338-06 improved. Looking for a reamer design

[nakneker]

I’ve wanted to build a 338-06 improved for awhile. Not too far back I bought a beautiful 338-06 AI here on the forum from Alf, pictures below. My cousin feel in love with the rifle and had to have it so I sold it to him with the agreement if he ever sold it I’d be first in line to buy it back. Unfortunately he passed not long after and the rifle got gobbled up between the 7 kids fighting each other for his estate along with quite few other nice rifles. After watching how that went down and me and my wife got a trust formed and instructions on what to do but that’s off topic….. there’s a lesson there though.

So I want to build another rifle that is much like the rifle I bought from Alf. McMillan classic stock, same orange and black color scheme, graphite black cerakote, 21.5” barrel…. That rifle was built on a nice older Remington, not sure what action I’ll use for this build yet. Might use an older Remington, maybe a Pierce or anti X, haven’t gotten that far,

I plan on shooting 200 grain ballistic tips and 210 partitions. If you’ve been down this road I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have a good reamer print you don’t mind sharing I’d love to look at it. I’ll probably use BDL bottom metal and a Wyatt mag box for this one but I’m not stuck on it, I like detachable mags but also like the hinge plate for lighter hunting rifles. The idea for this rifle is a shorter, lighter, handier rifle, not a long range or bench gun. Alf is pretty good about keeping notes and remembers a lot of details about his projects and I’ve sent him a PM too. Pictures aren’t the best but it’s all I have.



Any thoughts or comments? Fire away….

 

[alf]

Here's what it looked like when I had it, it was built on a "S" series 700 stainless action.

 

[nakneker]

Here's what it looked like when I had it, it was built on a "S" series 700 stainless action.

Thanks Alf, I was hoping you had some decent pics! The goal is to duplicate it for the most part, that rifle was perfect, at least for me.

 

[358WCF]

Passing along my experiences, use what you like. I had a 338-06 Ackley built about 35 years ago. It started life as a Browning Stainless Stalker in 30-06. It wears a stainless Shilen select barrel, unsure of the contour, but it finished at around 25" & has a muzzle diameter of .645". The plan was to shoot it, get data, then shorten the barrel an inch at a time, but it's still at 25" & I'm very happy with the way it handles, points, & feels. At 25" it wouldn't be great for crawling thru thick brush but it's staying the way it is. I have a 21" 358 Winchester if the going gets brushy.

I dont have access to the reamer. It's in PA & I'm in VA, but here are some measurements. The original idea was to use Nosler 210 Ptns, so a dummy was made from a 30-06 Ackley case necked up with a 210 seated to the base of the neck & sent off to the reamer company (maybe Clymer?) by the smith who did the rebarrel. The spec is unknown but I asked for minimum of freebore. I had a pile of WW 30-06 brass that was pretty uniform so asked that the reamer be made for a snug fit on that brass. In hindsight wishing it was a wee bit bigger around at the .200 line as Lapua brass just doesn't fit. At all. The bolt wont close on a Lapua case. Luckily I still have a pile of the WW brass. The reamer cut a .465" shoulder diameter. The Redding dies sized it notably smaller & were returned for them to adjust which they did. In the meantime I got a set of custom CH dies which I'm still using. The fully formed WW cases hold 72.6 gr of H20 when filled full up to meniscus. Speer 200s touch rifling at 3.320" OAL, 210 Partitions touch at 3.340", original Barnes 200 Xs touch at 3.360" (& copper foul terribly), & the 200 CT Ballistic Silvertips touch at 3.465" but are bit long for the magazine at that length.

The inexpensive Speer 200s work well for load development. The overall shape is very close to the Partition. Optimal loads developed with the 200 were very close to optimal with the Partition... OAL is about .010" longer with the Nosler bullet & I added maybe 1/2 gr of powder for the Noslers as well. Some lots of H4350 are the best I've found for speed & small groups. With a case full (slow pour & tap tap tap) the rifle just squeaks past 3000 fps. Brass life is good. 3/4 inch groups are common & sub 1/2 inch groups aren't all that rare with a 5x scope. Ramshot Big game is a close 2nd, but about 25-50 fps slower & doesn't seem to shoot quite as small. Big Game worked very nicely with limited testing of 185 Accubombs, 215 Sierras, & 225 Hornady Sp.Pts.

Hornady 35 Whelen brass is also working well. I tried some nickle WW 280 Rem brass & it looked cool as hell with the CT 200 gr Ballistic Silvertips, but the necks developed cracks at the shoulder junction & one neck came off at the range. It slid right out with a 35 cal brush, but... I wont be using nickle cases for forming any more Ackleys.

For fireforming loads I use whatever leftover powder, primers, & bullets may be on the shelf. When forming the Hornady Whelen brass, finishing a metal can of IMR4895 from 1989 with some pulled Speer 200s & a partial box of old orphaned primers that was sitting around. Out of 25 rounds, not being particularly careful, 6 landed outside of a 2" square @ 100 yds. They were running about 2750 fps & shot to the same point of aim as the full house Partitions, so could have been hunted.

