338-06

[Marc]

Well I've been looking hard and long at maybe converting a 30-06 into a 338-06. The only real thing holding me back right now is the coin. :D I'll have to see how happy I am with the performance of the 06 before I decide to convert it into a 338-06.

Marc.

[bone-collector]

both are great calibers Marc, if you decide to roll up a notch maybe look at the 35 whelen , I beleive you can get factory ammo and same thing as a 338-06 , all you would need is a new barrel and chambering , bevin king makes reasonably priced barrels in BC that are exelent for hunting , probably run you about $450-500 when all was said and done but you would have a great bear thumper for sure

[Rod]

Can you provide further info on this barrel supplier? I have an action here that I have been saving to convert to 338/06 IMP but import restrictions have kept me from finding a reasonably priced barrel out of the US.

Thanks
Rod

bevin king makes reasonably priced barrels in BC that are exelent for hunting , probably run you about $450-500 when all was said and done but you would have a great bear thumper for sure

[Marc]

Hey Rod, here is a link to a barrel maker in Canada. I've heard from a couple of members that it cost around $300.00 CDN for a Stainless steel barrel in the 338-06. I'm not sure if he makes 338-06 AI but I guess it wouldn't hurt to give him a call and ask.

Here is the link.

http://www.shootingpaul.netfirms.com/Gaillard.html

Marc.

[bone-collector]

there is also Bevin King who is fast becoming a wicked barel maker in Canada from bench rest quality to hunting quality

[Rod]

I have never heard of Bevin King and would appreciate any contact info you have. An Internet search draws a blank.

Thanks in advance
Rod

[bone-collector]

my apolagies I didnt relise I already mentioned him , I will make a few phone calls today and find a number for you Rod , Gaillard also makes premium barrels at the right price as Marc said

[Amphibious]

just incase anyone is looking - Wholesale Sports has RCBS .338-06 die sets for $75.99

almost all my parts are together - just need a barrel and dies now and the .338-06 will be complete....

[Rod]

What are the details of your buildup? I have a commercial Mauser (Parker Hale Midland) that will be my moose/elk gun.

I have been looking at options for bringing in a barrel from Midway as they have Adams and Bennett barrells for $105.00 US. I have used these on a couple of customer guns with excellent sucess but the latest import laws have added to the price considerably. If I can't find a reasonable price in Canada I am considering having one shipped to a post box in WA and driving down to pick it up.

This rifle is currently stocked in walnut but the finished product will have a synthetic as well as a bit of action work (lap lugs, face bolt and action face, polish trigger and sear and probably a set of Leupold QD bases).

I currently use a 7 mag for the big stuff and have yet to loose an animal but I would prefer a bigger hole and I can justify the new project since my wife wants to use the 7mm next year for elk.

[Amphibious]

I have a P17 action that has been drilled and tapped. Weaver bases, Leupold PRW rings, and a Weaver Grandslam 3-10x40 scope are almost fully funded. A boyds Pepper Laminate stock is currently in transit. I am having the action Teflon coated in matte Black. currently scrounging funds for a 24" Galliard Stainless fluted barrel in magnum contour. should be a sweet shooting iron. I want one rifle to fill all my Deer, Moose, Elk and Bear needs. and with 2200ft. lbs and -6.5" drop at 300yrds with a 225gr innerbond this should do the trick nicely. PBR of 220yrds helps too! basically building an Accumark style rifle for a lot less then weatherby would charge :D

[Gatehouse]

Ted Gailliard and Smith (both in Canada) make excellent barrels.

Marc, before you rebarrel, I would suggest that yhou take the money and use it for hunting.

Once any of us get into the guns/shooting/hunting game, most of us want to play around with our gear. That is natural, and i am guilty as the next...I don't think I own a rifle that has not been customized in some way..Either a new stock, bedding, and a aftermarket trigger, or the whole sh-bang, and only the action is from the original rifle..

