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Author Topic: 338 WM barrel length  (Read 1116 times)

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Offline EDELWEISS

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338 WM barrel length
« on: September 20, 2007, 02:17:18 AM »
Ive got a M77 old style tang safety in 338 Winchester Magnum thats "calling" to me for some customizing.  Ive been thinking about a totally new look. My plan was to use a full length custom Manlicher style stock and shorten the barrel to about 20 inches then add a muzzle brake for a final length of about 22 inches.  The brake is more for looks than recoil.  I seem to remember seeing something from Steyr like this but I cant find it now.

My buddies are telling me that I shouldnt shorten the barrel because the magnum cartridge needs the extra length, especially since I dont reload.  It wont be used for long range.  My normal hunting areas are pretty much limited to about 200 yard shots.    So I was thinking that the combo would still be effective.

Is 20 inches too short?  Any suggestions?
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Offline EDELWEISS

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Re: 338 WM barrel length
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2007, 02:19:50 AM »
Ive also been thinking about a "butter knife" bolt handle and a compact scope with a post reticle.
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Offline Mckie Hollow

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Re: 338 WM barrel length
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2007, 06:55:24 PM »
Don't do it. Let the 338 be what it is. Forget the brake. If you want something different - Buy New
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Offline EDELWEISS

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Re: 338 WM barrel length
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2007, 05:24:52 AM »
Yeah Im coming around to that decision.  What started as concept is running into reality.  I was thinking it might be something akin to a 9.3 type carbine; but youre making sense.  Even as it stands it does raise eyebrows when everybody else brings a "thuddy-thuddy" to deer camp.

Thanks for the advice.
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: 338 WM barrel length
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2007, 05:48:32 AM »
Good decision !   The .338WM is a nice cartridge, but you'd have been cutting it off at the knees (so to speak) by going with a barrel shorter than 24" or so.

AFAIK, though, the new .338 Federal's ballistics don't suffer from shorter barrels.  Ruger issues it in their Frontier Model,  IIRC - which would look really nice with a full-length stock.
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Offline jbmi

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Re: 338 WM barrel length
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2007, 02:17:19 PM »
My Model 70 sports a factory 25 1/2" barrel. I made it look different by taking off the walnut in exchange for a custom painted McMillan.
I'm 6'5" tall, one or two inches off the barrel means zip to me.
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