My mission to find the best short barreled big 338!!!

Elk Hunter 338

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Joined
Feb 19, 2010
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3,970
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Boss man @Lane Precision Rifles in Idaho
As many know, I am infatuated with larger 338's and how well they .. for a lack of a better term SIMPLY SMASH ****!!!

The last few years though, I have been traveling down the road of being a short barreled suppressor running kinda guy. So, with that, finding what works and what does not for my needs is a fine line that I'm willing to walk due to what the returns are!!

Last years rifle was frickin awesome and it stacked up the game with every trigger squeeze! With big 338's There is never a wonder " did I hit it?" It's actually always more like "welp get the packs ready boyz" I even let my oldest son shoot his bull with it, and after absolutely stoning it at 486 yards off my RRS tripod he turned and said .. "that was so awesome, I saw him hit the dirt and it was sooooo quiet.. can I have this one DAD;)""??

This rifle was a last minute project.. and I absolutely loved it!

BAT VESPER, BARTLEIN #3B 22" 9.4 TW, MCM GAMEHUNTER 2.0, UM DBM, TRIGGER TECH DIAMOND, TBAC 338 ULTRA! This rifle has since been sent to very great customer of mine to enjoy for years to come.
20220922_180943.jpg


So, After last seasons end, I started a new quest for the ultimate short barrel big 338 build and cartridge simply because of the success I had. I have received quite a few calls, emails and PM's wanting know what's the best and have I done it all to see which is best!! The simple answer is NO .. but I promise I have shot more large 338's in many different setups than most, and I know what I want and dont want, and i know what it takes to get to my set parameters.... I can tell you this .. for absolute certainty, there is no replacement for displacement!!! You want horse power? You have to feed it! Velocity comes from fuel being burned .. I've done them all from from 338-06 ACK on up! There is no substitution for displacement!!

So I thought maybe I could fine tune it into a serious platform for myself as well as others wanting to experience the raw power the larger 338's possess in a shorter package!

This years rifle is what I decided to try out and I have enough time to tweak and change how I see fit!!

build specs:
BAT BUILT LPR SPEC'D HR .. THE BEST ACTION ON THE PLANET ..PERIOD!
WYATTS CFE9 TUNED TO PERFECTION
HCA 20" 9.5 TW
CHAMBERED IN LPR 338 NORMA IMPROVED
TT SPECIAL @2#
DISCONTINUED GAMEWARDEN MAX HAND PAINTED BY THE MASTER @custom GUN COATINGS
HAWKINS BDL
TBAC 338 ULTRA
NXS 5.5-22X50 NP-R1 FOR SIMPLE TESTING
AS IT SITS FULLY LOADED 10.6# SO NOT TERRIBLE.
BARE RIFLE IS 6 POUNDS 10 OUNCES!!!! MY U;TIMATE GOAL HERE IS TO GET A STOMPER UNDER 10 POUNDS FULLY RIGGED..
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20230506_152206.jpg
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Picture is formed and unformed with 250 accubond

I will be posting velocities, bullets used and everything else here at later dates so follow along and feel free to add your builds if they are very similar to my (our) goals .. I would love to see them !!! DISCLAIMER !!!! I WILL NOT BE SHOOTING ANY UNICORN TEAR POWERS!!!!. NO RL THIS, NO VV THAT.. IT WILL ALL BE DONE SQAURE WITH H1000 ONLY.

P.S. ///// I have several others being built spec'd similar to mine for customers that i will also test and post on here .. they wont be running cans so it will be interesting.

all 22 or 20" barrels 338 edge, 338 reaper 338 ultra
 

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I have said for the last 20 years that almost anything based on the 416 Rigby sized case is the ultimate hunting cartridge, and the 338 fills the bill precisely. A shortened version is fine too, but I just enjoy the full sized case improved and used to it's maximum potential.
I like your build, congratulations on achieving your goal.

Cheers.
 
I have said for the last 20 years that almost anything based on the 416 Rigby sized case is the ultimate hunting cartridge, and the 338 fills the bill precisely. A shortened version is fine too, but I just enjoy the full sized case improved and used to it's maximum potential.
I like your build, congratulations on achieving your goal.

