Building my 338-06 on a Savage 110 action Pr-Accutriger. Should I go with the 338-06 or the 338-06AI.

.338-06 is all you'll need, and you don't really gain anything by going AI in this cartridge.

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I have a 338-06 never felt the need to have it AI. Shoots really well, kills great.
I was shooting Nosler 225 partitions at 2700 MV when I shot my BC Moose, shot was about 200 yards. All I needed was one.

I know a person could have done the same thing with most other rounds. On this day, I was shooting my 338-06.

Good luck with your build.

Because why not?

Curious how often you have to trim cases on a .338-06? I would be more inclined to AI something like a .338-06 or .35 Whelen for trimming or headspace reasons than for a velocity increase...

I run both the .338-06 and Whelen and there are no headspace issues with either case. I push a 200 grain Hornady SP at nearly 2900 fps out of Norma caes in .338-06 and only have to trim about ever 4-5 reloads. The Whelen likes milder loads so I can go longer between trimming.

I've had the 338-06 and a 338-280Imp and the 338-06 is more than enough. 180's at 2900+, 200's at 2800+, 210's at 2750...what's not to like. If I get another one it will be loaded w/the 210gr Nosler for everything. powdr

Assuming your IMP feeds reliably, I cannot see a downside to improving the round. Although I am not a gunsmith (I have a real job) asking a standard version to feed well would seem more of a sure thing than with the improved ... you rolls the dice and takes your chances there.

Your velocity gains will be very modest - my own 338-06 imp gains about 20 - 25 fps at what I think are pressures comparable to the standard version. YMMV but not a lot one way or the other.

Still, the cartridge looks cool, feeds well in my rifle (model 70 classic) and has a lot of thump for a modest amount of recoil and muzzle blast.

The often cited downside of having to fireform brass seems a non-issue to me as that can be done during practice sessions we all should engage in. The brass does not seem to stretch but that little bit of saved effort is really a non-issue as is the slightly greater cost of improved dies.

If I were burdened by an abundance of common sense, I would have just bought the magnum and had done with it, but building an 338-06 improved has been a lot of fun and that is kind of what is is all about for me. I built an improved, had fun and got it out of my system.

Thanks, amigo. I've never had any issue with headspace with my Whelen 700, so it's all kinda theoretical...

Thank you all

simplyme I have the AI version and have no regrets. It feeds, extracts and shoots as good as any rifle I have owned. I went the AI route not because of need , but want. It looks cool, kind of like a sports car.
The cost of a set of dies is a moot point as well as the fire forming.
Do whatever tickles your fancy. The standard version is fine too.
Cheers

Change the bolt head and go 338 Win mag.

Mine in a Mtn Rifle McMillan stock with a fairly stout barrel contour shooting 225 grain bullets is all I want!!!

Mike