Expected velocity loss and effective range for 338 WinMag out of a 20 inch barrel?

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Northern Shooter

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I recently picked up a 338 WinMag with a compact 20" barrel (Ruger) and am wondering what velocities I should be expecting out of that barrel compared to the standard 24"?

For those of you who have chrono'd such velocities, what were you seeing?

I know there is a general rule of 25 FPS per inch for .308 but not sure how well that translates into magnums.

Also, what would be the effective hunting range using 338's and this barrel? I'm hoping to be able to reach out to 600m as my end goal.

Cheers,
 
have you checked out any ballistics for any loads for the 338 ?
with a proper scope you could dial for 600 easy

I picked the 225 gr barnes for a combo of weight and speed, @ 2800 fps from a 21" barrel
a 420 yd kill was reasonable with just holdover, but further I would want to dial, the drop gets too much for guessing imo
 
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boxhitch said:
have you checked out any ballistics for any loads for the 338 ?
with a proper scope you could dial for 600 easy

I picked the 225 gr barnes for a combo of weight and speed, @ 2800 fps from a 21" barrel
a 420 yd kill was reasonable with just holdover, but further I would want to dial, the drop gets too much for guessing imo
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Yeah I've been playing around with the ballistics on the Hornady website, it looks like their 230 ELD-X would be their best option for reaching out. I'm trying to narrow down my options for which loads maintain 2,000 ft-lbs at 600m. It looks like when using a 24" barrel the ELD-X comes in just above that threshold while the other two 225 grain offerings are in the 1,600-1750 ft-lbs range
 
in my case, it is about 25fps/inch

Hornady SST 225gr, 66gr H4350, 24" 2660fps, 20" 2550fps
Hornady SP 250gr, 64gr H4350, 24" 2500fps, 20" 2400fps
 
South Pender said:
I think the results you're getting are spot on. I found this older thread on the 24 hr. Campfire that discussed this. The best information in that thread is in the second post where QuickLoad results are given. According to this and other info I've seen, expect about 100-120 fps loss going from 24" to 20".

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/4254018/1
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That was a good read. It sounds like around 100 fps loss is to be expected which is fine.

It also sounds like the sound and muzzle blast are more of a concern than the ballistics.

The Ruger rifle comes standard with a muzzle break, I imagine that helps out in that regard.
 
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Northern Shooter said:
That was a good read. It sounds like around 100 fps loss is to be expected which is fine.

It also sounds like the sound and muzzle blast are more of a concern than the ballistics.

The Ruger rifle comes standard with a muzzle break, I imagine that helps out in that regard.
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Well, no, I don't think so. Muzzle brakes generally intensify the sound/blast.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Yeah I've been playing around with the ballistics on the Hornady website, it looks like their 230 ELD-X would be their best option for reaching out. I'm trying to narrow down my options for which loads maintain 2,000 ft-lbs at 600m. It looks like when using a 24" barrel the ELD-X comes in just above that threshold while the other two 225 grain offerings are in the 1,600-1750 ft-lbs range
Click to expand...

Be careful with shot placement using the 230gr ELDx. Here's one that hit the shoulder of an elk at 2200 fps impact speed. It broke the scapula and failed to penetrate into the chest. Bullet was recovered on the entry side ribs. If you can get the 230 going 2700 fps, that would be approx 400 yards

GkweU4U.jpg
 
todbartell said:
Be careful with shot placement using the 230gr ELDx. Here's one that hit the shoulder of an elk at 2200 fps impact speed. It broke the scapula and failed to penetrate into the chest. Bullet was recovered on the entry side ribs. If you can get the 230 going 2700 fps, that would be approx 400 yards

GkweU4U.jpg
Click to expand...

Interesting results. Have you tried the other Hornady options to compare performance like the 225grain SST's?
 
My experience is that SSTs blow up on shoulders, or any big bone, for that matter. As far as 20” 338WM, mine was down about 100-120 fps. About the same loss in 375 H&H from 25” to 20”.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Interesting results. Have you tried the other Hornady options to compare performance like the 225grain SST's?
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I now hunt with 225gr Nosler Accubonds, and use the 230 ELDx for range use. They share the same point of impact out to 300 meters, furthest I have tried them. The Accubond has worked great on an elk and a moose
 
todbartell said:
I now hunt with 225gr Nosler Accubonds, and use the 230 ELDx for range use. They share the same point of impact out to 300 meters, furthest I have tried them. The Accubond has worked great on an elk and a moose
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I use the same - 225 grain Accubond from a Model 70 in 338 Win Mag - RL-19 powder, R-P cases and Fed 215 primers - decent enough several three shot groups at 100 yards circa 1" - did not try doing anything more - was "good enough". But also had decent enough (similar size groups) with 200 grain Ballistic Tips and had a decent enough load for the 250 grain Partitions. Not much call for that 338 Win Mag, though, since I got the 9.3x62.
 
Speaking of short-barreled 338 Winchesters...which one of you owns my dad's Model 700 Classic with the shortened barrel and an inch taken off the forestock? I know that it's one of you. We should talk!
 
todbartell said:
Be careful with shot placement using the 230gr ELDx. Here's one that hit the shoulder of an elk at 2200 fps impact speed. It broke the scapula and failed to penetrate into the chest. Bullet was recovered on the entry side ribs. If you can get the 230 going 2700 fps, that would be approx 400 yards

GkweU4U.jpg
Click to expand...

Entire story? How’d you get that bullet? Should have used your Grendel. That’s a minimum 24” combo at any impact velocity a 338 win could do and no likelihood of deflection (as compared to mono).
 
I had a Browning A Bolt .338 with 26” barrel shortened to 22” and 6 port Magnaported. Chrono’d before and after with my hunting load using the Nosler 210 gr Partition, velocity loss recorded as 140 fps.
 
Potashminer said:
I use the same - 225 grain Accubond from a Model 70 in 338 Win Mag - RL-19 powder, R-P cases and Fed 215 primers - decent enough several three shot groups at 100 yards circa 1" - did not try doing anything more - was "good enough". But also had decent enough (similar size groups) with 200 grain Ballistic Tips and had a decent enough load for the 250 grain Partitions. Not much call for that 338 Win Mag, though, since I got the 9.3x62.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity what are you getting for velocity ?
 
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