338 Win Mag

[4jorgies]

I have a Savage Hog Hunter in 338 Win Mag with a 20" barrel


I developed a load for it last year using 225gr Swift A-Frame over 66.8 gr of IMR 4350. I started with book data from a friend of mine who can't seem to find his book now. Does anyone have the Swift manual that can send me a picture of that page?

I did not have a chronograph at the time but I do now. While testing the velo of that load last week I discovered the following

FPS- 2514
S.D.- 29.51
E.S.- 79

It was a dark gloomy day and my buddy noticed quite the fireball from the barrel. I had him shoot a couple so I could see it. The fireball was about 18" long and 6 to 10 inches in diameter. I'm assuming this is the result of an incomplete burn and want to start over with my development.

I'm thinking about
1) adding a light crimp to get a more complete burn.

2) switching to a faster burning powder

3) re-barrel the rifle with a 24 to 26" barrel

4) remove the scope and replace the iron sights and use it for a brush gun. I do have other rifles that could wear a Vortex Viper and make full use of the 6-20 power


My notes say I should be around 2750 to 2800 FPS but I can't confirm anything without access to the book.

Open to suggestions...



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[Wes Sage]

Muzzle flash is not a bad thing at all, all good loads have it.
You are still burning right till the end of the barrel, and probably getting max velocity, with a longer, slower push. Don't sweat it.
Going with a faster powder will give you higher pressures, and less velocity.
My 257 Roberts Ackley Improved uses 51gr of powder, crushed into that tiny case.
Shoots darts with a 75gr bullet, and I am pushing almost 4000 FPS
Talk about a fireball!! It blows a 5' flame, and lays the grass down for 5 yards in front of it

[Muddydawg75]

338 Factory loads blow a nice muzzle flash too.....


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[ncwegner]

First question are you happy with the accuracy.
The speed sounds about right. Most books use 24 in test barrel for a 338 mag. You lose 70 fps is so per inch of barrel so your ring in the ball park.
20 inch is a short barrel for a 338 and it would make a great brush gun. Mine is 26 plus the break 28.5 overall.

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[4jorgies]

First question are you happy with the accuracy.
The speed sounds about right. Most books use 24 in test barrel for a 338 mag. You lose 70 fps is so per inch of barrel so your ring in the ball park.
20 inch is a short barrel for a 338 and it would make a great brush gun. Mine is 26 plus the break 28.5 overall.

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Couldn't be happier with accuracy. Sub MOA all day.

On my good days I can get 1" groups at 200 so no complaints there

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[ncwegner]

That's great.
Sounds like you got a great brush gun there.
You should see mine with the break on it on a dark dreary day.
Lights up the range

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[4jorgies]

That's great.
Sounds like you got a great brush gun there.
You should see mine with the break on it on a dark dreary day.
Lights up the range

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Mine has the Fat Bastard Gen 1 break. settles it down quite a bit

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[4jorgies]

I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I have a Kimber 300 Win Mag that is now my primary hunting rifle. It is 3.5 pounds lighter than the 338 so not much chance a will carry the 338 very far.

Thinking about puting a Houge Stock on it and converting it to a drop box magazine. The swapping the scope to a good 3-9 and using it for a brush/truck gun.

Or use the existing action, re-barrel it and mount it on some sort of long range stock.

I have a few lever guns that are great brush guns.

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[SAWMAN]

OR - - -> Chop that bbl to 16.5 inches. Decrease LOP to about 12.5 inches and make it a real brush gun. That is what it was designed for anyway. You got other guns for the longer ranges, sooooooooo . . . . . ?? --- SAWMAN

[4jorgies]

OR - - -> Chop that bbl to 16.5 inches. Decrease LOP to about 12.5 inches and make it a real brush gun. That is what it was designed for anyway. You got other guns for the longer ranges, sooooooooo . . . . . ?? --- SAWMAN

I've got a Henry 45-70 and a Model 94 356 Winchester both with iron sights and short barrels.

Prety well covered there.

Maybe the wife is right about having too many gu...

Nevermind! That's crazy talk.

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