Originally Posted by Tahnka
Brad and Jpro are suggesting barrels in the 22-23" length.
Is there logic here aside from weight? (Especially if the WM is chosen, I would believe 24" more appropriate).


As jPro pointed out, the Bore Volume / Case Capacity Ratio of the 338 Win Mag is the same as the 30-06, and no one would argue a 22" barrel doesn't work well with the 30-06. Four of my 338 WM's had 22" barrels. My 338-06 had a 22" barrel.

There's zero need for a 24" barrel on either a 338 Win Mag or a 338-06, unless you just want one.

Below is yours truly with a bull I took with a SS M70 338 WM w/ 22" bbl. (210 NP). Stalked him to his bed and shot him at 40 yards. I definitely like handy, lighter rifles for elk hunting.

But I also don't like the recoil of the 338 WM anymore... I doubt I'll ever use anything larger than a 30-06, if even that large. You just don't need that level of horsepower for elk.

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