If you were building an elk rifle....

[SJB358]

Man, I was looking at the new Hornady #8 and they have some really promising loads for the 338-06. I think they list 2600 for the 250's and 3K for the 185gr GMX. That is really strong stuff. Makes a 30-06 eat its heart out! I can't think of a better reason to own a 338-06! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

The 338-06 is a sweet cartridge. It is every bit as easy to load for as the 35 Whelen. There is the advantage of a great selection of 33 calibre bullets. I doubt that I'd jettison my 35 Whelen, but I wouldn't turn down a 338-06 if the opportunity presented itself.

 

[Big Squeeze]

Good point BS. It is an Awesome 338! Totally agree there. If I was building a LR 338, the Accumark in 338-378 would be a strong contender. Hard to get too much more out of a custom rifle that does more. Your also right about component cost in regards to tags, licenses, fees, fuel money, tips and such. Looking forward to hearing about your load development in the future. What are you feeding it? How has it shot. I haven't seen any posts on it yet. I am fascinated by the big 338's. Jim 338RUM is a monster, can't imagine more than that! Scotty

.................The idea behind the Accumark was,,,to eliminate any need for a build in the first place. If you were building a L/R 338, then no need to build just as I did. The Accumark is a great factory substitute for any 338 build.

Started working with and still am with H1000, RL25 and some 225 gr Hornadys. Here`a couple of great hunting loads.

113.4 gr RL25 @ 3264 fps...........0.714" (outside hole to outside hole)
111.5 gr H1000 @ 3047 fps.........0.672" (..............ditto...................)

 

[SJB358]

Wow, that is ALOT of powder and some very impressive figures. The Accumark is a nice rifle. Were I to buy another WBY, that would probably be the one I would get. Sounds like it is shaping up to be a great rifle. What are you looking to use as your hunting bullet? I imagine the 250gr AB would be awesome for its LR prowess and ability to hold together up close at those kinda speeds. Scotty

 

[JD338]

The 338-378 Wby is a beast. Makes my 338 RUM look timid. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[Big Squeeze]

Wow, that is ALOT of powder and some very impressive figures. The Accumark is a nice rifle. Were I to buy another WBY, that would probably be the one I would get. Sounds like it is shaping up to be a great rifle. What are you looking to use as your hunting bullet? I imagine the 250gr AB would be awesome for its LR prowess and ability to hold together up close at those kinda speeds. Scotty

............Don`t really know yet on the hunting bullet. Either the 225 gr Horn or the 250 AB are good candidates.

However, I`m kinda keeping my eye on Berger to see when they`ll finally pur-fect the 300 gr VLD to perform the same way as their 30 cal and smaller diameter VLDs. I still think they might be working some bugs out.

A 300 gr VLD with a BC of over .700, moving from the muzzle at some 2800-2900 fps, will be some very serious and extremely devastating elk medicine...........

 

[SJB358]

That 300gr bullet does sound pretty awesome at those speeds. Seems like it would be a beast. Can't imagine a 250gr AB would be too terribly bad either. Lots of great bullets for the .338's. Scotty

 

[super-7]

While most like the wsm's for the action size, and weight savings, I would build myself a rifle on the original long range cal. 8MM rem mag. I would start with a good after market 700 action, coupled with a 26 " shilen barrel and a zeiss rapid z-800 for optics. I think any bull elk foolish enough to be spotted within 550-600 yrds would be in deep trouble, pushing a 220 gr projectile @ 3000 fps surely would get the job done. (Hey quit calling me shirley)lol.

 

[taylorce1]

The 338-06 is a sweet cartridge. It is every bit as easy to load for as the 35 Whelen. There is the advantage of a great selection of 33 calibre bullets. I doubt that I'd jettison my 35 Whelen, but I wouldn't turn down a 338-06 if the opportunity presented itself.

I agree DrMike! Thinking of building my second one right now. Picked up an old Win 670 for a song and thinking of sending it off to Pac-Nor for a light contour barrel 22/24" long. Going to run 225 grain AB's through it and I should be good to 400+/- yards. Thinking of putting the barreled action into an Edge stock and 2.5-8X36 VX3 on top probably with a B&C reticle. Hoping to keep the whole rifle weight around 8 lbs loaded.

