Hornady 338 ARC

[msalm]

I just built one on a Howa Mini last weekend. Douglas was the least lead time for a 1-7.5 tw 338 blank, quoted 4 weeks, came in 2-3. Will be seeing how it shoots this weekend. Middle rifle is the ARC, bottom is a mini in Grendel.

Being a fan of the Grendel case I had to do it, have them in 20,224,6mm,and 6.5 Grendel versions.

 

[LVLAaron]

Let us know how the Douglas shoots. I've never had one. Would be nice to have a vendor for our M40 clones and other projects that don't really need a 550 dollar "big three" barrel.

 

[mattri]

What barrel.length did you go with?

 

[nakneker]

Let us know how the Douglas shoots. I've never had one. Would be nice to have a vendor for our M40 clones and other projects that don't really need a 550 dollar "big three" barrel.

My first custom wears a douglas barrel, had half a dozen since then. They’ve been a good value, some more accurate than others but no duds. I still consider them a good option.

 

[msalm]

I cut to 16 1/2”, HVY sporter 5A contour (. After turning the breech end to 1.1” I cut 1 1/2” off that end. Also cast a lap and lapped the bores a bit but they were pretty clean as is, minimal residual reamer marks. Maybe 5 minutes for both. Will shoot this weekend and see what’s up. Mounted a Vector Continental 1-6 in low 30mm Talley lightweight rings. Might turn the barrel a touch lighter as the muzzle is .810” but feels handy as is. Just factory stock for now. After my son grows into it the 6.5 Grendel will get a standard stock and I’ll drop the 338 ARC into the MDT chassis I think.

As a side note I bought a PTG reamer showing in stock and when first completed I couldn’t chamber a round. Neck diameter on reamer was .360” and loaded ammo was .362-3”. SAAMI shows both .369 and .370 in different drawings. Luckily I had a 338 neck/throat reamer that measured .370” and was able to clean them up.i did reach out to PTG and they are replacing the reamer.

As another note, EVERY Howa action I’ve rebarreled (dozens) have been identical in action thread timing. I can take a factory takeoff barrel and screw it onto any unaltered action and the headspace and even timing of the caliber markings are spot on. Be pretty simple to offer a prefit shouldered barrel in these rifles IMO.

 

[LVLAaron]

As a side note I bought a PTG reamer showing in stock and when first completed I couldn’t chamber a round. Neck diameter on reamer was .360” and loaded ammo was .362-3”. SAAMI shows both .369 and .370 in different drawings.

Classic.

 

[SD guy]

I cut to 16 1/2”, HVY sporter 5A contour (. After turning the breech end to 1.1” I cut 1 1/2” off that end. Also cast a lap and lapped the bores a bit but they were pretty clean as is, minimal residual reamer marks. Maybe 5 minutes for both. Will shoot this weekend and see what’s up. Mounted a Vector Continental 1-6 in low 30mm Talley lightweight rings. Might turn the barrel a touch lighter as the muzzle is .810” but feels handy as is. Just factory stock for now. After my son grows into it the 6.5 Grendel will get a standard stock and I’ll drop the 338 ARC into the MDT chassis I think.

As a side note I bought a PTG reamer showing in stock and when first completed I couldn’t chamber a round. Neck diameter on reamer was .360” and loaded ammo was .362-3”. SAAMI shows both .369 and .370 in different drawings. Luckily I had a 338 neck/throat reamer that measured .370” and was able to clean them up.i did reach out to PTG and they are replacing the reamer.

As another note, EVERY Howa action I’ve rebarreled (dozens) have been identical in action thread timing. I can take a factory takeoff barrel and screw it onto any unaltered action and the headspace and even timing of the caliber markings are spot on. Be pretty simple to offer a prefit shouldered barrel in these rifles IMO.

So what will you need to charge for the pre fit barrel?

 

[msalm]

So what will you need to charge for the pre fit barrel?

Not a sponsor or even a ‘paying’ member here, mostly work on my own stuff and local friends…. But I don’t need anything to make a prefix other than one of my 7.62x39 Howa mini actions to fit a bbl to. And they have always timed up w/ proper headspace.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

Yes.

338 ARC Full Length Sizing 3-Die Set

Lee 338 ARC PaceSetter 3-Die Set includes a Full Length Sizing Die, Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die, Factory Crimp Die, Universal Shell Holder, and instructions. Load data is not yet available for this new cartridge, so a powder dipper is not included. Select this die set if you are...

leeprecision.com

I saw Lee has an inexpensive micrometer seater, looks a bit Rube Goldbergish, but probably works fine. I use the Lee crimper on some gas guns and possibly 6.5 PRC. I'm going to sit on the side on 338 ARC. Reading this thread, my position was similar when they announced it. 300 blackout gets a slightly heavier bullet for subsonic. I see better results with 1:5 in 300 blackout than 1:8. For hunting, it's moot here in CA until suppressors are removed from the NFA.

Sometimes you shoot what 'ya brung.

 

[LVLAaron]

Got my updated ATF permission slip to cross state lines. (I live right on a state border, and my range is on the other side). Wind was 14 gusting 28 at the closest airport. I shot a box of subs - after getting it sighted, it was holding 3/4 inch groups at 50 yards. I'm pretty happy with that. It's a little snappier than I expected but fun of course!

 

[msalm]

In both of the Howa mini’s I did w/ Douglas 1-7.5 tw barrels the 175gr supers were MOA or better and the subs a bit poorer, like 2 1/2 MOA. I just got a set of dies and some Maker 275gr bullets (270?). Hoping for better results w/ handloads and those. Probably be ordering some of Maker’s 300’s and the 165gr for deer also.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Anyone have ar15 gas port sizes for 338 ARC?
I’m probably doing a 16” but I can extrapolate from port sizes for shorter barrels.

 

[msalm]

I’d just go larger and use an adjustable gb. Carbine bbl and carbine gas for subs are typically in the 90’s to .100 range if I remember right w/ the blackout stuff. I would think the ARC would be similar.

 

[LVLAaron]

I'll measure mine in the next couple of days. I need to take it apart and rocksett the gas block.

 

[msalm]

I'll measure mine in the next couple of days. I need to take it apart and rocksett the gas block.

My ‘guess’ is .100-.110”…the inside diameter of the gas tube is .120, so that’s basically your max.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I'll measure mine in the next couple of days. I need to take it apart and rocksett the gas block.

Thanks!

 

[LVLAaron]

Thanks!

.105 - FWIW This is from odinworks and came with an adjustable gas block.

 

[SKWERLZ]

.105 - FWIW This is from odinworks and came with an adjustable gas block.

Barrel length?
Awesome
Thanks

 

[LVLAaron]

10.5

 

[msalm]

I saw an advertisement for Faxon barrels and it looks like they’re running pistol length gas on the two pictured, a shorty and possibly a 16”.