Minimum muzzle diameter for .338 caliber

[Talon]

I'm going to build a hunting rifle in .338 but in choosing a contour I realize if I want to keep it long I may have to go up on the contour to keep enough material at the muzzle for the .338 hole.
Thanks, Talon

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Likely to get different answers from people and I think the answer is somewhat dependant on the case used, how much powder and burn rates...ie. muzzle pressures. I've personally seen a 338 rum or edge, can't remember which, that someone put a 1/2-28 brake on. The bore swelled pretty drastically at the threads under the brake.
Jmho, but I think .625 should be the minimum.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive seen and built plenty of #3 taper 338win mags at 24-26”. Thats the same as a remington magnum sporter and seems to have worked out fine all these years. I dont like a #2 taper on a magnum but its just because of accuracy reasons

 

[tobnpr]

No widely accepted "minimum" barrel wall thickness standard. Many will say at least .100 , others .150 or so...
More, is always better than less.

There is always- rightfully- the need for significant safety multipliers when it comes to firearms design..

That said, I've regularly threaded .30 cal barrels to 9/16"-24t; how many millions of FAL's were done so, and their muzzles aren't cracking off. Ditto for skinny barrel walls for the AK-47 in M14...

Personally, I try for a minimum of .200 (.100 wall) over groove diameter at the muzzle whenever possible.

 

[Talon]

Thank you very much.
Talon