I have a 338 Ultramag that is a powder hog. lol (I plan to keep it though)
I am looking on building 3 338-06 heavy barrel rifles with parts that I have on hand (barrels, stocks, actions etc...)
The said velocity with with a 250 grain SMK is around 2500 to 2550 with the down range velocity at 1000 yards of 1386 fps. I would use the full 28 inch length of the barrel to squeeze all the velocity I can get.

Why 338-06?
1. On hand 5000 maybe 10,000 unfired mil brass. (All would be loaded with 250 grain SMK's)
2. Rifle would also work on big game in Northen States. (Moose, bear Elk....)
3. 54 plus or minus grains of powder VS. 95 grains in the Ultramag.
4. I want to have an insurance policy in case ammo ever runs out or is no longer available in quantities.
4. Before anyone asks, I hunt off quads so weight is not the issue here.
TIA,
Duke

quote:

I would use the full 28 inch length of the barrel to squeeze all the velocity I can get

For the the very few fps you would gain from 26-28 I sure wouldn't deal with the extra 2" Matter of fact I doubt I would deal with 4". Larger bore smaller case you just don't lose that much per inch. From my experience I would look to 225 or 210 but that is me.

In my 338-06 I run a 23" bbl. I shoot a Nosler Partition at 2700fps. It will group 1/2 inch at 100-yards. I have shot milk jugs out past 400 yards with it.
With that case and bore, I dont think you will need a bbl. as long as you think.
I too have a 338 RUM it is a powder hog.!!

Good luck 2 ya

My Partition load is a 225 grain bullet.
Thanks

Found this on here. Not good.

quote:

Originally posted by naja302:

quote:

Couldn't military 30-06 brass be used? It has no headstamp

Yup, just run it through the 338-06 sizing die and your ready to go. the military brass is a lot thicker though and has a noticably smaller capacity. (I blew out primers with it when winchester brass showed no signs of excess pressure)

So....I would get my best velocity with Commercial cases.



.

I use Norma brass

Found this one.

quote:

Originally posted by B17G:
H 380: 62 grains, CCI /LR primer.<br />250 grainers: 2650 to 2700 fps in a 24 inch barreled Winchester Model 70

Instead of worrying about the military 06 cases.. if they are thicker, you can probably gain the velocity and pressure to do so, with less powder is how I would look at it...

I have played a lot with the 338/06 at the reload bench....

with a 28 inch barrel, I can see 2700 to 2750 fps not being a problem unless you end up with a slow barrel for some reason...using the 250 grainers....

with a 28 inch barrel I bet 3000 fps could be on the horizon with a 200 grain bullet...

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by B17G:
H 380: 62 grains, CCI /LR primer.<br />250 grainers: 2650 to 2700 fps in a 24 inch barreled Winchester Model 70

Not me. Hodgdon call 55.8grs 61,100 and 51 as 53500. If the pressure rise is linear then you are at 71,000psi+/-.

I use Norma brass if possible in my wildcats because it gives the largest volume. Trade off is your pressure limit will be in the 65,000 range. Harder brass with less capacity would be needed if you feel you need to go over 70,000. When I loaded to the same pressure in 06 based cases I would gain or lose 1% velocity for 4% powder. A 3-4gr loss in case capacity would be 25-30fps. I don't worry about 20-30fps anymore. The animal will never know the difference.

I agree w/ Ramrod, you are not likely to squeeze much nore than 2550fps from a 26" or 28" bbl. It's a good cart. but I don't think of it as much of a longrange hunting round as the vel. isn't high enough to insure clean kills much past 400yds IMO. With the right bullet, it is a great slayer of larger game under that though.

Well even at 2500 fps, a 250 grain bullet is a pretty flat shooting bullet!!!! knowing how to work the mildot system, or some of the other reticles available now.. you can stretch that 2500 fps MV out pretty far out there...

Sierra 250 grain spitzer boat tails with 59.5 grains of H414 in winchester brass yields 2625 fps from 24" Adams and Bennett barrel on an old Savage 110. The barrel is medium heavy, free floated and action bedded to factory wood stock.

I get 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" three shot groups at 100 yards. At 7000 to 9000 feet of elevation where I hunt elk, this combination is very flat out to 400 yards.