What came first, the bullet(loaded cartridge) or the barrel?

[hc18flyer]

I am about ready to pull the trigger on a Shilen Savage replacement barrel in .338 Federal. Do I decide on a bullet and have Shilen throat it accordingly or wait for the barrel and pick the best bullet for the throat? I would really appreciate your guidance. I have read several old threads on the 338, when finding gas checks were a problem. Any other problems with the .338 Fed?
Thanks, Tom

[missionary5155]

Greetings
I would give Shilen a call and talk to them directly explaining in detail what you have in mind.
If you have an idea on a particular nose shape overall cartridge length and diameter they can work with you. They want you to have the best possible chamber to start with. You will be the best sales person they have in your AO.
Mike in Peru

[btroj]

Make an impact slug after it is chambered and Tom at Accurate moulds will design a bullet to will the throat.

[TXGunNut]

What is the rifle chambered for now? What's wrong with the existing barrel? I don't begrudge the good folks @ Shilen the sale of one of their fine products but there may be other options, reboring is one to consider.

[Larry Gibson]

Pick the cast bullet you want to use. Get the mould, cast some, load 3 - 5 into 338 Fed cases keeping GC in the bottom of the short 338 Fed case neck. Send to Shilen and have them throat accordingly. Order barrel with close to minimum twist for that bullets full stability at the minimum muzzle velocity you expect to shoot them at. That will give you less than the RPM threshold at top end velocities. The 338 Fed usually has a 10" twist which is fine with jacketed. If you want to push a 220 gr cast up into the 2400+ fps range with accuracy I suggest a 14" twist. That twist will also nicely handle any lighter weight cast upwards of 2500 - 2600 fps depending on barrel length and load used.

Larry Gibson

[hc18flyer]

The original barrel is a 22-250. I don't think it is thick enough to bore to .338. I was thinking a 200 grain bore riding bullet, rather than 220. Bore-rider vs non? I will talk to the Shilen folks before placing an order. I did talk with Jim at Northland SS, he was very helpful. I do appreciate your help. Tom

[TXGunNut]

Sounds like you're on the right track, Tom. I'm not much help on the bore riding issue but most of the boolits that work for me could be described as bore-riders. Larry gave you some excellent advice, IMHO.
One last question; why 338 Federal?

[hc18flyer]

I was all ready to go with the 358 win. I think I have more versatility should I revert back to j-words for a elk hunt. IE- A little longer effective range/flatter shooting. The 338 Federal should be more than enough for Nebraska whitetails. That said, I haven't bought anything yet, still thinking about a bolt action 30-30 or 308. My brother has dies for both of them. I need to ask- Why not the .338 Federal?

[hc18flyer]

The 338 Federal should be more than enough for Nebraska whitetails. (With cast boolets)

[TXGunNut]

Why not? 338 Federal is a very impressive cartridge but it went quickly from "latest thing" to basically obsolete. I'm not a long range shooter so I'd consider reverting to j-words a step backwards, not sure why they'd be better on elk. I doubt a CB-friendly load in the 338 would have much advantage over the 358 but I could be wrong. I'm a big fan of the 35 caliber but realize the 338 has quite a bit going for it, was disappointed when it faded away so quickly. I realize 338 cases can be made from 308's but I think the advantage of factory cases and many boolit designs would make the 358 a better choice. There's good reason why the 99 in .358 is one of the most sought-after Savage leverguns.

[Larry Gibson]

+ another here for the 358W vs the 338 Fed. Given equal rifles and bullet weights loaded to equal psi the 358W will give the higher velocity due to the greater expansion rate. For sure the BC of the 338 bullet of the same weight will be higher but the velocity difference cancels out any advantage. Thus ballistically it is a draw, especially over practical deer or elk hunting ranges. I would prefer the 358W because there is such a large variety of .358 cast bullets avaible in the 180 - 250 gr weight range for big game hunting. With a 14" twist you can push any of them upwards of 2400+ fps (2500 - 2600 fps with the lighter 180 - 200 gr) with excellent accuracy out of a 22 - 26" barrel. On top of that look at the plethora of cast .358 handgun bullets or jacketed ones available for plinking, small game and varmints. When it comes to versatility the .358W is the hands down favorite over the 338 Fed.

Larry Gibson

[hc18flyer]

Thanks to both of you. I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. Tom