Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Case capacity increase from 338-06 standard to "AI" version?

Can someone tell me the case capacity increase from the standard 338-06 to the "Ackley Improved" version?

Seems to me someone says it's right at 5%.
Had one in the mid eighties. Killed stuff well. Was a hassle. Should have gone with standard 338-06.
Wish I'd kept it, however.

I have a regular 338/06 and a friend has a similar one on a Ruger action, but in an AI Version..mine is on a model 70 action..

his has a Pac Nor barrel and mine is a bored out factory barrel..

I get more velocity out of mine,than he does out of his AI version...

I have owned several of both and the difference in them was 4 ir 5 grs of powder in all of them..I hunted with the 338-06 pretty extensivly early on. It was my darling.:)

I prefered the AI version, as I got a tad more velocity and I liked the case design a bit better and was willing to go to the extra trouble, but is it worth changing over, probably not..

After all was said and done and I played with the 338-06 in its various forms for a number of years but I, like Elmer Keith, decided the belted case was the best solution and built one on the belted case and really liked it. When Win. came out with the .338 win I bought one of the first ones out, and that became my all time favorite rifle caliber for elk and up, and it still is..Its on the same action, recoil is the same to me, and I get a good deal more out of it..The .338 win is the perfectly balanced cartridge IMO..A 210 Nosler at 3005 FPS or a 300 gr. Woodlieh at almost 2500 FPS is about as all around as one can get. It covers all the bases..

Just my experience with the .338 caliber and my personal opine.

I have one on a L61R SAKO action, it started life as a 284 Win. built by Art Alpine, a gunsmith in Poway, CA. rebarreled for me in 338/06 AI. There probably is not enough difference that matters between the two! It was the reamer I bought because the standard '06 reamer was sold out, so I bought the AI!! I have killed everything from hogs to deer, I even shot a rouge cow once! Still hoping to go and kill a moose if I ever quit working! It does love those Nosler 210 gr. Parts! Besides reloading is theropy to me, no one bothers me, and I am at piece!

68.4 gr for the 338-06 and 70.3 for the AI. According to Ammoguide. Less than 2 grains.

Depends,if you can get 2650-2700 with a 225,what's the point,your're in 338WM teritory anyway. I have a 338-06 A-Square on a standard action,this limits capacity,a magnum action like M-700 would help as would AI.But with the powders like Big Game,N-550 ,IMR-4007 and maybe RL-17 you can still fill the case without using 4350 class.

Interesting to hear that Ray.

I always associate your name with the 338-06's "slightly bigger brother", the 9.3x62. Didn't know you had a little 338-06 history in ya as well. Seems like they'd be close, just easier and better bullet selection in the 338 variety.

FWIW, I've never had an AI-anything, but love my standard 338-06!