.338 WinMag barrel length

24 October 2006, 09:35

I've got a new #5 Shilen barrel on the way in .338. I've been thinking about a finished length of 23.5" to 24". The barrel happens to be 30" long, so before I start having the end of the barrel lopped off, how much difference in ease of carry, muzzle blast, and velocity is there between 26", 24", and 22"? It's easy to cut off, but hard to add back. Has anyone shortened their .338WinMag barrel and wish they had the old length back?

24 October 2006, 09:55

vapodog

Barrel length should be determined by personal preference and not the performance of the round.

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24 October 2006, 10:16

SST

If it was just the performance that I was thinking about, I'd just chamber it in a 338 UltraMag.

I've never carried anything longer that 24" in the timber, and don't know if it would be worth it.

24 October 2006, 18:51

BigNate

Mine has been cut back to 22", and I really like it. Downrange performance loss is negligible. Nate

24 October 2006, 19:35

Tumbleweed

quote:
Originally posted by BigNate:
Mine has been cut back to 22", and I really like it. Downrange performance loss is negligible. Nate

Me too....

24 October 2006, 22:01

Stonecreek

quote:
Originally posted by BigNate:
Mine has been cut back to 22", and I really like it. Downrange performance loss is negligible. Nate

. . . . . but hearing loss isn't. Trimming the barrel on a cartridge that uses as much powder as the .338 really pumps up the muzzle blast and decibels (and moves it two inches closer to your ears). The blast is also much harder on innocent bystanders (but then what do you pay your guide for if not to abuse him? Let's chop the barrel and add a MUZZLE BRAKE!)

I'm assuming that your #5 contour is a rather heavy barrel to begin with. That makes weight a problem if you leave it much longer than the "traditional" 24". In a slightly trimmer barrel, I wouldn't find as much as 25 inches a problem. Most of my Sakos have 24.4" barrels, and they carry nicely and are not excessively long for shooting out of a blind or riding in a truck. I have a 26-incher on a 7mm STW and I find that that length is beginning to get just a little unhandy in closer quarters.