Used a standard 30-06 go gauge to set the headspace on my 338-06, same procedure for the AIs or is there a difference between the 30-06AI and 338-06AI headspace?
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Used a standard 30-06 go gauge to set the headspace on my 338-06, same procedure for the AIs or is there a difference between the 30-06AI and 338-06AI headspace?
You were OK using the 30-06 gauge for the 338-06, the chamber headspace/ cartridge head clearances are the same for both, but its not for the improved 338-06 Imp. They're a unique length, head to the point they contact the neck-shoulder junction, the '06 Go is .004"-.006" longer at that point.
Speaking strictly improved rimless bottleneck cartridges, the head clearance (or the lack of it) on the parent in an improved chamber is established on the neck- shoulder of the parent with a crush fit for firing-forming, not on the shoulder.
As the neck diameter increases/decreases the length from the casehead to neck shoulder also increases/decreases, the 308 family for instance.
http://i57.tinypic.com/257k32x.jpg
To do it right you'll need to get an improved gauge or shorten the '06 Go .004"-.006".
Bill
Thanks for the reply.
Sorry to not be clear, didn't mean to imply that I could use a standard 30-06 gauge for a 338-06AI.
What I meant to ask was can I use a 30-06AI gauge for a 338-06AI the way I used a standard 30-06 gauge for a standard 338-06?
My understanding is that I can and your post seems to back that up.
The .338-06 AI is not a simple Ackley Improved cartridge, it's a wildcat. The best way to do it is to mate it with your dies. Make a case and set it with that.
So take a standard 338-06 case and run it through the 338-06AI die and then use that to set headspace?
Roger that.
Good to know thanks.
A better bet would be to use a 35 Whelen case that way it makes a little shoulder.