338-06 Barrel Length?

07 March 2002, 13:45

What length barrel is optimal for a 338-06?
How is a 22" Bbl in this cartridge?

I have a pet 338 WM but I have an interest in the 338-06 if it works well as a smaller-scale version of my 338WM.

Thanks-
Forrest

07 March 2002, 14:00

Paul H

I used to look at such things as optimal barrel length, but now find I prefer what balances best, more then looking at balistic tables. I prefer a 24-25" barrel in full size bolt gun, and consider 17-19" for a carbine.

I would venture there isn't more then 100 fps difference between a 21 and 25" barrel, so pick whatever you prefer.

07 March 2002, 14:30

Mark R Dobrenski

FYI - I used 23"
160 X=3100
180 Noz Bt=3000
210 Noz=2800
250 Swift=2600

Great round

Dog

07 March 2002, 15:04

dan belisle

Mine has a 24" barrel. - Dan

07 March 2002, 15:37

Wildcatter

Mine has 23 inches of tube.

I agree with Mark R Dobrenski on the velocities except I've pushed the 210's to 2900+ with good accuracy in the improved version. The 250's are spot on.

-Catter

07 March 2002, 16:15

fredj338

I went 22 1/2" just to be different. I think 23" is a good comp. btwn. handiness & performance. Welcome to the .338-06 club!

07 March 2002, 16:47

Mark R Dobrenski

Tis a great club! And we are all so smart to be in it! Grins

Dog

did any of you try the 275's? Normally they shoot great in my 340 and my OKH didn't like em at all

09 March 2002, 13:51

Rob1SG

I have a 24" bbl getting 2900 from the Nosler 200 BT and 3000 from the 180 BT. I haven't tried anything heavier yet.Balance and feel are more important to me.

10 March 2002, 03:06

<WyomingSwede>

I have mine at 26 inches however I have long arms and it was more a function of balance of the rifle rather than a quest for extra velocity.
And yes... we all are hyperintelligent for owning 338-06's.
swede

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WyomingSwede

10 March 2002, 04:45

<bearmanmt>

Forrest,
I have two .338-06s. They both have 24" barrels. One has a long magazine and a long throat. The other is standard length.
With the long throat gun, I get 2680fps with the 225 Nosler Partition, 2550fps with the 250 Nosler Partition and 2370fps with the 275gr Speer "Hot-Cor".
The shorter magazine/throated rifle gets nearly as good.
I have two friends with .338-06s and one has a 26" barrel and the other a 23" barrel. We are all getting within 100fps of each other with maximum loads. One hundred feet per second difference isn't diddly in the field and doesn't affect the practical killing power.
The 250gr Nosler Partition is a great bullet for the .338-06, and a well placed shot will bring down anything in North America.
Just had a friend come back from Africa last fall. He used a 24" barreled new Controlled round feed M70. His load was a 250gr Swift A-Frame at 2450fps. He made one shot kills on a wide variety of large plains antelope. His PH and companions were impressed and so was I.
Make your rifle any barrel length from 22-26inches and you will be pleased.
Good shooting.
The Bearman

10 March 2002, 05:59

ForrestB

Thanks to all. I've got a '37 Obendorf Mauser that I want to turn into something of a British stalking rifle. Originally I wanted a 22" barrel but maybe a 23" min. would look and handle better.

I'm feeling smarter already.

10 March 2002, 06:23

Brad

ForrestB, as the 338-06 has the same case capacity (essentially) as the 30-06 but has a greater bore-volume, why not go with a 22" bbl.? The 30-06 is a proven performer with a 22" tube. I'm not convinced that anything over 22" is getting much more (if any) velocity.

With H4350, my 22" bbl'd 338-06 did a smidge over 2,700 with 225's. 250's were right at 2,550. Perhaps I had a "fast barrel"... I tend to doubt it. I think 21" would be very nice with the 338-06!

I just can't see a need for more tube in this round. To my way of thinking it sort of defeats the purpose for the round in the first place. If I were going to carry a 24" bbl., I'd sooner have a 338 Win Mag... even then my last two 338 Win Mag's both had 22" bbl's!

Maybe I'm different, but I've never "gotten" this prejudice for long tubes. I often think it has more to do with brainwashing from the gunwriters of the past, or perhaps if a person it "too tall" (hah!) a longer tube carries better. I'm 5'10" and don't care to carry tubes longer than 22".

One Man's Thoughts,

Brad

17 March 2002, 03:45

Rusty Gunn

I'd like to re-join this club.

