Woodbeef
.275 member
Reged: 30/12/06
Posts: 82
Loc: Badlands of Alberta
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How does the 338 Win Mag work in a 21"barrel? I like the looks of the new Sako Brown Bear. But not sure about the 338WM in this barrel lenght.
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Paul
.400 member
Reged: 28/08/07
Posts: 1031
Loc: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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I'd say 21 inches is too short for the 338 mag. The 9.3x62 or .35 Whelen, maybe, but the magnum's big case and Sako action makes the short barrel sound like a crazy proposition. Almost all centrefires will give better velocity with a longer-than-usual barrel but we have come to make compromises based on relativities. Where there is a smaller case-to-bore capacity ratio, such as in the 375 Win. or 9x56, the velocity loss per inch trimmed and the noise and rocket-blast are understood to be reduced, making short barrels more acceptable.
The only point of such a short 338 I can think of would be if a short rifle is needed for transport and the availability of factory ammo is crucial.
Edited by Paul (10/04/11 10:10 PM)
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Tatume
.400 member
Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
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Personally, I like short-barreled guns. As Paul says, there is a velocity penalty, but it is one I am willing to pay.
However, on a gun such as this one, I would plan to drill and tap the receiver for an XS Sights rear sight. It might be required to remove the factory rear sight. With a longer barrel, the factory sights might be serviceable.
I find the 338 Win Mag (like its cousin the 300 Win Mag) to be unpleasant to shoot. This gun is built on the L action and is also offered in 375 H&H. The 375 H&H is far more enjoyable to shoot, and at least as effective (probably more so).
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Take care, Tom
NRA Life Member
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Tatume
.400 member
Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA
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I should add that this is a model 85, and I am familiar with the model 75 and earlier. The bedding system on the model 85 is odd, and I don't like it, in principle. However, it appears that it works.
Sako has always built guns of the highest quality. Since I've become familiar with them I've found nothing to dislike about any that I have owned or examined. Some people like the earlier models with two-lug bolts, some prefer the later models with three lugs. They are all excellent, right out of the box.
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Take care, Tom
NRA Life Member
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9.3x57
.450 member
Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5561
Loc: United States
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I think a 21 inch bbl .338 would be interesting to work with, especially if you forgot about it as a ".338 Win Mag" and rather targetted performance to equal .338-06 with a longer barrel.
As such, I think using powders of the faster-for-caliber range you should do OK. Maybe make it something of a .318 WR {ballistics-wise}.
Maybe go to a 20-inch or even a smidge less. Put up with some muzzle blast.
Maybe not my favorite idea, but nonetheless an interesting project.
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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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bigjedd
.224 member
Reged: 23/02/10
Posts: 37
Loc: Gippsland,Victoria,Australia
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If you are going to a 20" barrel you may be better of looking at the 338rcm by Hornady/Ruger.
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sambar1
.224 member
Reged: 27/11/09
Posts: 3
Loc: north east victoria
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got a ruger 338rcm,works well on sambar
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Reggie
.224 member
Reged: 02/03/10
Posts: 36
Loc: Southeastern Louisiana, USA
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NOT ENOUGH BARREL...
I've owned and shot several .338 Win Mags over the years and learned something important about them. A .338-06 works better with a lot less expense.
The 338 WM needs a lot of barrel to get bullets up to higher velocities, but you really don't need those excessive, higher velocities with the caliber. If you want more knock-down than a .338-06 (that easily gets 250gr. Sierras to travel at 2550fps), you need a BIGGER GUN! (Not that I'm opposed to that idea, my .416 Taylors work superbly.)
A 21" barrel on a 338 will probably just give you headaches - literally, as the muzzle blast will be considerable.
Reggie
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longrifle
.224 member
Reged: 13/01/09
Posts: 13
Loc: New Mexico
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At that barrel length, one would be better off considering a 338-06. The 06 case capacity would allow for faster burning powders than what is typical for magnums. Would make a nice handy rifle for the timber with enough oompfh for elk and black bear.
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27665
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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I firmly believe 21" is 3" too short for a .338 mag. I doubt a 21" .338 Win. Mag. would beat a .338/06 with that same 21" bl. length by more than 100fps. The animal certainly won't know the difference.
If you need a short barrel, by all means get a 9.3x62 with a short barrel. Mine is 22" long and feels compact, very short short - yet is high on ballistics - 2,675fps with 270gr., 2,520fps wiht 286gr.
It is virtually a 9.3/06IMP. better yet, for more bullet availability, go .375/06IMP or .375 Scovil - pretty much the same thing, ballistically.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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Dewey
.224 member
Reged: 25/04/11
Posts: 2
Loc: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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I have been shooting and loading the .338WM for 43 years,owned 13 rifles so chambered and now have 6, mine have ranged from 22.5" to 26" and I prefer a 23" with 250s over RE-22 or H-4350 for all-around use and performance.
In my P-64 Mod. 70 Alaskan rifles, four of them, with their original 25" bbls. I get an easy 2800 fps-mv with the 250NP and RE-22 and seldom use anything else. This has been my favourite cartridge/load since almost forever and not particularly unpleasant in recoil.
So, while I do have a 20" tubed P-64 in .375 H&H as a Grizzly gun when fishing, etc. I would gladly use a .338 Carbine for this use, I know that it needs 23" of tube minimum and recommend 23" as optimal.
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BillA
.224 member
Reged: 18/04/11
Posts: 22
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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Yeah i agree with all the above comments with one exception.
The only advantage of the 338wm over the 338.06 in that length barrel is the availability of factory rounds.
Forget that factor & the 338.06 will definitely work better in that length barrel.
The 338wm really needs at least 22 inches & preferably 24-25 inches for peak performance.
But, if what you're after is a hard hitting (& sounding) 338 cal rifle capable of whacking out 250 grain pills for sambar, without having to worry about reloading then the 338wm in 20 inch will deliver. Not my choice though. Better options available I reckon.
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Bill Allen 'Windkael' Epagneuls Bretons. Melbourne Australia.
Edited by BillA (03/05/11 11:36 AM)
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