338/408 Cheytac is done!

[yorketransport]

Well, thanks to an unexpected 5 month delay courtesy of the smith making my reloading dies this project is way behind schedule. It's finally done though so I can't complain too much. The rifle was built by Grizz Precision and finished up back in December.





Here's the build list:

- CheyTac M310 action (built by Lawton)
- Bartlien 31" 1-9.3" twist barrel
- XLR CheyTac Chassis
- Jewell HVRS trigger
- Terminator T4 muzzle Brake

I got a couple cases formed today and I hope to get out next weekend to start testing loads. To give a little scale, here are a few pics of the  338/408 next to a few more common rounds.

6.5 BRX, 6.5x47 Lapua, 284 Win, 338/408


338 Edge, 375 BME, 338/408


I'll post updates as the load work progresses

[huntnphool]

 

[bearpaw]

Impressive, have you shot it yet?

[yorketransport]

Impressive, have you shot it yet?

Not yet. I just got 25 cases formed. That alone is a bit of a chore. I have to neck down 375 CheyTac brass, turn the necks, run them over a 338 expander again, anneal, fireform, then anneal again. It's a labor of love!

I'll get out next weekend to do some load work hopefully. It should be a pretty fast process though. With an expected 800 round barrel life I really don't want to burn up half of that looking for a load. The first charge that will give me 1/2 MOA will be good enough. The starting powder charge is 130gr of H 50BMG!

[WoodlandShooter]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

[jay.sharkbait]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

PRS doesn't allow real rifles at thier matches.

[jasnt]

Ive always been a chassis guy. Looks great. "The starting powder charge is 130gr of H 50BMG! " wow that's some serious powder burning right there.  Hope it shoots as well as it looks.

[WoodlandShooter]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

PRS doesn't allow real rifles at thier matches.

this one they do!!!!

[WoodlandShooter]

"Hey Shooters registration for the Extended Long Rang PRS is open. The Q Creek ranch offers 847 square miles of terrain for us to play. The match will consist of 15-16 stages and 140 rounds. 70% of the targets will be 700-1500 yards, 15% will be 500-700 and the last 15% will be 1500-2000 with 1.5-2 MOA targets. The match is a PRS points series event. Every target from 1000 and out will have an IRIS light system. Figure on 3 minute stage times and 9 ish rounds per stage. This will not be a barricade run and gun match. PRS competitors shooting for points will need to run 30 cal at less than 3200 fps. If you are in it for Trophies and Prize table you can run 338 at less than 3200"

[jay.sharkbait]

"Hey Shooters registration for the Extended Long Rang PRS is open. The Q Creek ranch offers 847 square miles of terrain for us to play. The match will consist of 15-16 stages and 140 rounds. 70% of the targets will be 700-1500 yards, 15% will be 500-700 and the last 15% will be 1500-2000 with 1.5-2 MOA targets. The match is a PRS points series event. Every target from 1000 and out will have an IRIS light system. Figure on 3 minute stage times and 9 ish rounds per stage. This will not be a barricade run and gun match. PRS competitors shooting for points will need to run 30 cal at less than 3200 fps. If you are in it for Trophies and Prize table you can run 338 at less than 3200"

3200 might be a problem. 

I guess you could dumb it down though.

[jasnt]

Very curious what kind of velocity you'll get out of that.  What bullet are you going with?

[WoodlandShooter]

"Hey Shooters registration for the Extended Long Rang PRS is open. The Q Creek ranch offers 847 square miles of terrain for us to play. The match will consist of 15-16 stages and 140 rounds. 70% of the targets will be 700-1500 yards, 15% will be 500-700 and the last 15% will be 1500-2000 with 1.5-2 MOA targets. The match is a PRS points series event. Every target from 1000 and out will have an IRIS light system. Figure on 3 minute stage times and 9 ish rounds per stage. This will not be a barricade run and gun match. PRS competitors shooting for points will need to run 30 cal at less than 3200 fps. If you are in it for Trophies and Prize table you can run 338 at less than 3200"

3200 might be a problem. 

