Your thoughts on a New Barrel...

[Bug]

Yes, I know, it's asked all the time... So, why not again?
 At present, I have Contender barrels in 22LR, .223, 7mm TCU, .30-30, .357 Mag, and .44 Mag. They are all 10", and I want to stay within this format. 12" would be max, and I also dislike brakes.
 I have been pondering which barrel will be my next. I want something with a little more "reach", for medium-sized hogs (200-250#), and our smallish (100#) whitetails. I have researched a bit, and am thinking about something along the lines of a .375 Win, .338 JDJ, or .375 JDJ.
 The barrels I have now fit my needs just fine, but run out of bounce, or trajectory becomes a problem much past 125yds. Although my personal range limit isn't there yet, I want to extend my range to maybe 200yds.
 FWIW, I'm a bullet caster, too, so most of my range time/practice is with cast bullets. I also predominately hunt with cast, so that factor needs to be considered. I pretty much ruled out the .45-70, due to bbl length and recoil considerations, likewise the .444.
 Tho' there are no flies on the smaller bores, like the 7BR, 7-30, 270 REN, etc., I think I would prefer a larger bore. That pretty much sums up my thinking to this point...
 What say you?

[flyfisher]

I have a .375 Win. and can attest to its power.  I do not own any of the JDJ's but have heard enough about them to know that the .375 JDJ will do anything that the Win. will do plus a bunch more.  My Win. is plenty powerful for black bears and PA whitetails at short range, which is exactly what I ask it to do.  

If I were looking for a larger bore that I wanted to perform out to 200 yards + (and with the options that you've listed) I'd go with either of the JDJ's over the Win. anyday.  Sure, the Win. will shoot at 200 yards, but the JDJ just seems like a better option in my book for the longer ranges (just plain faster than the Win.).  Don't think that I'm putting down the old .375 Win. though, for I trust mine more than anything and it would get the job done.  

Next point...you stated that you disliked brakes and do not want to go longer than a 12-incher.  My .375 Win. is a 14-incher and does not have a brake.  I find the recoil manageable, but wouldn't want much more.  I have no idea what the recoil in a .338 or .375 JDJ would be without a brake and with a 10" or 12" barrel, but I imagine that it would be stout.  

In short, all of your choices would do.  The Win. is fine at shorter ranges and with the recoil factor, but the JDJ's would be the finer choice for the longer shots.  I suppose you'll have to weigh all of the pros and cons before you make a final decision...better yet, why don't you just buy one of each??? :grin:

[Graybeard]

I think all of those you mentioned really need a 14" barrel. But don't dispair. Some while back Old JD came up with an idea for just what you are seeking. He calls it the .338 Woodswalker I belive. It's a .338 made expressly for the 10" barrel lover.


If you want to stay with offerings from the factory look for an old .357 Herrett barrel. Just perfect for a 10" barrel and quite a bit of thump to it.

[Duffy]

I'll let you know when my 338#2 gets here, but that's a 15" tube.    Might check out SSK's web site for some options, theres a vast array of chamberings and you should be able to fit one into that nitch. There's even some large bore wispers in there that may be interesting.

[Bug]

Thanks, guys.
 Bill, can you steer me to some specifics on the woodswalker? I looked over on the SSK site, and did a couple of searches, but didn't come up with any useful information, such as description, diagram, specs, data, and stuff like that.
 I'll admit that the 10" barrel thing has held me back a bit. Most all the larger ctgs warrant a 12-14" barrel. Trouble is, I don't care for 'em.
 I have also thought about the .357 Herrett, but don't know how the trajectory holds up. May have to look it up again. Those are definately available!

[Graybeard]

Bill, can you steer me to some specifics on the woodswalker?

Not at the moment. I'm sure I had some old literature from SSK that listed some specs on it but can't seem to locate it at this moment. Just give them a call and ask. They will be happy to give you the pertinent specs on it.

From a 10" barrel you're just not gonna get much over 2000-2200 fps no matter what you select that is deer worthy. In the over .30 bore the Woodswalker and Herrett are in my opinion about tops. I personally look at most every thing in a 10" barrel as a 150 yard or so max range gun. You might stretch that a bit but if you keep stretching it you're gonna get some real disappointments sooner or later.

[mkee]

I will suggest a 12" 35 Rem.  A 12" is still easier to handle than the 14s, you can load Hornady's 180 gr SSP bullet to get good expansion on deer, and load something a bit more stout for hogs.  The caliber falls in your range, and the recoil isn't near that of the 375 JDJ.  270 gr bullets in the JDJ are very stout.
mkee

[Graybeard]

Just got off the phone after about an hour of BS'ing with JD. I asked him about the ballistics on the .338 Woodswalker and it pushes a 200 grain at 2000 fps from the 10" barrel.

He suggested I also recommend the .44 mag necked down to either .40 or .41. Either can push bullets to 2200 fps or so and are devastating killers he says. He also says he can get pretty much same 2000-2200 from the Whispers for you with lighter bullets rather than the heavy subsonic loads.

Give him a call some time and discuss it with him yourself.

[Bug]

Thanks a bunch, Bill. I appreciate it! I just might do that. Then everyone can blame US for the delays! :oops:  :lol:  :-D  :-D  :-D