I am considering a rebarreling. In doing so I've started trying to cypher what to go with. I want a .338 but am not decided on the exact case. Where do you find case capacity info?

The rifle is currently a 7mm Rem Mag so case/cartridge has to fit. I've been considering .330 Dakota, .338/.375 Ruger, but am also wondering about the .338 Norma Mag and if it would fit. What other short fat options would be better than the old standard .338WM?

quote:

Originally posted by BigNate:
What other short fat options would be better than the old standard .338WM?

NONE roger

If I had a mag bolt and wanted a 338 then a 338Wmag would be hard to beat.

Per QL the fired unresized water capacity is:

338Wmag 86
330 Dakota 94
338-375 99.5
340Wby 100
338 Norma 106

QL show 97fps difference in max velocity between the 338Wmag and 338-375 with a 225gr.

The 338Norma is almost 3.7" long. I use a 1% velocity for 4% capacity for the 06 based case more like a 1 for 5or6 for the magnums. That gives you about 3% velocity gain or about 90fps.

For my $$ I would stay with the 338Wmag.

One thing that I would do is spend some time with a ballistics program. Increased velocty does not always show enough practical return for a hunting rifle. Targets/competition every tenth of an inch is win or lose, but in a hunting situation even shooting at longer ranges, practice will trump paper ballistics every time. Be careful of cartridges that are going to drive the cost higher because of modifications to the action- once you remove metal, it is very difficult to undo the changes. You didn't say what action you have, but all actions using a 7mm Rem mag should convert to 338 win mag with almost no changes. A Remington 700 can easily handle a 338 win, 340 Weatherby with little to no modifications and can be converted to 338 RUM, 338 Edge and some of the other "fat" cartriges with changes to a magazine box and maybe the follower/spring/feedrails.
I use Ken Howell's book as a source for case capacities. Not all sources agree on the capacity of a case do to different ways to measure etc. so if you mix data from different sources it might not be relevent. I prefer to look at velocity data from as many sources as possible to determine which case is actually performing.

If you can accept that they will not be as readily available "off the shelf" I'd opt for ANY 338 that does not have a belt. That way it will be less likely to have issues with feeding.

However the reality is that 338 Winchester Magnum is a very good cartridge and of you didn't have feeding issues with the donor 7mm Remington Magnum rifle that you have I'd say stick with the 338 Winchester Magnum.

I have a Win M70 Classic SG. I have no real complaint with it. It works. I am thinning things out a bit, and trying to bring it down to having sommon calibers so I can stock less in various calibers. I like the .338 WM I have and it's showing some use, but am considering a 26" barrel in .338 with irons. Have considered staying with the Win Mag version. I get a kick out of playing at long range and kindof want to play with a 300gr SMK in .338 out to 1k or so.

Not that it's practicle but the Campfire version is a bit intriguing .

quote:

Originally posted by enfieldspares:
If you can accept that they will not be as readily available "off the shelf" I'd opt for ANY 338 that does not have a belt. That way it will be less likely to have issues with feeding.

I own 10 rifles chambered for belted magnums ranging from .264 to .416. I've never had a problem with feeding in any of these rifles, nor have I ever seen a problem with feeding in anyone else's rifle chambered for a belted magnum. (Oh, there was that time that my hunting partner reassembled his rifle with the magazine box turned backwards, but I hardly think that counts.) Where does this myth come from?

quote:

I own 10 rifles chambered for belted magnums ranging from .264 to .416. I've never had a problem with feeding in any of these rifles

Maybe not ten haven't counted but never an issue with feeding.

Hang back Biebs. You know it was coming.

.338 Ruger Compact Magnum!

the lee book has case cc's listed.
the 338-06 wouldn't bee too little or too much either.

Well, the 338-06 won't work because the 7mm RM bolt head is too big.

the 338 Rug Compact Magnum is the ballistic equivalent to the 338-06 in terms of case capacity.

I've owned four 338 WM's over the years, an M70, Ruger 77, and two Tikkas. The calibre is a sweet little one. It does just about everything one could ask of a rifle. I've even taken buffalo with it.

Now since you are rebarreling, you don't need to worry about the expense of buying a donor action. But you do need to consider if the action will be the most appropriate for the final choice.