However, at this stage of the game, you should use the $$$ that you would to rebarrel and buy gas, a pack and freeze dried food!!! :)

Your 30-06 is fine. Play with it, with bedding, trigger etc if you want better accuracy (I don't know if you do) and HUNT with it..:)

And don't worry about Mr. Grizz. :)

[Marc]

Well Gatehouse there is the problem. My sailing schedule won't allow me to do any hunting this fall. I've got the .270 win for Island deer and I've managed to scrounge 300 dollars to acquire a new barrel for my BBR. I plan on going to the mainland for moose or what ever LEH I can secure next fall. I'm going to be applying for Moose, Bison, Elk and what ever else I can find in close proximity to each other. I like the idea of the 338-06 for the big critters. I know that my chances of getting a Bison draw are quite remote but if I did get drawn I think I'd sooner be packing the 338-06. I like the idea of the greater down range energy then the 06 but roughly the same recoil. I'm not one for big poundings :)

I love to reload so I don’t think that not being able to get factory ammo is going to be a big issue.

This will be my big game rifle (Elk, Moose, Bison, Bear). What is nice is the only real thing you have to change on the rifle to convert it to a 338-06 is the barrel so if I wanted to put the old 30-06 barrel back on it later on I can do it.

I think my mind is pretty much set on getting it but thanks for the advice Clark if I had the opportunity to hunt this fall I probably would have spent that $300 dollars on gas and food and went hunting. :)

I'm hoping to have this thumper built for the spring bear season, which I know I'll be able to get some time off to do some hunting.

Marc.

[Rod]

Mark;

I know how much it can suck to be unable to hunt due to the military failing to consider hunting seasons, now that I am retired the problem is solved.

I spent two weeks so far this fall in the Chetwyn area chasing elk and moose. I was fortunate enough to luck into a two point bull moose on day two and spent the remainder looking for elk but nothing legal showed. saw about a dozen black bears including a couple that were real monsters but I was saving the space in the cooler trailer for that 6 point bull that never showed.

Saw a couple of grizzly as well so even without scoring on elk it was an absolute great hunt for my first time in the BC woods in about 15 years. Plenty more deer (whitetails and mulies) than I ever saw in New Brunswick and I am considering going back up for another week just for deer.

Rod

[Foxer]

Saw a couple of grizzly as well so even without scoring on elk it was an absolute great hunt for my first time in the BC woods in about 15 years. Plenty more deer (whitetails and mulies) than I ever saw in New Brunswick and I am considering going back up for another week just for deer

Welcome back. :)

[Amphibious]

For the folks who have USED this cartridge - what bullets do you favor? Hornady's innerbond in 225gr catches my fancy but always open to ideas.....

[Boo]

For the folks who have USED this cartridge - what bullets do you favor? Hornady's innerbond in 225gr catches my fancy but always open to ideas.....


The 225 Hornady is a good all-round choice as is the 200 grains Ballistic Tip. I have not tried it yet but next spring I want to work up a load with the 225 Nosler Accubond.

BTW, The large calibre Ballistic Tip are very tough bullets and in fact this particular one, the 200 grain .338 bullet, has out-penetrated the .210 grain partition in every test result I have seen. I have used the 200 BT on moose out of my .338 Mag and once put one through a moose length-wise. \

In the end though I think you will have to play with several different types and brands and see which ones shoot best in your rifle.

As for Bevin King's barrels I can't say enough good things about them.

[Rod]

I am still interested in any contact info for Bevin King or even a few prices if anyone has a list kicking around.

Thanks
Rod

[Boo]

Bevin King
491 Dalby
Pouce Coupe, BC V0C 2C0
(250) 786-5200

[bone-collector]

Bevin was a sponcor of our 1000 yard shoot last year and donated a barrel , was a good looking peice of steel for sure

[Downwindtracker2]

The Lee dies are much cheaper,and have a better expander rod,they copied Hornady's.I have had better luck with Lee dies than RCBS.I am starting load development now with my 338.06.I had an old FN actioned Husky rebarreled.Bill used a Shilen barrel.

[Amphibious]

don;t tell me that - I have brand new RCBS .338-06 dies in the mail as I write this!

and a set for .22K-Hornet :D

[Boo]

I have never been sorry for buying RCBS or Redding dies. I wish I could say the same about Lee but I can't.

[Rod]

I just ordered my 338-06 short chambered Adams & Bennett barrell from Wicks Trading Post in Montana. Great guy to deal with, no problems selling to canucks and his price was better than Midway.

