Does anyone have experience with a barrel this length in 338 WM? I was wondering if this would make a handy woods-length barrel if you didn't have to give up too much. Other than being a fire hazard in late summer, I mean.

Be prepared for extreme muzzle blast and muzzle jump.As for performance,you won't gain a lot over the 338x06 with such a short barrel.

Agreed, about the only advantage is being able to buy ammo for it most everywhere.

Where carry hearing protection when you hunt with it as it will deafen you.

But, it will be a lot handier in the thick stuff.

I like a 25" barrel for the 338 Win Mag.

quote:

Originally posted by stubblejumper:
Be prepared for extreme muzzle blast and muzzle jump.As for performance,you won't gain a lot over the 338x06 with such a short barrel.

Agreed with most of this except I'd take the position that the 338 win mag isn't much more than the 338-06 even with a long barrel.

As to the 20" barrel.....if that's what you want go for it.....You'll still have plenty of power to do anything the 338 mag is supposed to do.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

Agreed with most of this except I'd take the position that the 338 win mag isn't much more than the 338-06 even with a long barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Does anyone have experience with a barrel this length in 338 WM? I was wondering if this would make a handy woods-length barrel if you didn't have to give up too much. Other than being a fire hazard in late summer, I mean.

Stubblejumper is right on the money Mark, there is no advantage to going to a 20" barrel in a 338WM. If you need a heavy hitter in the bush, you'd be better served with a 35 Whelen, 9.3x62 or one of my favourites, the 375 Hawk/Scovill.

I've had FOUR 338's with 22" bbl's. If I build another it'll probaby have a 21" bbl. 20 is a touch short for my tastes but will certailny iron-out anything and is still more gun than a 338-06.

I don't think so... my handloaded 338-06 comes to within 130 fps of the maggie so if you chop 4" off of it @30 fps per inch its pretty much a wash. However, I too think a 35 Whelen is the better thick woods hammer.

I've never had a desire for a 20 in. barreled anything except one Mannlicher 7x57. I like muzzle weight for offhand shooting, can't see any big disadvantage with a 24 in. barrel or even 26. Muzzle blast would definitely be a negative. 4 inches less barrel will really make a difference in a .338WM.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodrow S:
I don't think so... my handloaded 338-06 comes to within 130 fps of the maggie so if you chop 4" off of it @30 fps per inch its pretty much a wash. However, I too think a 35 Whelen is the better thick woods hammer.

How do you know? Have you owned both and chrono'd both after chopping the barrels?

My 22" 338's will still produce 2,850 with 225's. At 20" it'd likely go 2,800 fps which is still a good 100 - 150 fps faster than any 338-06.

Yeah, I had a 22" bbl'd 338-06... nice round but no 338 WM.

I agree with Brad, had a 22.5 on mine after I lopped off the end of a 24. Handled beautiful.

Kicked too much but it was a 1/2 lb lighter and did not have the decelerator pad my 338/06 did.

Sold it. For the money, a factory 338 wm will do anything you need about anywhere.

I would not go under 22 or 21, if I built one it would be 23 as my 338/06 was, BLAST will be an issue, but I don't know if it would be as bad or worse than the rem 600 350RM I had, I believe it was an 18 or 18.5" barrel-flame thrower.

GEE did that little carbine handle well-big hole, lighter weight than smaller bores, and it was very compact, but day in day out would prefer a longer barrel.

I could see the case for a short barrel for carrying in bear country for a fast handling gun, but you can always have a 444, 450, or 45/70 guide gun for that use.

21-22 will be plenty handy, and fuctional.

this is a sample of one. i loaded 20 rounds with 70-h4350 and a 210 bullet. i chronographed 10 shots of the load. i cut the barrel of my gun from 26 inches to 22 inches and recrowned the barrel. the results were that 36 feet per second total were lost when i chronographed the other ten cartridges. i don't know where the point will be that there is a major drop in velocity or where the muzzle blast becomes obnoxious.

Check Sisk's site. I think he tested the 338WM starting w/ a long barrel and cutting it back to a short barrel.

This is where I prefer the 350RM even over the Whelen. You can get max velocities shooting a 250 bullet out of the RM w/ a barrel cut 18-20".

A Whelen or RM shooting a 250 bullet 2500fps has a Taylor value of 31 which is the same as a 338WM shooting a 250 bullet 2650fps.

I had a 20.5" barrel on my Dumoulin Mannlicher stocked rifle, very handy gun and works well.

A little more muzzle blast of course but still a fine rifle.

mark, your still shooting a 338 magnum,yes more muzzle blast,some velocity lost, plus side very quick handleing,a little lighter but i perfer a long barrel but thats me its your choice really,you can always rebarrel , regards jjmp

I have my SAKO .338 shortened to 22", and I really like the way it handles. I didn't chrono it before I shortenened it (which was a quite a few years ago), but the velocities I get now are more than adequate.

What I did find out is that 22" is about as close as I want to stand to the business end! Muzzle blast was remarkably greater.

Well I had a 338 Wmag with a 22". It was but 50fps faster than 338-06 a 24" with less powder and blast. Mine had a light barrel and blast and jump got my attention.

I have a 358Norma in a 19" Mannlicher and it works fine. Still a touch of blast but heavier front tames the jump.

If you want a relatively short rifle for woods hunting, and do not yet own your .338, then you might consider buying a Ruger No. 1 or some other falling-block action rifle for your .338 Maggie. That way you can reduce overall length about 4" from that of a bolt action and still retain a 24" barrel. I'd like that combo, especially if if the forend was restocked to make No. 1 RSI clone of it.

