1917 Enfield in 338-06

[jmayton]

Some have followed this project a bit, but here's the recap.  I had a 1917 Enfield in 30-06 that was my father's.  The barrel was pitted bad and it wouldn't shoot worth anything.  I decided to do a rebore on it and sent it to Dan Pedersen at Classic Barrel and Gun Works in Prescott, AZ.  He rebored and rechambered it to 338-06.  I refinished the stock and installed a limbsaver recoil pad on it.  It now has a Dayton trigger on it and wears Warne rings and a Redfield 4-12x40.  Here's how it looks all finished:







It seems to like 51 grains of Varget pushing a 225gr Hornady SST but will sling one out about every three shots.  It may be a bedding issue or the brass since I'm sizing up from 30-06 brass and the necks are short from the resize.  The case stretch is minimal and there are no signs of pressure so I hope it'll settle in a bit with these loads.  I will most likely bed it, but I'm having too much fun shooting it to mess with it right now.

[AtlLaw]

Good on ya Mate!     A grand rifle and a grand cartridge!  I had the late Dick Nickle rebore/rifle and rechamber the barrel on a 1903 Springfield to 338/06 and it's still one of my favorite rifles!  Enjoy yours.   

[yooper77]

Very nice rifle, and this cartrdige is an excellent way to put new life into a great rifle and exceed the 30-06 Sprigfield's capabilities.

I have a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight and T/C Encore both in 338-06 A-Square.

The Weatherby shoots excellent with IMR-4320 and 200 grain Nosler ballistic tips.

The Encore barrel was a originally a 30-06 Springfield and was re-bored by Classic Barrel and Gun Works in Prescott, AZ, but I haven't found the time to shoot it yet.

yooper77

[Robert]

I did the same thing but opted for the 35 Whelen Ackley from E.R. Shaw.  When I chose between 338 and 35, I chose the 25 for the wide bullet selection.  I can even use XTP hollowpoint pistol bullets for varmint rounds or target, and they are extremely accurate.

[jmayton]

After moving, I finally got some more loads developed and got back out to the range.  This time I went with some 200gr Hornady SST's to see if Enfield liked them.  Started at 53grs of Varget working up to a max of 56.5 in .5gr increments.  Got to 54grs and shot this:





At .662" I figure that's pretty good, considering I did a lot of the work on the rifle and I was the one squeezing the trigger.  These three shots chrono'd at an average of 2794fps.  The 55gr load actually grouped the second best at 1" and was 50fps faster, but I think I'll stick with this load.

[AtlLaw]

Holy Mack'll there Andy!!!   
 
That accuracy with a 200 gr. bullet and 2800 fps (+/-)!     I don't think I would worry about any further load development!   

[Dave in WV]

With the SST load start turning your seating stem in 1/4 turn at a time and check the accuracy. Many time it will fix your problem of slinging one shot.

[jmayton]

AtLaw, thanks.  It gets real close to 300WM performance out to 400yds and is much easier on the shoulder!


Dave, thanks for the advice.  I'm gonna load up several more of these and see how they do.  If it starts slinging a round every now and again, I'll do what you suggest.  I might even consider going out a bit.  It was chambered and rifled to handle the big 250grainers, but the overall performance is better with the 225's and 200's.  Those 200's still have a BC of .455.

[yooper77]

It gets real close to 300WM performance out to 400yds and is much easier on the shoulder!

I also like how the 338-06 A-Square is so close to the 300 Winchester Magnum all from the 30-06 Springfield parent case and yes lighter on the shoulder.

yooper77