Best of the "Big 4" American rifles.

[AkMike]

That's why I suggested looking for a different action or a junker rifle to use the action for a rebuild IF that rifle suits you.

Did the seller at GB disclose that it was so screwed up at the time of the auction? I would have sent it back upon discovery.

 

[Andrews]

The rifle came from an actual store/FFL holder who stated that he had visually inspected the rifle and appeared to be perfectly functional. The only reason I didn't send it back was price, I only paid $450 plus shipping for it. Most other rifles I saw were running $850 to $1500. I didn't want to invest that much on a semi wildcat I might have trouble selling if I didn't enjoy the cartridge.

 

[AkMike]

I've been bit with some of those "just too good to be true" deals too.

There's a chance, a small one that a new piece of steel could be welded in with out too much heat to warp the action, re ground to feed properly and then re-heat treated. Tig or lazer welding might be able to fix it but I'm sure it would need to be re-heat treaded.
Check in with a top quality aircraft welding shop AND a very good `smith.

 

[Andrews]

Oh well, live and learn and get on with your life. But now I've discovered how much of a hidden gem this cartridge is and am looking forward to getting a reliable rifle lol

 

[enysse]

I want to apologize Andrews, you are probably right to look into a custom gun, I thought about my last post the last few hours while running around. And you probably correct, it will be hard to get that gun 100% correct. The only thing I don't like about custom guns is the cost, that is why I mentioned the .338 Win Mag, thy usually don't cost too much for a used gun. They are nice too, flat shooting, and a lot of power.

 

[blackdog001blackdog001]

Here is what I did: I bought a new Rem Model 700 Classic in 338 Win Mag. Swapped the stock out for an HS Precision. Had a Timney trigger and firing pin put in and the entire action cerakoted. Put a 3.5x10 Zeiss on it (Not the real expensive one. I bought it new close out on ebay!). I'm into the gun for a bit more than $1200. Shoots great and is big enough for anything that walks, other than being below the legal minimum for dangerous game in Africa. It's my go to rifle for anything in North America and I'll take it to Africa this summer. I know some will say not CRF but for other than dangerous game, I don't think that is such a big deal and I've never had a problem with it. Tremendously reliable, all weather and reasonably accurate for a cartridge that is not known for inherent accuracy.

I've got a 375 H&H in a Weatherby MkV, a pre-64 Model 70 in 30-06, a Mk V Wby in 7mm Wby and a Model 70 Fwt in 300 WSM, so I've got more than enough to choose from (I don't like little calibers . . ). Oops, forgot the Mod 70 in 416 Rem. So the 338 is really my all around, all weather rifle.

Hope above is helpful.

 

[Andrews]

Not a problem Enysse, no worries. I should have worded my question a little better and avoided confusion. I have given a lot of thought to the 338 Win Mag instead, but to me the 338-06 just offers more of what I want. A light weight, easy to carry all around rifle with a 22" barrel. I gain an extra round, sometimes two, in the magazine as opposed to the Win Mag, shorter barrel length, less powder burnt, less recoil, less gun weight. I can get close enough to Win Mag ballistics that under 250 yards, no animal will notice the difference. The 338 Win Mag is no doubt an amazing round, rivaling the legendary 375 H&H in effectiveness with some loads. Its just not for me, like most magnums

My other rifles include my Model 70 25 WSSM, a Remington Model 7 7mm-08, Original Husqvarna sporter in 9.3x57 (my stalking rifle ) and "Ed" my Ruger RSM 375, among many others. (Classic example of the want without need disorder lol) The new 338-06 will become my all around shooter.

BTW blackdog, that rigs sounds dang nice, got any pics?

 

[enysse]

You have a nice selection there Andrew, I can see why you want the 338-06, the .338 Win Mag is too close to the .375 Ruger. I think my .325 WSM is pretty close to your .338-06.

Blackdog, I happen to own a Rem. 700 in the .338 Win Mag. I bought it close to 16 years ago, I was going to go to Kodiak and hunt brown bear, but then a job switch and then brown bear hunts went through the roof and I never made it . My Rem is a laminated stock with a stainless steel barrel and 3.5x10 50mm Leupold VIII and it shoots really tight groups with Swift A bullets, darn nice rifle, a few people have asked to buy it and I have passed on selling it. And yes the gun feeds beautifully every time.

 

[35bore]

Not a problem Enysse, no worries. I should have worded my question a little better and avoided confusion. I have given a lot of thought to the 338 Win Mag instead, but to me the 338-06 just offers more of what I want. A light weight, easy to carry all around rifle with a 22" barrel. I gain an extra round, sometimes two, in the magazine as opposed to the Win Mag, shorter barrel length, less powder burnt, less recoil, less gun weight. I can get close enough to Win Mag ballistics that under 250 yards, no animal will notice the difference. The 338 Win Mag is no doubt an amazing round, rivaling the legendary 375 H&H in effectiveness with some loads. Its just not for me, like most magnums

My other rifles include my Model 70 25 WSSM, a Remington Model 7 7mm-08, Original Husqvarna sporter in 9.3x57 (my stalking rifle ) and "Ed" my Ruger RSM 375, among many others. (Classic example of the want without need disorder lol) The new 338-06 will become my all around shooter.

BTW blackdog, that rigs sounds dang nice, got any pics?

could always build one in a 35Whelen or 350 remmie mag.

 

[Diamondhitch]

could always build one in a 35Whelen or 350 remmie mag.

It would definitely be a rarer bird, 35 is the most overlooked calibre out there IMO.

 

[enysse]

could always build one in a 35Whelen or 350 remmie mag.

I actual thought you would mention the 8mm Rem Mag, because that is what the .338-06 reminds me of.

 

[Andrews]

The main reason for my love affair with the 338-06 is how close it resembles the 318 Westley Richards. A 250 grain bullet at 2400 fps has a proven track record for putting game DRT. Im still looking for a rifle in that caliber

 

[35bore]

I actual thought you would mention the 8mm Rem Mag, because that is what the .338-06 reminds me of.

Ya well I was thinking case size, both being based off of the '06, Whelen's just a tad bigger in diameter, and better "factory loaded" selection. I know it's splitting hairs on preformance but, you know me, gotta throw the 35Whelen in there every now and then.... However, IF i were having a rifle built, (being I already have the 35) I would be building one in 8mm rem mag, just one of my many gun regrets was selling the one I had.

 

[sestoppelman]

I actual thought you would mention the 8mm Rem Mag, because that is what the .338-06 reminds me of.

Not much similarity between those two.

 

[AkMike]

Not much similarity between those two.

They both go BANG!!

 

[sestoppelman]

They both go BANG!!

Yep! One a little louder than the other though, right?