.338/06 in a Remy M700 Titanium for an elk rifle ....... ?

[Couger]

Hello to all ......

I'm toying with the idea of rebarreling a M700Ti to .338/06 (the .338 OKH!   ).  Not interested in shooting a Whelen.

Those of you familiar with the Remington titanium M700's and the .338/06 cart, what are your opinions/thoughts on an elk rig made up with a titanium action and appropriately heavy barrel (heavier than factory contour!) in the .338/06 A-Square?

This rifle would have a 24 inch chrome-moly bbl in whatever contour would add 8 - 12 ounces to the rifle before mounts, scope, covers, sling and four rounds were stuffed in the magazine.  Bullets would be 210-225 grn Noslers or similar weights in Sierra and Hornady pills.

Comments please?  Insights?  Biases?

[Ranger413]

I don't have any real opinion on the rifle per se, but the cartridge is a winner as far as I'm concerned.  I think you would to great with this round for elk, and it seems like you're doing your homework designing the rifle for its intended purpose.  Good luck with it.

Ranger413

[Couger]

Thanks for your post Ranger, and your comments.

I've taken four elk - 2 with the .270W and 2 with the .338WM.  Plus numerous mulies and pronghorns.

When I started hunting 30+ years ago, the conventional wisdom was that 95% of the big game taken would be at ranges less than 250yds.  This has proven true for me.

In addition, while many hunters/shooters don't like "SUXKS" (Remington) rifles, its hard to knock the success I've had with M700's.  And using the titanium version of that action with appropriate barrel (brand and contour), stock, scope and mounts, etc. ought to make a decent outfit.

And there is some appeal for using a modern .333 OKH.   :wink:

I've seen M700's that 'swiss chessed' to cut down on ounces (SA'a and LA's).  Going with the Ti action eliminates much of that micro-machining.

The optics I'm considering are the Leupy VX2 2X7X and 3X9X, and their euro versions of those scopes in 30mm.

Besides the Nosler Partitions I'll also work up loads with Accubonds and BT's  180's, 200's, and 225's).

The .338WM with 225 PT is a heckuva elk cartridge - even at medium velocities.

[Ranger413]

I did a lot of studying to come up with my final choice of the 338-06.  I wanted something capable of putting down big animals.  I also wanted to try somthing a little out of the box, but also something that wasn't too difficult to get into (i.e. something easy to form w/o being too much of a wildcat).

I liked what I heard about the 338-06 in that it was a good lower-recoil alternative to the 338 Win Mag.  It helped that it only trailed the 338 by a couple hundred feet per second as well.  Just what I was looking for.

I'm working on loads with the 225gr. Hornady Interbond and Varget powder right now.  So far I'm pretty happy with initial loads, averaging about 1 1/2" at 100 yards with starting loads.

As far as actions goes, I chose the Savage action due to the easy DIY barrel swaps.  Again, I'm really happy with how mine has turned out.  You can read some of my posts below and see.

Ranger413

[Paparock]

Erased by Paparock

[Bigboar]

Hello to all ......

I'm toying with the idea of rebarreling a M700Ti to .338/06 (the .338 OKH!   ).  Not interested in shooting a Whelen.

Those of you familiar with the Remington titanium M700's and the .338/06 cart, what are your opinions/thoughts on an elk rig made up with a titanium action and appropriately heavy barrel (heavier than factory contour!) in the .338/06 A-Square?

This rifle would have a 24 inch chrome-moly bbl in whatever contour would add 8 - 12 ounces to the rifle before mounts, scope, covers, sling and four rounds were stuffed in the magazine.  Bullets would be 210-225 grn Noslers or similar weights in Sierra and Hornady pills.

Comments please?  Insights?  Biases?

I think that combo would make a dynamite combo.  I used a Mark X Mauser action and an E.R. Shaw barrel in 338/06 I love this cal..  It nocks the snot out of anything you may hit with it.  I hit a big boar with it at 75 yds. with a 200 Nosler BT.  The boar flipped end for end and just quivered there, it never took another step.  You'll love this cal; if you want any help with loads just email me.  ps. I just received a bunch of Woodleigh 250 grain slugs and need to run them through the chronograph.  The do look deadly though.


Bigboar

[260 AAR]

A guy I know had a Ti [30/06] rebored to 338 and the neck opened to the calibre for 338/06. He lies it and it does shoot good. Light too!

Aloha, Mark

[6.5Jeffrey]

Dont be in too much of a hurry to add weight with the heavier contour barrel. The 338/06 is very efficient and that, as well as a good stock shape/fit, will also give less recoil than the "magnums."
  I shoot two 338/06 IMP and both run with the 338WM with less powder, less noise, less recoil. I only wish they weighed less! See if you can find someone with a Weatherby Ultra Light in 338-06 you could shoot, youll be surprised how gentle it is.
  Remember your gonna carry that rifle many hours and many miles for every shot.   

[charles p]

Consider at Mod 70 in 300WSM or 325WSM.  Weight should be about the same and cheaper than rebarreling a perfectly good rifle.  Not sure what calibers they offer in the featherweight configuration.

[Mckie Hollow]

Couger - FYI - Keep in mind - I don't think the Action is Titanium - Only the receiver. I believe the Bolt is the same as always. Same with the Brownings. There are and were, very few Titanium actions Made, They are very difficult to machine. The only commercial ones that I know of is Found @ Empire Rifles or Satterlee / Neco.