Short barreled 338s

[backyardsniper]

I think you're spot in with the 22" idea. I think that's it

 

[yorke-1]

You should be able to easily hit 2700 fps with a 285 from a 20" 338 Lapua with the right load. I get 2700 fps with a 260gr bullet from an 18" barreled 338/375 Ruger with H100-v. I get 300gr OTMs to 2875 fps from a 20" barreled 338 SnipeTac running a relatively mild charge of H50bmg.

 

[Mammoth Hunter]

I developed a wildcat 338 MKS that shoots a 300 grain bullet at over 2400 fps. out of a 18" barrel. It is a Ruger 375 necked down and shorted to 2.75" so it runs through a standard action. About 4000 Ft lbs. I would like someone to test it in a longer barrel.

 

[backyardsniper]

I'm thinking very seriously about trying a 20" I have a decent supply of H1000, Rl33, and Ramshot LRT. I also have a good bit of H4831sc which I have had a lot of success with in the 250gr bullet class. This should be a good experiment. Once I have all the other parts if it Doesn't workout all I'll have to do is get it rebarreled with a longer barrel but I think i'll give this 20" 338 Lapua a shot

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

I would research desert tech forums - lots of 338 lapua's running real short 18" barrels out of that covert platform.

 

[Wild Monkey]

I have built many 338's for different purposes and for the 338 Lapua you are going to be limited to 24 to 26'' barrels for any performance. The smallest and lightest 338 that is still a performer is the 338 RCM (A short mag that does well at 22" of barrel. The 338 rum is the ballistic equal to the Lapua using less powder but when you get to this level a 26" minimum barrel length is needed to get any real performance. I would recommend using 250 grain Bullets for this class of cartridge. Then there are the cartridges that consume 115 or more grains of powder and they need at least 28 to 30" barrels or as stated, they become flame throwers and not only waist lots of powder they also erode barrels fast from pushing un-burnt powder all the way through the barrel.

The 338 RCM will push a 225 grain to 2700 + with the 22" barrel. the 338 RUM will push a 250 grain to 3000 ft/sec in a 26" barrel and the Lapua will do 2900+.

The short mags use less faster burning powder to reach the max pressures in shorter barrels so you might consider an Improved short mag on a short action with a 24" barrel to save overall rifle length.

Big High velocity bullets need longer barrels to reach their potential unfortunately.

J E CUSTOM

Considering his application, "short barrel" and the desire to use .338 Lapua Brass, why wouldn't he be better off going up to .375? "375-338 Lapua Improved"

 

[J E Custom]

Considering his application, "short barrel" and the desire to use .338 Lapua Brass, why wouldn't he be better off going up to .375? "375-338 Lapua Improved"

Longer cartridges need longer actions and normally have more case capacity requiring more slow burning powder that needs a longer barrel. The short mags are very efficient at getting velocity with limited barrel length.

They also don't need long barrels to get velocity. They do however use about the same amount of powder as their counter part but in a much more compact package. The poster wanted the shortest barrel/rifle possible and the short mag in a short action will do both.

I have both the short and long action 338's and all tho the short mag cant compete with the wildcat 338 Texan, It does push a 200 grain bullet @ 2850 fr/sec and the 225 @ 2700+ in a 23" barrel.

Just an Idea

J E CUSTOM

 

[Shane Lindsey]

@backyardsniper

Reviving.
Did you ever do the short barreled 338 Lapua? I did a 22". Just curious how your's turned out.

 

[backyardsniper]

I did. I actually was just at the range a couple days ago with it. I have a leopard hunt booked for 2026 and I am considering using it for that hunt.
I have shot 285 eldm and 300 nosler custom comp with both RL33 and H1000 and both have produced excellent groups at approx 2640fps. My barrel is 21", I have been working on running it with no muzzle brake since African hunting is usually a group activity with trackers and your PH so muzzle brakes are not really popular over there. My next plan is to test some 230-250 grain projectiles with powders in the H4831 burn rate and see how that shakes out. Long story short though, I really like the short barrel 338.
For the sake of comparison all of the 26"-28" 338 lapua I have usually ran around 2730fps-2780fps. So you are looking at about 100fps less in trade for the lower weight and added maneuverability of the shorter barrel rifle. It is a worthwhile trade for 90% of hunting situations I believe.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Agree completely. Mine isn't custom, just ordered a Savage prefit from Carbon 6. With the suppressor it defeats the short and handy, but it is fun.

213gr Hammer Hunters with RL23 at 3098 FPS
270gr ELDX with H1000 at 2687 FPS
300 Gr Berger with N570 at 2532 FPS. TO be fair, this was break in on the first 20 rounds but wanted to see what it was doing. May re-visit once I can find some more.

 

[backyardsniper]

Mine was bang on 2530'ish during break in. I only have about 100 rounds through it and it has sped up to around 2640, but those loads were pushing the envelope. I think 2575-2625 is reasonable with the 285-300 grain class bullets. I think the 250 class bullets will really shine with this set up. I have mine on a switch lug and I have a 29" 338 Ackley imp that's hitting 3000fps with the 300gr bullets for any super LR needs but the short 338 at 2600 will be the go to workhorse for most hunting applications. I thought about having a 416 Rigby barrel cut for it, same bolt face, so I could have a comete Africa rig. On a side note my current 416 rigby, a Sako brown bear, has a 20" barrel and gets 2420fps with a 400gr A frame. It is a show stopper for anything you hit with it!

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I guess I need to clock my 250s. Only have about 25 left so been waiting for Berger rain to occur again...

 

[backyardsniper]

I have a boat load of lapua 250 scenars. Shoot me a PM if you need some.
I think the 230 eldx or the 270 is going to be an excellent projectile for that configuration. The 230 in particular for anything in normal LR hunting range, say 600-800 yds

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have quite a few 270s but have mixed feelings about using them based on what I have read here. As long as the animal dies, I guess that is the purpose. No elk hunt planned anytime soon so I guess the whitetail will just have to be my experiment