Twist rate for 338 Federal?

[Randy Tidwell]

Good morning everyone,

I am heading down the path for two new projects. Both on SA Mod 70s, my favorite action. Both of these rifles will be used for Whitetail at 300 yard max here in OK.

First is going to be a 25 Souper with an 8 twist Shaw barrel. I built a 25 Souper a few years ago for my buddy in CA with a 9 twist Bartlin that is an amazing shooter.

The other project is in the development stage.

The rifle will be a 338 Federal that I plan on shooting nothing heavier that 200 grain pills. More than likely, it will see 185's the most.
This little cartridge should push a 185 out of a 22" barrel approx. 2600 fps

I'm toying with twist rate, my knee jerk is run a 10 twist, but also thinking about trying to make the longer for weight mono Barnes TTSX or Hammer bullets perform.

Any thoughts on barrel twist will be greatly appreciated.

Randy

 

[trappererick]

My 338 Federal had a 1:10 and shot both the Barnes 160's and 185's into tiny groups. Never shot the Hammers but suspect they will perform. This was from a 20" Preferred Barrel on a Kelbly SA.

 

[Randy Tidwell]

Thank you. Using one of the twist calculators showed a 14 twist? I thought that was too slow.

Will prib settle on a 10 twist.

 

[Fish4Food]

No clue, but I'm following.

Thinking of either sending my barrel to JES to get rebored; or a new barrel.

 

[softtail103]

My GAP 338 Fed is a 1-10 twist. I run Federal Fusion ammo with 200gr bullets at 2661 fps.

 

[wvbearhunter]

My Rem 700 with Criterion barrel is a 1:10 twist.

 

[HARPERC]

Go faster! It won't hurt with the bullets you're speaking of, and keeps the option of playing with others open.

 

[06 SB]

I have had two barrels that are 1:10 twist and never had any issue on bullets up to 210 Nosler Partition. My third that I just ordered also has a 1:10.

 

[med358-boise]

There is really no down side to going 1:8. It is almost impossible to "over twist" a projectile. Yes it can be done at very high velocities and very high twist rates but there is no way a 338 federal will even approach those velocities.

 

[MachV]

Tikka runns twelve twist. Mine shoots the 165 barns and 200 speer hot cores well.
Lota gun for deer and a long range unit it aint, use mine for Grizz county and timber elk.

 

[Randy Tidwell]

Tikka runns twelve twist. Mine shoots the 165 barns and 200 speer hot cores well.
Lota gun for deer and a long range unit it aint, use mine for Grizz county and timber elk.

I agree it is allot of gun for Whitetail. But I have three reasons for this build.

1) Where I hunt here in OK, its is mostly ladder stands and you get allot of close shots. Lost a doe two years ago that was hit hard, went down, jumped up and ran off. Hit her with a 100gr TTSX 25 cal, found hair but no blood. Searched for two hours, never found her. I took my metal detector down a year later and searched the area where the bullet went into the mud. Sure enough I found it. ZERO mushroom at approx 45 yards.

We also have allot of hogs in our area, actually we are overrun with them. During bow season we always carry a rifle for the hogs. Been carrying a Ruger 77/44 for a couple years now, love it. But would like to have a little more range.

2) About ten years ago I was at a Friends of the NRA dinner. Buddy and I were drinking (imagine that), we were having a great time. They started calling numbers for a Kimber 338 Federal. I wasn't paying attention. Yup, I had the winning ticket. They had already called another number when I realized it. So ever since that, I have wanted one.

3) I just picked up another SA Mod 70 action that will be perfect for a 338 Fed build. Planning building a very light weight rig.

Guess I should throw a 4th reason in, the one I use on my wife all the time.

Around 1990 my good friend, Gardner Johnson, wrote for the Precission Shooting magazine. One of the articles he wrote was about Kimber's first introduction of a rifle chambered in 221 Fireball.

The article started out (paraphrased) "Why in the world would I want a rifle chambered in 221 Fireball when I already have in my varmint arsenal rifles chambered in 223, 22-250, 220 Swift, 243, 6mm, 25-06, etc. Because I didn't have one, obviously reason enough"
I know he had all those rifles and more, seen them in his shop.

That has been my go to excuse for my wife ever since. She just doesn't understand our passion, lol.

 

[MachV]

LOL your right on all acounts! I sure didnt need the 338 Fed and all its killed so far is a couple of prairie dogs. Yep it did a fine job of putting those beast right down

 

[adk hunter]

I'm on the .338 federal wagon too! (whitetails and bear) More of a blood bath the better and boy does it deliver.
Would be my go to for bear bait hunt or a cat over dogs!!

I would run a 1/10 or whatever you can get in your barrel of choice. More twist the better!!
I have lots of 210 partitions if interested...

 

[Randy Tidwell]

I'm on the .338 federal wagon too! (whitetails and bear) More of a blood bath the better and boy does it deliver.
Would be my go to for bear bait hunt or a cat over dogs!!

I would run a 1/10 or whatever you can get in your barrel of choice. More twist the better!!
I have lots of 210 partitions if interested...

Thank you ADK,

I am pretty well set on Partitions, I actually have a couple boxes of the original screw machine 210 Noslers stuffed away somewhere.

At this point, it will either by a 8 or 9 twist if I can find one or get one made. Bartlin will make you anything you want, just can be a long lead time.

Randy