I'm not as experienced as many here, but I went back through my records and found I've owned 5 338 WM's, 1 Ruger, 1 Rem 700, and 3 Win M70's. All but the Ruger had 22" barrels. I've used them mostly on elk, though have used them on antelope and carried one on an Alaskan moose hunt.

I've mostly found those that discourage the idea of a 22" 338 WM have never used one.

Were I building a 338 WM tomorrow it would be on an M70 or similar action, 22" no. 2-3 barrel, and Bansner (High Tech) stock.

“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery