.338-06 AI

[OldMan]

Who has experience with this cartridge? Does it outrun the standard .338-06? I think it would be fun to build one or the other. I know it would be easier to just go buy a 338 Win Mag, but it wouldn't be as much fun!

 

[JD338]

I do not have first hand experience but the AI will give you a little more case capacity than the standard 338-06. I would say if you go with the AI version, get it throated long so you can seat the bullets further out. This will give you even more case capacity on put you hard on the heals of the 338 Win Mag. My gunsmith shoots a 338-06 AI, 200 gr BT at 3000 fps.

Here are some links to the 338-06 AI...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7871
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8421
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9717

JD338

 

[SJB358]

That would probably make it a little nicer for sizing with the AI shoulder. As much as I beat up on the 338-06 it is really so close to the 338WM to not really matter. I love the Whelen but if the 338 was a standard round when I bought the Whelen I would have had a tough time choosing. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

They each are amazingly lethal on game. My general thought on the Improved rounds of 30 calibre and larger is that the efficiency drops enough that it is difficult to justify the extra powder. However, as has been noted on other threads, there is the "kool" factor to consider, and a 338-06 AI would definitely be a conversation piece in elk camp.

 

[BK]

Not to mention not having to trim brass as much.

 

[6mm Remington]

That would probably make it a little nicer for sizing with the AI shoulder. As much as I beat up on the 338-06 it is really so close to the 338WM to not really matter. I love the Whelen but if the 338 was a standard round when I bought the Whelen I would have had a tough time choosing. Scotty

So Scotty are you saying there's a chance? :mrgreen:

 

[Woodycreek]

They each are amazingly lethal on game. My general thought on the Improved rounds of 30 calibre and larger is that the efficiency drops enough that it is difficult to justify the extra powder. However, as has been noted on other threads, there is the "kool" factor to consider, and a 338-06 AI would definitely be a conversation piece in elk camp.

Anything AI is "kool" 8)

 

[JD338]

They each are amazingly lethal on game. My general thought on the Improved rounds of 30 calibre and larger is that the efficiency drops enough that it is difficult to justify the extra powder. However, as has been noted on other threads, there is the "kool" factor to consider, and a 338-06 AI would definitely be a conversation piece in elk camp.

Anything AI is "kool" 8)

Right on buddy. 8)

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

A buddy of mine has one and I'm thinking he said he was getting around 2950 with a 180 TTSX.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I like the idea of a 338-06 or AI for that matter, seems like a nice cartridge.

Also, thought about picking up a Remington 742 in 35 Whelen some day. That seems like a good gun/cartridge combo.

Old Man where in Eastern Oregon are you? I'm from the John Day Valley myself, lived there most of all of my life.

We need to get together and bust some caps someday soon... :mrgreen:

 

[Scott Spencer]

Go with the 338-06!! Here is mine.....Sorry for the smaller photo and I really do need to get a better shot of it!

 

[SJB358]

Go with the 338-06!! Here is mine.....Sorry for the smaller photo and I really do need to get a better shot of it!

That rifle looks great Scott. Scotty

 

[Mighty Peace]

I built my 338-06AI based of a new Sako m75 Greywolf "IV" action with a new PacNor Supermatch grade stainless barrel with all work done by my gunsmith.

Went the Ackley Improved with comments from: my gunsmith (had built a few for personal use), comments from this forum and a couple others and the "BE DIFFERENT" factor...nobody has one near me. My fireforming brass (new Norma 338-06AS headstamped brass) loads shoot great groups too.

LOVE MY RIFLE!!! shoots 225gr Accubonds and TTSX's superbly!!
Pre-fireformed rounds with 225gr AB's & TTSX

Now if I get drawn for the Bison hunt in northern Alberta...it will be my goto rifle with my Sako m75ss 300WM as a second rifle.

Tempted now to build a 330 Dakota based on a Sako m75 rifle. This caliber has me intreged since I was reading in reloadingmanual about my 338-06AI.

 

[DrMike]

Oh, yeah, that cartridge will work just fine for bison. The 330 Dakota would be a great cartridge to load for as well.

 

[tddeangelo]

Scotty, avert your eyes now.

I've been thinking about turning my .30-06 M70 into a 338-06, maybe even an AI, who knows.....or a 35 Whelen. It's a long ways off yet till that's a front-burner project, and Scotty wants another friend with a Whelen.

 

[DrMike]

Tom,

Any of the three would be a great addition to your arsenal, and they would introduce a new level of lethality to taking big game.

 

[SJB358]

Tom,

Any of the three would be a great addition to your arsenal, and they would introduce a new level of lethality to taking big game.

+2, the Dr doesn't lie! Any of them are cool. I am just biased as I have a Whelen. Were it the other way around, I am sure I would champion that oversized wood chuck killer too! Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Tom,

Any of the three would be a great addition to your arsenal, and they would introduce a new level of lethality to taking big game.

I agree.

Where I struggle is I'm not sure what I'm trying to do that a 300WSM, .30-06, or .257 Roberts won't do (which are the M70 chamberings I currently possess).

But I've long maintained that the introduction of logic into such decisions is rarely the right thing to do.

 

[DrMike]

I've long maintained that the introduction of logic into such decisions is rarely the right thing to do.

Logic! It'll get you in trouble every time. I'll go all post-modern on you and tell you, "Follow your heart" (unless it is leading you toward a Remington).

 

[tddeangelo]

I've long maintained that the introduction of logic into such decisions is rarely the right thing to do.

Logic! It'll get you in trouble every time. I'll go all post-modern on you and tell you, "Follow your heart" (unless it is leading you toward a Remington).

Um.....no. It's not.

The only hunting rifle I own that ISN'T a CRF is the 257 Bob because it's an XTR model of the M70.

I do see a Ruger No1 or Marlin lever in 45-70 in my future at some point. Don't know when, but at some point.

I did, in fact, shoot my first deer and later my first buck each with a Remington 700 (two separate rifles, too). I've matured a bit, though, and now understand things a bit better.