30-06 to 30-338 Win Mag??

[Mark204]

I know a guy who has a Ruger #1 stainless chambered in 30-06, he wants to re-chamber it to 30-338 Win Mag and asked if it could be done and if so how difficult would it be. I'm clueless so I thought I'd throw it out here and see what's said.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

For a little more, Power / Vel., (over the .30-06 ) I'd look at, the .30-06 Ackley Improved and save, the Headaches and Cash !
The Ackley pushes, a 165/ 168 grain Bullet, OVER, 2,900 FPS with, Today's Powders!
Nosler HAS load Data for it and your shoulder will thank you, as the .30-338 is, pretty much, the same as, a .300 Win Mag (recoil wise ).
You might compare Ballistics to see IF, the extra cash to, convert vs just ream out to, the Ack., is worth, the Velocity & recoil GAIN to, you.
MY ,.. thoughts !

 

[Kurz]

The first consideration should be if the factory barrel is:

1) long enough to promote improved velocities.
2) contoured to allow for shortening or set backs.
3) Still better than reasonable quality to be worth the conversion.

If the factory barrel is still good, the Ackley is the easiest. Set the barrel back one thread, cut and headspace the improved chamber. Cut the extractor groove to the proper depth and check the operation.

I personally would skip the .30-338 Win. Mag. and run the straight .300 Win. Mag. Lots more savings by skipping the wildcat. You will need to re-cut the extractor or get a new one and fit it. No barrel set back.

The .300 PRC would be my next thought for going bigger but only if the barrel is long enough.

Chew it over and think it through.

Enjoy the process!

 

[ebb]

300WSM and skip the belt.

 

[Adam in WI]

300WSM and skip the belt.

Requires a more substantial setback to clean up the ought six chamber, I would guess.

 

[ebb]

Yes it would.

 

[Downeast]

With the money, time and other considerations invested in this conversion why not just buy another rifle in .300 or .338 "whatever you want caliber"...duh

 

[Kurz]

With the money, time and other considerations invested in this conversion why not just buy another rifle in .300 or .338 "whatever you want caliber"...duh

While this appears to be a disarmingly simple concept on the surface, it is like many other similar statements or questions, not applicable.

Buying a new #1 in stainless will run somewhere between $900 - $1,200 depending on the supplier or if what you want is available. The cost of doing a simple set back or even a new, larger chamber should cost between $250 - $350 depending on the gunsmith and the cost of the extractor. So the savings over 'just buy another rifle' is significant to some shooters.

Requires a more substantial setback to clean up the ought six chamber, I would guess.

That's why you have to take into consideration the contour of the existing barrel. Is there enough of the chamber area to do a major cutoff and then cut new threads leaving enough of the major diameter for safety using the bigger cartridge?