338 BR

[Mike Casselton]

I'm really wanting to build a 16" suppressed 338 BR.

Finding load data isn't too hard.

Finding components is easy enough.

Finding a 338 barrel won't be a problem.

Does anyone know a gunsmith who has the proper reamer in hand to chamber the barrel?
Possible lead time?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Check with 4D reamer rentals. But, you might have to buy your own reamer.

 

[DaveTooley]

One one could get creative.
chamber- 30 BR
neck- chucking reamer
throat- 338 throater.

 

[Mike Casselton]

One one could get creative.
chamber- 30 BR
neck- chucking reamer
throat- 338 throater.

I've run that scenario through my mind a lot.
My last 6-BR barrel was done by Larry Archer. I'm pretty sure he's got the touch to handle doing it that way.

I'd still like to find out if anyone has a reamer on hand though.

I'll check out 4D also.

 

[DaveTooley]

I've run that scenario through my mind a lot.
My last 6-BR barrel was done by Larry Archer. I'm pretty sure he's got the touch to handle doing it that way.

I'd still like to find out if anyone has a reamer on hand though.

I'll check out 4D also.

I taught Larry everything he knows. say hello for me

 

[Mike Casselton]

Will do.

I did check all the listed rental places.
No go on an actual reamer available.

The stupid thing about this project is that an 8 twist 30-BR (250 A-Tip) will run neck and neck with the 338 and a 285-300gr bullet going subsonic.
However, the 338 has the ability to hit with 50gr more bullet weight.

I honestly don't know how important that is.

It would also mean purchasing another supressor.
And dies.
And 338 bullets.
And...

 

[LVLAaron]

do it

 

[Mike Casselton]

do it

You sound like me.

I encourage my buddies to spend their money all the time.

 

[DaveTooley]

Just to add some confusion I have a box of 500 Sierra 30 cal. 250 Gr. MK's I'd sell. They can't be shot supersonic as they go poof. Probably have some 240's also.

 

[Edd]

Why couldn't you use a 30 BR reamer for starters and finish the neck and throat with a 338 Federal reamer?

 

[LVLAaron]

You could go 8.6 blackout.. Dies and reamers would be easier to get

 

[Mike Casselton]

You could go 8.6 blackout.. Dies and reamers would be easier to get

No thanks. I want mine based on the BR brass.
Also don't want to deal with the 3tw barrels, or be part of the in crowd.

ETA: hey!! My smiley face didn't show up.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Just to add some confusion I have a box of 500 Sierra 30 cal. 250 Gr. MK's I'd sell. They can't be shot supersonic as they go poof. Probably have some 240's also.

I'll PM you about those.

Seems like the easy button is a 7 or 8tw 30-BR, properly throated for heavies.
I did take my 17tw and the old Stoney Point tool out today to check OAL with 185, 210 and 215 Bergers.
There's plenty of case capacity for running subsonic, but I'd like it cut for an OAL closer to 2.7" or 2.8".

215 Hybrid is 2.435 @ touch.
Knowing my 6-BRs feed fine out of an AICS mag at 2.4++, maybe I can just use a standard Robinette reamer and rock away.



Thoughts?

 

[Loudenboomer]

Another thing to consider Mike is your suppressor. most .338 suppressors are geared up for the .338 Lapua. I E
big and expensive. Are you starting from scratch? Do you have a 30 cal. suppressor?

 

[Mike Casselton]

Yeah, I've got a couple 30 cal suppressors.
If I go 338, I'll buy a smaller 338 supressor like this one.

Sportsman Ultra Light HD™ .36 Suppressor

Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 Suppressor, hunting, sporting, hub compatible

www.griffinarmament.com

I have a buddy that uses his 338 supressor on 6.5 CM and it's stupid quiet. It's just much longer than I'd like to use, and it's very expensive.

I'm retired, so my budget is pretty strict.

 

[LVLAaron]

No thanks. I want mine based on the BR brass.
Also don't want to deal with the 3tw barrels, or be part of the in crowd.

ETA: hey!! My smiley face didn't show up.

I hear you. Doesn't need to be 3 twist. I wanted to do a 338BR but wanted immediate gratification... Mason had a blackout reamer in stock. I'll follow along on this thread... Let me know if you design a reamer

 

[Mike Casselton]

I won't be doing a reamer design.
There's plenty of reamers out there. I just have to find a good smith with one.

The other, and easier option is to do a 7 or 8tw 30-BR.
No new dies, no new supressor and 308 bullets are less expensive.

Seems like a no-brainer, but I really love the idea of the 338-BR. AKA 338 Whisper #1 (JD Jones/SSK).

(Edited to correct it to 338 Whisper 1)

 

[LVLAaron]

I thought about throating out a 30br to shoot heavies suppressed. Probably the easiest route.

 

[Mike Casselton]

After playing with seating depth on my 30-BR (Robinette) and heavies, I'm not convinced custom throated is needed for subs. There's plenty of case capacity to get to 1080.
I'll probably target 1040 just to be safe for hot summer shooting.

The only reason I can see to long throat (2.7-2.8") is for better feeding in standard AICS magazines.

As I mentioned above, the 6-BRs at 2.4xx" feeds just fine with them. In fact, my MDT mag rarely sees the light of day. This is in a Kauger and an Origin.


With the 215 Hybrid at 2.435 at touch, I'm thinking the 245-250 class bullets will be at least .100 longer.

I'm gonna make a couple dummies at 2.4 and 2.5 and see how they feed.


Did I mention I still want a 338-BR?

 

[LVLAaron]

Looks like the Whisper #2 is based on 221 fireball... and the original is based on the BR case.