.338-06...

BC Bigbore

BC Bigbore

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I've been mulling the idea around for a few years and being a M70 fan, have finally concluded that my M70 Featherweight XTR in .270Win. needs a heavier caliber mate. I bought another M70 Featherweight, this one being the Classic model with CRF in .30-06 and am going to have it rebarreled and chambered to .338-06. Since this rifle will be carried a lot and in keeping with the Featherweight theme, I'm looking at a barrel length of about 22" with a fairly thin contour. Any advice from those that have a .338-06? Thanks...
 
22 inchs is the perfect length for this caliber. My M70 338-06 with a 22 inch gaillard tube is great for brush hunting. I also have a 338-06 on a P17 action with a 23" barrel that is also very handy. You probably won't notice much fps improvement either if you go any longer. Any longer gets unwieldy too when your in the sticks.
It's a great round for any animal out there, with amazing power for a non-magnum powder burn. Would the term 'soft-magnum' be accurate?
 
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I have a 24" barrel on my 338-06. When I had it re-barreled I wanted my gunsmith to finish it at 22" He told me to try it for a while with the 24" and see what I thought.

His reasoning was that he could always take off an inch or two but it would be a ##### to add more if I decided it was too short. ;)

That was 4 years ago and the barrel is still at 24". I found the extra length added a bit more weight out front which really helped steady out my off-hand shooting (I shot the same rifle for 20 years with a 22" barrel and the difference was very noticeable)

The longer barrel also helps to keep the muzzle down when follow up shots may be needed, important with a light-weight rifle.
 
Mine is finished at 22" and is fairly light, I really notice the muzzle jump in it, but it is really nice to pack around, you spend more time packing it around than shooting it right? I think you can't go wrong with this cartrige.:D
 
My "main" loading is the 225 Hornady SP @ 2700 fps;

A great all-round choice is the 200 Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 2800 fps;

The no longer made 250 Trophy Bonded Bear Claw @ 2550 fps. Great if you need to stop a tank. ;) ;

Laser like trajectory but s**tty accuracy in my rifle the Barnes 175 "X" @ 3000 fps :shotgun:
 
BC Bigbore, Ron Smith built a 24" pipe for mine which I asked for but it was in a heavier taper which I did not want. He said he needed it that thick to put the iron sights on (D&T'd).

I think you are on the right track with the 22" pipe too. And if you are packing it more than shooting it for pleasure by all means go with the lighter contour. Only downside is a loss of maybe 50-75 fps (no real loss) and perhaps a louder report and the recoil could be a tad different as mentioned already.

I had in mind to shoot the heavy bullets in my rifle, the 250gr Hornady and 275gr Speer. With the gain twist ending up at 1-9.75 it shot the heavy bullets very well and anything lighter than 225 not worth a crap. Ron said the twist rate for lighter bullets is better made to 1-12"

Hope this helps,

Noel
 
Bevan King built, threaded , and chambered the barrel on my rifle. The gunsmith I use - Gordon Mayfield in Williams Lake put it all together. I was talking to a friend the other day though and he mentioned Gordon has been away a fair bit lately.

If I was you I would try and talking Bevan King into coming out of "retirement" to put a rifle together for you.


BTW, My barrel has a standard 1 in 10 twist and it shoots everything from 180 grain Ballistic Tips to the very long 250 grain TBBC very well.
 
I hate short barreled rifles. 24" minimum for any big game caliber for me. But that's just me, if you've met me you probably understand...

Anyway, I had a 338-06 for a while, and it's a fantastic little cartridge. 2700fps or so from the 225 interbonds over 4064, and inch-accuracy at a hundred. Also as a side note, with this bullet at that speed the trajectory is nearly identical to 168gr loads with a 308.
 
prosper said:
I hate short barreled rifles. 24" minimum for any big game caliber for me. But that's just me, if you've met me you probably understand...

Anyway, I had a 338-06 for a while, and it's a fantastic little cartridge. 2700fps or so from the 225 interbonds over 4064, and inch-accuracy at a hundred. Also as a side note, with this bullet at that speed the trajectory is nearly identical to 168gr loads with a 308.
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My M70 version likes the 225 interbonds also. I am very impressed at how efficient the cartridge is. :dancingbanana:
 
Amphibious has a 24" tube on his and we could get the 225 grain Interbond going 2675 fps over H4350, with 3/4 inch groups. The 250 grain Interlock did 2540 fps and similar accuracy.

Personally I'd eb trying the 210 grain TSX over either Varget/RL15 or 4350. Its a great cartridge
 
M70 338-06

BCB,

I've been scraping parts together for 338-06 build for awhile now. Just got the biggest piece of the puzzle a few weeks ago on CGN, a LH M70 Classic in 30-06, NIB. Have a Ron Smith SS tube on the way, when it comes I'll be good to go.

I think I may have made a mistake on the barrel contour though........ my gunsmith talked me into a magnum contour, I'm wishing I went with at least a light sporter............. It will be finished at 24", for now.;) :)
 
LittleBoyLefty said:
BCB,


I think I may have made a mistake on the barrel contour though........ my gunsmith talked me into a magnum contour, I'm wishing I went with at least a light sporter............. It will be finished at 24", for now.;) :)
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Yup, that sounds like Ron!:p
He is a great guy and I hold him in highest regard but the biggest reason I sold my gun was it weighed toomuch to carry in the hills all day long.:(

He can sure make a nice barrel tho!
 
Mine is standard taper 22".My reasoning was I like ease of handling over velocity.Heck ,it's a thumper. But since I getting 2650 with Hornady 225 and Big Game,it's a flat shooting as average 30.06 and 180s.
 
Noel said:
Yup, that sounds like Ron!:p
He is a great guy and I hold him in highest regard but the biggest reason I sold my gun was it weighed toomuch to carry in the hills all day long.:(

He can sure make a nice barrel tho!
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Well, Noel, to be fair, It wasn't Ron who talked me into the heavy contour....... although he may have been exerting influence behind the scene.;) :) I was fine with the contour recommended till last weekend, shooting my buds new Kimber Montana in 338 WM. If a pencil thin barrel, like that rifle has, can handle the WM why not the 338-06? This has been bugging me ever since.:redface:

Me thinks I'll be making a phone call to the smith.
 
Ron and I went back and forth for a long time with the contour thing.
I hold him in very high regard as he has shot more than I ever hope too.
Eventually we agreed on the heavier taper. I should have gotten a banded front sight instead but I would have sold it later anyway. My tastes have gotten way to expensive to keep a Parker Hale.:redface: :rolleyes: ;)

Please do say hi to him for me the next time you see him. I didn't get to the gunshow this year.
 
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