338-375 Ruger build

[JD338]

Scotty,

Fluts are nice, they cut some weight and allow you to go with a bigger, stiffer contour. As I recall, my Hart #5 fluted 24" barrel weighed about .5 lb less that a std #5.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Hopefully they surprise you and it's early or you'll be shooting it next year. I guess the Whelen or the .338WM will get to make the trip to Ideeho instead.

BTW Bugholes has a bunch of Brux #5 fluted and unfluted .338 barrels in stock as well as a Rock Creek #5 5R if you didn't want to wait. I've used Brux with good success and I have a Rock Creek in the safe that is a 6.5mm. You could have it up and running before elk season if the smith could work it in.

Oh yeah, I wasn't planning on seeing this rig until next year, mid year at best... I think the space for the barrels and other things kinda gives me the ability to buy it in pieces so I don't have to put out alot of money at once. We are actually still looking for a smith to do the work for us as well. Plus, with me not getting home till Sept, leaving in Oct to hunt doesn't leave me much time to for rifle work. The Whelen and 338 are already to hunt right now, and the 300WSM is shooting well too.

 

[jmad_81]

Don't worry scotty. We'll have a bunch of load data for you when you get back. :lol:

 

[usmc 89]

I have a Smith if you guys get your parts rounded up he is doing my 300 Norma should be done in 6 weeks will let you know. would be done sooner but still figuring out what teamed we want to use

 

[SJB358]

I have a Smith if you guys get your parts rounded up he is doing my 300 Norma should be done in 6 weeks will let you know. would be done sooner but still figuring out what teamed we want to use

Great intel Jeff. I have thought about your smith as well. I would be interested in hearing what he has to say. May have to pass that off to the surrogate (Brian).

Nathan passed some good information about a Wyatt's extended mag box for the Winchester. He says it is a fairly straight forward operation and would allow a longer COAL. I would really like to get the rifle chambered to accept 250 AB's without pushing much past the shoulder junction.

 

[SJB358]

Don't worry scotty. We'll have a bunch of load data for you when you get back. :lol:

That is what I am hoping for!

 

[257 Ackley]

Well it looks like things are shaping up guys! I like your choice in barrel manufacturer. These guys have been great to work with. Just sent my Bartlein off to the gunsmith to start the 6.5X47 build.

Brian - here is the phone # for Steve Wald to discuss some of the ideas you are thinking about for the build: 701 527-8447. He usually doesn't answer with phone numbers he doesn't recognize, so make sure to leave him a message if he doesn't answer.

 

[JD338]

Brian and Scotty,

You fellas got this sorted out pretty quick!
Its going to be fun. 8)

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

What are you guys doing for optics on these beasts?

 

[Woodycreek]

I have a Smith if you guys get your parts rounded up he is doing my 300 Norma should be done in 6 weeks will let you know. would be done sooner but still figuring out what teamed we want to use

Thanks for getting me Bruce's number. He is a great guy to talk with about building rifles.

Well it looks like things are shaping up guys! I like your choice in barrel manufacturer. These guys have been great to work with. Just sent my Bartlein off to the gunsmith to start the 6.5X47 build.

Brian - here is the phone # for Steve Wald to discuss some of the ideas you are thinking about for the build: <a href="tel:701 527-8447">701 527-8447</a>. He usually doesn't answer with phone numbers he doesn't recognize, so make sure to leave him a message if he doesn't answer.

Called him yesterday and left a message. I will try and hit him up tomorrow.

 

[Woodycreek]

Brian and Scotty,

You fellas got this sorted out pretty quick!
Its going to be fun. 8)

JD338

Don't know if we have it sorted out? Learning on the fly? Oh yea :lol:

 

[Woodycreek]

What are you guys doing for optics on these beasts?

I'm thinking VX-6 2-12 or 3-18 as my first choice. Maybe a Zeiss Conqest 4.5-14 as my second?

 

[nvbroncrider]

What are you guys doing for optics on these beasts?

