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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
338 lapua barrel length
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<blockquote data-quote="Long Time Long Ranger" data-source="post: 2231" data-attributes="member: 505"><p>90% of the rifles I build are between 26-30 inches in length for long range hunters. The 338 lapuas I have done averaged gaining 15-20 fps per inch from 26-30. It just depends on the barrel though. You could get a 26" barrel that would be faster than another guys 30". But playing the averages you should expect less than a hundred fps gain from a 26" to a 30 inch barrel. In my opinion it is not enough to add the additional weight to the rifle if you hike a lot. It is worth it though in some of the way overbore magnums where I have seen 60-80 plus fps gain per inch. The 257/8mm and 264/8mm rem mags gain a lot per inch for instance. A big bore SFC (short fat cartridge) just doesn't gain a lot.</p><p></p><p>That Alaska experience really opened my eyes to long range killing performance vs. muzzle velocity. I learned many years ago that big bores are much more devastating on game than small calibers but had never shot game at long range with a low velocity big bore until forced to on the Alaska hunt. The low ballistic coefficient factory 200 grain ballistic tips chronographed 2875 fps when I got home but had no problem dropping a huge bull moose at over a half mile. He ran maybe 100 yards. The two caribou were devastated at about the same range. I realized even a slow big bore could deliver tremendous killing power way out there. I have never seen a formula that can depict true killing power but through many years I found out which guns are best at it.</p><p></p><p>I think you have selected an excellent cartridge, but get the improved version. The lapua is short enough to easily seat out to the lands and still feed easily through the magazine with no point deformation from recoil. I wouldn't worry about an extra 65-100 fps and build it on a 26" tube. If you hike a lot when you hunt like I do you will come to appreciate that advice from a backpack hunter going on 35 years experience. I guarantee neither the animal or yourself will ever notice the slight velocity difference but you will notice the weight every step for years to come.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Long Time Long Ranger, post: 2231, member: 505"] 90% of the rifles I build are between 26-30 inches in length for long range hunters. The 338 lapuas I have done averaged gaining 15-20 fps per inch from 26-30. It just depends on the barrel though. You could get a 26" barrel that would be faster than another guys 30". But playing the averages you should expect less than a hundred fps gain from a 26" to a 30 inch barrel. In my opinion it is not enough to add the additional weight to the rifle if you hike a lot. It is worth it though in some of the way overbore magnums where I have seen 60-80 plus fps gain per inch. The 257/8mm and 264/8mm rem mags gain a lot per inch for instance. A big bore SFC (short fat cartridge) just doesn't gain a lot. That Alaska experience really opened my eyes to long range killing performance vs. muzzle velocity. I learned many years ago that big bores are much more devastating on game than small calibers but had never shot game at long range with a low velocity big bore until forced to on the Alaska hunt. The low ballistic coefficient factory 200 grain ballistic tips chronographed 2875 fps when I got home but had no problem dropping a huge bull moose at over a half mile. He ran maybe 100 yards. The two caribou were devastated at about the same range. I realized even a slow big bore could deliver tremendous killing power way out there. I have never seen a formula that can depict true killing power but through many years I found out which guns are best at it. I think you have selected an excellent cartridge, but get the improved version. The lapua is short enough to easily seat out to the lands and still feed easily through the magazine with no point deformation from recoil. I wouldn't worry about an extra 65-100 fps and build it on a 26" tube. If you hike a lot when you hunt like I do you will come to appreciate that advice from a backpack hunter going on 35 years experience. I guarantee neither the animal or yourself will ever notice the slight velocity difference but you will notice the weight every step for years to come. [/QUOTE]
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