The "Campfire" that some have mentioned is the nickname of the 375Ruger necked down to .338". It is probably the most balanced designed among all of the options mentioned so far. Unfortunately, it is a true wildcat, requiring extra expense and work. Ballistically, capacity-wise, it is about equivalent to the 340 Weatherby. But then again, the 338 Win Mag is one of the most balanced cartridge designs of the past century. It's only downside is the silly little belt when it could have been a full .532" body. When I want to save money, I always appreciate the 338 WinMag. It's one of the rifles to hunt the world with. When I think of ultimate design, I think of the 338 Campfire. When I think of power, I think of the 338 Lapua, which has more capacity than the RUM or Edge, though not as much as a full 'Rigby' necked down to 338, AKA 338/378. The Campfire and Lapua are beltless.

Did I mention that the 338 WinMag is a sweet little calibre?

If you get to where you can't decide, then a 375 Ruger can serve as a nice diversion. If it had come out 50 years ago, I might not have become so fond of the 338 WinMag.

This myth did not exist until the current damnation of belts that started 10 or 15 years ago. The belted case gripes started with shoulder locations and case head separations.
The "feeding" issue was a negative that just did not exist.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

Originally posted by enfieldspares:
If you can accept that they will not be as readily available "off the shelf" I'd opt for ANY 338 that does not have a belt. That way it will be less likely to have issues with feeding.

I own 10 rifles chambered for belted magnums ranging from .264 to .416. I've never had a problem with feeding in any of these rifles, nor have I ever seen a problem with feeding in anyone else's rifle chambered for a belted magnum. (Oh, there was that time that my hunting partner reassembled his rifle with the magazine box turned backwards, but I hardly think that counts.) Where does this myth come from?

I have encountered feeding issues through the years with ALL calibers and cases- especially the "short-fat" beltless cases. But, most people don't bring their rifle into the shop to be worked on unless there is a problem.
The 338 Win mag is going to be "least chance" of any issues option. Remove the spacer from the rear of the mag box, shorten the bolt stop to allow the bolt to make it to the rear of the box, install a new barrel and have some fun.
You don't have to do anything to the box or bolt stop, but the extra 1/4 inch of magazine space allows for not having to seat the longer, higher BC bullets as far into usable powder space.

Duane speaks wisdom.

My .338 Winchesters have all been on actions with 3.65" magazines. I find that most of my loads (even those with relatively light bullets) run longer than the "standard" 3.35" magazines. My current favorite .338 load is a 225 grain Accubond propelled by H4831 at about 2900 fps. It's LOA is 3.507".

I've been unable to identify a beast which I would shoot with a .338 bore rifle that would benefit from more velocity than a standard .338 Winchester will generate. I've killed Springbok at 400 yards, and elk and zebra at 275 yards with mine, so what is it lacking?

A friend has a wildcat .338 on the 8mm Rem Mag case (.338/.416Rem). It's a great shooter and develops an extra 100 fps over a standard .338, but it offers no real advantages. Like the other, larger .338 cases, you just get more recoil, more muzzle blast, and burn more powder, but get animals that are no deader.

quote:

A friend has a wildcat .338 on the 8mm Rem Mag case (.338/.416Rem). It's a great shooter and develops an extra 100 fps over a standard .338, but it offers no real advantages. Like the other, larger .338 cases, you just get more recoil, more muzzle blast, and burn more powder, but get animals that are no deader.

I believe Layne Simpson played with this combination with his STW cartridges and pretty much came up with the same conclusion. He said it offered no advantage over the 340 Weatherby and was basically it's ballistic twin. Neat idea though.

quote:

He said it offered no advantage over the 340 Weatherby and was basically it's ballistic twin.

Ballistic twin, yes, but the .338/8 does have advantages, namely, it lacks the screwy double radius shoulder of the WBY and isn't missing the first 3/4 inch or so of riflings in its barrel. This makes both reloading for it and achieving good accuracy easier.

If the .338/.375 Ruger is a ballistic twin to the .340 Wby what's wrong with that?

How hard would it be to get a M70 to feed it? Would I be better off selling the M70 and picking up a Donor rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by BigNate:
If the .338/.375 Ruger is a ballistic twin to the .340 Wby what's wrong with that?

How hard would it be to get a M70 to feed it? Would I be better off selling the M70 and picking up a Donor rifle?