I used to have a 338-06AI with a 24 inch heavy sporter barrel, plus a Quiet Brake on the end. This one was barrel heavy for me, being a short guy, with short arms (sorry Brad, it did make a difference to me).
My 375WhnAI carries a 22 incher, no brake, and feels a lot better.
I sold the 338-06AI to my best buddy some years back. It would be nice to have one again, only I'd do it as the standard 338-06 this time with a 22 or 24 incher, no brake.
I seem to be having trouble locating stainless Quarter Ribs/Sights/gunsmith with a 376 reamer, for my current 376 Steyr project, and may put it on hold. Plus, I'd like the 376 to be on the new stainless MkX actions anyway.
This would give me a better excuse to do the 338-08, right? Damn, these custom rifle projects... ~~~Suluuq

18 March 2002, 05:18

dan belisle

Hi Forrest. I've used a 23" tube on a few of my rifles, and I like the balance (depends on contour, of course)and the way it looks. I don't think one inch either way will make or break a project, so go with the one you like. Take care - Dan

18 March 2002, 08:53

Brad

RustG... I'm confused... how are you in disagreement? On the one hand you seem to be saying a heavy 24" bbl. is nice, but a lighter 22" bbl. is better...??? I said, even though I'm 5'10", I still like shorter, 22" (and less) barrels... what are you saying? Just curious.

18 March 2002, 15:23

ACRecurve

My 338-06 AI is under construction and will have a 23" tube. I believe the reason it is such a good killer is because the velocities are more in line with the velocities for which most of the "dime bullets" were originally intended.
Good Hunting,

------------------
Andy Cooper

18 March 2002, 17:54

<T/Jazz>

I think since it is not considered a magnum, that the 22 inch barrel would work out just splended, making it a light handy little rifle that packs a lot of punch.

19 March 2002, 08:00

<eldeguello>

The more I hear about this cartridge, the more it looks like I'm gonna hafta have one!!

23 March 2002, 17:36

JohnB

I'm in the process of having a .338-06 done up in a Ruger 77RSI. I want a short carbine that will deliver. (didn't want to go with the .350 Rem.) What can I expect from the 18" tube? Will it make that much differecne to a critter at 100 yards max? Most of my hunting is done in thick cover, not much of a chance for long shots.

Thanks,
JB

23 March 2002, 18:04

KurtC

JohnB,

I considered the same project a few years ago. The .338 will certainly be more efficient in an 18" barrel than a .30-06, (more bore volume for powder expansion) but neither of them will develop their full potential. Ruger should have made their mannlicher in a 20" barrel. The only cartridges they chambered in these that made any sense were the .250 savage and the .308.

Are you reboring or rebarreling? Keep in mind that they used the Ultralight barrels in the mannlichers. The muzzle diameter is pretty small on these (the sight band doesn't count). If you are rebarreling, only an ultralight contour barrel with the short breech will work, the wood is very thin along there.

I gave up on it, figuring it was too much hassle for too short a barrel.

------------------

24 March 2002, 08:31

JohnB

KurtC

I planned on rebarelling a .270. I haven't had a chance to talk to the gun smith yet about the dimension tolerances that I'll be up against. Thanks for your input. Good point.

JohnB

27 March 2002, 20:16

Frank Nowakowski

Mine is a 24 incher and it was more for balance and my long arms than for velocity. My velocites are just a tad under the esteemed Mr. Dobrenski's but 50 fps is neither here nor there.

I think I'm the fellow "Bearmanmt" was mentioning regarding the .338-06 in RSA. One shot and we had one dead animal. The little Impala and hartebeest were not surprising but when I tipped over that big eland.....THAT was impressive.

Great cartridge, can't wait for it to be factory loaded and truly legitimized by Rem,Win or Federal some day. As well as chambered in factory rifles . I know about Weatherby, but at $42 a box and $1050 for an Ultra Lt Weight thats hardly mainstream availability.

27 March 2002, 20:24

Mark R Dobrenski

I'd love to see the following in a OKH (alias 338/06).
Ruger #1a
Ruger M77 RL
M70 FWT
M700 Classic
M700 Mtn

Then I'd be happy as a puppy with two peters!

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

P.S. Franks you been out shooting rodents yet? I blew up a few snow goph's today, great fun.
I'm gonna make a trip Sieben way soon,perhaps we can hook up at the Driftwood.

28 March 2002, 06:34

Frank Nowakowski

Mark,

Drop me an e mail and its a date. Also have a great burger stop in Craig, just north of Wolf Creek. I've be very busy with work so try to give me a few days notice.