I'm thinking VX-6 2-12 or 3-18 as my first choice. Maybe a Zeiss Conqest 4.5-14 as my second?

What about a 2.5-15X44 Z6?

 

[usmc 89]

you boys need to save some money up and get the nightforce 2.5x10 compact we had a guy bring one out on an ar last week great scopes and great reticle choices. very small scopes, but yeah they are expensive but you only have to buy it once well maybe more than that after you use one.

 

[SJB358]

Man, who can think about scopes right now! :lol:

Actually, I have the Minox 2-10 on the 338 right now, so unless something changes, it'll likely remain on top of the rifle for the long term. Who knows though, once I start pulling the rifle apart for the build, it may migrate to another rifle so I am not sure what will happen.

I am going to keep my eye for the Leica and am not looking past the NF if they have a truly compact model out.

 

[Woodycreek]

you boys need to save some money up and get the nightforce 2.5x10 compact we had a guy bring one out on an ar last week great scopes and great reticle choices. very small scopes, but yeah they are expensive but you only have to buy it once well maybe more than that after you use one.

What are you guys doing for optics on these beasts?

I'm thinking VX-6 2-12 or 3-18 as my first choice. Maybe a Zeiss Conqest 4.5-14 as my second?

What about a 2.5-15X44 Z6?

So much for that rifle build on a budget! I have used the Nightforce 5.5-22 a few times and the 2.5-10 would be a good one. Swaro Z6??? The rifle is gonna cost me enough as it is :lol:

 

[SJB358]

So much for that rifle build on a budget! I have used the Nightforce 5.5-22 a few times and the 2.5-10 would be a good one. Swaro Z6??? The rifle is gonna cost me enough as it is :lol:

A Z6 would be a nice one, or a Z5 as well. Hard to tell right now, by the time we are done, I might have to run peep sights on it for awhile!

 

[DrMike]

Make it right, and you can use it as a decoration because you won't have money for bullets and powder! :shock: Seriously, you want the best glass possible for a quality build like that. Nothing wrong with a Z6 atop a fine rifle like that. :grin:

 

[Woodycreek]

Thanks for the words of encouragement :mrgreen: Currently thinking of what stock will go with this build. A good McMillan, Manners, and now High Tech stocks?

 

[jmad_81]

I had it all planned out...until lastnight :? I was going to take my VX-III 3.5-10x40 off of my 338 WM and put in on the 270 Weatherby, and put my VX-III RL 4.5-14x40 on the 338/375R that was going to be built on my 338 WM. Simple fix right, don't need any new scopes, stocks, nothing. I was ready to roll, with a turn key project.

Then something dangerous happened, I started thinking about it. I really like my 338 WM. I took my first bear with it, my first bull elk, my biggest bull elk, my first four point Mulie, and my first trip to africa with it. That rifle has a lot of stories behind it and I started to struggle with the idea of tearing it apart.

So after a quick conversation with a buddy, we both agreed that that kind of rifle doesn't need anything done to it, except maybe exercised, and bloodied every now and then, and passed down to the next generation.

So I got my eye out for a donor action. Still moving forward with it, just with a different action. I was talking to Jorey about it lastnight and he asked my, "you already have a 338 WM, why do you want another .338?" I just said "funny, coming from the guy with a 7 mag and a 7 RUM."

We got a good laugh about it.

But that is why I asked about the scopes. I'll have to look for another one now. So, now that I'm starting from scratch, this thing won't be ready for elk season for sure. It's going to take a while longer to gather the additional fundage, and parts. I'm liking the idea of a minimum power around that 4.5-5 range and a max in the 14-18 range. If this is going to be a dedicated elk rifle, I want to be able to use it in all places "elkish", includung some timber. I also want some sort of Turret for the longer range work. I'm not talking 1000 yards by any means, but 600-700 if the conditions are right. My brother has a Viper HS 5-15 on his .284. I like the 1/3 mil click idea in combination with the mil dot reticel. Makes for using one range card for hold over or dialing.