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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068 |
Eddy,
For sure a deer or elk would never know the difference...
I like the old '06 case and if I was building a non mag 338 from scratch would probably consider the 338-06. And I would probably use a std length action instead of a short action if building a 338-284. I got a good deal on this rifle and it shoots. Probably a wash between these two fine rounds. The best one is the one you're shooting at the time...
DF
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210 |
I like that rifle. yup I would say they are too similar to merit a swap, especially since you can get great brass for both.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068 |
Thanks, Mojo. It has a dense and compact feel. It actually feels smaller than some rifles, but sorta heavy for it's size, just about right for this round. I would think maybe 7 3/4 to 8 pounds or so with scope. Inletting is perfect with no gaps anywhere. It's not the typical laminated Birch, but resin impregnated thru and thru. I'm not sure it even has a finish, just the resin impregnated, laminated wood which adds to the solid feel. The grip is smaller than a Remington or Winchester and the forearm is slimmer. Unique for sure and a very well crafted piece. Some things a bit weird, like the bolt engaging a milled out barrel extension. Why go to all that trouble? Must be harder to machine that than a standard action. If this method was cheaper, Savage would be using it... HA!
DF
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
Definitely! It does seem to be extra expense and to what gain? I assume that yours is the original chambering and not reamed and bored out? Like you said, you sure aren't going to have it rebarreled.
When I was considering my rebarrel I, too, debated between the .338-06 and .338-284 but wanted something just a little 'weirder' ('course ended up with the 6.5 in the end)! Ballistics differences being negligible, you can't go wrong with either. I wouldn't rule out a .338-284 in my future but, for now, my Whelen has got me covered!
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068 |
Mojo,
Don't know if you read it, but I posted about my 6.5-284 on long range hunting. On page four, it's the one about 6.5-284 for long range. It's down in the thread a piece. It's a pre-64 M-70 that was blueprinted and has Borden's bumps. You don't see a pre-64 M-70 fixed up like that very often (first one I've seen). Ususally the M-700 gets all that treatment. Pretty neat hunting rifle. Check it out.
DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,068 |
Forgot to address your question. It seems to have been factory original, unfired when I got it. Alpha Arms, as I recall, listed .338-284 as an option in their catalog, which I have. Just have to check it again to make sure. Previous owner must have snapped it a lot as the firing pin was broken and I had to get James Flynn, gunsmith to fabricate a new one from scratch. James builds parts for and restores Purdys, Hollands, etc. Check him out on line with a word search. You'll be amazed at what he can do. His shop in here in Alexandria, LA and I knew him growing up. His heat treated firing pin was far superior to the factory original. That was my only option as I didn't want to return the gun as defective, liked it enough to spend some extra on it. Wasn't cheap, but a LOT less than James gets for his "high dollar" work. He gave me a BIG break on that one. Guess he felt sorry for me.
DF
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,866 |
Dirtfarmer,
I sure have enjoyed this post and your unique rifle. Be sure to post any harvest photos and stories you get with it! Again, that is one nice rifle in a great caliber.
It ain't what you don't know that makes you an idiot...it's what you know for certain, that just ain't so...
Most people don't want to believe the truth~they want the truth to be what they believe.
Stupidity has no average...
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,729
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,729 |
Cool rifle yes...and cool cartridge..
I went the old conventional route, and had a 270 barrel bored out to 338/06.. 24 inch barrel, Model 70 action..
It runs 250 gr RNs at 2650 fps....225s just short of 2800 fps and 200 grainers 2900 fps plus...does all I ask of it..
I also enjoy running a 200 grain Hornady FN at 2400 fps to duplicate the old 33 Winchester load, when I am hunting in timber country where shots are close..( say within 150 yds, although the load has dropped a blacktail at 200 yds, which isn't a big feat tho.. since it was antelope sized)
I have found my 338 Mags collecting dust since I got the 338/06 built..
