338 LM Improved Action

[carlsbad]

Looking to build a 338 LM improved for personal use. Some don't like the 338LM in a Rem action. Some say they will build the 338 LM in a rem action, but only the CrMo, actions, not the SS actions. I have a 338 LM R700 police and was planning to build on it. I have confirmed that the 338LM rem action is no different from the 30-06. When I decided to go to the Improved version, I decided to move away from the stock R700 (I would be OK with it in single shot, but it doesn't exist.)

The lower lug on a Rem LA, repeater, doesn't have a lot of support in front of the magazine cutout. Modify to feed from a CIP Magazine, the lower lug support suffers more. Even then, to load short enough for a CIP magazine, the 300 grain bullet has to be shoved down into the casing well beyond the neck. Move to solids, and forget about magazines.

Not feeding from a magazine allows seating the bullet optimally in the neck, about .100" longer. So I'm thinking about getting a single shot action with Lapua boltface.

Looking for thoughts on SS vs CrMo. I know there are alloys of 400 series stainless steel that are just as strong as CrMo. But 400 series ss is more sensitive to heat treatment and I don't know what heat treatments various action builders (right now my first choices are Pierce, Defiance, and Borden) specify. Are the SS actions as strong as CrMo?

I'd like to stay with a R700 footprint if possible. Increases lots of options.

Also thoughts on the .750 bolt vs the .700 bolt. The 750 bolt has thicker lips around the cartridge base but has less meat in the lugs. I'm thinking that is ok since the shear area of the lugs for a 100% thrust force is unchanged and the .750 bolt would be preferred.

All comments welcome.

thanks,
jerry

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have been looking into this lately, Im not happy with anything out there. I do not want to build an all out 338 imp with 1 1/16 tenon threads or on a 1.350" action. The BAT HR is the best choice thats available currently for a rem foot print. It has 1 1/8" threads, .7" bolt ( more meat in the action). It has much larger lugs and an integral rail. Integral rails have become important to me recently. Id still rather see a little bigger OD. I have been talking with Bruce at Bat, I think at some point we will have a true lapua action from them, but nothing right away. So what have I decided to use for a couple 300 Norma imps? Bat M 1.47" integral rail actions. I will cut the tangs to fit A3 mcmillans. Thats an action I am actually happy to use for the lapua.

 

[JRR]

I saw that CZ makes a magnum 550 action. I think it has the correct bolt face for the Lapua. Metric threads.

 

[B23]

My 338 Lap Imp is built on a BAT HR PIC receiver. IMO, BAT makes one of the finest actions available.

I also have a 30-338 Lap Imp that was built on a Rem 700 and even though it's not as pretty as my BAT built 338 Lap Imp it sure does shoot the 230 Bergers well.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

+1 on the BAT HR Alex mentioned. Also the BAT Model M, CT & L are suitable for the 338 LM Cartridge.
As Alex mentioned, Barrel Tenon dia. is important and needs to be paid attention to. - I try to do the following, take case head diameter and multiply by 2 and have the barrel Tenon be that size or larger. (i.e. 0.580 x 2 = 1.160 so 1.125 is about the minimum I'll consider using for a 338 Lapua Mag. case head size cartridge). - Another item that I'll mention, BAT Machine has a Action to Case Size Matrix on their website that outlines their actions and the applicable case head sizes for the actions. - This is great information straight from Bruce Thom the "lead" @ BAT Machine).

Thanks, R

 

[JBT47]

Surgeon XL

 

[germanlongbow]

Mine is built on BAT M with Krieger 1.450 x 32 tube. McMillan Stock. Jewel trigger. Weighs in at 30 pounds with scope. Love the BAT actions.

 

[cmillard]

Stiller?

 

[liseo]

Stiller?

Stiller have the TAC 338 action, 1.400' diameter action, 0.750" bolt. Seems a good alternative

 

[cmillard]

i have 2 stiller actions and I have nothing but good to say about them.

 

[mic2377]

For target use a BAT is a nice choice.

