Anyone running a 24" 338 lapua??

[Nostradumbass]

Having a new rifle built... 338 lapua, I've got one with a 29" barrel, just needing a rifle to be more handy for hunting, or just lugging around!

I was going to go 26" on barrel length, but decided to go 24." Because of the break's or a suppressor's added length, and I think I can live with aprox 100fps velocity loss. The barrel's been cut, so there's no going back. Realistically, 1000yds or maybe a bit over that will be as far as I'll shoot it....so, did I screw up, or are some of you guys running a shorter barreled 338 with satisfactory results?
Thanks in advance for the input.
Phillip

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Anyone running a 24" 338 lapua??

I had a Remington MLR that had a 24" barrel. I was able to get 300SMK's up to 2725FPS with the published max load of 94gr of Retumbo and was not experiencing cratered or flattened primers. I'd have to check my notes, but I believe the 250 Scenars were hovering around 2900FPS with the Retumbo as well. You'll be fine.

 

[KYS]

Re: Anyone running a 24" 338 lapua??

How about a 23" 338 lapua magnum? That is what I run... on a Surgeon XL. I only went that short for 2 reasons. First was I wanted to run a suppressor and adding a can to a 28" barrel makes for a very long rifle, hard to pack that around.

Second was directly involved with the first... I wanted something easy to pack and travel with. I still get great performance out of my factory ammunition but you can make up for barrel length loss with some good powder and patience with your load development.