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,675
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,675 |
FWIW I put a few hundred rounds (couple thousand?)through my 30-284 attempting to ring out the most velocity I could from 130, 150, 165, 168. and 180 grain bullets of various manufacturers.
It would parallel the hot 30-06 loads but I was never able to gain much over the -06.
What I found was that it appeared to be a ballistic twin to the -06. It appeared to like H4350 powder.
Jim
BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance,
and the gospel of envy,
its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
--Winston Churchill
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,760
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,760 |
I have been following discussions of the various non magnum .338 ctgs. with interest. I have a .338-284 in an Alpha Arms Alaskan and really like the gun. In checking loads at Loaddata.com, it seems that the .338-284 out performs the other two ctgs. I know the 284 case reportedly has about the same powder capacity as the 30-06 case, but the shorter, fatter configuration may be more efficient.
200 gr. 225 gr. 250 gr.
338RCM 2,800 2,600 2,450
338-284 2,880 2,780 2,600
338-06 2,740 2,640 2,530
338-06AI 2,800 2,640 2,550
These data were gotten from Loaddata.com, picking the fastest published velocity for each round at three bullet weights. Although the 338-284 is pretty close to the 338-06, I wasn't expecting to see it performing slightly ahead in most categories. I'm not sure about pressures, etc, or the details on how these loads were developed. Just thought I'd post these velocities. In 338-06, the AI version doesn't seem to run that much faster than the std. 06 case. I'm sure others have their data. I briefly reviewed currently published data, looking for the hottest loads to compare these three rounds.
DF All of the below links are for loads chrono�d with a 20� barrel 338RCM. There is measured data within as such: 200grainers: handloads maxed out in the 2800 to 2850 range 225grainers: handloads maxed out in the 2650 to 2700fps range 250grainers: handloads maxed out in the 2500 to 2575fps range http://www.realguns.com/archives/170.htmhttp://www.gunsandammo.com/content/338-rcm?page=1http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/RS_0108_01/index1.htmlhttp://www.gunsandammo.com/content/hot-couple?page=3http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_d...eloading%20DataI personally was unable to reach the same performance level with my beloved short barrel 338-06 as can be reached with the short barrel 338RCM. I have no experience with the 338-284. But, it does sound by your post above, you are undercutting the performance potential of the RCM, especially when talking about a 20-inch barrel. The RCM is very efficient from a short barrel. Best 
�I've never met a genius. A genius to me is someone who does well at something he hates. Anybody can do well at something he loves -- it's just a question of finding the subject.�
- Clint Eastwood
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,697
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,697 |
I had these data in a nice, easy to read form, but when it went to the Forum, it was all clumpped up, hard to read. I did an edit and again the nice format was seen. When I clicked back to the Forum, this is was you see. Sorry about that. Not my fault.
DF Dirtfarmer, The tags you are looking for are [_code_] [_/code_] (remove the underscores obviously). That should keep your format nicely. i.e. Range Velo Time Energy Path Path Correction to Correction to Total
city of LOS LOS Elevation for Windage for Drop
Flight Y Z Zeroing Zeroing
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
yd ft/s sec ft-lbs in in Click MOA Click MOA in
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 0 2645 0.0000 2004 -1.8 0.0 ------ ------ ------ ------ 0.0
X 100 2491 0.1169 1778 0.0 -0.6 0.0 0.00 +2.4 +0.58 2.6
| 200 2343 0.2410 1572 -3.8 -2.5 +7.7 +1.84 +5.0 +1.19 10.8
| 300 2199 0.3732 1385 -14.0 -5.8 +18.7 +4.47 +7.7 +1.85 25.3
| 400 2061 0.5141 1216 -31.4 -10.6 +31.4 +7.50 +10.6 +2.54 47.0
| 500 1928 0.6646 1064 -56.9 -17.2 +45.6 +10.88 +13.7 +3.28 76.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M = Vertex vs. L.O.S, X = Zero-Range
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear
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