I'll post an update once it's actually in hand but things certainly look promising.

www.crankyfarmer.com.

Cheers
Rod

[Schutzen]

Rod
When I checked their site it said they would not ship to Canada? Was that an error?

[Lee Pete]

Hi guys!

I've got a Parker Hale safari 30-06 Mauser action, I was wondering can these be rebarreled for 338-06? Any updates on where to get a good quality barrel?

Thanks

[Mattimoose]

Absolutely. It's just a regular mauser thread. Just double check and .338-06 may just be in a Douglas Barrel in the latest Brownell's catalogue. If Not, ordr one unchambered and threaded; as a lot of smiths will have a solid or interchangeable-pilot reamer to suit. Look to see if you can use your original tube and have someone re-bore-it to .338-o6 which will save you the cost-of bluing and will probably turn-out a little lighter at the same time. .308Dia.-.338 is only .015 a side, chances are it will not come near-enough to the front sight screw holes to bother anything. PH barrels are usually a little thin, though, but I think you'll do OK.

[Mighty Peace]

Glad I did a search of rthe 338-06.

Well I finally found a Sako m75 Greywolf in a "IV" action (new 25-06 for a great price) to do a 338-06. I will be getting Corlane's to do the work.

Looking for barrel recommendations on brand, contour and barrel length. Corlane's said 75% of their rifles are PacNor. Should a guy go Select Match Grade? I was leaning towards a 24" barrel.

Was on another forum and guys were saying a 338-06AI gives about 200ft/s over the 338-06 with 200gr bullets. Is it worth going to the AI version? Is it a pain to fireform brass for it. I plan to use either 225gr or the 250gr Accubonds when they come out this summer.

All opinions/comments are appreciated.

[todbartell]

if you want speed, buy a 338 WM or a 340 Wby

Id keep it as-is in regular form. Pacnor should be good, Im sure most if not all of the barrels out there are good quality. Make sure they throat it so you can seat a 225 AB out so its not taking up the powder capacity you'll need to push that slug to 2650 fps

[Gatehouse]

Yup, if you want speed, get a 338 WM. The AI versions of many cartridges really don't give you that much mroe horsepower, anyway.

[Mattimoose]

Yup, if you want speed, get a 338 WM. The AI versions of many cartridges really don't give you that much mroe horsepower, anyway.

I love my .338 and would not trade-it for the world.

[Mighty Peace]

I wanted to be different I guess....lol

Well its done. Talked to Rod @ Corlane's. Ordered a PacNor #5 stainless Super-match grade barrel. Going with 24" length 338-06AI

Debating on fluting. I know they do nice work as I have some done already by them. Cant wait to try the loads with 225 AB's & 250's when released. Maybe TTSX's too

[MidnightRun]

I'll be looking forward to a hear how it turns out, both the rifle and your loads. I've been considering a similar project for three years.

[todbartell]

last guy I knew who had a 338-06 with a Pacnor barrel sold the whole package within 3 weeks! :eek: :mrgreen:

[Kechika]

My 338/06 is my go to gun.One of the most versitile chamberings on the planet in my opinion.With my 22" pipe Im getting close to 2700 FPS with a 225.Kills em dead

[rgv]

I wanted to be different I guess....lol

Well its done. Talked to Rod @ Corlane's. Ordered a PacNor #5 stainless Super-match grade barrel. Going with 24" length 338-06AI

Debating on fluting. I know they do nice work as I have some done already by them. Cant wait to try the loads with 225 AB's & 250's when released. Maybe TTSX's too


Most factory 338 mags have barrel contours in between a #3 and #4

A #5 is going to be awfully heavy for a hunting rifle, comparable to a factory 375 H&H Model 70 or a remington Varmint contour.

[Mighty Peace]

Only difference between a #4 & #5 barrel is 0.35lbs
I may flute the barrel so I went with the #5 as reccommended by my gunsmith.

Hey todbartell, are you trying to ruin my parade?......lol

[Mattimoose]

makes me wonder what my barrel taper would be qualified at. It was a BLR in 7mm Rem mag and got bored-out to .338. This is a loss of .054. I am wondering if this would be a zero contour? I's pretty light but still shoots well hot, and doesn't start to walk too much. I would like to get a .30-06 BLR and have the same guy take-it out to .338-06. That would be cool.

