338 CheyTac Improved rifle is done!

[yorketransport]

The guys at Grizz Precision finished my 338 Big Baer (338/408 Improved) yesterday. The rifle is done, now I just need to wait on the reloading dies so I can test fire it!






Specs:
-Lawton 8000 action (marked CheyTac m310)
-Bartlien 30" 9.3 twist barrel
-Jewel JT-09 trigger
-Terminator T4 brake
-McRee Precision chassis

I hadn't intended to build a rifle in this caliber until I stumbled onto the stocked action at a price I couldn't say no to. I figured that this would give me something to play around with while I wait for the rest of my parts for the 338 Big Baer pistol!

I have a pile of Bertram CheyTac brass and a collection of 300gr Berger OTMs and Cutting Edge 277gr MTACs waiting along with a healthy supply of H50 BMG and Federal 215M primers.

I suddenly feel like like my 375 BME is going to be spending a lot more time in the safe!

Andrew

[JimmyHoffa]

How many miles did you set that up for?

[MtnMuley]

Can't wait to hear your results.

[fishngamereaper]

  She looks nice.

Curious how that Lawton action is working for you. I have a CheyTac .308 and the Lawton action sucks. Doesn't like to feed cleanly. I'm about ready to take it to a good gun builder and have it fixed.

[Dan-o]

Nice!!!

Blacktail brush gun?

[Biggerhammer]

Oooooh no you didn't! Hard to top that Yorke!!! Outstanding! That should put a burr under the knees of those kneeling to the .338 Edge Gods.

    

[yorketransport]

I'd like to keep it reasonable and stay inside of 1.5 miles.  I told the guys at Grizz that I'd try and break the 3800 meter record but that's going to be pretty tough with the current 338 bullets available. And that whole lack of shooter skill thing!

The good news is that I finally have a gun that can really push the limits of my Terrapin!

She looks nice.

Curious how that Lawton action is working for you. I have a CheyTac .308 and the Lawton action sucks. Doesn't like to feed cleanly. I'm about ready to take it to a good gun builder and have it fixed.

I know that Lawton started having problems after Barney left and ultimately they shut down. This action is from when Barney Lawton was still there and the quality is right there with the BAT model CT action that I have in the safe. I'll pay extra close attention to the feeding once I get a mag ordered and I'll let you know.

Nice!!!

Blacktail brush gun?

Close; it's my new porcupine killer! The 22 LR just isn't giving the result I want any more. 

[mountainman]

Awesome build Yorkie! Should be a fun one to wring out! Can't wait to hear a report on it!

[Reidus]

What kind of case capacity does that cannon have? Also curious what velocity you're expecting to get with a 300 gr bullet? Looks fun!!!

[Biggerhammer]

What kind of case capacity does that cannon have? Also curious what velocity you're expecting to get with a 300 gr bullet? Looks fun!!!

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/04/heavy-artillery-russo-reveals-the-338-408-big-baer/

[yorketransport]

What kind of case capacity does that cannon have? Also curious what velocity you're expecting to get with a 300 gr bullet? Looks fun!!!

According to Joel Russo I should be able to hit as high as 3350 fps pretty easy with the 300gr otm. Everyone says that they shoot best at about 3200 fps though. The suggested starting load is 135 gr of H50 BMG. That's a whole lot of powder!

Oooooh no you didn't! Hard to top that Yorke!!! Outstanding! That should put a burr under the knees of those kneeling to the .338 Edge Gods.

    

It's a great companion for the 6.5 Badger. I wonder what would happen if I necked the cheytac case down to 6.5 mm?

[2labs]

135 gr. of powder! I need a bigger scale!

[Reidus]

3300 or even 3200fps with a 300 grain bullet is impressive!!    135gr?? That's like 50 shots per pound of powder! Can't imagine the barrel life to be that great. One heck of a long range gun! Curious to see what kind of accuracy you get.

[WoodlandShooter]

 

Just got my 275 grain Cutting Edge Bullets yesterday for my 338LM. with my 30" tube, I mught be able to get them over 2900FS...maybe even 3000FPS.

cant wait!!!

[rbros]

3200 is a pretty mild load in these.  I run my 338 Lapua Imp at 3146 with a 300gr OTM.  Just have to get up higher in elevation to make the long shot with a OTM.  Keep in mind the BC is a little higher than published when we push them at this speed.  They are fun toys!

[b23]

I'm interested in seeing this progress along.  I know someone that had one of Kirby's 338 Allen Magnum, which is just another version of the same thing, and the throat was toasted at around 600 rounds.  There, also, seems to be a BIG variance in the brass quality that's been available for these things with some of it being pretty good stuff and some of it not so good but if you've been in contact with Joel you're in good hands because he's probably spent as much time as anyone with this particular cartridge.  Another that would be a good source for information is Kevin Cram w/MCR.  Kevin is a top notch guy and excellent rifle builder as well as a big fan of the the 338 CheyTac Improved in fact one of his main go to hunting guns is the BIG 338.

[yorketransport]

3200 is a pretty mild load in these.  I run my 338 Lapua Imp at 3146 with a 300gr OTM.  Just have to get up higher in elevation to make the long shot with a OTM.  Keep in mind the BC is a little higher than published when we push them at this speed.  They are fun toys!

I've had a few people tell me that they're pushing 3400fps + with the OTM but their brass is done after 2 loads. I'm too cheap to burn up brass that fast! I'd like get 4-5 firings at least.

I hadn't really considered that the BC would be higher on the OTM at those speeds. That combined with some higher elevations could really help stretch this gun out. Fortunately most of the good spots beyond 2000 yards are at 2500' elevation or higher. Every little bit helps!

[Reidus]

What dies are you getting? Custom made for your rifle/chamber?

[yorketransport]

There, also, seems to be a BIG variance in the brass quality that's been available for these things with some of it being pretty good stuff and some of it not so good but if you've been in contact with Joel you're in good hands because he's probably spent as much time as anyone with this particular cartridge.

I found a good source for Bertram Brass which is what everyone recommended that I try. I'm only paying about $2.25 per case!

What dies are you getting? Custom made for your rifle/chamber?

I'm having a set custom made using the reamers that I have. The resizer will be cut with the rougher and the seating die will be cut with the finish reamer. This seems like the best way since every version of the CheyTac Improved seems to be slightly different.

[Reidus]

What dies are you getting? Custom made for your rifle/chamber?

I'm having a set custom made using the reamers that I have. The resizer will be cut with the rougher and the seating die will be cut with the finish reamer. This seems like the best way since every version of the CheyTac Improved seems to be slightly different.
[/quote]

Sounds like you got it dialed Matching the die to the chamber will drastically improve brass life. Resize just enough to slip back in the chamber.