Short barrel 338 Win Mag

H

Hugh J

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I find I have an extra 338 WM, so I am thinking of shortening the barrel on a Savage 111. Looking for input on length. Savage has just come out with an 18" model they are calling an Alaskan Brush Hunter. Anybody have any first hand experience with this model or one similar? Thanks.
 
The Old Man had a Rem Classic shortened to 20" which made it pretty darned handy. When he took 1.5" off the forfend it looked like the nastiest Model 7 ever birthed! Sure you lose a bit of top end but it won't matter at all in the end.

Chop away!
 
Years ago, a game warden friend of mine up here took his Ruger 77 in 338 Mag and had the barrel shortened to 20" and the banded front sight reinstalled. He carried it everywhere, and used it a few times, too.

He said the handiness of the rifle made up for the velocity loss (whatever it was) in spades.

Ted
 
I personnaly like short guns and the way they handle, I have a number of rifles in the 38 to 40" range.

I have a 111 in 30/06 that I cut to 18".
It looks funny but still handles well.
In .338 win I would probably stop at 19 or 20".

Many here will tell you that muzzle blast, noise and velocity loss make it the wrong thing to do.
Some will also poke fun at you because you are "too clumsy to carry a long rifle" and other such nonsense.

If you like short rifles, then go for it!
 
I carried a custom 20" .375 Ultra for years. When shot over my Oehler 35P, it would drive 260s at 2900, 270s at 2800, 300s at 2650, 350s at 2500, and 380s at 2350. The boom it made was more pleasing than painful, although I tried to avoid shooting directly into the wind without hearing protection. As for accuracy, it shot like a varmint rifle.

If I had a similar rifle made up in .338 Winchester or Lapua, I think I would follow the same recipe. I doubt that a rifle with an 18.5" tube would be any handier than one with a 20" barrel, although neither would result in any disadvantage on the target whether paper or blood.
 
My friend shortened his .338 WM to 20 and groups 250 grain Hornadys into 1 inch at 100 yards. If handiness is your object 20 would be a good start. Another consideration would be to take 1 inch off at a time. Once you take it off you can't put it back on. Check with those that use a 20 and you may have your answer. 18 in a .338 WM strikes me as short knowing how my 24 inch Classic delivered at both ends.
 
short 338 win mag

I have a Sako Fiberclass carbine in 338 Win Mag, It has a factory 18.5 in. barrel, it handles and shoots very good. In up close situations, it has more than enough power to do the job.
 
I was admiring the new 18-inch Savage Alaskan Brush Hunter the other day. It was so nice that I am thinking of chopping down my Ruger 77 stainless to that length. By the time that I pay for cutting and crowning, plus install some good open sights, I may be further ahead just selling my gun and buying the Savage...they're just over $600!

As long as you don't start listening to the guys who will soon tell you how you can shoot elephants with .22's, a shortie .338 will be a sweet hunting gun.:)
 
In my view you're better off with a .308 Win in a carbine than a .338 Win Mag, if the intent is to use it in short-range scenarios. The only thing you'll get from a 20" .338 Win Mag is very limited bragging rights over a .308 Win at woods ranges.

A 200gr NP from the .308 is still going over 2400 fps at 50 yards! No bear or moose that I'm aware of can stand that kind of heat! Btw, I've owned a SAKO in .338 Win Mag with a 20" spout that I put 1000 rounds through... including 250s, 225s and 200s.

But, no denying, you'll get swagger from the short barreled .338. The .308 Win? Who's listening?;)

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
In my opinion which does not mean a lot but a 12 ga slug gun with a rifled barrel with serve the same purpose, carry a similar punch and probably be cheaper. 3 inch slugs travelling at 1800 feet will make a very very big hole. Most come with a pretty short barrel.
 
I already have the 338 barrel, I decided on 20" it is done, thanks everyone for the input. I will update the thread when I shoot the rifle.
 
I once saw a .338 Ultra Mag at my range and the guy chopped the barrel really short. Not sure how short it was but the barrel was about as long as the stock. Possibly a few inches longer than the stock. He had a really goofy looking muzzle break on it too. Something you would see on a .50BMG. He must have been rich because he was firing it all tactical like and oober awesomeness hitting the same steel target at 200 meters over and over again. He must have fired at least 60 rounds and .338 Ultra Mag isn't cheap.
 
NoBark said:
I once saw a .338 Ultra Mag at my range and the guy chopped the barrel really short. Not sure how short it was but the barrel was about as long as the stock. Possibly a few inches longer than the stock. He had a really goofy looking muzzle break on it too. Something you would see on a .50BMG. He must have been rich because he was firing it all tactical like and oober awesomeness hitting the same steel target at 200 meters over and over again. He must have fired at least 60 rounds and .338 Ultra Mag isn't cheap.
Click to expand...

A "tactical" Ultra-Mag with a cut-down barrel and muzzle break, and the guy was shooting it all the way out to 200 yards??!!!:rolleyes:

I'll bet he was more than willing to share his vast knowledge of guns with anyone who would listen. Hint: DON'T LISTEN!
 
I had it cut to 20", shot it today front post is to high so I filed it down, not sure on exact weight yet, under 7 lb, recoil much less than I expected, did not notice muzzle blast. Will return to the range later this week, fun to shoot. Iron sights only so far.
 
I'm starting to think I need to get used to working with standard sized rifles, then forget about messing around with short skinny barrels, more recoil and more muzzle blast.

8.5 to nine pounds soaking wet with 4x scope shouldn't be that tough to hump around or walk through the bush with some dexterity. Four inches of barrel shouldn't be critical for maneuvering.
 
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