with a caliber like the 338-06 id definently want a mauser action...and if oyur building a rifle you should be building it to your specs and how you want if not save the money and buy one...so money shouldnt be much of an issue...the best mauser action is the 98...im not sure the price of a good condition 98 somewhere from 100-200 probally about 150 or so im not positive though...the mause action is the strongest in the world and when i build my custom rifles they will definently be on mausers not a copy...many diffrent rifle manufacturers today copied the mauser action because it was so good...but they will never be the same...if you want a copy i think charels daly or someone like that makes them.....id opt for an original in good condition if you have the cash and want the rifle to be the best it can be...without an action the rifles useless...theres a few guys around this board that can help you with the mauser questions...a few helped me figure out what it would cost to buy and old action and rechamber it and all all that but i dont have a job and im 15 so i decided to put things like that off so i have something to do after i goto college and get a real job or whatever it is i will do...