This may have been already discussed here but I can't seem to find anything on it. I have a 338LM the barrel is 26" from the recoil lug, and a TRG break on it now. I am having a surefire Break added. Was wondering what would be the best length to have it cut to since it will have to be redone anyway. I don't want to loose the affective long range capability of this round but would like to have a more manageable length rifle to tote around. It will be used primarily to 1000 yards or less, due to I don't have anywhere to shoot any further. I will also be using the Surefire Suppressor which will add about 6" or so to the overall length of the rifle. Thanks for any input. JAA
338 Lapua barrel length?
- Thread starter Sniper52
- Start date
Re: 338 Lapua barrel length?
Keep it as long as you can. Most commercial 338's are equipped with a 27" barrel. Anything less than that and you're selling the cartridge short. Of course, there are some guys out there running 20" 338LM's but you will lose some velocity and in effect lose some of the range of the cartridge.
Keep it as long as you can. Most commercial 338's are equipped with a 27" barrel. Anything less than that and you're selling the cartridge short. Of course, there are some guys out there running 20" 338LM's but you will lose some velocity and in effect lose some of the range of the cartridge.
Re: 338 Lapua barrel length?
Thanks for the help guys. It seams to be a major difference of opinion on this question in the thread. If it only is loosing 20-40 fps per inch. I was loading my hand loads down to get to the velocity I wanted so it sounds like I will have room to spare. I have shot 250 SMK's at 3100 fps and 300 SMK's at 2950 fps so I don't think 2" is going to hurt me that much. JAA
Thanks for the help guys. It seams to be a major difference of opinion on this question in the thread. If it only is loosing 20-40 fps per inch. I was loading my hand loads down to get to the velocity I wanted so it sounds like I will have room to spare. I have shot 250 SMK's at 3100 fps and 300 SMK's at 2950 fps so I don't think 2" is going to hurt me that much. JAA
Re: 338 Lapua barrel length?
Sorry just looked back at my log book and it's 2925 fps. Here is the load.
300SMK
90.5 RL25
Lapua Brass
Winchester Mag Primer
This is about max in my rifle. GAP built R700 LA, Schneider 1-10 was 26". JAA
Sorry just looked back at my log book and it's 2925 fps. Here is the load.
300SMK
90.5 RL25
Lapua Brass
Winchester Mag Primer
This is about max in my rifle. GAP built R700 LA, Schneider 1-10 was 26". JAA
