408 Cheytac Vs 338 AM?

wyobmf · #1 06-06-2007, 02:18 PM

Why neck the 408 down to a 338?
Why not just shoot the factory 305 GRN at 3200 FPS?
Thanks

Dan B · #2 06-06-2007, 02:25 PM

I think it has a LOT to do with bullet selection.

lerch · #3 06-06-2007, 02:32 PM

Bullet selection, exactly!!! there is nothing really out there in any kind of expanding bullet for the 408. By necking down to 338 you increase your bullet selection, and it is still growing thanks to Richard Graves, and you increase velocity.

steve

wyobmf · #4 06-06-2007, 03:19 PM

Thanks for the info
I am thinking about buying one or the other.
Would it really mater how much a 408 cal expands compared to a 338 when you hit bone?
Thanks

linksmechanic · #5 06-06-2007, 03:46 PM

b.c. on .338 bullets is rediculously higher than the 408 therefore way less drop.

lerch · #6 06-06-2007, 03:53 PM

Exactly, you take a bullet weighing 300grs and .338 diameter and compare it to another bullet weighing 305grs and .408 diameter, pretty easy to see which one has the higher BC. Now take that same 338 bullet weighing 300grs and make a good portion of the bullet out of aluminum, way high BC!!!

steve

Black Diamond 408 · #7 06-06-2007, 04:03 PM

The 305grn 408 bullet is a special bronze turned bullet, the BC is not as good as the 338 SMK. It was only made for a special purpose, if your 408 was sighted in with the 419gr bullets, they were supose to be a point blank bullet to 1000yds for advancing military targets. At the posted 3500fps, i never could get one to go that fast, they just punch a tiny hole. Lathe turned bullets are produced for obvious reasons, you dont need all the special dies and equipment to mass produce them when dealing with odd caliber sizes. You can get very high BC's with the monolithics as they will be longer than a standard bullet. Barrel selection/twist rate becomes a narrow margin with the solids.

Stay with anything that shoots match quality bullets, you will be happier in the long run.

Dave