The .338 Imperial Magnum caliber history

[Gert Odendaal]

Good day members, for members who are interested in the origin and history of the .338 Imperial Magnum history, I received these documents from Aubrey White himself .

 

[93marlin]

Fascinating reading!

 

[Longwalker]

Any Canadian hunters traveling soon to South Africa, please consider bringing with you a package of .338 Imperial Magnum items ( reamers & brass) with you so Gert can build a nice rifle and have some fun with this cartridge. I have the items for him, and just need a way to getting them delivered since mail/courier is not practical. Anyone willing to help out please private message me.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members, it would be much appreciated if a member will be willing o bring this parcel to South Africa when visiting . I sentimental value of these items since it was Aubrey White`s personal set of dies , reamer and brass , he passed away .Long Walker , thank you for still trying to get this parcel to me in South Africa, it is much appreciated.

 

[geoff rath]

There's so many cartridges, factory, proprietary, and wildcat that the 404 has "grandfathered". I wonder if anyone has done a count yet ???
Could be it's the most under-rated case today ...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

There's so many cartridges, factory, proprietary, and wildcat that the 404 has "grandfathered". I wonder if anyone has done a count yet ???
Could be it's the most under-rated case today ...

Geoff, we have to keep in mind there is a big difference between the standard 404 Jeffery case and all the other spawns like the RUM with all it`s varieties. I am building only the 404 Jeffery standard cases neck up or down in the standard 404 Jeffery form case only.

The RUM and all other calibers came after Aubrey White`s design fell through the carpet due to poor quality brass from Argentina and the one year late arrival of the Imperial Magnum brass .( History is in the three documents I up

Like the 9.3x70 mm it is a 10.75x73 DWM brass used , the .338 Imperial Magnum (standard 404 Jeffery case) the .458 African is a standard 404 Jeffery case used /neck up .

I will use my 404 brass to form case for these two calibers when I have the reloading dies.

 

[geoff rath]

Thank you, Gert, good mate, and clever g'smith here (in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory) Anthony George, has recommended the 458 African as a "stopper"; I believe he has rechambered rifles to it/them. Similarly, the stockmaker we both patronise, Brett Russouw speaks highly of it/them. Anthony has built at least one "short" 404 by chambering standard length actions about 6mm short; equivalent ballistics. I'm learning lots on this site from you knowledgeable men.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thank you, Gert, good mate, and clever g'smith here (in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory) Anthony George, has recommended the 458 African as a "stopper"; I believe he has rechambered rifles to it/them. Similarly, the stockmaker we both patronise, Brett Russouw speaks highly of it/them. Anthony has built at least one "short" 404 by chambering standard length actions about 6mm short; equivalent ballistics. I'm learning lots on this site from you knowledgeable men.

@geoff rath
I love Anthony's 375 on a 280AI case. A 35 cal on the 280AI would be a screamer.
Bob

 

[geoff rath]

@geoff rath
I love Anthony's 375 on a 280AI case. A 35 cal on the 280AI would be a screamer.
Bob

I'm almost wishing that I had asked him to build one (on the Ruger No 1 action I had) instead on the 280AI...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm almost wishing that I had asked him to build one (on the Ruger No 1 action I had) instead on the 280AI...

@geoff rath
Just get him to do another barrel same profile in 35/280AI and have a switch barrel.
Bob

 

[geoff rath]

Can't do a switch-barrel on a Ruger No 1; just txting Anthony, he's working on a modified case, will try running 270 grain bullets... Buff??

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Can't do a switch-barrel on a Ruger No 1; just txting Anthony, he's working on a modified case, will try running 270 grain bullets... Buff??

@geoff rath
Why not???
Unscrew barrel and screw new one in. Just use indexing marks ar go the full hog and use an interrupted thread . Anything is possible if you have enough $$$$.
Bob

 

[Nevada Mike]

Gert - I have a friend that has brass AND dies for the 338 Imperial. He has no use for them.

 

[geoff rath]

@geoff rath
Just get him to do another barrel same profile in 35/280AI and have a switch barrel.
Bob

Sadly, doing a "switch barrel" build on a Ruger no 1 is a complex job; the G'smith has to deal with the rib (barrel-mounted) and the forend hanger. Awkward trying to set up sights/ scope ...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert - I have a friend that has brass AND dies for the 338 Imperial. He has no use for them.

Mike, is it the .338 Imperial Magnum re-loading dies???
Here are some photos of the .338 Imperial Magnum components, I am only in need of the dies then I can build a long range fun shoot/hunting rifle

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Mike, I really would like to buy the dies and brass from him..would you be so kind as to ask him if he would be willing to sell the dies???

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Thank you, Gert, good mate, and clever g'smith here (in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory) Anthony George, has recommended the 458 African as a "stopper"; I believe he has rechambered rifles to it/them. Similarly, the stockmaker we both patronise, Brett Russouw speaks highly of it/them. Anthony has built at least one "short" 404 by chambering standard length actions about 6mm short; equivalent ballistics. I'm learning lots on this site from you knowledgeable men.

Geoff, the originator of the .458 African is a friend of mine, he is the author of African Game Cartridge's -Pierre van der Walt

 

[GuttormG]

Sadly, doing a "switch barrel" build on a Ruger no 1 is a complex job; the G'smith has to deal with the rib (barrel-mounted) and the forend hanger. Awkward trying to set up sights/ scope ...

Interrupted threads and $$.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members due to Navada Mike I am fortunate to purchase the reloading dies, head stamped dies and forming dies for the .338 Imperial Magnum. So I am set to commence with this rifle build in the near future..

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members, feedback, : unfortunately buying the .338 Imperial Magnum dies here did not work out . Fortunately C4H company contacted me , informing me that they do have a set in stock, they just busy inspecting these dies and will let me know if it passed inspection so it will be up for sale.

I did locate a South African engineering company specializing in manufacturing re-loading dies, so I do have another option as well.

I did find company in South Africa that is manufacturing Ultra magnum and Magnum actions as well. I ordered a single shot Magnum action from the company to complete the .338 Imperial Magnum build in the near future.