Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

[KPK]

Ok so I figure I've got a 6.5 in construction and am thinking about a super long rang rifle.

Here's my plans. The real thing I'm struggling with is barrel contour and length.

Stiller Tac338
Barrel - found a Bartlein heavy varmint at 31" ???too heavy???
McM A5 stock
Seekins 338lm DBM
Badger FTE
Jewell trigger

What do I need to change or fix? Stock ok?

 

[Hunter24]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Looks like a quality build. Not sure if you really need the 31" barrel though

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

I was thinking of 28" finished length. Just wondering if I should do a medium or heavy Palma instead.

 

[Hunter24]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

28 is a good length. I would go heavy.

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

That's the heaviest barrel they make. Think that's overkill?

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

No. Not overkill at all. If your not planning on humping it around too much, I would go as heavy as possible. My next .338 barrel is going to be a 1.25" straight contour at 30" or 32" long.

 

[JB02]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

I bet you could cut it down to 26-27". I personally don't see the need to lug around a pig of a rifle unless you don't plan on moving it all that much. I would go with a medium palma up to a MTU. Perhaps you might want to try APA's fat bastard brake if you go with a medium palma.

Question, why not just go with Surgeon's 1581XL action? It already comes complete with DBM and pillars and was made for the .338 LM.

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

What's the real point in that monster barrel? I know it has recoil but I shoot a sporter 300rum. Although its not fun I can shoot it.

26-27 would be nice. I'm not going to lug it much but may want too at some point.

The Tac338 is oversized and built for the lapua too. It plus the Seekins DBM it'll e about $400-$500 cheaper than the surgeon.

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

I'd finish it at 27-28", no need to cut it's legs out velocity-wise (the rifle's going to be heavy no matter what!). Mine is 27.5 and I've not regretted the length.

 

[Km22]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

I have a 28" AMU contour Rock Creek on mine. I don't think I'd go longer... It feels like a good length. 26"-28" seems about right.

 

[Bugholes]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

You should be looking at an 1.350" breech barrel for the stiller (or the surgeon), these barrels arent especially common so consider this when you move forward with your project.

seems like the two primary benefits for shooting this cartridge are for energy or BC/windage, either way barrel length will give you speed which offers you both benefits

 

[sirhitalot]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

If you use a brake, the recoil isnt bad, but you get tired of the sound. even though you use dual ear protection,the sound transmits trough you scull. in Norway, most (ish) people who shoots the 338LM uses a Hausken Whisper silencer, its a monster, but does the job real good. THe recoil however is a bit larger.

Normal "large" silencer below.

 

[Hunter24]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Recoil shouldn't be an issue,with a good brake and the overall weight of the rifle.

 

[STR]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Speaking of brakes. That's all I would personaly change if it were my list. The first time I used an APA Fat Bastard brake I was convinced it was the way to go. Just something to consider. I didn't use the 1.350 breech diameter on the barrrel because I didn't have one on hand, so I used the heavy varmint I did have laying around. Works great. Here's a few pics of mine.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...061#Post3658061

 

[cega]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Nice choice of components and I doubt you could go wrong with them. I have a TAC338 on my 338LM and it has been rock solid. Same goes for the Bartlein barrel, have had two of them on this action and both shot lights out. The first was a 27" 1:9.3, the second one that is on it is a 25" 1:9.5. For me I prefer the shorter barrel, makes things just a bit easier to lug around, get in and out of the safe etc. and I'm not seeing any real performance hits minus the 2".

I'm running mine in an AICS 2 chassis so the bottom metal doesn't apply. I run the APA Fat Bastard on my 338LM and it works quite well. I also run it with an Elite Iron Sierra can which is even better.

The 338LM has a Jewell trigger in it though my other two rifles run Timney's and I like them a bit better so at some point I will probably swap out the Jewell so all three rifles have as close to identical ergos as possible since they are also in AICS 2 chassis.

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Thanks for all the info!! I'm thinking 27-28 would be the best length. I was going to go longer, but if it won't be much better I'll keep it a little shorter due to getting in and out of the safe, etc.

So do you "need" a 1.350" barrel or is it better?

I'm thinking on the brake. I like the looks of the fTE, but if the bastard works better it may be tough to decide...

 

[Some Day]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

I am Building a 338 Norma AI. Using a Bruxs Rem Varmint contour with skip fluting at 26" with a 1-10 twist. On a Tac 338 Action and APA Little Fat bastard i like the brake to be the same contour as the barrel.Still deciding on Stock an bottom metal leaning to the surgeon.William is building my 300 Rum right now should be finished in two or three more weak,s.It has the Manners T5A on it if I like it a lot may put it on this one to.


Do you guy,s think the little Bastard will work all right.

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Why the Norma? Does it require the larger action?

 

[KPK]

Re: Thinking about a 338 LM...Thoughts?

Nevermind I read it does. I really like the look of it! Shorter case for longer booolets...!