The 338/06 AI Is Finely a Completed Project

[nakneker]

Well done, I'll always have a soft spot for the 338-06 Ackley.

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I know that rifle!

 

[nakneker]

Zack just completed my 338-06AI. I’m anxious to get it. I’ve owned two in the past and friends had to have them and so I let them go. This one stays! It’s efficient cartridge, not far behind the mighty 338 WM. Both of my prior rifles were very accurate too.

 

[ISS]

I horse traded into a very nice R.F. Sedgeley Springfield action earlier this year. I thought long and hard about the 338-06, but too much time spent one afternoon as a very young man talking to Townsend Whelen on his youngest sister and her husband's front porch back in MO. He told me I would never regret not owning a 375 H&H if I had a 35 Whelen built. Like too many shooters of the time, I fell sway to the allure of those big belted cases.
I got lucky and found 200 new 35 Whelen cases for sale on here. Kismet... So, I sent the action and a deposit to Jim Wisner last week. He recently did one for a long time friend. Christmas time, if all goes well.

 

[ELR LVR]

Very nice rifle build man!
I did an ultralight similar thing in a 284 Win with MDT Carbon Chassis
Carbon Fiber Bolt Knob, Carbon Wrapped Bartlein etc etc etc.
Was also worried about recoil afterward so
I installed a Ti Brake just in case
Here is a Ti Brake for only $70 that is like a Vais
What I found is that Carbon Fiber actually absorbs so much recoil it did not matter much with or without brake
But with a brake is def nicer. But the Ti brake only adds like 2 ounces so it's a good option

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[ELR LVR]

Here it is
This is the ACTUAL brake I used for my build
Still good priced for Ti at $112

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[SteveOak]

Very nice!

 

[MooseHunter]

I would be interested in results of testing with the 210 Siroccos. I have a VZ 24 at gunsmith now for evaluation. Bought as a barreled action with no history. Everyone says good things about the 338 06. The gunsmith has one of his own. I have 200 and 225 accubonds. The 210 Swift might be the sweetspot. Being impatient, I picked up a new Mod 70 Classic in 338 Win Mag. The price was right. I have 330 Win Mag with McMillan stock on Pre 64 70 action. It is noticeably softer to shoot than one would expect. Never heard of Peek stock. Is that comparable to McMillan? I will need one for 338 06 if it checks out. Also the only 338 Win Mag I ever shot was box stock Ruger 77. Kicked like a mule. Much worse than my 300 Weatherby.

 

[wildcatter]

I would be interested in results of testing with the 210 Siroccos. I have a VZ 24 at gunsmith now for evaluation. Bought as a barreled action with no history. Everyone says good things about the 338 06. The gunsmith has one of his own. I have 200 and 225 accubonds. The 210 Swift might be the sweetspot. Being impatient, I picked up a new Mod 70 Classic in 338 Win Mag. The price was right. I have 330 Win Mag with McMillan stock on Pre 64 70 action. It is noticeably softer to shoot than one would expect. Never heard of Peek stock. Is that comparable to McMillan? I will need one for 338 06 if it checks out. Also the only 338 Win Mag I ever shot was box stock Ruger 77. Kicked like a mule. Much worse than my 300 Weatherby.

The Peak 44 stocks are built by Weatherby, when Weatherby designed their new Backcountry rifle toting a lightweight Titanium action, and built with light as possible in mind, they definitely designed this stock RIGHT, but I desire no other part of anything they offer. I have had muzzle brakes in the past, and find them not appealing to me in my rifles, as well as handcanons. But I am not intimidated by heavy recoiling rifles, I used to love them. This stock is the best I have found to tame that recoil, better than any brake!! Fact!

But the technology is far better than any other HUNTING stock I have owned. I loved the McMillan Classic hunting stock. In fact two of my magnum rifles Built back in the day by Fred Sinclair, both used those stocks. But after shooting this I want another. I went with their Blacktooth model over the Bastion, because I wanted the classic swept back grip on the handgrip portion of the rifle. The Bastion is offered for those that prefer the more vertical grip.

The other thing this stock offers over the McMillan is it is a true Carbon fiber stock. Not a hybrid with just carbon fiber fill or Carbon Fiber Scrim wrapping other materials. Hence the 18 oz. weight with the aluminum pillars and their patented Matrix recoil pad installed. This is a far stiffer and more accurate prone stock than other hunting options. It is also compact, @ 29" from tip to but!

I want another one, but at my age for the cost, and milage it would see,,,, I think I'll just add the 257 AI to this one when the barrel I have ordered arrives. I think anyone with experience using both would prefer the Peak?

 

[wildcatter]

I would be interested in results of testing with the 210 Siroccos. I have a VZ 24 at gunsmith now for evaluation. Bought as a barreled action with no history. Everyone says good things about the 338 06. The gunsmith has one of his own. I have 200 and 225 accubonds. The 210 Swift might be the sweetspot. Being impatient, I picked up a new Mod 70 Classic in 338 Win Mag. The price was right. I have 330 Win Mag with McMillan stock on Pre 64 70 action. It is noticeably softer to shoot than one would expect. Never heard of Peek stock. Is that comparable to McMillan? I will need one for 338 06 if it checks out. Also the only 338 Win Mag I ever shot was box stock Ruger 77. Kicked like a mule. Much worse than my 300 Weatherby.

I debated the 35 Whelen, But versatility goes to the 338/06, flatter shooting, and will do anything the 35 will with a much better choice of bullets, beter headspacing control, and I have yet to find any cartridge easier to load for, or more consistent.

As far as those praising it, most praisers do so with little other ownership of cartridges to compare it to. What I looked more at was, you don't see complaints from even those that no longer own it. In fact most that have had one and parted with it tells others, they wish they had it back, or want another. at least thats what I found. I am happier than I had hope I would be!

 

[Deepfork]

I debated the 35 Whelen, But versatility goes to the 338/06, flatter shooting, and will do anything the 35 will with a much better choice of bullets, beter headspacing control, and I have yet to find any cartridge easier to load for, or more consistent.

As far as those praising it, most praisers do so with little other ownership of cartridges to compare it to. What I looked more at was, you don't see complaints from even those that no longer own it. In fact most that have had one and parted with it tells others, they wish they had it back, or want another. at least thats what I found. I am happier than I had hope I would be!

I have worked up dozens of loads for both the 35 Whelen and the 338-06 AI, my two favorite calibers. I would not pick one over the other, they have different strengths.

My go to load in the 338-06 AI is either a 185gr Hornady CX or a 186gr Hammer Stone hammer. Both are accurate and consistent at around 3150fps.

I shoot heavier bullets with the Whelen, a 245gr Hammer Stone Hammer at 2820fps and a 250gr Norma Oryx at 2700 fps.

The 338-06 does shoot flatter, the 35 Whelen will push heavy bullets faster. For what I do the 35 Whelen gets the nod more often than the 338-06.