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Haha I hear ya on the weight thinng for sure Brad. I will say doing load work ups at 12x was nice for certain compared to the 7x I am used to on a lot of rifles. I may swap things up to a 2-7x33 yet especially once it got my load dialed in. Save the extra 7 oz and make it under 5 pounds 11 oz scoped which will make it even more of a joy to carry and only 3 oz more than my UL 308 Kimber. Which makes me wonder how often the 308 will get the nod when they are sitting next to each other in the safe.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
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Well, at the end of the day, the 308 is one hell of a cartridge, and I'll bet you'd never see any real difference between the two on game. Ditto the 7-08. I used my 7-08 MT this year to knock over a nice 6pt bull elk with a 150 Ballistic Tip, and I really didn't see much difference than anything else I've used on similar sized bulls from the past, up to the 338 WM. Cartridges are more alike than different
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Brad,
Not to hijack but I'd love to see a pic of that 6x6 if you have one.
Jason
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
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Brad,
Not to hijack but I'd love to see a pic of that 6x6 if you have one.
Jason Jason, don't want to clog-up Luke's terrific post, so PM en-route.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Mar 2011
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I understand. Back to Luke's rifle...
Jason
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OP
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Well, at the end of the day, the 308 is one hell of a cartridge, and I'll bet you'd never see any real difference between the two on game. Ditto the 7-08. I used my 7-08 MT this year to knock over a nice 6pt bull elk with a 150 Ballistic Tip, and I really didn't see much difference than anything else I've used on similar sized bulls from the past, up to the 338 WM. Cartridges are more alike than different I hear ya Brad growing up all I had was a 308 with crappy corelokts and used it to take 10 or so moose and a dozen caribou with it myself let alone the rest of the family that used it as well. Heck even have taken a couple grizz with it was well. That said I do think the 338-06 is a healthy step up from the 308 as I am increasing case capacity and bore diameter. I gotta believe going from a 165 grain bullet at 2700 fps out of my 20" barrel 308 to a wider and nearly 30% heavier bullet going the same speed makes it a bit better tool for grizz/brown bear. Can't go wrong with either though. I do like that I am not giving up mag capacity as well. Still 4+1 unlike my 325 wsm which I don't see it getting used much anymore with these two to choose from.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
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You only have yourself to please. And as a young man, with lot's of energy in game-rich country, you have plenty of time to test your theory. However, my bet is when you're my age you'll be right back where you started... just sayin
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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I don't doubt hay for a second Brad! Though I will say game densities and access to game is likely much better in the lower 48 than alaska from what I have seen.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Looks good to me... I would rethink the glass situation but to each his own..
Geo
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
GeoW, The "Unwoke" ...Let's go Brandon!
"A Well Regulated Militia" Life Member
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Luke, I like what you have done to the rifle. The 338-06 is a favorite of mine.
Arcus Venator
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Campfire Outfitter
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Neat rifle!
Personally I would have gone with SAS�s Lilja contour, which would put some more weight and stiffness out front, even with the shorter barrel.
A few observations on the 338-06: I�ve had better accuracy necking down 35 Whelen brass, or using 338-06 factory brass, rather than necking up 30-06.
When using 30-06 brass, Winchester brass gave a smidge more capacity than Remington, which helped when using H4350 or RE17.
In a 22.5� barrel on a Ruger action, I see 2900 fps with 185s, 2800 with 200s, 2750 with 210s, 2650 with 225s, and 2500 with 250s.
I�ve settled on 225 Accubonds at 2650 over H4350 as a do-all. Top end load in my rifle, but brass life is quite good. This bullet exhibits a nice combination of traits. Wouldn�t be surprised if you could get 2600 in your barrel, but that�s probably about it. You may or may not see any more velocity out of RE17 with accuracy- personally I haven�t found it to be a magic elixir.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Very nice rifle! Looks like a really nice set up for hunting.
JES did my 35 Newton as well and did great work..
Semper Fi
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So, when are you going to shoot it?
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Already have 50 rounds down it when I sighted it in and did some early load work ups. Recoil is stout sure, but very manageable.
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Beautiful rifle, interesting work! I like it when guys go their own way to try new things. It shows self-knowledge and independent thinking. I'm sure the recoil is well outside my comfort zone, at least for load development, but it looks to be an exceptionally handy rig for a serious hunter after big animals in unforgiving country. I particularly like the accuracy results that you've gotten so far. Slick rig!
Like others, I like the cartridge, and it has a lot going for it, whether you prefer heavies at long range or mediums at moderate range. Were I to do it, and I may one day very soon, I'd go heavier all the way around!
A message for Big Stick: 29.92" at 5000ft? Which planet is that?
I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
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Campfire Outfitter
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A message for Big Stick: 29.92" at 5000ft? Which planet is that?
True. In JBM, you check the 'Std Atmosphere at altitude' it will take it to 24.90 for 5,000'
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Hey Alaska...Don't mean ta off topic. But do you now Ken Slauson from the Matinuska Burrough in Wasilla...He is a friend of my X - Wife n one of the good guys...ScottyO.
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BTW that is one sweet Bang Stick...ScottyO.
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Campfire Ranger
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Brad, I too had a 338-06, and many either side of it, no doubt some come full circle, as we learn what works w/the least damage to our ears and shoulders. It IS a great round, and agree, as many others.
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As for the initial thoughts on the VX-6. I got it for the FOV at 2X mainly and I can say its VERY wide. So much that I have to turn it up to 2.5X so I can't see the barrel. So far I like it, but we we'll see. It may end up going on a 6.5-06 or something of that nature.
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