New short action 338 idea

[yorketransport]

The 338/375 Ruger thread got me thinking that I really want a good short action 338 that's easy to make. Here's what I came up with today:


left to right: 338 RCM, 338 Boondoggle, 338/375 Ruger


338 RCM, 300 WSM, 338 Boondoggle

The loaded round in the picture is the 338 Boondoggle loaded with a 250gr Hornady HPBT with an OAL of 2.940". This will easily function through either a Wyatt's MBE-4 internal mag box or the Alpha Type 3 WSM magazine. Unlike the 338 RCM, this should actually match the 338 Win Mag with bullets in the 250gr class.

With a couple small adjustments I think it will be a winner.

[jasnt]

Sounds like fun. Should be great bear medicine.

[Biggerhammer]

Give me 5 weeks and I can have a reamer so as to stuff a .338 bullet in that center case and fire form it to look a whole bunch like the cartridge on the right.🙃

[Dan-o]

What kind of velocities would you expect with 250 gr bullets

[kentrek]

Need an action ?? I have s Stiller set up I'd make ya a good deal on

[Duckslayer89]

Yorke have you reloaded for 338 RCM? I have one I’m getting close to needing to reload for

[yorketransport]

Give me 5 weeks and I can have a reamer so as to stuff a .338 bullet in that center case and fire form it to look a whole bunch like the cartridge on the right.🙃

You can't start any new projects until you've got a 375 BME up and running.

What kind of velocities would you expect with 250 gr bullets

It should sit right around 2600 fps from a 24" barrel, right in line with what I've seen from a 338 Win Mag. 250s would be what I consider on the heavy side for this case volume, just like the 338 Win Mag.

Yorke have you reloaded for 338 RCM? I have one I’m getting close to needing to reload for

I did for a little while and I never got any of my handloads to match factory ammo performance. Hornady uses magical pixie dust powder in their factory loads which isn't available to reloaders. In my experience I could only get within about 50-75fps of factory ammo performance unless I was willing to push the little case pretty hard.

I was debating last night on going 358 instead of 338. It would make a heck of a mid range elk gun.

[kselkhunter]

Seems like you could get the velocity higher than that.  What is the case capacity?

As an admitted 35 cal dork, I'd like to do a 358 STA for my next build.  Flinging 250s at 2800fps, and some 270gr and 310gr bullets that would be lower velocity hammers on game.  But that is definitely not a short action.  My current "short action" 35 cal build is on the other end of the performance scale (250s at 1900-1950 fps in 20" barrel).   

So I'm curious where you end up on this build.  And how fast you can get the 250gr 338s (or 358s) to go in that short action boondoggle.  Tagging along.

[jay.sharkbait]

You should neck it down to 6.5.....

6.5 Creedmoor, blah blah blah

BC, blah blah blah

Small primers, blah blah blah

Barricade stop

MILS

[Biggerhammer]

Go .358!

[yorketransport]

Seems like you could get the velocity higher than that.  What is the case capacity?

As an admitted 35 cal dork, I'd like to do a 358 STA for my next build.  Flinging 250s at 2800fps, and some 270gr and 310gr bullets that would be lower velocity hammers on game.  But that is definitely not a short action.  My current "short action" 35 cal build is on the other end of the performance scale (250s at 1900-1950 fps in 20" barrel).   

So I'm curious where you end up on this build.  And how fast you can get the 250gr 338s (or 358s) to go in that short action boondoggle.  Tagging along.

Case capacity should end right around 82.0gr H20 compared to the 338 Win Mag's 85.7gr (once fired Rem case). It's very possible that I could hit closer to 2750+ fps with a 250gr bullet and the right load. I thought the 358 version of this would make a good alternative to the 358 Win, which I do love.

I bet the 358 could get a 250gr bullet up to nearly 2800fps from a 24" barrel and the 338 would be around 50-75fps behind with the same weight bullet.

You should neck it down to 6.5.....

6.5 Creedmoor, blah blah blah

BC, blah blah blah

Small primers, blah blah blah

Barricade stop

MILS

Just for you, I call this one the 6.5 BS Tactical (Boondoggle Short obviously). It's loaded with a 130gr Berger AR Hybrid at 2.930"

6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 BS Tactical, 338 Boodoggle, 358 Boondoggle (200gr TTSX)

[jay.sharkbait]

Since the press is all warmed up.. how about the .416?

I'm digging the 6.5, but all the Instagram operators would whine as it would damage their A36..... oops AR500 targets.

[kselkhunter]

Seems like you could get the velocity higher than that.  What is the case capacity?

As an admitted 35 cal dork, I'd like to do a 358 STA for my next build.  Flinging 250s at 2800fps, and some 270gr and 310gr bullets that would be lower velocity hammers on game.  But that is definitely not a short action.  My current "short action" 35 cal build is on the other end of the performance scale (250s at 1900-1950 fps in 20" barrel).   

So I'm curious where you end up on this build.  And how fast you can get the 250gr 338s (or 358s) to go in that short action boondoggle.  Tagging along.

Case capacity should end right around 82.0gr H20 compared to the 338 Win Mag's 85.7gr (once fired Rem case). It's very possible that I could hit closer to 2750+ fps with a 250gr bullet and the right load. I thought the 358 version of this would make a good alternative to the 358 Win, which I do love.

I bet the 358 could get a 250gr bullet up to nearly 2800fps from a 24" barrel and the 338 would be around 50-75fps behind with the same weight bullet.

You should neck it down to 6.5.....

6.5 Creedmoor, blah blah blah

BC, blah blah blah

Small primers, blah blah blah

Barricade stop

MILS

Just for you, I call this one the 6.5 BS Tactical (Boondoggle Short obviously). It's loaded with a 130gr Berger AR Hybrid at 2.930"

6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 BS Tactical, 338 Boodoggle, 358 Boondoggle (200gr TTSX)

Yeah, that 358 version of the short action boondoggle sounds cool.  Like a 350 Rem Mag on steroids. 

[hogslayer]

I'm more surprised you own a 6.5 creedmore

[b23]

Ever thought of just necking up a 325 WSM to 338?  Should give you about the same result but with a little longer neck.