I’m looking for input on optimal barrel length for a 338-06 hunting rifle. I’m hoping to get some input from FiremanJG and Chad. I would also be interested in hearing about anyone’s experience who shoots a 338-06. Thanks.

Good evening Crash,

In my experience, an "optimal" barrel length for the .338-'06 (or any caliber, really) depends on what aspect you're wanting to optimize. If maximum performance is the goal, a longer barrel will pay dividends. The same long tube will likely prove a hindrance if hunting on foot thru thick stuff...but it'll shine if used in the open.

My .338-'06 is the Ackley Improved variety and it wears a 22" tube. I've been very impressed with the round from our own deer and hogs to New Mexico elk. It's a well behaved round that has always done what I asked when I asked it. I've run 210s to 250s and prefer the heavier bullets. If I had it to do over again, I'd go with the "vanilla" .338-'06 and forego the case-forming chores of the AI version as I doubt the performance increase is worth the effort (but I was 27 years younger when I made that decision and it seemed a good idea at the time!).

Good luck!

Mark

Mine was 19” and performed well with 225s. Anything heavier and I was going backwards with that short of a barrel. Was easily sub moa with a middle of the road charge of Varget. Give me a few minutes and I’ll look up the velocity.

Edit:

19.375”

50.7g Varget

225g Hornady Interbond

2580 FPS

My 338-06 AI has a 24" barrel. Best shooting rifle I have. With 200gr to 225gr. its taken hogs, whitetail, mulies, Elk and Nilgai. Don't use it much anymore.

16”

24" would probably be fine. Long action, with a medium-slow burn and most likely a fairly heavy bullet is going to need a bit of barrel length to get the speed up. Personally, I would probably go 26", if you can tolerate that length.

Optimum length, honestly, would be up to you. You can have a good shooting load from 16" to 26" long. What you will gain/lose is about 20-25 fps per inch of barrel. So, going from an 18" to 22" would yield about 90-100 fps more. More velocity is more energy on target. But a long barrel is less handy. So it depends on what length of barrel you want. If you want more speed, go with the longer barrel. If you want it handy, shorten it up some. A 200-225 grain bullet in that round would do really well. Something in the 2600 to 2850 fps would do well for a good all around hunting load. I'd lean towards a 22" length, or 24"+ if you wanted a little more velocity.

I am thankful for the wealth of knowledge on this forum. I think I will go with 23” or 24” to squeeze out a bit of the velocity and still be a handy length for my needs. I will be walking as well as stationary depending on the particular hunt.

Thank you sir, will have to try that. Still waiting on dies.

24”

That’s the length I went with, 24” Shilen #4 built on a Tikka T3 action.