Help With New .338 Build

[BigDMT]

I recently picked up a 338 Win Mag and want to re-chamber it to something bigger.
Was going to do a 338 Norma Mag, but I don't have enough beef on the bolt face to open it up to the required .590"+ .

Thought about a 338-375 Ruger, but not sure... I know I can get better performance with wildcat having a parent case with a wider body design than the nearly straight .532" case of the 375 Ruger.

The 330 Dakota is an option with the wide body of the 404 Jeffrey, but I would need to open the bolt face a bit to accommodate the .545" rim. Don't really want to open it up because I literally only have .034" on the edge of my bolt face in between the 3 lug design.

I was thinking that I could just take the 338 Ultra Mag case (also the 404 Jefferey) and shorten it to about 2.550". I would have slightly less body taper than the Dakota (adding case capacity) AND would already have the Ultra Mag rebated rim design of .532" that would fit right in my bolt face. Then maybe I could sharpen the shoulder to around 35 degrees to add a bit more capacity and burning efficiency.

I need help with this. Have any of you ever heard of someone shortening the Ultra Mag cases to around 2.5"?

I know that the SAUM's and WSM's exist but don't want that. And although I am fully aware that the 338 WM is a very fine round, I want more punch to get a 250gr Berger VLD up over 2900 fps, yet feed from the same length magazine.

Thanks for any help in advance

 

[jonbearman]

How about the 35wsm which has alot of punch in a compact type cartridge without that darn belt. It has more muzzle energy than a .458 win mag.Just a thought.You can research it on the web.The aussies seem to like it,it is fairly well known down there.

 

[DaveTooley]

I wouldn't recommend a 338 Norma on a standard size action. I've been involved with development of the 338-375 and here's what you get. 80% of the performance of a 338 Lapua at 60% of the cost. It is all most people need.
Now for the shameless plug. I've got dies and reamers.

And yes I've shortened the 404 case to 2.5" many times.
And yes I'm a bit touched in the head to have done that.

Dave Tooley
Tooley Custom Rifles

 

[JRS]

I wouldn't recommend a 338 Norma on a standard size action. I've been involved with development of the 338-375 and here's what you get. 80% of the performance of a 338 Lapua at 60% of the cost. It is all most people need.
Now for the shameless plug. I've got dies and reamers.

And yes I've shortened the 404 case to 2.5" many times.
And yes I'm a bit touched in the head to have done that.

Dave Tooley
Tooley Custom Rifles

And that ladies and gentleman is coming from one of the best in the country

 

[abishai]

If it were me, I would sell the complete rifle, go down to sportsmans wherehouse, and buy a remington 700 in any ultra mag. They should be about 450. Canibalize a good action, screw on a 338 UM barrel, bell and carlson stock, and put some targets on the 1 mile line.

 

[BigDMT]

I wouldn't recommend a 338 Norma on a standard size action. I've been involved with development of the 338-375 and here's what you get. 80% of the performance of a 338 Lapua at 60% of the cost. It is all most people need.
Now for the shameless plug. I've got dies and reamers.

And yes I've shortened the 404 case to 2.5" many times.
And yes I'm a bit touched in the head to have done that.

Dave Tooley
Tooley Custom Rifles

I decided to go with the 338-375R cartridge. I sent you a PM about dies and a reamer. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated and thank you for your input.