Re: short barrelled 338LM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OutRider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...I learned that a 20" tube is "enough" for a 338LM from helping a wag get a RND 2000 rifle put together at RND Edge...
...Lloyd explained that there was less than 100 fps lost between a 24" barrel and a 20" one...
...he was surprised to discover this for himself...the only reason he agreed to build a 20" barreled 338LM rifle was to satisfy the demands of a customer (USN) who agreed to order enough units to make it worth his while...(shortening the barrel to 20" on the semi auto RND 2000 was a bit more complicated than cutting off 4")...
...now he actualy reccomends the 20" length for most users... </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold">OutRider</span>,
I will attest to the validity to Mr. DeSantis's claims as well as the the weapon system itself. It's legit! Accuracy expectation will hover between .5 - .75 MOA; easily sub-MOA. All this, determined utilizing real-world shooting conditions (in other words not benchrest shooting on a square range).
Configured here w/20" barrel, 10-rd mag, USO SN-3 scope, AAC TiTan-QD, Harris bi-pod, Sniper Tools ACI, USO bubble-levl, USO Posa-Slide & Lock MK III Base, USO 35mm P6M-3500-L Rings the weapon system weighs in at 18.5lbs.
<span style="font-weight: bold">To all</span>,
Regarding the 20" 338LM barrel config... Todd Hodnett's name was previously mentioned as having knowledge here... Yes! If you can seek him out, he may/will give you excellent data on this subject. I will tell you that during this period there was extensive testing with a shorter barreled 338LM system for certain customers... The shortest barrel tested was an 18" barrel, and beyond some small but expected loss in velocity along with a fireball-flame thrower situation (the flame was of no real concern as the system was always intended to be utilized suppressed) it accomplished much of the criteria they were testing for. A 20" barrel was considered optimal for these needs. As far as a professional-grade weapon system manufacturer who can provide insight on this short 338LM project, I suggest you seek out Preston Pritchett; owner/operator of Surgeon Rifles, he has first-hand knowledge of this project and is among the short list of rifle makers that certain customers (who can buy anything they want to get the mission done) call when in need of a Sniper Weapon System.
I’ve given as much of the pieces-and-parts as I feel comfortable regarding this subject. I hope it proves helpful.