30-338 Improved (Need Advice)

[SHRTSHTR]

I am planning another build and would like some opinions before I purchace all the components. This rifle will be built by me.

I have a new 30" Lilja barrel, #8 Contour, .30 caliber.
Reamer, gauges and guide pins. All from PT&G
Seekins Bottom Metal (3.990)

I would like this rifle to be a little lighter than my 338 LAI. The 338 weighs in about 16.5 lbs. I really like the looks of the Manners tactical stock with thumbhole. McMillan has a hunting stock with adjustable cheek piece that is a very nice stock.

Ideally this rifle would come in about 13-14 lbs with NF 8-32X56 NXS. Not sure if this is possible with a #8 contour barrel.

As far as actions go, I like Defiance actions. I have a Stiller TAC-338 but think there are better actions out there. Really thinking I only need a single shot. I would save a little weight not having bottom metal. This rifle would be strictly long range.

Not really stuck on the 30-338 LAI either. The 30-378 sounds impressive as well.

Would really like to hear what you guys think the best components to be used for this build. Thanks for looking.

 

[backwoods83]

Bat action, 30-378wby, just a thought.

 

[300R]

I would use your tac 338 action i had a 338 lapua built on one and it was great,the stock you are talking about is the Mcmillan htg/adj,you might want to consider a different barrel profile because a 30" #8 lilja is gonna weigh a lot.Good luck with the project.

 

[J300UM]

I would opt for the Lapua round over the Wby round solely for the difference in brass quality. Almost all reports on the Wby/Norma brass is that it is soft and primer pockets tend to loosen up relatively fast. Both are fairly expensive, so from a "broke redneck's" point of view the Lapua would make more sense.

 

[backwoods83]

Well I know this is an older post but J300UM for the record some weatherby ammo is loaded to 75k psi factory and shows no signs of pressure except to your shoulder! I use lapua brass and bullets for certain things but I have absolutely nothing against norma brass, see how long a lapua case will hold up to 75-80k psi!

 

[B23]

Weatherby factory ammo is usually very hot and in their guns, or ones like it, built with Weatherby frreebore you will be ok but I would not want to shoot Weatherby factory ammo in a rifle that did not have Weatherby freebore.