338's and short barrels

[Tapper]

I am considering a short barrel (</= 12" w/ brake if necessary) in a good 338 cal cartridge. I am aware of the exterior ballistics of the .338 Woodswalker, but can't seem to find information on several other possiblities. Could you folks please help me out? This will go on an encore, so both contender and "encore only" cartridges are options. Probably use bullets in the 200 - 225 range.

Possibilities that I have heard of are: 338-284 on the rebated rim 284 case, 338-08 Imp on the 308 case, the 338 Whisper, the 338 Woodswalker (does 200 gr @ about 1900 fps sound right for this one?), and the 338x30-30 on the venerable 30-30 case. Others???

Personal hunting experiences, chronographed results, accuracy, your scope, muzzle brake types, and such would all be of great aid in helping with my selection.

Thanks ahead of time,

Tapper[/b]

[Phil Magistro]

With my 338 Woodswalker (Contender) I can get over 1900 and closer to 2000 fps from my 10" barrel with 200 gr bullets using H4198 or BLC-2 powder.  My barrel is magnaported ( 4 ports) and recoil is not a problem at all.  Personally I like this better than any other 10" 338 I'm aware of, but brass is becoming a pain to get (it uses 8.15X46R cases).  Although I've been told it won't work, I just made up five cases from 30-30 brass to try.  I had to trim the length and reduce the rim diameter. It wasn't that much work at all.  They seem to be fine but I'll know more after fire-forming.  If this brass works I'm set.  Otherwise 8.15 46R brass costs a premium and is only available through one distributor I can find, when he has it in stock.

I really like the 200 Hornady FP for deer-sized animals out to 125 yards or so.  It's accurate and expands well at WW velocities.  A Ballistic Tip or some other spitzer makes this a legitimate 200 yard gun if the bullet will open up.  I still have one box of old 200 Nosler BT that will expand from this gun, but I understand the new BT's have a thicker jacket.  I've also used 210 Nosler Partitions with good results.

The 338 Whisper would be my second choice.   I have loading data from SSK that shows it will send a 200 gr. bullet 2184 fps from a 12" barrel.

Personally with these two calibers I don't see a reason to use an Encore unless you don't have a Contender around.  With a 10" tube it's nice to carry and points well.

Phil

[HHI 812]

this weekend, and will see what he did to shoot them 30-30 cases. Tapper, I do have a 10" stainless .338 Whisper, but haven't had time to test it out yet. I have formed some .444 Marlin brass, so I'd have a rimmed .338 Whisper, like I did with my .300 Whisper barrel. But if the 7BR cases work fine, I don't think I'm going to mess with the rimmed version this time around. I do know of a 12" Encore VVG barrel, in the .338 7BR! e-mail me if your interested at dmadriaga@ascg.com Another possibility is the .338 GEF. It was designed by a handgun hunter, to fill the space between the 10" .338 Woodswalker, and the 14" .338 JDJ #2, in a 12" barrel. I myself prefer 10" barrels, but if I had to go longer, my next choice would be a 12", and after that, I'd go full carbine length. Dennis

[Tapper]

Phil and HHI 812,

Thanks for the info. Some of this is starting to come together. Now, if someone with knowledge of the 338-08 and 338-284 would jump in here, we'd be on a roll.

Does anyone know if these are covered in the newer copies of "Cartridges of the World"? My old one doesn't have them.

I didn't know about the change to the Nosler BT's. Don't they have a 180 grain version in .338? I'll go to their web site to check.

Thanks,

Tapper