I have an M77 mkII .338wm with a 24" tube. I love this rifle but wish the barrel was about 20 or 21". The marginal decrease in velocity doesn't concern me but an exponential increase in muzzle blast does. Does anybody have any real world experience with cutting a .338 down to this length? I understand the ramifications of power losses but feel the ergonomics would be vastly improved when carrying this rifle but don't want to go deaf at every shot with obnoxious blast. I've heard a lot of opinions on this but wanted to come here to find some first hand info. Thanks.

I've got a 338 federal ruger frontier with either 18 or 16 in. barrels (not sure). It's got some barrel jump etc., but the blast isn't really noticeable. Granted, the win mag is a different animal, but I wouldn't hesitate to chop it if you don't care about the loss in velocity.

Also have a 416 remy with 20 inch barrels that I love shooting.

At the range you should be wearing ear protection. For the one or two shots in the field, I doubt you'll notice too much when that Bull Elk crumples.

That said, in the .338 Winnie, I'd probably not go below 22" if it were mine, but its not.

I cut mine to 22" and that was short enough for me. Cut it back to 22 and try it, if you don't like it, cut it back again.

Lot easier than trying to make it longer,

Buddy of mine has an older Sako Forrester - may be wrong on the model - with a factory 19" bbl.

Seems to work o.k. Have not stood next to him in the field when the gun goes off. You might get momentarily blinded for a few seconds.

I use a Sako L61R in .338 that's been cut back to 21". I don't feel short changed in the velocity dept., but it does make a quite a racket. Still, it shoots so well and carries so nicely that it's become my 'everyday' gun.

I use ear plugs at the range, but I've noticed a few guys off to the sides cringing and giving me the odd dirty look. Those 18" Sako carbines are even worse. A friend has one in .375 H&H, and the muzzle blast off to the side will almost set you back on your haunches, and hanging on to it it isn't much better.

I am accustomed to 26 inch 338s and now have one that is 24 inches but I damn sure would NOT want anything shorter..I remember shotguns being cut back and a sawed off 12 is not only a chopper poker but a blaster as well...
with the 338 at less than 24 you are creating a way over bore situation...the muzzle blast must be horrific...

My factory M70 wore a 26"(.580"muzzle),theres still enough blast at that length,... Ill take all the barrel I can get ifn' it dont effect the balance of the rifle too much,what really made it a bit slow to swing was the big scope I had on it.

I had a 338 Sako Handi rifle with a 19" barrel. The muzzle blast was obnoxious. Lou

I have 338-06 AI with a 20" barrel. Its short, balanced and a joy to carry. I suppose there is some velocity loss but I never see the bullet anyhow! Most men, myself included can't judge the range as well as the rifle can shoot it.