjoyed year-round also testing the waters toward recreational long-range shooting. He is no small guy, a power lifter that can also keep up with my skinny butt chasing Antelope.

Has in his possession a X-Caliber blank in .338, Stainless 1-10 twist, Heavy Varmint taper (but that could be turned, though he likes it as-is). A close friend that has built guns is suggesting a .338 Win Mag for the extra power toward long range and less "hassle" toward the reloading process. Open to other caliber suggestions but Lapua-types need not apply.

Our pupil (victim?) also has stated a preference on his dream to be of synthetic stock (though he loves and appreciates walnut on all guns including his own Pedersoli Sharps). He also likes Mauser actions but is listening closely to those of us trying to sway him toward a Remington 700.

He claims weight is not a real issue (that's the power lifter talking) but it will more than occasionally be carried. I smirk at his dismissal of Grandfather Gravity and intend to smirk more if he carries it on a hunt with me.

On his behalf (and I'll show this thread to him as it progresses) I ask that you offer constructive suggestions toward his build based on your experience rather than speculation. Caliber? Action? Barrel length? Stock? Trigger? Accoutrements? (Brake?, etc.). Optics should lean more toward field use than some huge monstrosity with twisty knobs sticking out all over it.

Thanks for the help. Have fun with this. We will.

Last edited by Tahnka; 01/23/20. Reason: barrel weight

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I'd go SS 700 .338WM, with the blank turned down to a #4-ish contour and cut at 23". The mag box will allow long-nosed stuff if he wants and he can load down to .338-06 speeds with no problems. He can also shoot factory ammo if need be. For the stock, I'd go McMillan or Manners, in whatever pattern he likes, be it classic style, monte-carlo, or one of the tactical/hunter hybrids. Pick a scope without to much power and plenty of eye relief. Stick a Timney in it. There's no flies on a balanced 9lb .338WM if the weight doesn't bother a guy. My Ruger weighs something near that and 200/210gr stuff at 2,900 wasn't brutal, and it wasn't redlined either.


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Personally, I would direct him towards:
CRF model 70 action- due to good accuracy, low bolt lift, and positive controlable extraction, and longer potential mag length

Contour - #4 or #5 contour are good without being too heavy, but honestly lighter is usually better when you think elk. Be clear to him, a std m70 super grade is pretty heavy by elk stds. I would target 10 lbs total all scoped up. 22-24”...a bit shorter than I think, is best. I like 24” for elk, so 22” is probably better!

Trigger- have the gunsmith tune to crisp 2.5-3 lbs unless he has another weight.

Stock- synthetic with correct lop.....truly experiment extensively with taped on shims in hunting clothes until I just mounts right! Synthetic is better, requires less babying. McMillan has nice checkering. Bedded of course. This is not a benchrest rifle. Bed the chamber too!

Brake- no, unless everybody will have hearing protection.

Optics- good luck. Find a bdc reticle you can use and ideally capped turrets. Also, ffp is ideal, but just limit yourself to 14x and sfp can work. Watch the weight lots of fat optics out there.

Caliber- I like the .473 case head. Mag holds 1 more. Also look at the Sherman rounds. Btw, 30 cal is an elk round...could kill black bear too. 338 might be too big! His 6.5x55 shows his reason and maturity!

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338-06
SS Model 70 (NH CT Made)
Aluminum PT&G Bottom Metal
Bansner Stock / 1" Decelerator
Bbl. 22" or 23" (Dupe the Douglas no. 3 contour).
Talley X-low Lwt's
Leupold 6x36 LRD

Load up a 200 gr. NBT / NAB, or 210 NP over H4350 or RL17/16 and rock on.

I've had something like 5 or 6 338 WM's, and built one 338-06 on a SS M70. I prefer the standard (non Ai) 338-06... it's just an elegant, easy to form, load and shoot cartridge.


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Don't own a 338, I did the 300 to 375 route. I would encourage him to build it at a reasonable weight even if he is built like a brick out house. He will get older at some point and a lighter rifle allows carrying more of other things like meat. At higher altitudes every ounce counts and I know of several shots that were blown or not taken because the hunter was winded or breathing so heavily they fogged the scope up.

If it will be used for bear or other potentially dangerous game I like a controlled round feed action but this is not that critical. I think I would do a 9.3x62 before I would do a 338-06 but that is a good one. The 338 will be more readily available and have cheaper dies and it can easily be loaded down to 338-06 levels. But he should get what he wants.


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Brad and Jpro are suggesting barrels in the 22-23" length.
Is there logic here aside from weight? (Especially if the WM is chosen, I would believe 24" more appropriate).


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Since one of his proposed uses is long range target, 300 WM might be a better choice.

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Originally Posted by Tahnka
Brad and Jpro are suggesting barrels in the 22-23" length.
Is there logic here aside from weight? (Especially if the WM is chosen, I would believe 24" more appropriate).


The bore/case ratio for the .338 is not much different from a 30-06, so the same barrel lengths are appropriate, even though the .338WM has "Magnum" in the name. I want a 24" tube with a 7mmRM or 300WinMag, as they are more overbore than the .338WM. I've had two .338WM rifles, and both got cut to 22" to make them a bit more handy, as I hunt in blinds a fair bit.


