I'm going to be having a .338win mag barrel made for my encore. Just wondering what I should make the barrel length. This gun will be an all around big game rifle (deer, elk, moose, bear). Was thinking 26in, but do I really need all that barrel to get good 338 performance? Will be most likely shooting 210 partitions for deer, elk, Blk bear, moose and 250's for BIG bears. Also whats a good place to have one built? Havent herd to good about the custome shop so maybe I'll stay away form them. Thanx in advance
I own a custom 338 WM with a lothar-walther barrel. Originally it had 25", but when I cut the barrel to 23" to make the rifle more handy, I lost only 40 ft/s.
My beloved .338 has a 24" tube and I love it. I wouldn't go longer, but I would go shorter. Handy and all you know. With a 22" you should be able to keep 210 grns moving 2850+
On my bolt action .338s I go with a 24". On my single shots I go 26". The performance is slightly better, but it just balances better and with the shot action its not a problem.
Posts: 224 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 13 August 2005