|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Just received a cherry cadillac of a Bar from a forum member here @ the fire. Its chambered in 338 WM, question is I've never fired or loaded for a Bar, should vels. be kept @ or near factory loaded ammo. Function is flawless. Initial load development so far has shown 250 Swift a frames @ 2706 fps. for 3 shot av. w/ H-4350. Should I stop and shoot for groups right there?
Thanks in advance Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706 |
Don't shoot any hot loads like I did. I cracked the "bolt" and had to replace it. Also the forearm bolt pressure is the deciding factor for accuracy, at least with my 1969 308. I went from 4" groups at 100 yds to 1" groups just experimenting with the forearm bolt. Be sure to keep the piston clean. I updated my gas piston to the newer type and it never jams. Great guns and I had my eye on that 338. Browning is very helpful and parts are available for your gun if needed. Happy New Year.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 154
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 154 |
You have a fine rifle in the best caliber I know of for North Americam hunting in an auto. All roll your owns must be be fully resized and trimmed to length to prevent hang ups. A few thousants shorter case length won't hurt the cause.
a wet bird never flies at night unless it has to
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Thanks Dusty,
I see some manuals go to 2750 fps w/ the 250's but I wont lean on this rifle. I seen the bolt under the swivel, I take it thats the adjustment for the forearm You were speaking of? Ill shoot for groups @ 2700 w/ the 250 SAF's, that outta take care of all NA game inside of 300 yds.
Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Thank You too DOO DAH
Yes full length resizing in all semi auto's w/ a nice crimp on a chamfered and deburred case.
Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706 |
Yep, thats it. I got mine to shoot well by shooting a group hand tight, then an 1/8 turn more, etc till the groups tighten up. I ended up about a 1/4 turn tighter than hand tight. At first I thought the pressure from the bipod was changing the harmonics on the barrel and went nuts. When the bolt was loose it would literally shoot 4-5 inch groups.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3 |
Just received a cherry cadillac of a Bar from a forum member here @ the fire. Its chambered in 338 WM, question is I've never fired or loaded for a Bar, should vels. be kept @ or near factory loaded ammo. Function is flawless. Initial load development so far has shown 250 Swift a frames @ 2706 fps. for 3 shot av. w/ H-4350. Should I stop and shoot for groups right there?
Thanks in advance Gunner I really don't advise anyone reloading for semi-auto centerfires like the BAR.. They're designed to work with factory ammo only within specific boundaries.. If you do not do a stellar job of brass prep and keep speeds right at factory specs, you can/will have functioning issues at some point.. Load 'em hot at your peril..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,011
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,011 |
I never arm wrestle with a guy who carries a BAR hunting. Those guys are strong !!!
" A little solitude is a mighty precious thing "
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706 |
So that's why I kicked everybody's butt in hunting camp. They got me back in poker tho.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190 |
A person I know has one. One of the things he was told is not to use any of the heavy loaded factory rounds in it. So that leads me to believe you shouldn't go over factory loads.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Been shootin the irons today, inch high @ 50 is a little over 2" high @ 100, havent shot @ 200 yet but it should come close to zero @ 200. Installed the talley bases and QR rings afterwards, the little 2.5-8 leupold will be a perfect match for this rifle, should it become damaged, unscrew it and finish the hunt w/ the irons. I fired a 2.5" 3 shot group @ 100 w/ the sights, centered nicely above the diamond. Expect the rifle is gonna like the 250 SAF @2700 fps, function and ejection is still flawless.
Dusty, Ill exp. w/ the forearm nut for final load development, but 2.5" @ 100 w/ a new rifle for me is plenty good, Bet I can come close to cuttin that in half w/ the glass.
Redneck, 100% brass prep no shortcuts, and thanks for the tip, Do You think 2700fps is to warm?
lodgepole, After walkin, shootin, and ridin a horse carrying a 14 lb. 577 nitro this little 338 is a lightweight creampuff, I was really surprised how quick and easy the rifle came to my shoulder. Those old hands in belgium had it down.
Just a Hunter, Thanks for the advice as well, Looks like Ill be keepin the speeds @ or below 2700 fps w/ the 250's
Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3 |
Redneck, 100% brass prep no shortcuts, and thanks for the tip, Do You think 2700fps is to warm?
Just a Hunter, Thanks for the advice as well, Looks like Ill be keepin the speeds @ or below 2700 fps w/ the 250's I think that's very wise.. Just for the helluvit, obtain 2-3 factory rounds (250 gr.) and run 'em through the chrono. Then use that data to copy your loads re: speed.. Can't go wrong that way, IMHO..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Thanks Redneck, a buds bringin some federal premiun 250 np's by the farm some time this week, Ill chrono and record results. Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3 |
Thanks Redneck, a buds bringin some federal premiun 250 np's by the farm some time this week, Ill chrono and record results. Gunner Will those be brass cases or nickel-plated? If the latter, tell him to bring something else.. Just FYI..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Thanks, Ill call and ask, I spect the nickel is a little slick and wont grip the chamber wall as good and therefore increase backthrust speed hammering the action?
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
Just remember to use a powder with a medium burn rate or you will destroy the action or it will not cycle properly.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,287 Likes: 4 |
Redneck, Buds bringin some A-square ammo he says have brass cases, said they were softs and solids? Never heard of such in 338 WM.
Oldelkhunter, Yes, Im runnin H-4350 in mine.
Gunner
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,084
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,084 |
I had a real problem getting my BAR 338WM to shoot.
I sent it back to Browning and they sent a3 targets with 3 different weights of bullets (factory) all well under 2 inches...
But not me. I ask here and someone suggested I change powders� which I did...
BTW This powder works in my Rifle and may not in yours
From IMR 4831 to IMR 4350..
and kept the speed for a 200g Nosler BT down to about 2800 Ft/sec and things changed�
It will often keep shots within an inch and always well under 2�
BUT the downside is � My youngest son has claimed the rifle.
That which does not kill us makes us stronger
Friedrich Nietzsche
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,180 Likes: 3 |
Redneck, Buds bringin some A-square ammo he says have brass cases, said they were softs and solids? Never heard of such in 338 WM.
Oldelkhunter, Yes, Im runnin H-4350 in mine.
Gunner Brass is good..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
|
|
|
|
510 members (1936M71, 219DW, 260Remguy, 1OntarioJim, 01Foreman400, 10gaugeman, 51 invisible),
1,725
guests, and
1,224
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,108
Posts18,522,671
Members74,026
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|