I've been running an 18" for about a year and for me it starts to max out around 1500 yards. Beyond that groups start to open up too much, either with 250s or 300s, which is why I use a longer barrel for ELR distances. The short barrel is fantastic for shooting out to 1000m in high wind compared to say a .308WIN or 6.5mm as well is being compact and lighter weight to lug around in the mountains.
Mehhh, Yeah I was afraid of that. I was hoping to get the TRG barrel down. Makes perfect sense if you want it for shorter distances and to buck the wind however.
I have an AIAX with 20" bartlein barrel it. W/ 285 hornady ammo i can get to 1600m with just the elevation adjustment. Longest shot i've hit is 1800m, it took a few hits to get how much i needed to hold over. I would not try to go past that.
Biggest thing i've found reloading for it, is not wasting powder. I can cut back 2-3gr depending on which powder I use.
In a course with Lowlight this summer, one student shot a 338LM, with a barrel of roughly that length, with a can. It seemed like an inefficient use of the chambering to me. From what I recall, his windage holds weren't much different than mine with a 26" barrel 6.5 Creedmoor. At least out to the 1150 yards that we shot.
FYI, on the second day his 338LM blew the out housing of his can down range 150-ish yards, producing enough recoil to break the student's collar bone. Lowlight stated that this was not the first report of short-ish 338LM barrels not playing well with a that brand of suppressor.
Based on Frank's discussions, this isn't the first time it has happened with this brand and model of can, with short-ish 338LM barrels.
I have great respect for this specific brand and model of can -- it's on my short list for an upcoming purchase. It's my understanding that both the core and outer housing of that can were returned to the manufacturer for evaluation. I will not discuss the manufacturer, as I believe they should have the first right to evaluate, and if necessary, revise their design.
Bottom line -- I don't think a shorter barrel, 338LM chambering, and a suppressor go together.
Every action produces an equal, opposite reaction. Cut the barrel short, expect unburned powder out the front.
Doesn't matter what kind of can he was using. It's a known, bonehead-move in the long run with a 338. If a suppressor DOES handle it for a while, that suppressor will be screaming for you to STOP IT each time you pull the trigger.
Not a gamble I'm willing to take, suppressors being so hard to own.