.338-06 Handi?

[taylorce1]

I did a search and see quite a few of you guys have re-bored some barrels to .338-06 but the subject hasn't been talked recently.  I do like my .338-06 but mine is built on a 1903 action.  Mine is a little heavy so I don't seem to carry it much and the only game I've taken with it is a little old pronghorn doe.  I'm thinking my Handi might make a better carry rig. 

I did have a chance once on an elk with the rifle but when I pulled up on her I could see orange on the other side so I didn't shoot, didn't stop the guy on the other side from shooting though.     I don't think he ever realized I was there.  Last time I hunted that area as well just too many hunters there. 

So what barrels did you use for your re-bore?  I'm thinking the .25-06 Ultra would be the best canidate for the job.  How are they shooting for you?  This just seems a more afordable option then buying a barrel for my Encore along with the furniture to convert it to a rifle. 

I'm able to push my .338-06 to 2900 fps with a 200 grain Hornady SP (56.5 gr RL 15, CCI 200, Norma Brass) and hold 3 shots to an inch.  Would this kind of velocity be putting too much stress on a Handi rifle?  Wouldn't mind a .35 Whelen as well but those barrels seem as rare as hens teeth, but my current Whelen is about 2lbs lighter than my .338-06. 

[brennemanj83]

I have been contemplating the same thing.I was thinking of starting with a 25-06 or 280 barrel as they are both 26'' long.I think a 26'' barrel would be better suited for the 338-06.

[quickdtoo]

I only know of a couple that have 338-06 H&Rs here, Mac(he sold his tho) and I both had 25-06 barrels rechambered and rebored, mine to 338-06 A-Square which is slightly different, the brass is a bit longer than reformed brass, I only use Weatherby brass in mine. The 26" barrel will push 180gr bullets well over 3000fps, is very accurate with 200gr, 230gr and 250gr bullets as well, GBO sponsor Wayne York of Oregunsmithing did the work for us.

Tim

[Troyboy]

I have mac's 338-06. I loaded up a bunch ammo but have not had time to shoot it. I've been told that it is a real good shooter from the member i bought it from.

[taylorce1]

I only know of a couple that have 338-06 H&Rs here, Mac(he sold his tho) and I both had 25-06 barrels rechambered and rebored, mine to 338-06 A-Square which is slightly different, the brass is a bit longer than reformed brass, I only use Weatherby brass in mine. The 26" barrel will push 180gr bullets well over 3000fps, is very accurate with 200gr, 230gr and 250gr bullets as well, GBO sponsor Wayne York of Oregunsmithing did the work for us.

Tim

Mine is an A-Square as well just to lazy to type that all out.  I bought the Norma .338-06 A-Square for much less than I could buy the Weatherby brass for.  They were less than $1.00 each delivered when I bought 100 pieces, now they run $130 per 100 at Huntington's.   http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_norma.html

Hadn't really thought about a .338-06 on a handi until I just recently got a SB2 frame.

Chad

[quickdtoo]

Seems to me Weatherby was the only source for the brass 4 years ago when I had mine done, got mine from Cabelas for $18 per 20 IIRC which seemed like a lot then, but not any more, they want $33 for 20 now. 

Tim

[taylorce1]

I bought the brass I think 4 years ago as welll.  I read that Norma was making the brass for Weatherby, so I searched the web until I found some.  I don't remember exactly what I paid but it was either $75-80 plus shipping, but I do know it was less than $100 delivered.  I think Nosler now makes brass as well??

Really a shame that the cartridge hasn't gained more popularity.  If Savage, Winchester, or Remington had chambered the cartridge first instead of Weatherby, of if it came out in a Vanguard first it might have caught on better.  $1200-1400 rifles and $3 a cartridge didn't help to get it out in the average hunters hands.