Cheers.
oh I am 100% on board with what you are saying.. I would also do the really big stuff on my 338 reaper case but.. i dont want to thrash on my suppressor that hard ....
 
I thought the Edge from this past season was your favorite? That was one good looking rifle. Lots of people in camp wanted to take that thing home with them.
Dont get me wrong I was sad to see it go!! I love to tinker so i figured let it go to a good home and see what i can come up with next!
 
As many know, I am infatuated with larger 338's and how well they .. for a lack of a better term SIMPLY SMASH ****!!!

The last few years though, I have been traveling down the road of being a short barreled suppressor running kinda guy. So, with that, finding what works and what does not for my needs is a fine line that I'm willing to walk due to what the returns are!!

Last years rifle was frickin awesome and it stacked up the game with every trigger squeeze! With big 338's There is never a wonder " did I hit it?" It's actually always more like "welp get the packs ready boyz" I even let my oldest son shoot his bull with it, and after absolutely stoning it at 486 yards off my RRS tripod he turned and said .. "that was so awesome, I saw him hit the dirt and it was sooooo quiet.. can I have this one DAD;)""??

This rifle was a last minute project.. and I absolutely loved it!

BAT VESPER, BARTLEIN #3B 22" 9.4 TW, MCM GAMEHUNTER 2.0, UM DBM, TRIGGER TECH DIAMOND, TBAC 338 ULTRA! This rifle has since been sent to very great customer of mine to enjoy for years to come.View attachment 461579

So, After last seasons end, I started a new quest for the ultimate short barrel big 338 build and cartridge simply because of the success I had. I have received quite a few calls, emails and PM's wanting know what's the best and have I done it all to see which is best!! The simple answer is NO .. but I promise I have shot more large 338's in many different setups than most, and I know what I want and dont want, and i know what it takes to get to my set parameters.... I can tell you this .. for absolute certainty, there is no replacement for displacement!!! You want horse power? You have to feed it! Velocity comes from fuel being burned .. I've done them all from from 338-06 ACK on up! There is no substitution for displacement!!

So I thought maybe I could fine tune it into a serious platform for myself as well as others wanting to experience the raw power the larger 338's possess in a shorter package!

This years rifle is what I decided to try out and I have enough time to tweak and change how I see fit!!

build specs:
BAT BUILT LPR SPEC'D HR .. THE BEST ACTION ON THE PLANET ..PERIOD!
WYATTS CFE9 TUNED TO PERFECTION
HCA 20" 9.5 TW
CHAMBERED IN LPR 338 NORMA IMPROVED
TT SPECIAL @2#
DISCONTINUED GAMEWARDEN MAX HAND PAINTED BY THE MASTER @custom GUN COATINGS
HAWKINS BDL
TBAC 338 ULTRA
NXS 5.5-22X50 NP-R1 FOR SIMPLE TESTING
AS IT SITS FULLY LOADED 10.6# SO NOT TERRIBLE.
BARE RIFLE IS 6 POUNDS 10 OUNCES!!!! MY U;TIMATE GOAL HERE IS TO GET A STOMPER UNDER 10 POUNDS FULLY RIGGED..
View attachment 461612

View attachment 461605View attachment 461606View attachment 461607View attachment 461608View attachment 461604

Picture is formed and unformed with 250 accubond

I will be posting velocities, bullets used and everything else here at later dates so follow along and feel free to add your builds if they are very similar to my (our) goals .. I would love to see them !!! DISCLAIMER !!!! I WILL NOT BE SHOOTING ANY UNICORN TEAR POWERS!!!!. NO RL THIS, NO VV THAT.. IT WILL ALL BE DONE SQAURE WITH H1000 ONLY. NM

P.S. ///// I have several others being built spec'd similar to mine for customers that i will also test and post on here .. they wont be running cans so it will be interesting.

all 22 or 20" barrels 338 edge, 338 reaper 338 ultra
How much of a difference from a 338NI to a 338LMAI?
The 338LM came out in "89" and the 338NM in 2008. They are almost identical built from a 416 case and both have pros and cons.
Thanks. You shoot more 338s than anyone we know.
 
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