Barrel Length??
- Thread starter blargon
- Start date
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
my Sako 85 in 338 has 24" 3/8 bbl and it's the best length for an accurate shot at 200-500 yards
mike shickele
Regular
When you say 338; I automatically assume that you are talking the 338win mag. I feel that the 338wm is a logical step up from the 30-06; my favorate cartridge, and ballistics-wise, it's just a bigger version of such. I personally feel that 22 inches is a perfect ballance between portability, shootability, and ballistics.
Mike
Mike
to get the most out of a magnum charge of that slow burning powder, I'd say, 24 would be the minimum. My Tikka T3 lite, had a 24 3/8" barrel, and it didn't feel long at all. If I was to make a rifle in the future, I would definately go 24-25 inches. If you were only doing close shooting, 22 would be fine, but when you mention 400+ shots, I'd try to eke out as much velocity as possible to minimize drop and holdover. Recoil is recoil, just get a good pad, and don't worry about it.
Define best.
exactly.
"best" for me, on a hunting rifle, not a ballistics test-bed or target rifle, is what balances/carries best.
the difference in resulting ballistics between the two extremes (26" to 20"), is insignificant for hunting purposes, unless of course you are dealing with a cartridge already marginal, which the 338 rarely is.
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BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
23" or 24" would do me fine. For all around use there's nothing wrong with a 24" barrel but if you're in the thickness a shorter tube would be a nice to have.
Mighty Peace
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Land of the Mighty Peace
For a new barrel I'd go with a 24" if its a 338WM. If 338RUM I think the extra barrel length to 26" is needed for the powder to burn completely and to get velocity.
My 338-06AI has a new 24" PacNor Super-match grade #5 stainless barrel fluted so it weighs the same as a #4. You could go with a #4 and flute the barrel for less weight, but I went with the #5 for accuracy.
My 338-06AI has a new 24" PacNor Super-match grade #5 stainless barrel fluted so it weighs the same as a #4. You could go with a #4 and flute the barrel for less weight, but I went with the #5 for accuracy.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
You say the rifle will be used for close in work as well as long range. If this means that you will hunt in heavy cover you should consider a barrel that is as short as is reasonable without making the piece feel clubby. Weight is less an issue than is balance, and if you do choose a short barrel you may find a heavier contour balances better unless you prefer a butt heavy feel. I tend to stock my rifles on the short side with a LOP of about 13.5". My .375 has a 20" barrel and the balance is at the hinge of the floorplate, although the quarter rib and scout scope help move the balance forward.
Mediums don't seem to loose a huge amount of velocity with reduced barrel length, although loads with lighter bullets are disadvantaged more than are loads with heavier bullets due to the heavier powder charges of the former. Trajectory with a 250 gr spitzer fired from a short barreled .338 Winchester (estimated at 2500 fps) would be similar to a 180 gr bullet of the same type fired from a .30/06, which so a 400 yard shot is certainly within the capability of a good marksman. The bit of velocity you give up by choosing a short barrel is made up for in the handling qualities of the rifle.
Mediums don't seem to loose a huge amount of velocity with reduced barrel length, although loads with lighter bullets are disadvantaged more than are loads with heavier bullets due to the heavier powder charges of the former. Trajectory with a 250 gr spitzer fired from a short barreled .338 Winchester (estimated at 2500 fps) would be similar to a 180 gr bullet of the same type fired from a .30/06, which so a 400 yard shot is certainly within the capability of a good marksman. The bit of velocity you give up by choosing a short barrel is made up for in the handling qualities of the rifle.
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Could be a DG rifle if I ever get on a plane with it, but mostly moose hunting in close cover bush, as well as open cuts/bogs, etc. I'm waiting fo my new stock to arrive before I decide for sure, as I don't want the balance to be off. Loads mostly are 225gr TSX and IB's, at ~2700, shouldn't lose too much I think?
Did you take your 20" .375 to Africa?
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
I have a 338 that I cut the bbl down to 23" it was 24"
I like 23 better but I will probably cut it down to 22 as I feel that length is best for me on a hunting rifle..
I like 23 better but I will probably cut it down to 22 as I feel that length is best for me on a hunting rifle..
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
18.5 with a Mossberg Roadblocker muzzlebrake
338 Win Mag barrel length
well having used one for guiding for a lot of years I have a 338 that is like a 4' jackall ugly but it works. It is a Ruger 77 tang safety with a 18.5 inch barrel which is an even 20 with the muzzle brake, it is in a Browne Precision stock with a Timney trigger she's kind of ugly, but she sure gets the job done.
By the way if your curious I shoot a 180 grain ballistic Tip or Barnes 185. The ballistic tip with my load (hot) is chronied @ 2980 I think you will find it will take care of business.
well having used one for guiding for a lot of years I have a 338 that is like a 4' jackall ugly but it works. It is a Ruger 77 tang safety with a 18.5 inch barrel which is an even 20 with the muzzle brake, it is in a Browne Precision stock with a Timney trigger she's kind of ugly, but she sure gets the job done.
By the way if your curious I shoot a 180 grain ballistic Tip or Barnes 185. The ballistic tip with my load (hot) is chronied @ 2980 I think you will find it will take care of business.
Most of my rifles run 26 inch barrels. I've spent decades hunting the ugly coastal rain forest and was never bother by the "long" barrel. If you look at some of the antique African bolt action rifles many of then wore 30 or more inch barrels. To us they look stupidly long, but pick one up some time and you will see what I am getting at.
I like 26 inch barrels not because of any extra velocity (if I want more speed I go to a bigger chamber), but for the improvements in off hand shooting, less muzzle bast, and less muzzle rise.
Like Boomer said balance is everything.
You can make a short barreled rifle work well, but you need to pay attention to barrel weight.
If it were me I would start at 26 inches and then after the rifle is completed and scoped I would see how it felt off hand.
Then I would take it hunting and see how you like it.
You can always cut it shorter....
I like 26 inch barrels not because of any extra velocity (if I want more speed I go to a bigger chamber), but for the improvements in off hand shooting, less muzzle bast, and less muzzle rise.
Like Boomer said balance is everything.
You can make a short barreled rifle work well, but you need to pay attention to barrel weight.
If it were me I would start at 26 inches and then after the rifle is completed and scoped I would see how it felt off hand.
Then I would take it hunting and see how you like it.
You can always cut it shorter....
