upcoming 338 whisper built... need assistance

[Romeyo]

Hi Folks!

Since this is my first post her I just wanted to say hello and that I'm glad I found that page!
Very interesting forum on an even more interesting cartridge!

Now back to topic...
I somehow got into my head to do a .338 whisper bolt-action build, based on an savage action thats chambered in .308. That's one of the reasons I prefer the .338 to the .300 whisper, but also like it's higher energy.
I'm going to use .308 brass for reloading since it's commonly aviable and cheap.
I'm planning on doing all the work by myself, I got a lathe in my "wannabe workshop" down in the basement and I'm studying precision engineering (for the last year).

I really would like that savage to shoot Sierras 300grain MatchKings at subsonic speeds as accurate as possible. I don't really care about lighter bullets and faster loads.
...this is my point to start.

I believe archiving this a 1 in 7 twist barrel would be essential? There's where the troubles begin. I contacted lothar walther and they told me the only got 1 in 10 Barrels in .338, so I have to find a barrel maker or retailer that ships barrel blanks to europe. Import would be a piece of cake since barrel blanks are completly free here in Austria, but I think export will makes things more complicated?

Which barrel lenght would you suggest? I read that too long barrels would have a bad effect on fps constancy because of friction?
What about 12" ?

Also, where do i best get all those tools I need?
.338 whisper chamber reamer, .338 headspace gauges, dies for reloading?
Are those things only aviable at ssk industries or are there any other sources? ...sources that would ship to europe =/
I'm even unsure ssk would ship to europe?

Thanks in advance for any help!

cheerz

[amafrank]

There are other sources for tools and parts. You might check with PacNor barrels for the tighter twist rate. They have a website. Lilja barrels may also do that twist. You'll have to do a bit of searching through the barrel makers sites to find what you want.....

CH4D makes dies for the .338 BR which uses the .308 or 7mm Benchrest brass with a .338 bullet dia. The .308 case is the same external dimensions but uses a large rifle primer and doesn't have the same consistancy of brass internal dimensions that the benchrest brass will.

Dave Manson Reamers makes a chamber reamer for the .338 BR but I believe its a special order which is 6 to 8 weeks lead time.

As for whether any of them will ship to europe I have no idea. You'll have to contact them.

Frank

[Romeyo]

Alright, thanks Frank!

I didn't know 7mm BR would use another primertype than the .308.
Brass consitancy wouldn't be that of a problem when using Lapua brass, would it?
But seemes like it would be better to use 7mm BR brass...

Is the .338 BR virtually the same as the .338 whisper? I didn't know that either, unfortunately there's not that much info on the .338 whisper like on the .300 whisper/fireball aviable...

[eskimo1]

I buy all my tools from PTG and they ship to europe. Awesome service also

[Romeyo]

Thanks for the tip eskimo1! Sounds good.

[eskimo1]

Originally Posted by Romeyo

Thanks for the tip eskimo1! Sounds good.

No problem where in europe are you located? I´m in Sweden.

[Romeyo]

Austria. Got PN ;)