I just Can't help it, 338-06 AI er ?

Something about building new rifles and handguns, I just can't stop myself, and I always have a reason, this time, I don't have one for big game this light, but I think I have a need.

I've gotta be outa my mind, but I am thinking of doing this in 338-06 AI caliber, only a complete custom build. I have a new Stainless Steel 700 Remington Long Action, standard bolt face ordered. I also ordered all the hardware for a BDL bottom metal and mag box follower and spring. All this to go in the, under 20 oz. Peak 44 Blacktooth stock. to top it off, I will building it on a Douglas #3 remington Sporter blank.

I say outa my mind as I'm 70 years old, and with severe arthritis and 3 vertebrae pinned in my neck to go with the 8 fused vertebrae in my lower back, I aint sure how much fun this will be to shoot in 338-06 AI. I aint even sure I will even be able to use it? But I've had about everything else in the past, and since I want this to be light, I figured the 338-06 AI was about all I should try in a 7ish pound hunting gun?

I know in the past, I decided some 15 or 20 years ago, I don't really care for the magnums, they just don't offer anything to kill big game that I can't do with non magnums, as long as I have a medium to heavy bullet that shoots accurately out to 500 hundred or so yards. Besides, I never thought those magnums, belted or unbelted, had as much class, or as sexy as the Ackley cartridges on 7x57 or 06 brass were.

But if this caliber is to hard on the old bones, I can always screw a 6mm rem, 257 Roberts, on the 7,8x57 case or even a 25-06 or 280, all in the Ackley Improved versions. The Long Action will work with either, and accommodate longer seating for those Xx57 rounds. But my thoughts are, the 338 with 180 grain I can use for even whitetail, and still take the recoil. Hunting them is still doable in my condition, not so sure I could still hit Public land for Elk, or even draw a tag.

Then something keeps telling me, even the 25 calibers will do that,, and maybe in my physical condition, at my age, maybe a better choice. I always loved my custom 300 WM qand 338 WN I had years ago built by Fred Sinclair back in my 20's. Knowing those old guns were built much like I am planning today. We just didn't have 20 oz stable hunting stocks, the General Purpose classic McMillan hunting stock was what those used. Probably 20 to 30 oz. heavier to start with. But they were built with the same light hunting contoured barrels I'm choosing today. I've just always enjoyed building new rifles, and this one, will be the lightest I've ever built over 30 cal. will it be a smooth shooter, ar a snappy kicker?

But I have 90 days or so to change my mind, and only need 3 to 4 weeks to get a barrel from Shilen Douglass or Hart. So I'm waiting a couple months to order it. My question to you all is, is this new stock package going to make the 338-06 AI fun to use, or will it be a safe queen, only taken out to shoot when I want to hunt with it. 2 years ago my Linebaugh's got sold, because they were just to hard on my wrists after 20 or rounds, and I hate safe queens!

That's great, go for it. I just turned 73 and in process of a 300 prc full custom to go with 3 different Ackleys I have plus bench guns. Looks like we are fairly close I'm in east central Indiana

May kick a bit.

Are you against a muzzle brake? That would allow you to shoot that rifle without much issue.

waspocrew said:

Are you against a muzzle brake? That would allow you to shoot that rifle without much issue.

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YES! I am not fond of tuners either! I have nothing against them for those that like them, but they ain't my cup of tea. I've shot long and short range Bench Rest, NBRSA IBS and many long and short range local Bench Rest matches for decades, never had much use for them, and I wouldn't be waiting on a 20 oz stock, or using a sporter weight barrel, if 6 or 7 useless ounces didn't matter. I'd rather be rocked than wear hearing protection to hunt, and light as possible is what this rifle build is all about, with extreme accuracy of course!

Of course I can screw a 25 caliber Ackley flavored on in a light sporter barrel if I need to enjoy it, I just hope this stock works as they boast about it to do?

I'm a dinosaur what can I say, bull headed old codger that's to old to change most of my ways. Same with the Peak Bastion stock, That vertical pistol grip and deep drop at the start of the but may be more comfortable, but it looks like it belongs on a bench or on bags. I like classic styling. But I own one rifle with a brake, out of over 15. It is on a 600 yard bench gun, and will be the last I ever own. I'm building a new 257 Ackley on a custom Walnut Laminated stock I had built with every other layer rotating the direction of the grain 90 degree's for add rigidity, speed and accuracy are concern. I will be building it with a HV taper Brux barrel, being rifled as I type. My gunsmith suggested using the same brake off my bench gun on this. No cost, but I just don't like the looks on a hunting gun, and this new Savage in wild Walnut, will be a looker. In that stock with a 6 fluted 26" barrel. This barrel and scope were used just to mock up the action and stock, only pick I have. It should be my new LR Varmint setup!


I also have seen that it did not help with accuracy, so it's unsightly to me, and does nothing to justify it. I try not to publish my loads, because they are probably not listed or shown anywhere else. My 223 truck gun, runs 47 grain custom HP at 3812 fps av. but also with it's light wimpy barrel shoots .3 to .4 moa, seldom producing a .5" 5 shot group @ 100 yards. and does pretty good @ 300, in mild cros winds. I state this because I can assure you I will be running at or better than any velocity shown with the 180 to 250 grain bullets. I am not recoil shy. I just hope I enjoy shooting it enough to want to shoot it often.

