Author Topic: Savage 338-06 project questions (Read 1401 times)

Ranger413 · « **on:** November 25, 2005, 03:37:32 PM »

I'm considering starting a new gun project. I've never built a bolt rifle but am a Sig armorer and have built my own AR.

I've never really been a fan of the Savage rifle, mainly due to inexperience with the brand, but I've been looking really hard at building a 338-06 on a Savage rifle.

I have an Encore rifle that I really like. I currently have a 209X50 and .223 heavy barrel for it. I could go the custom route and have a 338-06 made for it, but I really want a bolt gun.

Midway USA sells A&B 338-06 barrels for the Savage at a relatively cheap price. I figure with a wrench, a few headspace gauges, and a decent used Savage I could potentially have a nice 338-06 for hundreds less than a custom rig.

Do any of y'all have experience re-barreling a Savage? From what I've read so far it doesn't sound too hard. Also, what stocks are available that would make a nice "average" gun. I'm not looking for a super lightweight mountain rifle and I'm not wanting a varmint style stock. Just something classy and along the lines of the Weatherby monte carlo style maybe.

Thanks,

Ranger413

kiwi98j · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2005, 07:25:13 PM »

I've done a few Savage m-10/110 and variants over the years and you are correct - vise, barrel wrench, headspace gauges or sized brass and some common sense & moderate mechanical skills and you're good to go.

The 338-06A square uses a .473 bolt head so any donor rifle with that bolthead will work. Your donor action should be a long action although the short action will work but the magazine cutout will be too small. If your donor is small bolt head, you will need a .473 bolt head available for $20 or so from Brownell's or Midway or others. If the donor action is a magnum, you will need to convert from CRF to push feed (difficult) or buy a new bolt and bolt head - $90 plus. Also, earlier magnum chamberings did not use the current large shank & thread diameter and the striker and firing pin will not match replacement bolt and bolt head. Avoid the J series as the guard screw spacing makes finding a stock difficult. Not trying to tell you what to do but "been there done that"and the good folks at Midway and Brownell's try to help but just don't have the details.

Stock selection is extensive with many drop in (with minor finishing and inletting) offerings from Boyd's, Richards, McMillian, Choate, Bell & Carlson etc. I would look at Fred's at Sharp Shooter's Supply.

see this thread

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=78091

As I've indicated, I have some experience and am willing to share what I've learned from experience.

bgoldhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2005, 06:13:24 AM »

Kiwi, I am just starting to collect info on building my own as well. I was curious as to why it would have to be changed to push feed? I ask, as I would rather keep it CRF.

Thanks!

kiwi98j · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2005, 08:19:36 AM »

CRF bolthead is not available in .473 only .532.

bgoldhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:44:21 PM »

(smacking my head)

Thanks!

Ranger413 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2005, 01:01:34 PM »

Thanks for the input so far folks. I've started the project by puchasing a Savage rifle in 30-06. Figured I can't go wrong with that caliber since the 338-06 is just a necked out '06. WalMart has 'em for $350 including scope, rings, and mounts (Accutrigger model). I'll likely ditch the scope, rings, and mounts in favor of something more to my liking, but its a start.

I've also ordered a 338-06 A&B barrel, along with barrel wrench, Redding dies, and a Loadbook from MidwayUSA. I should be set for the conversion short the brass, bullets, powder and primer. I'm thinking about going the factory rounds so that I can try it out more quickly.

I'm also still looking for a suitable stock. I'll do loads of research browsing the suggested manufacturers, driving myself crazy in the process (too many choices out there). I'm thinking that I'd like something on the moderate side as weight is concerned to soak up some recoil. Either solid wood or laminated would do nicely I believe.

Ranger413

longwalker · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:48:18 AM »

You are going to love it. I did the same thing three years ago. The difference is I started off with a used 270. Regardless. I think you may need to inlarge the barrel channel as the 338-06 barrel is larger than the .270 and I wanted to float the barrel. Which I did.

