22" 338 Win Mag?

[Truc]

Just wondering how much velocity loss and muzzle blast could be expected, and or gain over a 338/06 in same length

 

[Timber338]

Just wondering how much velocity loss and muzzle blast could be expected, and or gain over a 338/06 in same length

I think you could expect to lose about 25 - 30 fps every inch below 26 inches of barrel length. So about 100 - 120 total fps loss. But like you mention, I think muzzle blast would increase a bit.

Seems like if you are really wanting a 22" barrel, the 338-06 might be the better choice. Always wanted to build a 338-06. I'm sure I will someday, something like a browning BLR 30-06 with the bore opened up to 338. That would make a great elk rifle for the dark timber.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'm with Timber on this one...You'd be better off with the .338-06 with a 22" barrel.

I honestly don't see you gaining a whole heck of alot just going up to a .338 WM. If you were jumping up with a larger case than that you will see a significant improvement, but you will still need a longer barrel.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I had a 22" barreled 338 Win mag and a 20" that was Magna Ported.
Both Ruger M77 mk2 ss. The 22 " I lost a total of 20 fps from 24" . With a 275 gr KBC. And if I remember correctly 68 gr IMR 4831 Fed.215 primer. . 2660 fps with 24" . 2640 fps with the 22" .
However, the 20" gave me about 2550 fps with the same load. .
I've shot that load in a few of my 24" barreled Ruger's also.
Your loads may vary but those were my chronographed results.
I hear about high velocities with the 338/06 but they need barrel length to do it.
For me, I'll stick with the Win Mag. Its one of my favorite rounds.

 

[Timber338]

Just out of curiosity, what is your motivation behind a 22" barrel? Is it just to have a handy rifle that's easier to carry and shoot in thicker forest settings? Sounds kind of like you've got a specific hunt you're planning and want a new toy to go along.

 

[Timber338]

I had a 22" barreled 338 Win mag and a 20" that was Magna Ported.
Both Ruger M77 mk2 ss. The 22 " I lost a total of 20 fps from 24" . With a 275 gr KBC. And if I remember correctly 68 gr IMR 4831 Fed.215 primer. . 2660 fps with 24" . 2640 fps with the 22" .
However, the 20" gave me about 2550 fps with the same load. .

Your loads may vary but those were my chronographed results.
I hear about high velocities with the 338/06 but they need barrel length to do it.
For me, I'll stick with the Win Mag. Its one of my favorite rounds.

Great to see some actual numbers on this. I also love the win mag, it's one of the best cartridges around. Either way I don't think you can go wrong, but for hunting I definitely prescribe to the "bigger is better" theory. Just to throw in another idea, I have a 338-300 wsm wildcat that performs much closer to the win mag than the 338-06, and in a short action rifle. Great little gun that's been a ton of fun to play around with.

 

[Truc]

Thanks, I have the 338/06 with a 22" barrel I traded for, it's a Rem 700 trued in a McMillan Mtn stock. Rifle weighs in at 6.6 lbs. I just happen to have 40 pieces of new 338 Norma Win Mag brass laying around and was wondering if it would be foolish to open it up.
And since I don't need a 338 often, and this is a very handy rifle. I thought of doing a switch barrel and can't decide on a 270 or a 7 Rem Mag. I have both barrels laying around.
I know about the bolt face but thats just a matter of opening it up and adding a Sako extractor.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thanks, I have the 338/06 with a 22" barrel I traded for, it's a Rem 700 trued in a McMillan Mtn stock. Rifle weighs in at 6.6 lbs. I just happen to have 40 pieces of new 338 Norma Win Mag brass laying around and was wondering if it would be foolish to open it up.
And since I don't need a 338 often, and this is a very handy rifle. I thought of doing a switch barrel and can't decide on a 270 or a 7 Rem Mag. I have both barrels laying around

If you're gonna open the bolt face, I'd go with a 7mm RemMag. But if you want to keep it the .338-06, you could build a barrel in .280 Ackley Improved and get almost the same velocity as a 7mm RM, but you won't have to open up the bolt face, and you can interchange between .338-06 and .280 AI with no problem.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

If its an 06 action I would stick with an 06 based cart. . Plenty of rigamarole involved in going to a belted mag bolt face, extractor, mag box. And then there's the RAMP AND RAILS .
Lots of potential bad headaches!!
270 would be my pick. But really I would go 6.5/06 , 6.5/06 AI or 6.5 Sherman.
But if you already have a good 270 barrel that u want to use that's an easy swap. And would make a good switch barrel.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

280 AI. Would work good too.

 

[Truc]

I didn't think about the rails, but I just tried it and not an issue as it feeds a 338 Win case just fine. I do have a ramp laying around for a mag case. What brought this up is I really want to shoot the 250 VLD Berger and the 338/06 can't do it as I've tried. Both barrels are new factory take offs so hence the 7 mag. Once I've played around with it and like it, then I'll go with a new Brux etc barrel.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

IMO ; a new/ different action is what you need. . Then you can build what ever you want with less hassles. Why won't your 338/06 shoot the 250 Vld bullet. If its a 10" twist the 338/06 should start them @ 2400 fps. They should be stabilized.


The bolt face won't work. Going from 06 base to magnum base. . If it was a crf bolt then it can be modified fairly easily. Buy not with an enclosed bolt face.

 

[Truc]

it stabilizes them, just haven't found a load that shoots well. Maybe you're right I'll keep working on it.