I agree with your .338-06 "wish list" as well. I think the cartridge marketing pendulum is slowly swinging back from the high velocity end, to the good sense end. Maybe we will have some useable cartridges introduced in the future , with the .338-06 as one of them.

I went up to a gun nuts place on Sunday as he was bench shooting a .30-.378 WBY with 180 X bullets at 3500+ fps. I'm sorry I can see few valid uses by very few hunters for such a rig. Less is more in my book. Unless its cape buffalo.

Yes ..Gophers out in force. The eagles have been really taking their toll. Easy pickings when its a pure white background.

It was nearly sixty degrees yesterday and the River was as full of geese, ducks and swans as I have ever seen............what a sight!

Frank N.

[This message has been edited by Frank Nowakowski (edited 03-27-2002).]

28 March 2002, 22:32

Rusty Gunn

quote:
Originally posted by Brad:
RustG... I'm confused... how are you in disagreement? On the one hand you seem to be saying a heavy 24" bbl. is nice, but a lighter 22" bbl. is better...??? I said, even though I'm 5'10", I still like shorter, 22" (and less) barrels... what are you saying? Just curious.
BA

The 24 incher I mentioned was a heavy sporter (quite heavy), esp with the muzzle brake it had on it. This was too long, and too heavy for me, for being a short guy with short arms, it didn't balance well.
A 22(or 24) inch thinner barrel may be a better idea next time around, and no brake.
WhomingSwede mentioned having long arms, and a longer barrel balanced better for him, with you saying "hah! about it, so I disagreed with you, that for him, with long arms with a longer barrel, and me with short arms and a shorter barrel, being better. Just a matter of preference. ~~~Suluuq

29 March 2002, 06:21

Brad

Just to clarify... I never mentioned Wyo Sweded, nor was I disagreeing with him or commenting on his post... my "hah" is/was meant as a "LOL," not a commentary... that's just how I write. Hence, my confusion because we're saying the same thing.

I'm only 5'10"... shorter barreled rifles "feel" better to me than longer ones. Guys with long arms or guys who are "taller than the should be" (hah, LOL... like Frank N.!) like longer tubes because they "feel" better to them... those guys also get the benefit of more fps, but finding clothes and shoes that fit is harder... so you see, everyone wins!

Brad

30 March 2002, 08:09

sdgunslinger

Tall guys also hit their heads easier !

I am 6' 4" and have the proverbial arms like a gorilla and my knuckles are close to dragging on the ground . 36 " sleeves are too short . I find that 24 inch barrels really work well for me , although I wouldn't want a barrel any longer than that on a general purpose hunting rig .........

31 March 2002, 03:39

Rusty Gunn

quote:
Originally posted by Brad:
Just to clarify... I never mentioned Wyo Sweded, nor was I disagreeing with him or commenting on his post... my "hah" is/was meant as a "LOL," not a commentary... that's just how I write. Hence, my confusion because we're saying the same thing.
I'm only 5'10"... shorter barreled rifles "feel" better to me than longer ones. Guys with long arms or guys who are "taller than the should be" (hah, LOL... like Frank N.!) like longer tubes because they "feel" better to them... those guys also get the benefit of more fps, but finding clothes and shoes that fit is harder... so you see, everyone wins!
Brad

The "hah!" along with your "brainwashing" comment, as well as WyoSwede being the only one saying longer arms need longer barrels for balance, with you saying you haven't been prejudiced over lengths and liked shorter ones, was quite easy to become misunderstood. Simple mistake. ~~~Suluuq

31 March 2002, 06:13

Brad

RustyG, no problem... as a Montana-Norwegian I'd never insult a Wyoming-Swede... or anyone else for that matter.

Brad Amundson

02 April 2002, 08:39

Socrates

Frank: How is Montana for Grizzlies? Heard they are better protected then people...

How does that 338 250 grain bullet work on bear, and, would you go heavier?

[This message has been edited by Socrates (edited 04-01-2002).]

05 April 2002, 07:01

Frank Nowakowski

Grizzlies.......I have seen afew at a freinds Ranch on the front range near Glacier Park, they are MOST impressive. And yes VERY much protected.

I have used the 250's (Swifts/Nosler partitions) on; Livingston eland, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and elk, also one elk with a 225 partition. I really didn't feel I was lacking on any of them. Though on the eland I would never try anything other than a broadside or straight on shot, NO rear/raking shots on them. Though on an elk, in the right situation, such as; close, unalerted bull , I would do one. I think the .338-06 with a 250 at 2500 has the poop to do the job.

I have never hunted bears, they don't interest me. But if charged I would not want ANY .338-06 I would much prefer my three seven five.