For hunting and tactical use though the CZ is a very nice action, but much different than a specific target action like a BAT. It is a controlled round feed deal that is normally used in a dangerous game rifle, but has a large bolt face and tenon diameter, and a generous magazine that holds 5 magnum cartridges (of 338 Lapua!). CZ does build a factory 338 Lapua on this action. I had a CZ 550 Magnum in 458 Win and was not disappointed with it.

Most of the tactical guys run either a Stiller or Surgeon.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Surgeon XL

This is also a good choice, mine shoots well, but I prefer the Bat M.

 

[jbone405]

I have read a lot about rem 700 not being suitable for a lapua bolt face, most of the time mentioning the lower lug support. Would a single action with no magazine cutout be suitable or are the lugs still too weak?

I have also read about savages and not being suitable, with the exception of the single shot target actions. Would there be any truth to that?

 

[carlsbad]

Not a big fan of stiller. I'm leaning toward the Bat HR. Thanks for all the help.

I have read a lot about rem 700 not being suitable for a lapua bolt face, most of the time mentioning the lower lug support. Would a single action with no magazine cutout be suitable or are the lugs still too weak?

I have also read about savages and not being suitable, with the exception of the single shot target actions. Would there be any truth to that?

Some people don't like the thin lip on the 700 bolt but it is captured by the "3 rings of steel". The lower lug support is my exact concern. If rem LA were available in Single shot, I'd go with it. But especially with the Improved chamber I plan to use, I need to make sure the lower lug is robust.

Don't know much about Savage.

Remember, a lot of people substitute "I wouldn't do that" when they really should say, "I don't know". So I keep asking why when I am told it won't work. Like you did above.

--Jerry

 

[moondog]

I've got a Barnard pl coming. Should be done last month

 

[Sniper338]

I have one on a defience machine Devient 338 lapua action. Extended Tennon. Not sure what the action OD is, but my barrel is a 1.30 down to 1 inch at 30 inches... The actions OD is slightly larger than 1.30.

And I think I want to go ahead and do a 300 norma on it too..

No issues.. no complaints.

 

[carlsbad]

Sniper,
The deviant 338 has a .750 dia bolt in a standard 1.350 diameter action. I haven't looked at the lower lug on the repeater but the larger bolt would make it more difficult. The single shot should be excellent.

--Jerry

 

[wi50]

If you want to stay with a rem 700 footprint, look at the American rifle company mausingfield action. It uses a 1.063 thread, it is 20 tpi vs the 16 tpi like others so the minor diameter is larger than the Remington actions. There's a relief in the integral recoil lug also so you don't need to cut much of one on the barrel tennion. The toraidial bolt lugs have a strength advantage for both the bolt and the receiver. I have one and built my 338 lm on it. However as you know these chamberings are neutered when loading to magazine length. If I were starting over, I'd order a Barnard PLM and forget about mag feeding. I like the mausingfield, it's quite unique, if you want to stay with the 700 footprint. If you don't then I'd opt for the Barnard

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I have read a lot about rem 700 not being suitable for a lapua bolt face, most of the time mentioning the lower lug support. Would a single action with no magazine cutout be suitable or are the lugs still too weak?

I have also read about savages and not being suitable, with the exception of the single shot target actions. Would there be any truth to that?

The Savage 112 Target Single Shot action is chambered from the factory in .338 Lapua Mag. - I've had one re-barreled to .338 Lap Mag. A.I. and it has done okay. This is a large Shank Savage action (Barrel Tenon is 1.122) and the receiver is 1.350.

 

[Zero333]

I have read a lot about rem 700 not being suitable for a lapua bolt face, most of the time mentioning the lower lug support. Would a single action with no magazine cutout be suitable or are the lugs still too weak?

I have also read about savages and not being suitable, with the exception of the single shot target actions. Would there be any truth to that?

Savage makes a singe shot MAGNUM target action specifically for the 338LM

The Savage Magnum target action is bigger than their standard target action.

But Savage also chambers the 338LM in the 111 Long range hunter which is a Large Shank action, same size as their standard target action and it's a repeater.

It's the Savage Small Shank actions that don't work well with WSM's RUM's RSAUM's 338 LM and the like.