All said, I really like my 338-06 Improved. The chamber may get opened up a bit at the back end if possible, without screwing things up too badly. It's exceeded my original expectations.

 

[Edd]

Thanks Alf, I was hoping you had some decent pics! The goal is to duplicate it for the most part, that rifle was perfect, at least for me.

Your pictures and his pictures are not the same rifle.

 

[nakneker]

Your pictures and his pictures are not the same rifle.

Yeah, Alf pointed that, that’s my Sako 22BR, got in a rush and just looked at stock color. I delete them.

 

[nakneker]

Passing along my experiences, use what you like. I had a 338-06 Ackley built about 35 years ago. It started life as a Browning Stainless Stalker in 30-06. It wears a stainless Shilen select barrel, unsure of the contour, but it finished at around 25" & has a muzzle diameter of .645". The plan was to shoot it, get data, then shorten the barrel an inch at a time, but it's still at 25" & I'm very happy with the way it handles, points, & feels. At 25" it wouldn't be great for crawling thru thick brush but it's staying the way it is. I have a 21" 358 Winchester if the going gets brushy.

I dont have access to the reamer. It's in PA & I'm in VA, but here are some measurements. The original idea was to use Nosler 210 Ptns, so a dummy was made from a 30-06 Ackley case necked up with a 210 seated to the base of the neck & sent off to the reamer company (maybe Clymer?) by the smith who did the rebarrel. The spec is unknown but I asked for minimum of freebore. I had a pile of WW 30-06 brass that was pretty uniform so asked that the reamer be made for a snug fit on that brass. In hindsight wishing it was a wee bit bigger around at the .200 line as Lapua brass just doesn't fit. At all. The bolt wont close on a Lapua case. Luckily I still have a pile of the WW brass. The reamer cut a .465" shoulder diameter. The Redding dies sized it notably smaller & were returned for them to adjust which they did. In the meantime I got a set of custom CH dies which I'm still using. The fully formed WW cases hold 72.6 gr of H20 when filled full up to meniscus. Speer 200s touch rifling at 3.320" OAL, 210 Partitions touch at 3.340", original Barnes 200 Xs touch at 3.360" (& copper foul terribly), & the 200 CT Ballistic Silvertips touch at 3.465" but are bit long for the magazine at that length.

The inexpensive Speer 200s work well for load development. The overall shape is very close to the Partition. Optimal loads developed with the 200 were very close to optimal with the Partition... OAL is about .010" longer with the Nosler bullet & I added maybe 1/2 gr of powder for the Noslers as well. Some lots of H4350 are the best I've found for speed & small groups. With a case full (slow pour & tap tap tap) the rifle just squeaks past 3000 fps. Brass life is good. 3/4 inch groups are common & sub 1/2 inch groups aren't all that rare with a 5x scope. Ramshot Big game is a close 2nd, but about 25-50 fps slower & doesn't seem to shoot quite as small. Big Game worked very nicely with limited testing of 185 Accubombs, 215 Sierras, & 225 Hornady Sp.Pts.

Hornady 35 Whelen brass is also working well. I tried some nickle WW 280 Rem brass & it looked cool as hell with the CT 200 gr Ballistic Silvertips, but the necks developed cracks at the shoulder junction & one neck came off at the range. It slid right out with a 35 cal brush, but... I wont be using nickle cases for forming any more Ackleys.

For fireforming loads I use whatever leftover powder, primers, & bullets may be on the shelf. When forming the Hornady Whelen brass, finishing a metal can of IMR4895 from 1989 with some pulled Speer 200s & a partial box of old orphaned primers that was sitting around. Out of 25 rounds, not being particularly careful, 6 landed outside of a 2" square @ 100 yds. They were running about 2750 fps & shot to the same point of aim as the full house Partitions, so could have been hunted.

All said, I really like my 338-06 Improved. The chamber may get opened up a bit at the back end if possible, without screwing things up too badly. It's exceeded my original expectations.

Nice post, thank you. Seems like everyone that has one has positive things to say. I’ve shot two and both were easily under MOA and the chrono had them at less than 10% slower than my 338 win mag. The recoil was substantially less. I found some old fire formed brass from rifle I mentioned at the opening. Easiet way to a reamer is make a dummy round and send to JGS I think.

Time to gather some components and get it going…..

 

[WVRJ]

I did it with a Clymer reamer and it turned out great for my rifle.I didn't go Ackley Improved because mine is for the close woods here in WV,so I just did the 338-06.I have had some very good groups and am in the process of doing the stock now.I like to use old Bell and Carlson fiberglass stocks and custom form them to my dimensions.I'm going to have this one right at 7.5 pounds with scope,sling and 6 rounds of ammo in the detachable P-Mag.6 in the mag and one in the chamber plus another 6 in a spare mag works great.
Too bad you couldn't get the rifle back.Estate squabbles should be settled with a rifle.It seems like there's always one that will start the fire and it's a battle from then on.

