I am thinking about my next Encore project barrel, and think that I want something in a .338. I want a 12-inch barrel, and have been researching the 338-08, 338-08 AI and 338-284. I have also seen that barrel makers are making the short magnums (both Win and Rem) in 338. Does anyone out there have thoughts, suggestions, or experience with any of these (or others). Although it is always interesting to here other people's suggestions for barrels and calibers, I will point out that I have the larger and smaller niches filled with other barrels/calibers. (Truth being, this project won't do anything that I can't do already....But I want a 12-inch 338 caliber barrel).

Thoughts??

If it was me I would go with the 338-08AI, 338-284, or the 338-06AI. With a 12 inch barrel I would tend toward the first two I mentioned. I prefer performance so I lean toward the larger case capacities. Your needs may not require that.



Ernie

check out danb's article on the .338jdj#2
http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t25/index.html

i also gave some thought to a .338, and possibly on the G2. the jdj would be a good candidate for that, or even the encore.
i think i have decided to go with a 16-17" 300winmag on the encore frame though.

I have 2 338's in a encore one is off the 45-70 case and the other is of the 348 win case or the 300 WSM case.Both are hammers on both ends the 45-70 case will push a 225 at 2550 fps and the 348 case will do 2--- fps you just would not believe me if I told you how fast its going out of a 15" barrel.I can however tell you both are so accurate that it's scary ... look at your ring finger and then at your nail your nail will cover the groups at 100.

Tell me more. You mention it's based on a .348 or the .300wsm. Are these two that similar? What is the case capacity? What is the recoil like? Do you have a muzzle break? Go ahead and brag; what velocities are you getting? I keep waiting for Rem or Win to introduce a .338 short magnum. That would certainly make dies and brass easier to come by.

Yes the 348 case and the 300 wsm case are almost the same accept the 348 has a big old rim and is longer.Just trim off about a quarter inch from the neck load and fireform to a great case.The case holds 88 grains of H 110 right at the top of the neck.This barrel I have yet to let anyone shoot accept "Shortgun" it is a straight tube no break.The velocity from 180 BT are in the 2845 range.I forgot to mention the you need to change the extractor for the 2 cases.

How about the 338/350. I have one of these. It is my favorite long range pistol. I shoot the 200 bt's at 2800+ with AA 2250 and Imr 3031. It shoots 1/2 to 3/4 out of my XP.