Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Help me pick a CRF action for a custom gun

I am debating which action to use for 338-06 AI, I am going to build. Below are the actions considered and my thoughts.

Ruger model 77. Rifle cost $350 decent action, fair trigger, usually need cleaned up.

Model 70 classic. Rifle cost $475, good action, good trigger, a classic with potentially better resale value.

Montana Model 99 barreled action. Cost $800, dont have to buy new barrel, or pay for fitting the barrel. good action, good trigger.

Interarms Mark X. Rifle cost $325, extractor not designed to snap over a case head if a cartridge pops out prior to being picked up by the bolt head/extractor. Don't know about the trigger, still a Mark X.

Opinions, fact corrections appreciated.

Thanks

Darin

I would start looking for a pre-64 model 70 that had been modified from its original state, making it a shooter rather than a collector piece. These can still be found for $400.00 +/- and are my top choice.

mauser, large ring, such as the mark x.

You could use a 98 Mauser--a classic choice for a highly reliable hunting gun (Mule Deer/JB has writen extensively about his 338 Win Mag on a FN Model 98 that he has carried to several continents.) If I read the threads correctly, this is an action that the African PHs favor, and they see lots of actions in rough conditions.

I know of a gunsmith in southern Oregon who will put on a barrel for $150, including barrel (one of the Midway barrels) or just labor for about $85 if you want to go with a better barrel. Quite a bargain, but I have not yet used him so cannot vouch for quality. But I would forward his contact info if you would like. You can get these actions for $200-250, and then go from there. I think you would find it to be price competitive with other choices.

Except for the Ruger, I have all of the actions you are considering. I think the pre-64 offers no real practical advantage over the current generation of W70 CRFs. I like the MRC action ok, except that it is heavy--which might not be a problem with a 338-06AI. (I built a 338 WSM with#3 contour 23" barrel, wood stock and Leupold 2.5-8 that weighs 9.5#)

You could also find a CRF Model 70 in .270 or 30-06 and send it off to get the barrel rebored to 338-06, if you do not have your heart set on the AI. That would cost about $200. But if you want the AI, there is probably no advantage to reboring because of the additional cost of rechambering, and you would be just as well off to go with a new barrel.

By the way I think you will find the 338-06 to be an excellent cartridge. I used one for several years until boredom set in, and a buddy recently used one in Africa with great success.

although i am a huge Savage rifle fan i do have a soft spot for Mausers. i vote for the Mark X. although a Ruger or Model 70 will get the job done just as good. any idiot can field strip a Mauser if it comes to it and the chances of one properly put togeher failing is very slim.

Of the ones you list, the M70 IMHO is still the best...

IIRC the Mark X has a modified two position trigger blocking safety so it doesn't block the striker. I could be wrong, though.

I do know for sure that the current Model 70 Classic and the MRC 1999 are all set to go with great safeties and great triggers and there are a large selection of stocks available from various makers in many styles.

Ruger makes a good factory rifle but the two above have much better triggers from the get go and their safeties truly block the striker in both safe positions.

I'd go with either the M70 or M1999, otherwise you're going to spend money just bringing the other actions up to par with those two.

And narrowing it down even further, I'd go with the MRC barreled action and let them do the polishing and truing and all that, mostly for the benefits of having a single source do all of the action/barreling work.

'Course, my criteria rely heavily on simplicity - you can get an MRC barreled action and a Serengeti stock and they will send you a ready to go rifle. Some folks like to mess with all the details and tweak this and that, nothing wrong with that way, just whatever floats your boat.

I would say the WINm70 - if you eve decide to sell the gun but you will lose your shorts either way so id doesn't much matter.

[i) For me[/i] I like the tang safety Rugers. That safety is just so dan easy and intuitive to use - it goes off as I bring the rifle to my cheek. It also has a good ring and base set up IMHO.

ditto what Teal said.

MD

I Would like a Winchester Model 70 pre-64 or Classic, but I can't seem to find one for much under $500. I have tried GunBroker, AuctionArms, GunsAmerica, and a couple of local pawnshops. Any ideas?

Darin,

I would think about sliding into this one by buying a Ruger .30-06, and having the barrel bored by Dan Pederson to .338. I don't know if he has the AI reamer though.

Then buy a Spec-Tech trigger and replace the Ruger factory unit, and Bob's your uncle.

jim

Consider loading the 338 WM down unless you must have a Featherweight barrel. With the 338 WM you will find ammo somewhere at least.

I use Gunbroker too but those places are top dollar sometimes.

The MRC actions that I had were rough and needed a lot of slicking. They weigh around three pounds and the bottom metal must be a third of that.