[NaStY]

Only difference between a #4 & #5 barrel is 0.35lbs
I may flute the barrel so I went with the #5 as reccommended by my gunsmith.

Hey todbartell, are you trying to ruin my parade?......lol

Still waiting to hear how things are coming?

[sbtennex]

Since A-Square managed to get the .338-06 standardized and SAAMI specs assigned to it, I'm really surprised it hasn't become more popular. It's a great cartridge that can do some ballistically surprising things that don't make sense, e.g. with a whole lot less powder can push a 225 to within 100 fps of a .338 Win Mag, shoot 200's faster than the parent .30-06, and just as puzzling launch 250's faster than a .35 Whelen. Whatever the reasons as soon as I decide which of my .30-06's gets rebored or rebarreled and rechambered, or if I just buy something new first, a .338-06 will be in my gun safe by next hunting season. More I research and read the more I'm convinced it is the ultimate bigger game cartridge based on the '06 case and is the perfect balance of speed, bullet weight flexibility and efficiency for the biggest stuff on this continent. Chub Eastman fell in love with the thing, leading to the A-Square standardizing of it. If it was a great cartridge to him, it's good enough for me.

[bearhunter338-06]

i had my 338-06 built 4 years ago, now all my other guns collect dust. i shot 200 gr accubonds out of it and have no problems with them. as for more speed useing a 338 wm an average of 150 fps realy isnt that much compared to the amount of lesser felt recoil.

all that said you just can't go wrong with a 338-06. good luck everyone with you'r projects, i loved mine.

[Mighty Peace]

Still waiting to hear how things are coming?

Hey nasty5000, my rifle is complete and I picked it up from Corlanes at the end of October-they do GREAT WORK:biggrin:. I have still yet to reload for it and get out to the range. Been to busy with work and homelife lately:(. I wanted to use the rifle for my cow elk, and my season for cow elk ends on Dec.20 - so I will be using my Tikka T3 LS 270WSM for my cow elk. I was heading out this morning as we seen the elk yesterday, then my cell ran and work called and I had some things come upo and had to turn around...oh well I wasnt too far from town yet. There is always tommorrow.

Anyhow, here are some pics of my finished rifle......Sako m75 Greywolf (IV action) 338-06AI with PacNor #5 barrel, fluted, powdercoated barrel, receiver, bolt handle, clip, trigger guard and new style Sako Optilok rings in a metallic Gunmetal grey to match the Leupold VX3 scope.http://i34.tinypic.com/2howdbb.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/30johlv.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2j46ctt.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2mhzj86.jpg

I plan to reload 225gr Accubonds with medium hot load 58.5gr of H414 to fireform my 338-06AS brass and to break in rifle barrel. Then I will do more load development. I also have 225gr TTSX to try later. I sure have been impressed with the performance of Accubonds in my 300WM and 270WSM both at the range and on big game.

Maybe during Christmas I can get some loads made up and get to the range. I'll post results when I do my testing.

Enjoy the pics! Merry Christmas Everyone!

[unstableryan]

That's Beautiful..


It could be in .32 special and I'd still like it.

Ryan

[NaStY]

That is one sweet looking firearm. Let us know how well it shoots.

[Jagermeister]

IMO, a person would be just as well or better off with a 35 Whelan or a 9.3X62.

[Gatehouse]

IMO, a person would be just as well or better off with a 35 Whelan or a 9.3X62.

Probably won't see a difference on game, but whatever floats your boat, will work well!:tongue:

[todbartell]

IMO, a person would be just as well or better off with a 35 Whelan or a 9.3X62.

338-06 is a more versatile cartridge. If you need more power than a 33806 offers, you'd probably be better off bypassing the Whelen & 9.3 for a 375 or 416 :D

[Dirty]

338-06 is a more versatile cartridge. If you need more power than a 33806 offers, you'd probably be better off bypassing the Whelen & 9.3 for a 375 or 416 :D

375 or 416 Ruger? :?:

[todbartell]

whatever does it for ya, they all work