 

[mcseal2]

Good ideas everyone, I'd hate to be the elk that walks out in front of you guys!

I found a deal on a different action I couldn't pass. Picked up a Ruger M77 tang safety 7mm Rem Mag for $280. I'll get the trigger done and shoot it just in case it shoots to well to mess with, but I bought it for the action. I know the Ruger action's aren't popular to build on, but I have 2 that I've been very happy with. My gunsmith has built several others also off this action and likes it. The more looking I did, the more I wanted to be able to push the 200gr AccuBond around 2900fps. My reloading books all agree that I should be able to get close to that. I will have to deal with more length than I wanted to, but that bullet should handle anything short of a big bear. I want an excuse to own a 375 Ruger someday so before any big bear hunting I will have to buy one. Having the 264/270WSM, a good 300WM, and a 375 should have me set for anything. If I build a 338 I wouldn't have as good an excuse to get another rifle. I didn't draw for elk this fall so I have some time to work with.

Thanks for all the input, it's nice to get opinions from knowledgable shooters.

 

[SJB358]

I like Ruger bolt guns alot. I think they are built like tanks and the few Rugers I have are great shooters. I think you are right on to look at the 200gr bullets in the 300. I push the 200gr GK about 2940 out of my Ruger 300WM. It is a great shooter. Once I get my gear back together, I have some loads already put together with the 200gr PT. I am thinking once I get that squared away it will handle anything I would ever do with the 300WM.

Not to take away from the 7RM, but that would be a close 2nd with 160-175gr PT's. I think you could drive those big PT's into the 2900 range and really have a high BC'ed bullet that would penetrate as well as most big 338 bullets. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I still think that striped elk Desert Fox took is the biggest spike I've ever seen! :grin:

(DF, mildly jealous of your Africa trip here...)

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Good ideas everyone, I'd hate to be the elk that walks out in front of you guys!

. If I build a 338 I wouldn't have as good an excuse to get another rifle. Thanks for all the input, it's nice to get opinions from knowledgable shooters.

The is America. Who needs an excuse to buy a rifle? Bills are paid, IRA is funded, and it's not on plastic, buy the rife.

 

[mcseal2]

Good point, I just like to talk myself into the need for one. I never have much trouble convincing myself.

 

[BK]

Lately I've been thinking I need to pick up one of the Ruger Hawkeye Sporters, with the black laminate stock, in .338. I would think the little bit of extra weight that the laminate handle brings with it might not be a bad thing shooting it off the bench.

 

[Desert Fox]

I still think that striped elk Desert Fox took is the biggest spike I've ever seen! :grin:

(DF, mildly jealous of your Africa trip here...)

A curly spike at that :grin: . Anyway, I am really impressed with the 375 caliber. Seeing what Bullet's Weatherby did in Africa and your Holland and Holland did to the bear, I came into conclusion that the 375 is the best all around cartridge there is. Another buddy of mine will be after a buffalo in Zimbabwe this coming June. This will be his 2nd trip to the black continent. He will be hunting with his Savage in 375 H&H.

 

[widgeon]

Yeah, elk or larger rifle = 375 H&H. Get one and don't look back.

 

[mcseal2]

My 300 project will need another action, the Ruger 7 mag I bought for an action is a shooter! It came floated and glass bedded with a limbsaver pad installed. My gunsmith cleaned it real good and set the trigger down to 2lbs for me. I mounted a 4.5x14 Leupold I had and got it sighted in with some factory 175gr corelokts I had around, then tried the 160gr AccuBond load my old rifle shot well. The first 3 went into .6", and I let it cool for 30 minutes and put another 3 into the group without increasing it. I haven't chronographed it yet, but the load shot 3050fps from my old rifle. I still want to build a 300 to shoot heavier bullets, but I won't try to tear down one that shoots like this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! If nothing else it will be a great backup rifle to take on elk and deer hunts.

 

[SJB358]

Man that sounds like a SCORE. So much for buying a "project". Post some pictures up of that rifle. That would be an excellent back up or heck, even a great primary rifle in a pinch! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Sounds like a keeper to me. I wouldn't mess with success.