[double d]

.338-'06 Ackley Brass

That's the beauty of the Ackley improved you can shoot factory ammo in it to make cases. 338/06 and 338/06 Improved are both made from 30-06 cases. Now can you fire 338/06 in a 338/06 improved. The answer is maybe. If the 338/06 improved you have is an Ackley Improved and the 338/06 you are going to shoot is nothing more than the 30-06 with the neck expanded out to take a 338 bullet and all other 30/06 measurements unchanged. Every thing will work just fine

The maybe part comes in because the 338/06 is a non standard wildcat. (exception 338/06 A Square its SAAMI) Different people have made there own versions with just slightly different measurements. The same applies to Improved cartridges Different people have made their own idea about improving. Basically what Improving does is blows the taper out of the case body and changes the shoulder angle. Some do in fact shorten the neck by blowing the body out. That's where you run into the problem.

If you are thinking about making a 338/06 Improved and have the ability to fire factory ammo in it in a pinch, then you are going to need to make a 338/06 A Square improved. The 338/06 A Square is the only Factory loaded 338-06. But don't bank on finding that A-Square ammo. It's not all that available. I have never seen a box of it yet, and I have looked.

By the way I have been shooting the 338/06 in an Ackley Improved Chambering for 18 years. Killed a bunch of game with it. Made my first cases from fifty 30-06 GI Ball rounds. I have 34 left, just checked. All cases lost were in the field. I check the game first and then come back and pick up the brass. I have some great hunting stories from this rifle

Last year I bought 50 new 30-06 nickel cases to replace the old Gi's. Got them all fire formed up and ready to go.

 

[double d]

.338-'06 Ackley Brass

I have used two bullets in the 338/06 AI and am working on a third. When I first built the gun I tested all the bullets that were avalable at the time. The load I settled on used IMR 4350, Federal 210 primer and a Sierra 250 grain. The load gave me 2805 fps average velocity across the chronograph and 1 inch average groups. I was able to get 3000 fps out of the load. But the charge weight exceed any printed loads I could find. I had no pressure signs and 3 inch groups. I backed down to the load I now use with the 250 grain bullets. Besides the 250 Sierra has a reputation for blowing up when driven to fast.

Notice there is no charge weight in front of that powder. Get one of the good load manuals and look the loads up and work them up in your gun. 4350 may not work in your gun.

The load I have used lately is RL-15, WW-LR primer and Nosler 180 gr. Ballistic tip. I used this as my Montana open country Deer rifle. This load has not been shot across the chronograph yet. This load is awesome on deer It makes a 338 caliber hole going in and 50 to 75 caliber hole going out, and you can eat right up to the hole. This load does not blood shot the meat like the manglems do. It is a good long range shooter also, I'd tell you about my Montana B-tag deer taken over 400 yards with this load, but you probably wouldn't believe me.

Again look up the charge weights and test RL-15 in your gun, it might not work for you.

I am now looking at the 200 gr. Nolser BT. Works good in my 338/08 so it should work great in my 338/06