338 owners advice please

[elkaholic]

I am looking for input on real experiences with the number of grooves in your 338 barrels. I know what some of the accepted theories are on more or less grooves, but would like to hear from the owners themselves. I have 3, 4 and 5 groove barrels on rifles from 6.5 to 30 caliber and have had some good results with all. I am currently considering a 338 Sherman build and have lots of good choices in barrels. I currently shoot Krieger , Bartlein, and Brux and will likely stay with one of those three. In 338, Krieger uses 4 grooves, Bartlein 5r, and Brux 6 grooves. Please let me know what you think are the pros and cons in your own experience. THANKS!........Rich

 

[benchracer]

Krieger's website shows 5r and 6 groove configuration in .338. No 4 groove is shown:

https://www.kriegerbarrels.com/twist#bolt

 

[300 Driver]

It's not custom, so this may be no help, but my TC venture has 5r and it shoots almost everything i feed it .5-.75 moa in a 338 WM.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

All of mine are 5.

Benchmark 338 Edge
Barlein 5R 9.5 (not installed in anything)
Weatherby Factory 338/26-Nosler, could be 6, I didn't look.

A 338 SS would be great. I wish I new the specs of the SS body so I could model it in QuickDesign. I have one similar but not the same.

I'm guessing based on my reading about the SS and mine that is close, with a 225 Accubond you will get ~2800fps from a 26" barrel. Maybe I think it has more capacity that it does but that meets or beats 338WM and compares pretty well with a 33 Nosler giving up only 200fps for ~30 grains of powder savings.

 

[elkaholic]

Krieger's website shows 5r and 6 groove configuration in .338. No 4 groove is shown:

https://www.kriegerbarrels.com/twist#bolt

Thanks for that correction

 

[AZShooter]

I have a 22" sporter 338 RCM with a Lilja #2 SS that is a 6 groove 1 in 10 twist. Shoots the 225 accubonds @ 2750 with RL-17

Second 338 RCM is a rebored/rerifled 30" SS barrel done by Classic barrel works. It is also a 6 groove. It is setup to shoot the 300 gr Bergers @ 2525 fps with RL-17 and has a 1 in 9 twist.

Buddy's 338 RUM has a 28" Lilja 1 in 10 twist 6 groove. Shoots 300 gr Sierras @ 2845 fps