Since the 308 family will fit in some neat little actions, like the Kimber 84's, and produce quite a bit of power how about a new cartridge for such rifles?

Lets consider a blown out 308 case. Why go with the old 20 degree shoulder anyway?

I know that hard kicking cartridges just don't sell but I can't help myself as I like what the .358 Win does so much.

How about a .338-08 Kimber? If the design was to have the same headspacing that an improved cartridge does ie. being able to chamber say new factory 308 Win brass but holding it tight in the chamber like a proper improved chamber does!

The typical 40 degree shoulder angle may be too steep for production and sizing as well. It seems that the WSM's have a neat looking 35 degree shoulder so lets consider that.

Since you only gain 1% velocity for each 4% of increased case capacity, any gain in capacity for that case, with such a relatively small shoulder, any "improving" would be impossible to find with a chronograph. Variations in case wall thickness, primers, powder lots, temperature, etc. would have as much or more influence than case shape. By using the standard shoulder, you could use .308 reamers and headspace gauges and data from Ken Waters' Pet Loads for the 338-08.

Had a SAKO M591 action rebarreled to .338-08 AI (40 degree shoulder) a few years ago. Though the cartridge was cool to look at, performance wise there was no gain over a standard .338-08. But then none was really needed...I could push 180's @ 2,700 fps, 200's @ 2,600 fps and 210's at 2,500 fps. All from a 22" barrel. About what a .30-06 will push equal weight bullets. Took it hunting one fall for whitetail deer. Shot 2 deer broadside at ranges of about 30 and 15 yds...I think the bullets are still moving out there somewhere.

take the same idea
start with a 284 or a wsm round
even works in a blr or 99, if pressure is watched

the 338-08, other than being short, is something i looked at hard, then decided after reading load data, it's inferior to the 358 win, as I get 2500+ with 225, 2800+ with 180s, and over 3000 fps with 150 rems or pistol bullets..

jeffe

I was thinking of a new factory round. I already have three .358 Wins and have hunted them since 1966. My "idea" is for something that might catch on and give us a bigger bore in that case size.

Most of us must agree that an improved round in the larger bores cannot increase the capacity all that much but the .358 Win has had it's chance and it's dormant. There is also the fact that Winchester recalled the M70's that they made.

A sharper shoulder will look better and more powerful also.

This is more a marketing idea than anything. I am trying to get Kimber to chamber a bigger bore and perhaps a new cartridge would interest some.

Hello, Rottenend. I love that rifle, by the way. Haven't got to shoot it yet - too much rain here (I'm not complaining as we've had drought conditions for a few years).



Quickload shows that the regular 338-08 has a capacity of 56 grains (H20 to overflow). The 40 degree AI version I have has a measured capacity of 58 grains. So there is a little to be gained, but probably not anything effective in the field.

I think your best bet for a .338 caliber short action round would be to base it on the WSM or Rem SAUM case, which would require a magnum boltface. Not a huge expense, but something to think about.



Jeffeosso - Is a .338-284 possible in a short action (2.8ish inches COL)?? Or would the bullet shank not be long enough (or case be too long) to seat the bullets properly?? I'm just wondering if you'd have problems with the ogive in the case neck.

Since neither the 358 nor the 284 were big hits, its doubtfull that something else with equivalent virtues would be succesfull or even attempted. Unfortunate for those of us who do appreciate their virtues, but true Im afraid.