If I had to have a .338 bore, and I don't, I would just wait for one to come along.

Finally I just don't see where the 338/06 is special. It does not have really long range nor magnum power. There are 200 gr and 220 gr Partitions that the old reliable 30-06 will shoot.

Not sure what .338" bullet you want to shoot but Sierra says that 53 grs of 4064 will give the 250 gr 2300 fps in the 338WM. I suppose the AI'd 338/06 will top that? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

Here is a set of dies for $25. Only a few hours left.

http://www.gunsonthenet.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36794948

I have a SS M70 Classic in 338 WM that I'll be putting in the classifieds once I find the pics. If you're interested, shoot me a PM and we'll talk.

I had a 338-06 great round. Never did understand the concept of "loading it down". If you buy a 338wm you want full power loads for hunting, maybe for practice it makes sense. If you are going to handload for something you may as well load full power. No the 338-06 is not a WM but it comes close enough out to about 300 yards that it suits my needs.

Why not load it down? Say I have only one big game rifle and want to hunt whitetails with it in VT. Now the deer there can be big to over 200 lbs but the average range is about 60 yds. Not a lot of sense to use 340 Weatherby ballistics is there?

So tell me about your 338/06 because for VT the rifle is more important than the cartridge. So if it's handier than a 338 WM let me know because I am interested. Now if it's the same 24" barreled sporter with a long action as a 338 WM might be it seems like it's a toss up rifle wise.

I might try the 200 gr Speer Hot Core for deer. I would load it up with 60 grs of 4064 and get 2600 fps.

On the other hand if I wanted to use the 338 "Whatever" for long range I would load them up. Lots of data out there for the 338 WM. I bet it would smoke a 338/06 at long range.

Here you go. Buy this one and shoot it and make a custom up another day.



http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=6945273

Edit: That action is a push feed. My mistake. I was in a hurry.

The rifle was a Sako 75, 22" Shilen barrel, 225 gr Swift A-Frame at 2664fps, .75" groups. I don't really shoot long range (over 300yards) so no need of a long range rig. I have hunted in many states and Canada and have yet met a deer that needed a 338 anything to drop it. You have stated in the past (here and other boards) that the 338-06 is an inferior round. My comment is only to say that if you don't need to shoot over 300 and want something heavier than an '06 that the 338-06 fits the bill nicely. Brass is now readily available, the cartrigde is easy to load, no belts, and it hits hard with less recoil. Again it is not a 338 WM but if you are going to "load down" you can just as well "load up". The round is not for everyone, but does have a niche. Had to sell the rifle due to unemployment in the auto industry several years ago. The discuusion about firearms is always alot of fun!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

fwiw,
I'd suggest a M70 Classic...

The Montana M1999 Actions I have seen have some dimensional issues that would strongly push me toward another choice...(edited out of courtesy)

The Classic handles gas better than a Pre-64 and can be built into a superb rifle. You'll want to replace the cheap MIM Extractor with a Springsteel PME...fwiw & imho

Regards, Matt.

I think that the .338-06 is a very sound choice for someone who wants a powerful, Grizzly capable rifle in a very light action such as a HVA 4100 or FN small ring or Brno 21-22 series or G-33/40 or VZ-33. A friend of mine had a super light custom on a HVA with Brown Precision stock which was a super rifle for actually hunting in the mountains; I have a similar rifle which will be re-barreled to .338-06 next year.

This round, the .35 Whelen and especially the 9.3x62 with appropriate bullets are definitely superior to the .'06 when dealing with heavy or dangerous game. This is not armchair theorizing as I live, used to work and always hunt in Grizzly country and primarily use a .338 Win CRF rifle(s). I know guides in B.C. who have shot over 50 Grizzlies who use these rounds and consider them superior to the '.06, 7 Mag. and .300 Win. for serious big game hunting.....so do I.

Try to find an F.N. small ring, get Argy 1909 bottom metal, a decent barrel and a good synthetic stock; this with NECG irons and Talleys with a Leupy FX-4 will come in at about 7.5 lbs. loaded, give you five shots and work like dambusters for ANYTHING you will ever hunt in North America. If, you use a full-size CRF action, then chamber to .338 Win. as the extra weight will off-set the increased recoil.

I fully intend to use the .338-06 and the custom 9.3x62 on a Brno 21 action for most of my hunting after they are built. I leave early Saturday for the East Kootenays for 10 days backpacking after Elk, etc.; my Kifaru Longhunter Rendevous is heavy enough without my P-64 Mod. 70 .338 and a lighter rifle in .338-06 would feel better. As you know, backpack hunting is not nearly as easy as some people like to say it is and a bigger bullet in Grizzly country is just plain common sense.