338 WinMag out of a 20inch barrel?

[ftrovato]

@ftrovato
So what's the 338WM doing that the Whelen won't do. A 200gn Barnes at 2,900 to 3,000 fps will do the same.
Throw in a 225gn TTSXs at close to 2,900fps and you will still have over 2,000fpe at 400yrds.
So again what's the little 338WM doing that the 35 Whelen won't do.
Ah that's right NOTHING.
Bob

Not sure why you need to make your point Bob. But enjoy whatever you shoot....

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Not sure why you need to make your point Bob. But enjoy whatever you shoot....

@ftrovato
To me shortening a 338WM to 20 inches is akin to having a Ferrari and driving it in first gear. Looks and sounds good but defeating the purpose.
A 338RCM would give better performance as it was designed for a short barrel unlike the 338WM that needs at least 24" to realise it's potential.
Bob

 

[bobdahunter84]

Looking for some of the "hotter" 338 WinMag factory loads.

Searching locally here in not seeing a ton of it in stock. Most of what I'm seeing is from Hornady, Winchester and Sako offerings.

If you're looking for a hot factory load, go with Buffalo Bore super charged with barnes.

Good luck finding factory 338 win mag ammo. I've had to look and far wide to secure a few boxes for a trip to canada for moose next year.

 

[Deepfork]

This place has some .338WM in stock. Winchester Expedition 225gr Accubonds, $80.00 a box or $789 for a case. They are legit I've ordered from them many times.

SG Ammo

 

[bobdahunter84]

This place has some .338WM in stock. Winchester Expedition 225gr Accubonds, $80.00 a box or $789 for a case. They are legit I've ordered from them many times.

SG Ammo

Thanks. Part of my issue was that I was specific in what I wanted. 225 gr ttsx. That specifically has been hard to find. I emailed Barnes a few months ago and they said getting the brass has been the issue.

 

[steve white]

Sort of academic since you already bought it...

 

[Beck]

Fair enough. I bought this rifle and decided on this caliber for the 500-600m max range shots that I would be uncomfortable taking with my 308/30.06.

Just hoping that the ballistics are still up to this task with 4 inches less barrel on tap.

So what kind of velocities did you end up getting?

 

[Northern Shooter]

I was getting 2,760 fps with the 230gr ELDX. So i'm only losing roughly 10 fps per inch.

 

[Andrew NOLA]

This is a group from the exact same gun. 338 WinMag, 225 Barnes TSX. Reloader 15 powder. CCI large rifle magnum primers.. ruger guide gun

The only thing I did to it was put it in a Bell and Carlson stock and I shoot it with a suppressor

The barnes are sensitive to jump. I’m jumping these about 40 thousands from hard jam.

2750 ft./s

DM me if you need some factory ammo. I’m pretty sure I have plenty of Barnes 225 grain factory ammo. I know I have some buffalo bore

And now I just saw that this was a two year-old threat

 

[HankBuck]

@ftrovato
To me shortening a 338WM to 20 inches is akin to having a Ferrari and driving it in first gear. Looks and sounds good but defeating the purpose.
A 338RCM would give better performance as it was designed for a short barrel unlike the 338WM that needs at least 24" to realise it's potential.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - agree…or just sell the .338 WinBag and use a .30-06 AND if Larger is needed (Unlikely) get a .35 Whelen or .375 H&H

 

[Beck]

I was getting 2,760 fps with the 230gr ELDX. So i'm only losing roughly 10 fps per inch.

That's not bad, makes me consider buying one

 

[ldmay375]

That's not bad, makes me consider buying one

I agree. Both of the listed aboves:
2750 fps with 225 TSX
2760 fps with the 230 ELDX
Not shabby at all with the 225 grain class bullets from a 20" barrel. I would be plenty satisfied with 2700 FPS with 225's.

This does have my curiosity up. My son has one of the 20" Rugers in 338 Winchester. I need to get him to shoot a few rounds for the chronograph.

 

[Northern Shooter]

That's not bad, makes me consider buying one

Yeah, a couple things could be going on here.

A - the ammo companies are under reporting their velocities.

B - You lose less velocity per inch in a magnum (or atleast a 338 WM).

C - The Ruger has a fast barrel.