338 Win Questions

[Fatback]

I have recently come into possession of a 338 Win rifle. It’s a left handed model 70. It’s a stainless version that has had some work done to it before I got it. It was in a smallish aftermarket stock, which I have already changed out. Then barrel has been shortened to 19 inches. I haven’t shot it yet and not sure what I want to do with it. Keep it as is, use it as a donor for a build or try to move it along. As far as building a new rifle, I’ve pretty much have all caliber windows covered between .25 to .416 so not sure what I might build but I’m open to suggestions.

Does the shorter barrel pose any potential problems? Loss of velocity? I could see some advantages for use in thicker brush with shorter shot distances, if velocity would be an issue.

Thoughts from the AH braintrust would be appreciated.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Both the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan and Guide Gun sport 20” barrels and are offered in .338 Win Mag so barrel length good for your purpose. I would keep it and load 300 grain bullets and add a reflex optic.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Hi.
I've owned a couple of .338WMs and I really like the cartridge.
Both of my .338s have been Winchester M70s, one CRF and one pushfeed, and both rifles performed flawlessly...
Personally, I'd want a longer barrel than 19". 22" would be the minimum, but I would really prefer 24", but that's just me.
As far as re-barrelling, I guess that really depends on what you want to do with it.
If I were using it for big game (excluding DG), I would just put a longer barrel on it and use it as a .338WM.
It really is a fantastic cartridge.

Russ

 

[LimbNoMo]

.404j

 

[dchum]

Yes will certainly loose some velo! But not like the 338 win was lacking!

19” is begging to be Supressed!
Slap the “Rugged Alaskan 360TI” can on it.
Of course there are many places to get a quality thread job for cheap.

Good excuse to dive into the suppressor world if you have not already.

Will make that 338 a pussy cat to shoot. It’s a really surprise. Makes you grin.

 

[Fatback]

.404j

I just got out of the 404J game a couple of months ago. I think I’m settled on my 416Rem for my go to DG rifle.

Yes will certainly loose some velo! But not like the 338 win was lacking!

19” is begging to be Supressed!
Slap the “Rugged Alaskan 360TI” can on it.
Of course there are many places to get a quality thread job for cheap.

Good excuse to dive into the suppressor world if you have not already.

Will make that 338 a pussy cat to shoot. It’s a really surprise. Makes you grin.

Hadn’t thought of suppressing the rifle. I’ve never owned a suppressor. Now I’ve got something else to consider.

 

[Fatback]

Hi.
I've owned a couple of .338WMs and I really like the cartridge.
Both of my .338s have been Winchester M70s, one CRF and one pushfeed, and both rifles performed flawlessly...
Personally, I'd want a longer barrel than 19". 22" would be the minimum, but I would really prefer 24", but that's just me.
As far as re-barrelling, I guess that really depends on what you want to do with it.
If I were using it for big game (excluding DG), I would just put a longer barrel on it and use it as a .338WM.
It really is a fantastic cartridge.

Russ

I actually have a 338 barrel off of a different Model 70 that is either 24 or 26 inches long. I might have my gunsmith just swap barrels. Another good idea to consider.

 

[Wyfox]

Shoot it first over a chrono, with larger bored rifles you lose less velocity. I'm guessing it will be about 100fps difference from a 24".

 

[Fatback]

Having never had a 338, what grain bullets and what type of MV should I be looking for?

 

[Wyfox]

I have a 26" barrel model 70 338 and shoot 250gr at 2700fps and 230gr at 2730fps

 

[dchum]

I just got out of the 404J game a couple of months ago. I think I’m settled on my 416Rem for my go to DG rifle.


Hadn’t thought of suppressing the rifle. I’ve never owned a suppressor. Now I’ve got something else to consider.

Perfecting timing

It’s never been cheaper and more convenient/easier to acquire a suppressor.
No more year long wait, Its now just weeks

And now there are plenty of .338 and larger diameter cans on the market.

A 6-7 inch long can on 19” put you right back at normal length. 210gr factory Barnes Vor-TX . Will be like thors hammer

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

The family of .338 cartridges are fantastic. My experience is with the .338 Win Mag and .340 Wby Mag. I like a 300 gr bullet at 2400 fps or a 250 gr bullet at 2600 fps in the Winchester. There has been a trend towards lighter 200 gr and 225 gr pills which can be pushed fast.

 

[Fish2table]

I’m a big fan of the 338 win. It’s a great do all round for North America. I plan on taking it to Africa for my next plains game hunt.
Fish

 

[Badboymelvin]

I actually have a 338 barrel off of a different Model 70 that is either 24 or 26 inches long. I might have my gunsmith just swap barrels. Another good idea to consider.

I had a Winchester M70 Synthetic Matte in .338WM and that had a 26" barrel, and not once did I find it unwieldy or clumsy – even in the thick stuff while hunting Sambar.

The only problem with my barrel was it was magnaported, and I still swear to this day that is the reason that it shot slower than my mate's .338 with a 24"...

IMO, 24" - 26" is perfect for a .338

Russ

 

[Badboymelvin]

I just got out of the 404J game a couple of months ago. I think I’m settled on my 416Rem for my go to DG rifle.


Hadn’t thought of suppressing the rifle. I’ve never owned a suppressor. Now I’ve got something else to consider.

I really, really like the .416RM too

 

[DLSJR]

Having never had a 338, what grain bullets and what type of MV should I be looking for?

I’m a big fan of 225 grain bullets for my .338. They just shoot very, very well in my rifle. I mostly shoot Barnes’s TTSX or Federal Trophy Bonded Bearclaws and both perform wonderfully on anything I’ve ever shot with them.

 

[Gomer]

Having never had a 338, what grain bullets and what type of MV should I be looking for?

One reason I really like the 338 Win Mag is how closely it mirrors 30-06 external ballistics and trajectories. The 210gr 338 is in the 2900 fps range like a 30-06 and 150s. 225gr is around 2800 like a 165 in a 30-06. 250gr is 2700 like a 180 in a 30-06.

Like the 30-06, you don’t need a really long barrel to achieve these velocities. Something in the 22” to 24” is perfect. You also don’t need the super-slow burning powders to achieve these velocities compare to more over-bored cartridges. The 4350 to 4831 zone is where you want to be.

 

[Das765]

Keep it and shoot it as is. A left hand Model 70 in .338 Win Mag is uncommon and desirable. The 19" barrel makes it a handy brush woods gun.

Velocity loss: Expect 100-150 fps less than a 24" barrel roughly 20-30 fps per inch. Still plenty factory 225-250gr loads should run 2600-2750 fps, more than enough for elk, moose, or bear inside 300 yards where the short barrel shines.

Pros for thick brush Quick handling, lighter swing, less snag. Recoil is stout but manageable in a proper stock. No real downsides for short to medium range hunting.

 

[dogcat1]

Use a suppressor on that barrel, makes it more fun to shoot

 

[Choupique]

I would not be concerned about the barrel length at all. 18 to 20" is perfect, especially with a suppressor. The muzzle blast and noise is going to be fairly obnoxious from that short a barrel.

If you do decide to send it packing, those left hand stainless classics are desirable and it should sell easily.