I guess you could dumb it down though.

heh heh!!! my buddy had to dumb down his 6.5-06...

[yorketransport]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

There's 20% of my barrel life!

3200 might be a problem. 

I guess you could dumb it down though.

I was planning on using a 160gr Barnes TTSX at about 4000 fps. Do you think the gongs will stop them?

Very curious what kind of velocity you'll get out of that.  What bullet are you going with?

I'll probably focus on the 300gr Berger OTM and maybe a few of the solids. The 300gr bullets should do a pretty easy 3250fps from the relatively short 31" barrel. I've been told that they can go faster but at the expense of brass and barrel life. This barrel is a 1-9.3" twist and I may get a 1-7" for the next one to play around with some of the heavier solids. I expect to smoke this barrel pretty quick just playing around with different loads and getting a feel for the cartridge.

I'm working on a companion gun in the same chambering that I'll treat a little better. Surpisingly, this rifle was sort of hold over while working on a different project. It just came together after getting a good deal on the action and stock while waiting on the action for my other project. I'm not in love with the action or the chassis and a repeater wouldn't have been my first choice. Honestly, how fast do I really need to send 300gr bullets follow up shots down range?

[2labs]

I think you need to supply your own Gongs!

[WoodlandShooter]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

There's 20% of my barrel life!

and?

Barrels are wear items!!

[yorketransport]

ELR PRS match being put on by Scott Satterlee in August...round count is 150....

There's 20% of my barrel life!

and?

Barrels are wear items!!

As soon as I get around to buying a lathe I'm all over that. I'm too impatient to wait on a smith to chamber up barrels for me, otherwise I'd be smoking barrels left and right! That's why I love the Savages. Now If I can figure out a way to run a barrel nut on a CheyTac sized barrel I can really have some fun!

[kentrek]

I have some 3 inch thick gongs that I'd donate if you do mess around with a zippy barns load.....need to find a slow motion camera to capture it

[yorketransport]

I have some 3 inch thick gongs that I'd donate if you do mess around with a zippy barns load.....need to find a slow motion camera to capture it

We may need to make this happen!

[kentrek]

Im going to bet on the gong turning into butter.....it has to be cool

Need to find someone with a phantom camera I believe....

[yorketransport]

Im going to bet on the gong turning into butter.....it has to be cool

Need to find someone with a phantom camera I believe....

You bring the camera, I'll bring the gun. Deal?   I had to look up the Phantom cameras.

[kentrek]

It's only 1400 a day to rent one...maybe a hunt wa fundraiser shoot is in order

[yorketransport]

I got the 338 out today for the first round of testing. So far it's shooting pretty well. This is the only group I shot after moving out to 1025 yards.


I'm not unhappy with that, but I expect it to do better with a little work. I wasn't shooting any of the guns very well today so this wasn't a very fair test.

The real test today was to work up and see what velocities I can get. I started at 130gr of H 50BMG and moved up to 135gr. It looks like my barrel is a little on the slow side since the 135gr charge gave an average velocity of 3038fps with an SD of 8. That's quite a bit lower than I expected. Every Bartlein barrel I've had shot pretty slow and it looks like this one is no exception. Next trip out I'll just step up the charges and see where I end up.

[grundy53]

Looks like a fun rifle. Perfect for rockchucks!

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[jasnt]

Bet that could make for a few triple over 20's lol kinda spendy for rock chucks but can't say I wouldn't do it. 

[yorketransport]

Looks like a fun rifle. Perfect for rockchucks!

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

I was hoping to see a porcupine on my way out just to test it.

[jay.sharkbait]

Maybe try some Varget.....Varget works in anything

And some Barnes 160 gr triple shocks.

Git those suckers moving!

[yorketransport]

Maybe try some Varget.....Varget works in anything

And some Barnes 160 gr triple shocks.

Git those suckers moving!

I'll try that once this barrel is pretty much toasted. I have a feeling that I'd need a new barrel after one of those loads anyways.