 

[nakneker]

I did it with a Clymer reamer and it turned out great for my rifle.I didn't go Ackley Improved because mine is for the close woods here in WV,so I just did the 338-06.I have had some very good groups and am in the process of doing the stock now.I like to use old Bell and Carlson fiberglass stocks and custom form them to my dimensions.I'm going to have this one right at 7.5 pounds with scope,sling and 6 rounds of ammo in the detachable P-Mag.6 in the mag and one in the chamber plus another 6 in a spare mag works great.
Too bad you couldn't get the rifle back.Estate squabbles should be settled with a rifle.It seems like there's always one that will start the fire and it's a battle from then on.

Thanks for your input. I thought about a straight 338-06 too just for simplicity but I think I’m gonna build this rifle as close to the rifle discussed as I can. I have the improved Lapua brass and dies which factor into it too. I’m sure JGS, Manson, Clymer and others have reamers for it. I‘ll probably just do as I said and send in a dummy round . You rifle sounds like a great build!

Sean

 

[Hntnhrd]

I don’t have the reamer but have both a 338/06 and 338/06 AI. I just got the AI back from being ceracoated and might be selling the barreled action. It’s a Remington 700, supposed to be a hart barrel but I wasn’t the one that had it built. I played with it very little but did come up with a load for nosler 200 grain etips that was under 3/4 of an inch. No real reason to have two. If it’s something you might be interested in shoot me a pm.

 

[nakneker]

I don’t have the reamer but have both a 338/06 and 338/06 AI. I just got the AI back from being ceracoated and might be selling the barreled action. It’s a Remington 700, supposed to be a hart barrel but I wasn’t the one that had it built. I played with it very little but did come up with a load for nosler 200 grain etips that was under 3/4 of an inch. No real reason to have two. If it’s something you might be interested in shoot me a pm.

I’m wanting to use a Rock Creek for this build, if yours was a Rock Creek I’d be interested. Regardless, it sounds like a neat build. You might want to have a shoot off between the two and see if you still want to sell the AI, just thinking out loud.

 

[alf]

I’m wanting to use a Rock Creek for this build.

That might be your biggest hurdle, as they aren't taking orders, and as tough to find a sporter contour in 338.

 

[Ggmac]

Have you considered a 98Mauser for a traditional build ?
I had one and it was a good hunting rifle . Easy build especially if you find a commercial 98 already set up for a magnum

 

[nakneker]

Have you considered a 98Mauser for a traditional build ?
I had one and it was a good hunting rifle . Easy build especially if you find a commercial 98 already set up for a magnum

I haven’t, part id this build is sentimental, I’d like to try and almost replicate the rifle that got away. I’ll probably just find a clean old Remington and use the action.

I did make two dummy rounds, I used a 200 grain ballistic tip and will send them to JGS this week.

 

[Bc'z]

I haven’t, part id this build is sentimental, I’d like to try and almost replicate the rifle that got away. I’ll probably just find a clean old Remington and use the action.

I did make two dummy rounds, I used a 200 grain ballistic tip and will send them to JGS this week.

Sean, I'm anxious to see how this goes, it's got me contemplating the cartridge.

 

[Rockchuck]

I have a 338/06 AI do be afraid to use a douglas barrel. Mine shoots the 200gr accubonds very scary good. No problem getting 3000fps but I will say mine has 26" barrel. It's been a while but its shoots the load i have for it 1/2" all day long. Really impressive and it's a #4 douglas. Its won of the better shooting rifles i have considering its a sporter weight gun. I got the reamer from jgs i may have a print of that reamer I will have look.

 

[nakneker]

I have a 338/06 AI do be afraid to use a douglas barrel. Mine shoots the 200gr accubonds very scary good. No problem getting 3000fps but I will say mine has 26" barrel. It's been a while but its shoots the load i have for it 1/2" all day long. Really impressive and it's a #4 douglas. Its won of the better shooting rifles i have considering its a sporter weight gun. I got the reamer from jgs i may have a print of that reamer I will have look.

One of the most accurate barrels I own is a Douglas, used a no taper barrel for a 22-250, shoots most 50-55 grain bullets into itty bitty groups. I know they are still great barrels, for this one I’m gonna try and get a rock creek. I’ve had really good luck with them, used them on my last 3 builds. Accurate and they clean fast.

 

[357Mag]

One of the most accurate barrels I own is a Douglas, used a no taper barrel for a 22-250, shoots most 50-55 grain bullets into itty bitty groups. I know they are still great barrels, for this one I’m gonna try and get a rock creek. I’ve had really good luck with them, used them on my last 3 builds. Accurate and they clean fast.Nakneker -

Howdy !

Could you compare the mic' readings on your brass, to the reamer spec's
listed @ 4D reamers; to see if use of their rent-a-reamer might work for you ?


With regards,
357Mag

 

[nakneker]

Sean, I'm anxious to see how this goes, it's got me contemplating the cartridge.

Howdy !

Could you compare the mic' readings on your brass, to the reamer spec's
listed @ 4D reamers; to see if use of their rent-a-reamer might work for you ?


With regards,
357Mag

Brass is in the air on its way to JGS. I kind of want my own reamer.

 

[357Mag]

Brass is in the air on its way to JGS. I kind of want my own reamer.

Nakneker -

Understood.


Regards,
357Mag