New tube for the T/C

I'm thinking of selling my .375 JDJ tube and going with something in the .338 flavor.

I'm no stranger to the 338-06. I use a long gun in that caliber to massacre deer each year. I'm hunting more with a pistol these days, and would prefer something in 338. Nothing against the 375, it's a stomper that shoots well. I just like the bullet options with a 338.

I'm thinking either a 338-08 Ackley Improved or another 338-06. Anybody shooting these in a 15" encore? I'll mainly use 160's -200 grain slugs.

Thanks,
Brenden

Why not go with a 338 Federal

Factory ammo is available.

Get a 338 Win Mag. With a really good brake.

I've got a 338 JDJ #2, 444 M based. Dynamite! with 225 to 250 gr. bullets. Also, 338 Federal in Encore, same results as the JDJ but using 180 to 225 grainers.

Doc

I have a 338 GNR Encore that I really like. It is a 405 Winchester necked down to .338. I'm shooting a full bull 15" tube that has been Mag-na-ported with a Burris 2 x 7 Ballistic Plex scope. I have only tried 200 grain bullets and I'm currently shooting Nosler Accubonds at 2667 fps. That's pretty good out of a 15" ported barrel. I've taken a Fallow deer at 155 yards and an Axis deer at 100 yards with this load.

I had one of the 338 JDJ #2 Contenders on the 444 Marlin case for several years and shot it a lot. I used the 180grn Ballistic Tip when I was available. I took several deer and a pig with it.
It had the Mag-na-break from MagnaPort and was very easy to shoot. Never shot anything but the 180 grn bullets.
Easy to load. It would shoot with several powders but used Varget mostly due to having several large jugs of it.
Wish I had kept it.
Mike

I always did lust for a 338 JDJ, but I doubt I'll buy one. That GNR is a potent cartridge. I've looked at that one a few times.

I'm mainly looking for something to surpass the performance of my 375. Energy wise, the 375 and 338's are almost twins. I'm just looking for a little more velocity than the 2250 FPS I'm getting now from the JDJ. No brake on the 338, I have one on my JDJ and it is obnoxious. I'd rather deal with the recoil.

Brenden

How about the 338-06 JDJ in the Encore? There's also the 338 Win Mag as well.

If you want something a bit more unique, consider the Nosler 280 Ackley Improved case necked up to 338 for a 338-280 Ack Improved. I did that but went with a 30-280 Ack Impr.

Should still be able to use 338-06 AI dies (I used 30-06 AI dies).

MGM can make you the barrel.

The antelope in my avatar was shot using a 30-280AI.

I looked into the 338-284 and 338-06 JDJ. Impressive rounds. I've heard good feedback on the 338-280AI round as well.

I'm down between the 338-08 AI and 338-06. I've got brass and dies for each. Just can't decide which way to go. I'll be putting the 375 JDJ up for sale and calling MGM soon.

Doc, what velocities are you getting with the 338 Federal and the 180's? Is yours a factory or custom barrel?

Thanks,
Brenden

Well it's official, the 375 JDJ and all the components are listed for sale on the classified page under barrels.

It's been a good hunting round,but I'm a .338 fan at heart!

Thanks,
Brenden

The 338 is an excellent caliber. I've had a 338 Federal, 338 WM, and a 338-06JDJ. Those went down the road, the only 338 I currently own is the 338JDJ #2 for my Contender. That will be one of the last ones to leave.

Well I ordered a barrel for the Encore today. Went with the .338 Federal. Figured it would be enough for rabbid squirrels and the occasional deer.

This is my third MGM barrel this year. I'm already kicking myself as I should have saved my money and bought a Bisley 454, but such is life.

Hope to have the 338 in enough time to work up a load and knock a deer. We will see how it goes.

Brenden

What barrel length did you go with? I've oft contemplated getting a .338 Federal barrel.

Will be very interested in your velocities. What bullet you planning to use?

I went with the 15.875" length. That's the max length you can go without shelling out more cash. I'm cheap, I know.

I bought some Barnes 160's for grins and giggles. That's way too light of a bullet, but if it shoots well I'll keep it.

I have some Barnes TSX 185's and 200 grain Hornady' s to play with. I will try the 180 grain Accubonds as well.

I'm a Barnes fan though;the 185's are potent medicine out of my 338-06.

10" twist? A

I want to experiment with a faster twist on the .338 Federal. I want one with a 1-8" Twist rate.

All the .338 Federals I've loaded for were difficult to attain acceptable accuracy with. I think it has to do with the lower velocity generated by the cartridge and trouble adequately stabilizing the bullets.

My "theory" is to use a faster twist and spin them faster for the shorter barrel/reduced powder capacity.

Good thinking

You've got me worried now Zee. I'll have to experiment with bullets and powders to see what I can come up with. Then encore is strong, bless it's heart. I'll get the required velocity one way or another!

I should have bought a Bisley...

Don't worry about the above, I promise not to try to make this thing a 338-378.

Why not? That sounds awesome!

That sounds like a real hammer! Enjoy!