.338 RUM performance

[wadcutter]

What would the MV be for the following barrel length out of a .338 RUM using a 250gn bullet.
22"
24"
26"
28"
What load would you recomend for the best MV in each barrel length?

 

[vman]

Re: .338 RUM performance

Hi Wad nice to meet another fellow victorian

The question you ask is a little hard, and has no exact answer hence why people invest in chronographs.

Barrel length vs velocity generally, you get a slightly higher velocity for a longer barrel length.

In regards to loads, in not always about the fastest muzzle velocity, its about whats SAFE to shoot, and what produces the most accurate load for YOUR gun...

Mind you two of the same gun can both shoot the same type of bullets and it is possible for one with a lower muzzle velocity to be more accurate.

So to answer your question, I would say choose your rifle/barrel first... then start handloading starting from the minimum safe load and work your way up... when you have found a load somewhere between min and max loads, that produces the best accuracy stick with that load.

Then run it through a chrony, get your MV, then put it all in a ballistic calc and start shooting long range.

Think of it this way, would you rather have the fastest load you can get, thats only 1MOA, OR have a slightly slower load thats giving you 0.5MOA ??

 

[wadcutter]

Re: .338 RUM performance

What I am after is the shortest practical barrel length without a massive loss of MV.
The balance of practicality V's performance.

 

[vman]

Re: .338 RUM performance

Ohh ok... mmmmm

If you dont mind having a brake, I would suggest getting one, especially on rifles with less weight that put out a lot of recoil.

Are you intending on using this for long range shooting, say past 1000 yards?

If so, the general concensus is that a longer barrel will most likely give you an advantage in ballistic performance... I may be wrong in my wording of this, but I think, that for a long range rifle a longer barrel is simply a better choice.

Long range rifles generally mean the operator will be laying down prone, and have time to properly set-up and adjust their rifles. The added weight of a longer barrel, or heavy rifle in general, also equates to a rifle that produces less felt recoil and in large calibres this is seen as a positive thing.

If your after a scrub gun that you can run around with in the bush. perhaps a barrel chop may be in order. If your interested in this i can pass you the details of a fine smith in Bendigo that can perform such works.

 

[30cal user]

Re: .338 RUM performance

i get 3115 fps with a 210 RSX and 2850 fps with a 275 gr SWAF out of a 26" bbl...

 

[wadcutter]

Re: .338 RUM performance

I've got a long barreled .338 Edge for the long stuff. I am now looking to build a short barreled hammer based on the .338RUM suitable for ranges under 1K.