ImBillT
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2018
- Messages
- 3,921
I almost didn’t do it. Frankly there weren’t many deals on the list, but there were a few.
I did okay on the one I got, but it wasn’t a fantastic deal. Stainless, fluted, cerakoted, PT&G bolt, threaded muzzle, already had the reamer. Gonna have about $950 in it. Not terrible. I do wish I’d gone with a longer barrel. Might not keep it either. I was on a light kick with some potential wilderness in my future, but after building two 9lb rifles over the summer, I don’t want to go any lighter than that and now wish the barrel was longer.
The one I built as an alternative to the 338Lapua is a 30-06AI. Paid $425 after taxes at Walmart. Sold the barrel, stock, scope and rings for $174 after fees. That’s a black oxide action, bolt, trigger, trigger pins, bolt stop snd action screws for $251. Got a stainless ‘06 take-off barrel free of charge. Already had the ‘06AI reamer to rechamber a Howa Golden Bear to 30-06AI. Lightly used HS stock $200, bottom metal and magazine $150. Rattle can paint already in the garage. $601 total. Shoots 190 VLDs into darn small groups at 2950fps. Gonna Gun Kote it at some point but may wait till I rebarrel. I plan to put a “9 twist barrel on it to shoot the 245 EOL. If you can shoot the 245 EOL from an ‘06AI or Win Mag, there isn’t much reason to shoot a 250gr from a 338Lapua, and I have no interest in hunting with a muzzle break, or attempting to shoot a 300gr bullet without a muzzle break.
On a side note, those bullets highlight the popularity of 6.5mm and 7mm cartridges. You literally have to go up to 215gr to match what a 6.5mm or 7mm will do with 140gr, 156gr, and 180gr bullets, and to match a 7mm 195, you have to go to the 245gr. That’s a lot of recoil.
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