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Posted: 8/30/2017 10:48:00 PM EDT
I recently sent a 338 Shilen barrel to Windham Weaponry for assembly. Here is the end result. Unfortunately,due to hurricane Harvey, Windham Weaponry is holding off shipping it to me until things return to normal here in Southeast Texas.
Once I get it back and put a scope on it, I'll post range reports. |
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I was going to do a .338 Federal build on a DPMS GII a few years ago, but pulled away when the smith insisted on using a certain reamer.
It was to be an experiment in taming recoil, muzzle climb, and some other things with the larger cartridge. Looking forward to your results. |
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Thanks!
I’ve always been the type that liked tinkering with different calibers, whether in the AR-15 platform or the AR-10. I found two articles about the .338 Federal on The Daily Caller and Ammoland which peaked my curiosity. After reading these articles, I ordered a barrel and bolt from Shilen Rifles and a brake from JP Enterprises. I normally hunt with my .270 bolt gun, but I think this will soon replace it on future hog, deer and hopefully few larger animals when I make it to Wyoming to hunt with my son. Ballistically, are there better rounds out there for long range, yes. If I plan to shoot beyond the 338's capabilities, I'll use my 6.5 Creedmoor. |
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Quoted:
Thanks! I’ve always been the type that liked tinkering with different calibers, whether in the AR-15 platform or the AR-10. I found two articles about the .338 Federal on The Daily Caller and Ammoland which peaked my curiosity. After reading these articles, I ordered a barrel and bolt from Shilen Rifles and a brake from JP Enterprises. I normally hunt with my .270 bolt gun, but I think this will soon replace it on future hog, deer and hopefully few larger animals when I make it to Wyoming to hunt with my son. Ballistically, are there better rounds out there for long range, yes. If I plan to shoot beyond the 338's capabilities, I'll use my 6.5 Creedmoor. |
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I have found in mine, short 18" barrel, that the 180 gr. TTSX gives me better downrange performance (trajectory) than the slightly faster 160 gr. TTSX. I wish I had waited on building mine until a 20", or even better a 22" barrel, was available but at the time, my impatience got the best of me and I ordered the 18 inch. My hunting buddy has a factory built 20" and he does get about 75 fps more out of his but I doubt any deer would know the difference. I also use .308 brass instead of factory formed. It ends up being a few thousandths of an inch short but is a damned site cheaper. Again, when I built mine there was no .338F brass available anywhere at any price so I formed up the .308. Thankfully now that has changed.
FYI, 18", rifle gas, non adjustable gas block, .093 gas port, standard rifle buffer and spring. DPMS SS fluted (HA! What a joke, the flutes are no deeper than a bad scratch!) but almost every load has been MOA or better and it does not seem to foul. MI three-port brake, opened up of course. |
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Very in-depth discussion of .338 Federal
Closing comments
The .338 Federal is particularly well suited to hunters looking for a cartridge specifically for use on large game where low recoil or an extremely lightweight portable rifle is a priority. This cartridge can produce both excellent and rather abysmal results depending upon how it is loaded and how it is used. This is not the type of cartridge that should be selected simply for the reason of “wanting something different” by those who show little interest in rifle accuracy or hand loading. The Federal works best when treated as a specific tool for a specific job. |
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Quoted:
What gas tube length, barrel length, and buffer weight are you using? Do you use an adjustable gas block? Nice looking rig BTW swampie I like that Shilen just uses a stock AR tube. Not sure why there is a slightly longer length like the ones we use. I think it may have been an Armalite AR10 spec. The barrel is 20" and the gas block is not adjustable. The buffer is a rifle length .308 buffer which is 5.6 oz. I have not fired this rifle yet. I'm going to be taking it out to the range later this week. We're supposed to get rain all week so I'm hoping we get a clear day by Thursday. |
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