Good luck you will have a shooter when you are done.

longwalker

kiwi98j · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2005, 07:10:42 PM »

Quote from: Ranger413

I'm also still looking for a suitable stock. . I'm thinking that I'd like something on the moderate side as weight is concerned to soak up some recoil. Either solid wood or laminated would do nicely I believe. Ranger413

I emphasize with you. I settled on a Richards micro thumbhole for a rifle I built for my daughter. A nice pepper laminate, good weight and balance set up for a hunting/target rifle. The Richards did not require too much time/work to complete the inletting, install pillars and bed. The wood needed a good bit of sanding before final finish. It was actually a satisfying and fun project and the rifle was attractive when completed. Unfortunately, I failed to take into account that at 5'3", my daughter's length of pull was much shorter than a "standard" stock so I had to modify a Savage laminate to fit her correctly. My point, be sure to check the length of pull for your stock choice as the Richards was 14" plus the 1" for the butt pad and it was too long for her.

jnclement · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2006, 06:10:11 AM »

So how did the 338-06 turn out? I was working the kinks out of mine (Savage 110 - A&B barrel), and a primer blew out on some Weatherby ammo and torched my bolt head. I was so disgusted, I haven't repaired it. Bought a new bolt head, but I've got the large firing pin, and haven't drilled it out. I've got some ammo from nosler I need to try in it, but I'll never use Weatherby again.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2006, 06:33:29 PM »

Check your lot numbers for the Weatherby ammo...I had some problems with mine last fall...and went to buying their brass instead of full factory ammo..I took back 2 different lot numbers..I never torched anything sinceI have a custom NEF in this..but out of 2 complete boxes..I had several that failed to fire...and several that I had to tap out of the chamber..which was enough for me to return them...I called Weatherby on it..and they wanted them back to test..I let my gun dealer give them to the Weatherby rep when he was in the store and they replaced them..Since then..I have fired a few boxes thru mine without a hitch.Also..I don't know who chamberd your rifle for you..but incase you didn't know..there are 2 completely differnt chamber sizes available for the round...and the 338-06 A-square is different than the 338-06 Wildcat..My gunsmith found this out...You can call Dave Kiff for the correct specs on this at and the supplier for my gunsmiths reamers.....
Pacific Tool and Gauge
PO BOX 2549 - 598 Ave C
White City, Oregon 97503
1-541-826-5808 FAX: 541-826-5304
or by e-mail at their web site.... Pacific Tool and Gauge

I use both 30-06 brass and 35 Whelen brass for resizing...or fireform with the Weatherby brass..and a 3 die set with a taper expander from Redding.

Good Luck

Mac.

Ranger413 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2006, 04:22:22 PM »

I'm not a whole lot further along with the custom 338-06 yet. Action, barrel, aftermarket recoil lug, bases, and rings are all in place. On the way is the scope. On order and hopefully not too far off in the distant future is the stock. I'm set with the pillars and bedding compound so when the stock arrives it shouldn't be too long after that before its all put together.

In the end here is how it will stack up:

Action - factory blued, sold original stock, barrel, scope, rings, and mounts for more $.
Barrel - Adams & Bennett 338-06 magnum proflie, blued
Recoil Lug - Sharp Shooters Supply, stainless steel
Mounts & Rings - Warne Maxima, matte
Scope - Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40, matte w/ ZPlex
Stock - Boyd Bros. JRS Classic, nutmeg laminate
Also planning to coat all of the blued finish items with some sort of matte black spray or bake-on finish so that all metal is matte black.

I've started the relaoding process. It will take quite awhile as I'm using a co-worker's bench here and there. So far I've sized some 30-06 brass and will be using Hornady 225 gr. Interbond bullets over some Hogdon Varget powder.

Ranger413

longwalker · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:31:11 AM »

I think you are starting out with a good size bullet. I shoot Speer bullets abd found the 200 shoot very well, but the 225 shoot better. If I were you I would not load to many at a time. It took me several combinations of powder and bullets to find the combination that worked best.

During the initial break in period I shoot the lightest loads listed. I shot twenty rounds cleaning in between. After that it was find the bullet and powder load that shot the best.

longwalker