That Blacktooth stock with the 3D hex recoil pad is supposed to take harsh instant kick, and smooth it to a softer slowed down push. I was hoping some could comment on how well this stock does exactly that.

HELL YEAH way to go old timer. It helps to be a little crazy.

Go for it!!! Worst you be is wrong and I do that all the time

Go for it!
The idea of a suppressor? Ti can will not be too bad, even a shorty that's not quite hearing safe will mitigate recoil tremendously.

I had a 338-06 AI built on a Mauser action with a XX Douglas Supreme barrel about 25 years ago, I have 3X Leupold scope on it with a Timney trigger. I also had it a little on the light side as I had it built for hunting elk in the steep dark timber of N. Idaho which I no longer do at 74 years young. I shoot 200 gr. Speer bullets for fire forming cases which I also hunt with the fire forming load if I want to and 225 gr. Hornady SP for elk and moose. It is very accurate with both of these bullets. I was thinking of either using the 200 gr or a lighter bullet for deer in 2025 as I have not carried or hunted with this rifle for a few years, and yes it does pack a punch on both ends.

Years ago I had 338 Gibbs built on a Ruger No1 with an 27" octagon barrel.

The Gibbs version moves the shoulder forward about .100", almost identical to the 338 Scovill (listed in the Barnes #4 manual)

Forming cases in the No.1 was a chore, no crush factor. Had to neck up 35 Whelen cases to 375, then back to 35 for a false shoulder, then to 338.
Once they were done, turned out great.

Played around with a buddies 338 Rice, very close to the 338-06 AI, little different shoulder angle.

Loves 225 Barnes TTSX, not too far behind a 338 mag without the recoil.

Love it!

Bobcatter said:

Something about building new rifles and handguns, I just can't stop myself, and I always have a reason, this time, I don't have one for big game this light, but I think I have a need.

I've gotta be outa my mind, but I am thinking of doing this in 338-06 AI caliber, only a complete custom build. I have a new Stainless Steel 700 Remington Long Action, standard bolt face ordered. I also ordered all the hardware for a BDL bottom metal and mag box follower and spring. All this to go in the, under 20 oz. Peak 44 Blacktooth stock. to top it off, I will building it on a Douglas #3 remington Sporter blank.

I say outa my mind as I'm 70 years old, and with severe arthritis and 3 vertebrae pinned in my neck to go with the 8 fused vertebrae in my lower back, I aint sure how much fun this will be to shoot in 338-06 AI. I aint even sure I will even be able to use it? But I've had about everything else in the past, and since I want this to be light, I figured the 338-06 AI was about all I should try in a 7ish pound hunting gun?

I know in the past, I decided some 15 or 20 years ago, I don't really care for the magnums, they just don't offer anything to kill big game that I can't do with non magnums, as long as I have a medium to heavy bullet that shoots accurately out to 500 hundred or so yards. Besides, I never thought those magnums, belted or unbelted, had as much class, or as sexy as the Ackley cartridges on 7x57 or 06 brass were.

But if this caliber is to hard on the old bones, I can always screw a 6mm rem, 257 Roberts, on the 7,8x57 case or even a 25-06 or 280, all in the Ackley Improved versions. The Long Action will work with either, and accommodate longer seating for those Xx57 rounds. But my thoughts are, the 338 with 180 grain I can use for even whitetail, and still take the recoil. Hunting them is still doable in my condition, not so sure I could still hit Public land for Elk, or even draw a tag.

Then something keeps telling me, even the 25 calibers will do that,, and maybe in my physical condition, at my age, maybe a better choice. I always loved my custom 300 WM qand 338 WN I had years ago built by Fred Sinclair back in my 20's. Knowing those old guns were built much like I am planning today. We just didn't have 20 oz stable hunting stocks, the General Purpose classic McMillan hunting stock was what those used. Probably 20 to 30 oz. heavier to start with. But they were built with the same light hunting contoured barrels I'm choosing today. I've just always enjoyed building new rifles, and this one, will be the lightest I've ever built over 30 cal. will it be a smooth shooter, ar a snappy kicker?

But I have 90 days or so to change my mind, and only need 3 to 4 weeks to get a barrel from Shilen Douglass or Hart. So I'm waiting a couple months to order it. My question to you all is, is this new stock package going to make the 338-06 AI fun to use, or will it be a safe queen, only taken out to shoot when I want to hunt with it. 2 years ago my Linebaugh's got sold, because they were just to hard on my wrists after 20 or rounds, and I hate safe queens!

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If your health issue/medical condition allows you to enjoy it, go for it.

I say build it! I am doing kind of the same thing but going 35 Whelen. It is a Tikka action on a Pure Precision carbon stock, Mountain Tactical bottom metal. Found a fella in Canada that mills Tikka replacement bolts (switching the rifle over from a 300WM) to put a new bolt together. Bartlien is spinning up and reaming the new barrel. I have no idea what I will use this rifle for. Historically it is "America's magnum" and should be fun to play with.