Feeding shouldn't be a problem, as is. You just need to decide if you want controled-feeding, or not, and if your M70 is an older push-feed or the newer renewed, controlled feed. Then it's just a little more money are work to do a 338/375Ruger.

quote:

Where does this myth come from?

Experience in my case. A Parker-Hale 7mm R.M. that just would not feed the second round it would jam on the round below it with its belt.

quote:

I like the .338 WM I have and it's showing some use, but am considering a 26" barrel in .338 with irons. Have considered staying with the Win Mag version. I get a kick out of playing at long range and kindof want to play with a 300gr SMK in .338 out to 1k or so.

I love my Sako .338, but am somewhat confused by you statement as to what you want to do. F class? Long range hunting? Iron sights? 300 grain Sierra's?

I can't think of a better all around cartridge larger than the venerable -06 other than the 338 Winchester. To do what you want, I believe, requires something bigger and heavier than a simple re barrel. Sure you'll gain the twist needed for the heavier bullet, but with no extra H.P. to get said bullet there, what's the point? I guess I'm pushing for the 338 Lapua if you're well-heeled, but the creative side in me suggests the 338 Ultra mag. I think I'd find a suitable donor action and build a .338 U.M...

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:

quote:

I like the .338 WM I have and it's showing some use, but am considering a 26" barrel in .338 with irons. Have considered staying with the Win Mag version. I get a kick out of playing at long range and kindof want to play with a 300gr SMK in .338 out to 1k or so.

I love my Sako .338, but am somewhat confused by you statement as to what you want to do. F class? Long range hunting? Iron sights? 300 grain Sierra's?

I can't think of a better all around cartridge larger than the venerable -06 other than the 338 Winchester. To do what you want, I believe, requires something bigger and heavier than a simple re barrel. Sure you'll gain the twist needed for the heavier bullet, but with no extra H.P. to get said bullet there, what's the point? I guess I'm pushing for the 338 Lapua if you're well-heeled, but the creative side in me suggests the 338 Ultra mag. I think I'd find a suitable donor action and build a .338 U.M...

The reason for a 26" with irons is I would hunt it and I hate the idea of damaging a scope and not having irons for back up. I have shot beyond 1k but not in competition, I was in the service. I don't see myself getting into F class and if I were I'd go with the Norma Mag.

The RUM or Edge have merit but I'd need to dump my M70 and buy a donor. I guess I was thinking a rebarrel would be easiest. I agree the 300gr out of the Win Mag wouldn't be worth the effort.

Well heeled? If I had enough play money I'd buy a CheyTac. They are impressive.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

He said it offered no advantage over the 340 Weatherby and was basically it's ballistic twin.

Ballistic twin, yes, but the .338/8 does have advantages, namely, it lacks the screwy double radius shoulder of the WBY and isn't missing the first 3/4 inch or so of riflings in its barrel. This makes both reloading for it and achieving good accuracy easier.

Completely agree with that.

if already a ..532 boltface, it is likely impossible to beat a 338/375 ruger -- if you load it to 338 winmag vels, the recoil will be slower, which will make old nancy happy - as well as recoil sissies like roger -- or load it to 340 weatherby, and it will kick a bit... load it down to 338-06 for the ladies, 338-08 for the kids, or fill the case 70% of trailboss and have a rabbit gun...

the 338/375 is the twin of NOTHING, though it has the case capacity of the 340 weatherby, more or less....

cr@p, i need to get out an steal christmas - HUMBUG

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
if already a ..532 boltface, it is likely impossible to beat a 338/375 ruger -- if you load it to 338 winmag vels, the recoil will be slower, which will make old nancy happy - as well as recoil sissies like roger -- or load it to 340 weatherby, and it will kick a bit... load it down to 338-06 for the ladies, 338-08 for the kids, or fill the case 70% of trailboss and have a rabbit gun...

the 338/375 is the twin of NOTHING, though it has the case capacity of the 340 weatherby, more or less....

cr@p, i need to get out an steal christmas - HUMBUG

I would agree that the 338/375 Ruger is about the ideal design for a .338" diameter.

So where does one find the reamers and order the barrels? Everyone seems to keep them hush-hush.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
- as well as recoil sissies like roger -- HUMBUG

Merry Christmas any how you old curmudgeon. roger

Merry Christmas roger