Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338-06 vs 338-06 AI

Anyone here have experience with the actual velocity increase attainable for improving the 338-06? Is it worth it?

What kind of velocity would you need to gain to make it worthwhile? You won't be able to make an AI equal the .338 WM the way I look at it. The only reason I'd see to go with the AI version is longer brass life. I doubt you'd see more than 100 fps difference, more than likely a lot less. I just own the plain version of the .338-06.

I have a Weatherby Mark 5 ultra light weight. I was just wondering.

Velocity gains are minimal but not having to trim brass is great. That by itself is worth it.
Patrick

Small test... but over my chronograph and their expensive Oehler..

my 338/06 ( Model 70, 24 inch barrel, re bored from 270)

the other 2 guys... Ruger 77 24 inch Barrel 338/06 AI...

the other guy... 338/06 Weatherby "light weight" throated out toan AI..

My loads, with H 380 and 4064 consistently were about 100 fps faster on average over whatever their loads were..

test was using 200, 225 and 250 grain bullets...mine were all Hornady SPs...

I like the looks of the Ackleys, and with todays powders, you might gain a bit more than you would think.

I have the regular 338-06 It works very well as such.

Really, it's kinda like this. With the 338 caliber vs 280 the 280 is to the better because it's smaller so by going AI it's more to gain. With the 338 it's larger, so there is less to gain. When you blow out the shoulder of an 338-06 you just don't gain that much. Not worth the effort.

Now, this is my 2-cents only. If you feel different, and want to go for it, then get after it.

Wishing y'all the best.

Take care

30 fps, tops. With a good chamber and good fitting dies, case stretch is no different either. Virtually all case lengthening comes from the sizing operation. I built a 338 Gibbs for a friend who wanted to get all he could from an '06 case. He managed to push 250's over 2600 but loosened primer pockets doing so. He decided, if you want 338 mag performance, you want a 338 Mag. GD

"My loads, with H 380 and 4064 consistently were about 100 fps faster on average over whatever their loads were..

test was using 200, 225 and 250 grain bullets...mine were all Hornady SPs..."

I've generally found it to be much easier to get Hornady SP's to out pace other bullets. Probably due to their short bearing surface.YMMV

As John Barsness has written, much of the gains people describe in AI cases are from just loading them a lot hotter after the "improvement." If loaded to the same pressure, there will not be much improvement in velocity in the 338-06 vs the 338-06 AI. This coming from a guy who shoots a couple 338-06 and a 35 Whelen AI. And it's not just handloaders creating this "illusion." SAAMI spec on the 280 Rem is 60K PSI. SAAMI spec on the 280 Rem AI is 65K PSI. So the vast majority of performance increase at least on the factory side (and published load data) comes from increased pressure.
Your 338-06 (basic version) carries a SAAMI spec of 63K PSI already, so it's pretty close to being all it can be in its basic form. Be advised though that a lot of published data you'll find is from before it was standardized and those publishers generally kept the data to the 30-06 standard of 60K PSI back in the day. If you have a way to get an actual measurement on how much the case capacity will be increased by "AI-ing" the 338-06, the percentage increase in velocity, when loaded to the same pressure will be about 1/4 of the percentage increase in volume.
That pretty much comports with the previous post suggesting about 30 FPS. Case life will indeed be better. So it all depends on what "worth it" means to you.

Cheers,
Rex

I went with the AI version because the smith at the time had the reamer for it, & not the standard.

Mine's at 2800 with either 200 or 210's in a 21 1/2" barrel. All I want or need anymore.

Sweet!

aalf, that's a nice looking rifle.

Congrats.

Looks like a stellar hunting rifle.

Had my 338-06 cut down from 21" barrel to 16" barrel so I could thread it and be able to suppress it for working up loads in the yard rather than having to go to the range

338-06 when it had the 21" barrel with the 3-9 SWFA on it right at 6.75 pounds:



Cut down to 16.5" and suppressed its right at 7.25 pounds:





I took my same load that I had before with the 21" barrel that had 210 Siroccos just bit over 2800 fps and that same load now averages just under 2700 fps (2690 fps to be exact).

Also worked up 230 eldx in it and and found an accuracy node at 2575 fps. Now to pick which bullet I want to use......

I realize the shorty barrel rifles are for everyone but I'll give up FPS for handiness or ability to suppress and not have a super long barrel just so I can toy with loads in the yard.

Good to see you posting bud! Hope all is well!

Alaska, was that a re barrel or a re bore? I feel like I "need" a 338 06 lately.....

No, because commercial product is available. kaliber 8.5x63

+

Very accurate strait pull rifle.

Rebore done VIA JES rebore like 5 years ago. He turned it from a 24" barrel 270 to an 21" 338-06. Last month I got it cut down to 16.5" and threaded for suppressor.

Yeah man all is good. Just haven't been on the forums lately that much. Nothing wrong just other interests taking precedence.