Sounds like a great project, I love those barrels out of West Virginia. Who makes those leather scope end caps that you have on your varmint rig?

thomasbangs said:

I had a 338-06 AI built on a Mauser action with a XX Douglas Supreme barrel about 25 years ago, I have 3X Leupold scope on it with a Timney trigger. I also had it a little on the light side as I had it built for hunting elk in the steep dark timber of N. Idaho which I no longer do at 74 years young. I shoot 200 gr. Speer bullets for fire forming cases which I also hunt with the fire forming load if I want to and 225 gr. Hornady SP for elk and moose. It is very accurate with both of these bullets. I was thinking of either using the 200 gr or a lighter bullet for deer in 2025 as I have not carried or hunted with this rifle for a few years, and yes it does pack a punch on both ends.

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I have already ordered some 200 grain Hornady SST for fire forming, but added a box of the Nosler 180 grn Accubond. I am wanting to find some 210 Swift Scirocco's as my true hunting bullet for anything bigger than deer. Like you though I ain't to confident those hunts will materialize? But the 180's at 3000 fps should be deer hammers, and my hope is they will kill quicker than the Roberts orthe 30-06, and not lose the meat like I have seen with the old 30-06 and 150 grn loads at those velocities.

I have a friend who swears by the Accubonds, in his 30 caliber. But my thoughts are this 180 grain Accubond should perform well, with good expansion, but not come apart like the BT's out past 300 yards, but not fail to open some even at 400 or even 500, before turning into a 338 caliber punch. Don't intend to take many shots out to 300 and beyond. But as you know, at this age, the opportunities we have left for once in a lifetime trophies are getting slimmer and slimmer as the seasons pass. I want to know I have a good foundation for making clean swift kill's if I am lucky enough to be presented with the opportunity!

Randy Tidwell said:

Years ago I had 338 Gibbs built on a Ruger No1 with an 27" octagon barrel.

The Gibbs version moves the shoulder forward about .100", almost identical to the 338 Scovill (listed in the Barnes #4 manual)

Forming cases in the No.1 was a chore, no crush factor. Had to neck up 35 Whelen cases to 375, then back to 35 for a false shoulder, then to 338.
Once they were done, turned out great.

Played around with a buddies 338 Rice, very close to the 338-06 AI, little different shoulder angle.

Loves 225 Barnes TTSX, not too far behind a 338 mag without the recoil.

Love it!

Click to expand...

I am trying to keep it as easy as possible. With the 338-06 using Lapua 30-06 brass. I just made some 257 roberts brass to blow out for the new 257 Bob Improved I'm currently about done building. As Brux is cutting the 25 cal barrels as we speak! But anymore this a pain I had to use two Redding body dies.

1st was a 7x57 Mauser then on to the 257 Roberts AI body die. As the 257 Roberts AI die didn't play well with the necking from 284 to 257. But after running thru the Redding body die in 257 AI, which I will use for my shoulder bumps, then neck size to my desired bushing in my wilson die before loading. The body die has an oversize neck that allowed 100% perfect cases shortening then final necking.

But using the 30-06 brass and moving the neck down into the body of that brass, left me needing to turn cases about .003" to .004" to fit the new 257 Roberts AI neck chamber. When if I could have just found some 8x57 Lapua IS brass to start with, would have been a simple neck neck neck and ready.

But after making 20 cases out of the 30-06 Lapua brass,,, FINALY, I found a couple boxes of Lapua 8x57 in Canada!! Oh but nothing these days is that easy! I made my order and got a confirmation it was in stock the next day, with tracking. The tracking stated ready for pickup by Canadian Postal??? Then the following day when I checked to see it was in there posesion, I got a red banner at the top of the tracking page. All Canadian Postal facilities are currently shut down because of postal strike????

I couldn't believe it, my precious brass is held hostage. The second day of the Canadian postal alert, USPS posted and alert at the top of there page, all postal shipment's and letters to Canada are not being taken, as they cannot be delivered because their facilities are unmanned!

Long story short after the two weeks I called and paid an additional 7 dollars shipping to use Purolator, which was delivered by UPS 8 days later, after a brief hold in ND customs. But this is the best brass I have ever used for replacement of Xx57 brass. Never lose a single piece, and last forever. I will use the 76 rounds I have left of the 30-06 brass for this 338-06 AI.

I'll neck it up with my K&M neck mandrel, and then fire form it with 12 to 15 grains of Bullseye pistol powder and filler. I have always used cream of wheat or corncob media. But seen here where one guy was doing the same thing with the Bullseye and stuffing 2 sheets of toilet tissue in for his filler. Most times no neck turning is required, especially when opening the necks, and not squeezing them down. Metal has to go somewhere.

But at 70 with arthritis this is as much as I want to get into making cases. The good thing is, the 338 is easier on my hands than manipulating those 22 and 6mm. I need to make some new 17 Mach IV brass as I have 150 Lapua 221 fireball cases, but this is even more of a pain. The smaller they get, the more dropping, fumbling, and finger pinching it gets. This 30 to 38 should be a joy,,,,,,, nock on wood.