Rifle Build Help

I purchased a pre-64 M70 in 30-06 at a good price. This is not the featherweight but the classic model. Bottom metal is rough, stock has nicks and scratches from hunting but is solid and looks like it will refinsh just fine. My desire to build a 338-06 is about to take wings.

If it were you,would you build it as an A-square or in the Ackley Improved chambering? What barrel lenth, conture, and twist would you choose (flutted or non-fluted)? This will not be a mountain rifle by any means but would like to keep the weight down if possible. I don't want a muzzel break so the rifle will have a recoil pad instead of the present butt plate. Any ideas on one recoil pad over another? Should I abandon the iron sights our would you choose to keep them and install QD scope mounts? I have a gun smith in mind here in South La. Have not yet spoke to the guy, wanting to get my ideas together before I pitch him my plan.
Can any of you rifle guys give me your input? it will be most helpfull. Thanks in advance.

LaGriz

It all comes down to how much you want to spend. a decent barrel and a decent fiberglass stock will get you where you're going fairly inexpensive.

Your standard action could be opened up to a magnum and you could build a 338 win mag if 338 bore is what you want. that's what I'd do.











Stay thirsty my friends

LAST EDITED ON May-06-14 AT 12:18PM (MST)[p]I inherited a .338-06 Ackley from my dad. It shoots real nice but has punishing recoil. It's the old Ruger M77 that pretty much just had the barrel replaced, a few other things were done too. It started out as a 25-06.

Edit*
If you're set on the .338-06, I don't think there is any real advantage to the A-Square or Ackley, or at least that I heard.

Definitely have a good recoil pad installed, maybe one of those mercury recoil reducers as well. I have not tried them before, but they seem like they would work. Maybe someone else can comment on them.

LaGriz, Sounds like you have a good plan! I like the idea of a .338 bullet from a '06 case, ought to be a decent medium range cartridge for as big of game as you care to hunt. I'd go a 24" lighter to medium barrel, no need to go any longer or heavier than that.

I'm not sure if it's worth it or not to Improve the case in this instance. I just have no experience in the matter but there are loads of websites available to check out, shooters nest and 24campfire, among them.

Read up on everything available to you and then make up your own mind on what you want. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

LaGriz, I just finished a M700 project rifle in 8mm Rem Mag for elk hunting. Muzzlebrake, glass-bedded, free-floated and trigger job, refinished the stock myself.

I put a muzzle brake on it to tame recoil and recommend you do the same for your 338-06. I like non-flutted barrels and belive a 24" (what I used) will gleam all the velocity from the 338-06 and still be easily managed in the woods. My bottom metal was in good condition but you can re-blue the steel used on those pre-64s. A Pachmyr decelerator recoil pad will work nicely and be functional as well (fairly tough). I can't recommend the A-square caliber over the Ackley but have seen reloading dies for the Ackely's more available. I don't like to remove anything once mounted on my rifles so mount a scope low as you comforatably can. My wife found a tight weave OD-green nylon strap and permanently sewed swivels into it for my sling (it'll never break or deteriorate). Ditch the iron sights and free-floats the barrel so it will vibrate repeatedly without undue influence, this will contribute a lot to improve accuracy. I put a 4x12 Leupold on my 8mm with the solid, twist type dove-tail mounts front and rear . Make sure to glass bed since you're re-using the wooden stock. I did my own stock for the Rem 700 action and it was pretty easy then totally refinished it with Birchwood casey's stock oil. The trigger of a pre-64 is easily adjusted by a gunsmith, make sure to do it... about 3 lbs is common for hunting. When I download the photo off my cell phone I'll post it here...

Good Luck with your project!

I don't find a 338-06 punishing by any means, nor do I want/need a break on it. IMO it kicks as much as a 30-06. Same amount of powder, and the bullet is just a bit heavier. I shoot 200grain Accubonds and 225 Partitions. I also have a 35 Brown/Whelen that weighs about a pound less than the 338-06 that isn't all that punishing to shoot either. Even with 250gr bullets.

This is my 338-06AI, in M70 Pre-64 action, 25" Shilen barrel, bubba'ed into a featherweight stock, Pachmyer decelerator pad, and "classic" bottom metal. I like this rifle, but don't hunt with it much anymore, too many options in the closet... If I was to do it again, I'd put a standard featherweight contour barrel on it, and cut it at 21-22". That would take nearly a pound off it, and make much more likely to go in the field with me. Right now scoped its about 8.5lbs. The extra barrel length really doesn't gain you much, maybe 15fps/inch, and is variable on powder.

My Next "build" will be a 416 Taylor on a M70 Pre-64 action. At the rate that the actions are devaluing, I should be able to afford one in a few more years.

Here are a few pics of my project rifle.

Here is the muzzlebrake.

Here is the stock I refinished.