Well, I got my barrel in, got it scoped & bore sighted, so I took it out for a test run over the weekend. Mine is a 24" heavy barrel from foxridge. I had never shot a .338 so I just wanted to see what all the hoop-la was about. Recoil with the 200gr NBT was not bad at all. More of a "push" than the "crack" my .300win had.

I did some informal "worst case senerio" testing with the 200gr NBT. I shot 3 of them into a box of phone books at 20 yards . I expected them to explode, but all three penetrated 5 1/2 phone books. I fliped throught the 6th book and found all three "solid base" jackets perfectly mushroomed. The front core of the bullets were scatered throught the "wound channel" of the books, in tiny peices though. But that mushroomed jacket and solid base would still take down a good size beast.
I would like to do some more tests at 150 yards, I bet this bullet would hold it's own once it slowed down a bit. Definitly not lightly constructed like the smaller caliber NBT's.
I think I'm going to like this .338win barrel!

[ 04-16-2003, 23:55: Message edited by: Mark G ]

Mark,

Have you done any accuracy testing with this barrel yet? I've heard a wide range of comments regarding Encores, but very little about the Fox Ridge barrels. I have a Virgin Valley 270 Win barrel ordered but it is still several weeks before delivery.

Good Hunting,

Andy, I havn't done any range work with this barrel yet. I do have a 26" 270win barrel from FoxRidge that is sub MOA (.7) with factory Hornady 140gr btsp (light mag) ammo, when I do my part, so I have no complaints. Contrary to all the "messengers" they make a good product.