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

[Varmint Hunter]

Considering all the spinal issues that you've mentioned, I'd consider a sexy wildcat of some version in 6mm.

 

[levers4life]

I picked up a custom 03-A3 in 338-06AI. New favorite rifle. Mine does have an integral brake on it. Makes it a ***** cat to shoot. I'm running 180gr TTSX and BLC-2. I've taken a WT and a pig with it this year. Definite through and through with good blood trail. neither critter went more than 20 yards.

 

[Bobcatter]

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.

I came real close to going with the 35 whelen myself. The big bonus with the Whelen is factory ammo is pretty easy to find most places bigger caliber game is hunted. A buddy of mine from Day 6 archery goes to Alaska on occasion, and this one thing he told me to think about, as he has never noticed 338-06 ammo for sale. But often comes across the Whelen ammo for sale.

Like you, It's all about fun and something I've yet to play with. But I just figured the 338-06 offered some better lightweight hunting bullets in the 180 range. The Whelen your really limited to 200 grains for suitable hunting bullets that will handle it's full potential and not come apart. Both calibers are a toss up for price per round to the handloader. But I'm hoping to put the 180 Accubonds to use on Mule Deer and Whitetail. Something I can still take part in to some degree. I still am committed to boots on the ground, and deep in public hunting, at least for one more year??? Who knows, If I hit the lottery, maybe them 210's and Elk, never hurts to dream!

 

[DLJ6]

There is a semi custom 338-06 on a win m70 action at my local GS' shop that has been tempting me. Only thing holding me back is the somewhat heavy barrel contour. My black bear woods are steep and like you I am getting long in tooth and short on stride.

 

[quandary]

70 is the new 50, you're not old.

 

[VinceMule]

Bobcat, with those spinal issues, a hard kicker should not be in your plans. There may not be a recovery, and pain for the rest of your life. I am sure you are already VERY familiar with pain.

 

[Bobcatter]

Bobcat, with those spinal issues, a hard kicker should not be in your plans. There may not be a recovery, and pain for the rest of your life. I am sure you are already VERY familiar with pain.

I should sell my Harley to according to my kids. But pain is all in your head, I fell 40 feet landing on my head and right shoulder 33 years ago to cause these injuries, I refuse to let pain stop me from doings the things I I love after paying this price earning a living to be able to do them. I should have been dead then, God willing, I made it thru it. Now my goal is to enjoy every day he gave me living it like a little kid as long as I can.

I have a saying that goes like this. I refuse to lay down and let the world go by. When my time here on this earth is over, I intend to hit that 6' hole in the earth sliding in sideways, and screaming at top of my lung's,,,, DAM< WHAT A RIDE!!

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I think you will be fine. I would however go a little heavier and shoot light and fast bullets. Recoil is not as "sharp" as a 30-06, but a hard push in my 338 wildcat, it weighs just under 10 pounds though.

 

[Mike Matteson]

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!

HELL: I am 76 and almost 77 now. I am still have rifles being built for me. I have two getting built presently. I am also trying to complete my reloading shack. That's mind bending. Trying to get things loacted and where to mount item and storage at the same time. Working on gettng InLine mounting bracket or bases.
If I went in and head examined or open up, all they would find is reloading equipment. The Hole is very big and seem to get bigger all the time.

 

[Bobcatter]

Varmint Hunter Said: Considering all the spinal issues that you've mentioned, I'd consider a sexy wildcat of some version in 6mm.

Heck I already got a 6x47 Lapua, 2 6BR's, a 6mm Remington AI, all on Varmint and Match rigs. But the little 6x45 is what is a real sweetheart on a Mohawk 600 Custom, with a light contour 1-8 sporter barrel on a light hunter McMillan camo stock. That is what started this light rifle return to my madness. I had to look hard to find something I ain't built in the past 7 decades! This just sounds like something I need to tame, if not, they make light 257 hunting barrels too. I'll just have one of them screwed on to go with this.

My new as we speak build, the Brux is being cut as I type and should be here in the next 2 weeks. I already had this special Walnut stock made for this new LR Varmint rig. I asked by gunsmith to build me a laminated Walnut stock. But I wanted him to turn the grain 90 degrees every other layer, horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical, etc. Took two blanks to do it, with the material for one ending up as saw dust! But dam was it worth it. The only picture I have is mocked up with a 10-50 sightron and one of my 1-10 6mm bR barrels at 22.5"

It will look much better with the 26" 6 flute HV 1-10 Brucks barrel, and the LRP 6-32x56 Sightron with illuminated MOA recital. So NO I got the light fast accurate to a fault covered, I need a medium bore that is super stalking weight that shoots like a target rifle, with an attitude to go with the rest of the heard. Being a poor man I can't leave my sons a lot of cash, But I will assure you, they will have the finest toys available, and there will be nothing their wives can say!!

 

[txaggie1]

I was so against this caliber for years and finally broke down and bought a mark v chambered in this round for the wife because of recoil. It's not an ai and man that maybe the best thing I've done for her to hunt plains game type animals. I say do it, recoil is manageable imo. If you need to brake it it's even better

 

[MosinW1939]

That sounds like an awesome build . Go for it

 

[VinceMule]

I rode mules with a guy that hunted elk, Bear, deer with a 7 Rem mag using 120g Barnes TSX(3200 fps, which could be equaled with a 7/08 AI). Another riding partner used a 25/06 with 120g Partitions on elk, deer, and black bear. These are experienced hunters that hunted elk in three states. I used a 7 Rem mag with 140 and 160g Partitions, and they made fun of me!

In our Mule club, we trailered to hunt camps to help cook or pack out animals for friends. It was great fun. Our worst nightmare tracking jobs occurred from guys who just sighted in their HARD KICKERS and did not practice a few times a year.

Lesson learned, A man is more apt to practice a few times a year if he owns a rifle that does not hurt him. Also, a man is more apt to make a great shot on a rifle that does not hurt him.

A 338/06 Ai has incredible recoil, and neck issues are critical to remember, as no painkiller other than morphine will help.

OP, you do not need a hard kicking rifle to kill elk with, save your health, and think of the person who will have to take care of you.

Many years ago, my elk rifle was a 7x57 loaded with 140s, and I never had a bad experience with it on elk or deer.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Bullet Placement is the name of the game. If you can't do that, them go to the range an work on your shooting skills. The other is learn as to where to place that shoot from any direction entering into the animal and hitting the heart. liver, lungs, even the neck. Elk have thick hides, and hair. Those wounds tend to close up and stop bleeding. Hard to track.