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Originally Posted by Tahnka
Brad and Jpro are suggesting barrels in the 22-23" length.
Is there logic here aside from weight? (Especially if the WM is chosen, I would believe 24" more appropriate).


As jPro pointed out, the Bore Volume / Case Capacity Ratio of the 338 Win Mag is the same as the 30-06, and no one would argue a 22" barrel doesn't work well with the 30-06. Four of my 338 WM's had 22" barrels. My 338-06 had a 22" barrel.

There's zero need for a 24" barrel on either a 338 Win Mag or a 338-06, unless you just want one.

Below is yours truly with a bull I took with a SS M70 338 WM w/ 22" bbl. (210 NP). Stalked him to his bed and shot him at 40 yards. I definitely like handy, lighter rifles for elk hunting.

But I also don't like the recoil of the 338 WM anymore... I doubt I'll ever use anything larger than a 30-06, if even that large. You just don't need that level of horsepower for elk.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]


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I've had 338 win mag for 42 years 24 inch factory barrel always wished it was 26.

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I’ve got a 338 M70 Alaskan in a Legend stock. It’s got the factory 25” barrel on it along with a Leupold 6x36 on top. Runs a few ounces under 9lbs and works great for me.

I agree with the others though, around 8 1/2 - 9lbs for an all up 338 feels great to me. It doesn’t take much to get there either so a lighter barrel doesn’t hurt.


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Originally Posted by Brad
338-06
SS Model 70 (NH CT Made)
Aluminum PT&G Bottom Metal
Bansner Stock / 1" Decelerator
Bbl. 22" or 23" (Dupe the Douglas no. 3 contour).
Talley X-low Lwt's
Leupold 6x36 LRD

Load up a 200 gr. NBT / NAB, or 210 NP over H4350 or RL17/16 and rock on.

I've had something like 5 or 6 338 WM's, and built one 338-06 on a SS M70. I prefer the standard (non Ai) 338-06... it's just an elegant, easy to form, load and shoot cartridge.


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Brad speaks the truth... if he is young and recoil resistant, the same blue print in 338 mag would be more gooder.....


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I have a Sako L-61 in 338 Win Mag. I like it.

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Originally Posted by beretzs
I’ve got a 338 M70 Alaskan in a Legend stock. It’s got the factory 25” barrel on it along with a Leupold 6x36 on top. Runs a few ounces under 9lbs and works great for me.

I agree with the others though, around 8 1/2 - 9lbs for an all up 338 feels great to me. It doesn’t take much to get there either so a lighter barrel doesn’t hurt.


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That's how I roll... It also shoots awesome, even though it is fairly light weight....:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Yes, it is possible to have a great shooting Winchester CRF. It doesn't have to be a rem 700 to shoot well... hint

Mine is around 8 1/4 pounds "all up" now with its Zeiss conquest 3.5-10x44.... A 338-06 would be a puzzy cat at that weight, if you use the proper stock with the right ergo's. I also agree with Brad about the 22-23" barrel. However, the 24" tube works great on my 338wm. I've NEVER wanted it to be 26", as someone else brought up. That length on any gun is just obnoxious and ludicrous. Had a few chopped down from 26" to 23" though....


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700 bdl 24”, McMillan hunter, Remington 1piece rings, 6x Nikon, dunno the weight, she’s pretty stout, sight er in, kill stuff...
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The 338 I have right now is ridiculous so I would not suggest it.......but if I was to build another for the purpose you suggest it would be a 338WM with a Rem 700 action, either the Hunter or Classic stock. aftermarket trigger (I still prefer a Jewell trigger even though they get bashed on this forum). A two piece steel picatinny base with 30mm Burris signature Zee rings. A leupold 4.5x14x40mm 30mm scope. A Krieger or Bartlein 1-10" twist barrel finished at 26".
The thing to me with a 338 is "THE BULLET" a Sierra 300gr Match King !!!!!!!!! this bullet will take anything on the planet from prairie dog to elephant. a bit rough on the shoulder compared to wimpy 225-250gr bullets but worth it

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You mentioned interest in LR shooting. Id pick a case that could push the 300 class bullets at a reasonable speed.

If hes an avid handloader, the 338-375 Ruger would likely fit the bill.

Is a 375 R Howa barreled action available? Swap with his XCaliber contoured to Bart 3ish range. McMillan Sako Hunter.

Or just 338 WM it.


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I have had three 338’s, 2 338-06, and 1 or 2 338-06 AI’s. This is what I learned.

1. 22” barrels are perfect for all.
2. The AI version doesn’t gain anything over -06 version.
3. It is easier and safer to load a 338 down than to try to turn a 338-06 into a 338. Just use R15 or Varget.

After all the effort and expense I found that a 30-06 or 270 with very good bullets works just as well, so all of them now live elsewhere and I never miss any one of them, ever !!!



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If your guy must have a 338-06AI, contact me cause I have a set of dies that need a new home.



“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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