338 Fed Weatherby 307

[thatguySHM]

I love the 338 Federal round, decided to try a 20" compact rifle on a new Weatherby 307 action. I have a Ruger m77 338 Federal that shoots 180gr AccuBond very well, but it doesn't do that great with many 200gr+ bullets. I looked at the numbers and decided I wanted a faster twist to see what happens when you get the 200-225gr bullets to 338 Win Mag RPMs, so I went with an 8 twist barrel from Preferred Barrels at 20" with a barrel nut. It's in an MDT Flagstaff stock and I'm using their 3 round ACIS magazine, pretty nice set up. Topped with a Vortex Viper 2-10.

The rifle is just a touch heavier than I'd like, but I'm happy with it for a little deer thumper.



I broke in the barrel with 200gr HotCor and TAC, averaging 2550 fps and averaging an inch for three shots across four groups after sight in and initial break in. Three shot groups then clean were great, one group opened up to 1.5" but the rest stayed at or below an inch.

Then I ran the Speer 225 BTSP. Finally shot the load this week and was pleasantly surprised. 2400 fps and three touching. Now to see if I can do it again.

 

[JD338]

Nice looking rig, congrats.
That’s a deer thumper

JD338

 

[NYDAN]

That is a sweet set-up. Nice shooting.

 

[SJB358]

Cool build and that Speer 225 should be amazing at 338 Fed speeds.

 

[RL338]

Well done. Those Preferred Barrels are shooters. , my son has one in 223 Wylde.

 

[thatguySHM]

Thanks! I'm very pleased with how things turned out. I tried some 225gr SSTs, but I had to load over 0.050" off to fit in the magazine, but they were all over the place, pattern more than grouping.

It does seem the barrel is faster than the factory Ruger, the original concept goal was 2350 fps with that Speer 225gr while keeping my RPM over 200,000. So without much effort getting to 2400 was a happy surprise. I'm unsure if I'll see much measurable velocity increase after I get over 100 rounds or so down the barrel, and I'm not even compressed with the TAC, but I can't beat the results.

 

[Blkram]

Appears to be a successful start to using heavier bullets! (Gotta love it when a plan comes together!)
And being short, will be handy in the thick timber!
Will also work great on bear, moose and elk, should you get to hunt them too!
Other great bullets to try would include the 200 and/or 225 gr AccuBonds, and the 215 and/or 225 gr SGKs. And the Speer 225 gr Hot Cor.

Loving the performance of my 338 Federals! I am hoping to find a good load for the 200 gr AB in my Sako. To date I have taken caribou, moose, and stones sheep with mine, with the Federal 210 gr Partition ammo, the 200 gr Uni-Cor and Trophy Copper ammo.