I am about to bite the bullet and place an order for a .338LM. I am debating about the barrel length. I know I want at least 26" but am also thinking about going with a 28" barrel. It will have a Badger FTE brake on it when purchased and hopefully a Shark suppressor eventually. Is there any real difference between going with a 26" vs 28" barrel?
? about barrel length
- Thread starter Maelstrom
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Re: ? about barrel length
That much I knew but I guess I had it coming. Is there any noticeable difference in performance going with the 28" over the 26" barrel?
That much I knew but I guess I had it coming. Is there any noticeable difference in performance going with the 28" over the 26" barrel?
Re: ? about barrel length
You'll have a bit of an FPS increase because the powder has more of a chamber to burn it in, and other than that it's up to you.
I don't have a huge amount of experience in the .338 field, but I find 26" to be fine. Granted it's not like you need it to be the handiest rifle ever... it's not an urban rifle at all.
You'll have a bit of an FPS increase because the powder has more of a chamber to burn it in, and other than that it's up to you.
I don't have a huge amount of experience in the .338 field, but I find 26" to be fine. Granted it's not like you need it to be the handiest rifle ever... it's not an urban rifle at all.
Re: ? about barrel length
Well I chose to go with the 28" barrel. I placed my order with GA Precision for a 28" Bartlein barrel with 1-9.5 twist, Manners T-4A with Terry Cross hardware for the adjustable cheek piece, 1 stud, 4 flush cups, Badger FTE break, GAP Templar LA, black cerakoted barrel, and stock painted in GAP digital camo. Now comes the hard part of waiting for delivery while making payments.
Well I chose to go with the 28" barrel. I placed my order with GA Precision for a 28" Bartlein barrel with 1-9.5 twist, Manners T-4A with Terry Cross hardware for the adjustable cheek piece, 1 stud, 4 flush cups, Badger FTE break, GAP Templar LA, black cerakoted barrel, and stock painted in GAP digital camo. Now comes the hard part of waiting for delivery while making payments.
Re: ? about barrel length
That is going to be a heck of a setup. I think you will be happy you went with the 28". And wait until you cycle that Templar action. It is smooth.
That is going to be a heck of a setup. I think you will be happy you went with the 28". And wait until you cycle that Templar action. It is smooth.
Re: ? about barrel length
You might ask Glen Seekins....IIRC he was running a 24" 338LM...I might be off an inch or two though. I think Thunderbolt had a short 338LM as well
You might ask Glen Seekins....IIRC he was running a 24" 338LM...I might be off an inch or two though. I think Thunderbolt had a short 338LM as well
Re: ? about barrel length
I placed the order in person at the GA Precision shop. I was there last Friday and spent about 2 hours there talking to one of the smiths as well as George himself. I had the chance to fondle everything in the safe. I was thinking about going with the Surgeon action until I had the chance to cycle both it and the Templar action. The bolt know just felt better and the completed action was more comfortable to me to cycle.
I placed the order in person at the GA Precision shop. I was there last Friday and spent about 2 hours there talking to one of the smiths as well as George himself. I had the chance to fondle everything in the safe. I was thinking about going with the Surgeon action until I had the chance to cycle both it and the Templar action. The bolt know just felt better and the completed action was more comfortable to me to cycle.
Re: ? about barrel length
Anybody have any suggestions where I can start getting my ammo and components from. i am going to start out with some factory ammo but will eventually start loading my own. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Anybody have any suggestions where I can start getting my ammo and components from. i am going to start out with some factory ammo but will eventually start loading my own. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Re: ? about barrel length
I've been buying 20 round boxes of Hornady for $80 retail in Seattle. That's the best price I have found thus far.
In regards to barrel length, for a given cross section, a longer length barrel will vibrate at a lower frequency which is generally a good thing for accuracy. The addition of mass at the muzzle in the form of a brake will further reduce frequency. Additionally, the longer length, especially with the added mass of the brake, will increase the rifle's mass moment of inertia which will decrease the rate at which the rifle angularly accelerates (muzzle rise) during firing.
If you can tolerate the added length and weight, longer is generally better.
I've been buying 20 round boxes of Hornady for $80 retail in Seattle. That's the best price I have found thus far.
In regards to barrel length, for a given cross section, a longer length barrel will vibrate at a lower frequency which is generally a good thing for accuracy. The addition of mass at the muzzle in the form of a brake will further reduce frequency. Additionally, the longer length, especially with the added mass of the brake, will increase the rifle's mass moment of inertia which will decrease the rate at which the rifle angularly accelerates (muzzle rise) during firing.
If you can tolerate the added length and weight, longer is generally better.