Keeping barrel length while reducing OVERALL length is a benefit of the #1, BUT, keep in mind, the distance of the muzzle to the ear.....that is ALSO of importance.

Just a thought from a #1 fan.

At the range I use foam plugs AND muffs.....in the field I TRY to use plugs, or at least tissue paper wadded up, it helps....as you age you value your hearing and hate the 'ringing', some of which I have permanent damage since my dad had 1 set of ear protection-Sonic....and he took me to the trap range often on weekends.....5 shooters, 125 rounds of 12g guage x3 or 4, LOTS of deafness on those days, but by gosh we ALL should use protection until the government (yeah right) allows us to use silencers without the fees/regulation. Just think.....a class action suit against the government for NOT allowing us to quiet our firearms with technology to protect our hearing!

Ok, I woke up now-to Reality.

Mark-it would not doubt be a good woods rifle and will do you just fine.

Will it lose some speed over the longer tubes of course it will, but I long ago gave up chasing speed (at least when it comes to the last 100 fps). I chase how the rifle fits and deal with the speed that is dealt to me.

A 20" WM and a 20" OKH will still give the WM the 100-125 fps gain.

If you keep it apples to apples there will always be at least 100-125 fps diff.

IMO 100-125 fps is not worthy or consideration and or worry let alone at woods ranges...or any other ranges for that matter!

Good luck to ya, buy the rifle if you like the ways it fits and handles and you'll be one happy fella.

Mark D

I had a 18.5" factory barreled Sako, and could get 2650 fps from a 250 easy.

a 338-06 won't do that with 24" barrel on it's best day.

As mark said, go for handling, and don;t sweat the 100 fps.

The muzzle blast business is being grossly overstated as well, and on a hunting rifle you will never notice it anyways

Thanks for all the responses.

What I was thinking about was a deep woods bear protection rifle that was easy to carry and also fast to deploy.

My idea is getting a BAR in 338, cutting the barrel, shortening the LOP a little in addition to installing a squishy recoil pad, and installing a ghost ring rear with a hooded front with a tritium insert. This gun would be packed around quite a bit without being shot, so the extra inches off the barrel would help more than hurt useability.

I think a 338-06 or whatever the 338-08 is called would actually be better for what I want, but unfortunately I can't buy ammo off the shelf for them, which I think needs to be a requirement.

Wow, this got me thinking....

338 Mag, 20 inch barrel, loads with H 335, at night on the 4th of July!

Who needs spendy imported fireworks when you can make you own fireworks right in the back yard!

Hey the neighbors wouldn't know the difference since it is the 4th of July... maybe the only time you can shoot your 338 in the back yard, when living in a suburban setting!

it will impress the Kids!

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Thanks for all the responses.

What I was thinking about was a deep woods bear protection rifle that was easy to carry and also fast to deploy.

My idea is getting a BAR in 338, cutting the barrel, shortening the LOP a little in addition to installing a squishy recoil pad, and installing a ghost ring rear with a hooded front with a tritium insert. This gun would be packed around quite a bit without being shot, so the extra inches off the barrel would help more than hurt useability.

I think a 338-06 or whatever the 338-08 is called would actually be better for what I want, but unfortunately I can't buy ammo off the shelf for them, which I think needs to be a requirement.

That's a whole lot different than what I originally thought you wanted it for. In that case have a look at these:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895M.aspx

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895G.aspx

I think they will be better suited for your stated purpose.

Cobra!!!!

An 18.5" 45/70 lever gun!?!?

What do you think this is, the African Forum?

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Cobra!!!!

An 18.5" 45/70 lever gun!?!?

What do you think this is, the African Forum?

God forbid. Ain't no way I'm goin' there, and you can't make me.

Seriously, I thought about that one based on your criteria of handy in the woods, something with a lot of power close up and the fact that it won't be used much. That said, I wouldn't want to rely on a semi automatic when it comes bear time.

For your requirement I would also pick a Marlin in Stainless.

i have hunted all over washington state with a 24 inch barrel. if i was going to change my lenght, i would go 25 or 26.

there is nothing you cant hunt in north america with a 338 wm, the 338/06 dosent shoot as flat especially if you take shots past 200 yds. if i could say all my shots would be 100 yds or less and or thick cover, that opens up alot of caliber choices like the 338/06,35 whelen,etc. my shooting has never been that limited and never will be.

ammo on the shelf can be a great determining factor, especially if you fly and have ever had your bags lost

I had a browning bar in 338 and cut the barrel to 18" i never put it through the chrony but this was a great accurate rifle, my nephew bought it two years ago and he just loves it for the brush and its a great fit on his atv he uses the williams wgrs peep sight.I myself just bought a remington 750 in 35 Whelen with a 22" they do come in 18 1/2" you might want to look at that rifle before you make your decision its a sweet rifle. Good luck Tanoose

338-06, and 338-08 (aka 338 Federal) all have factory ammo

A marlin guide gun would have to be considered, BAR's are good, maybe better than good, but I would want to sure reliability of a bolt, lever, or perhaps pump.

338/06 vs 338 WM, As far as trajectory, anything deer size and up, I don't think 2-3 inches difference at 400 yards will matter.....unless someone can shoot that well in the field, and is aiming between the eyes.

Factory ammo is abundant in 338WM.

About Sako, I believe I have seen the mannlicher 'short' carbines in 338wm and 375 h&h, both ammo easy to get over counter, and would give you some fireworks if that is not a problem. This was the older model Sako's prior to 75/85 series.