338 All Around

[Vince]

OK, I'm going to ask this question, so please bare with me.

As an "All Around" rifle cartridge what do you all think of the .338 Win Mag? Some of my shots tend to be longer distance and the .338 trends to carry the mail out there to intermediate ranges pretty well. Think shooting out to 600 Yards on game.

Recoil, the only downside to this cartridge, can be mitigated by stock fit and a muzzle brake. The brake is a can of worms I'm not inclined to argue about just making an observation. Some folks love them others hate them.

Bullet selection, I can find bullets from 180 grains to 300 grains. That's a pretty big variety I think. The reason I'm posting this on the reloading area is because I think to really show the versatility of the round one has to be willing to reload.

I'm thinking a 200 grain like the CT Ballistic Tip or Hornady SST would be just the ticket for deer and antelope sized game. Then, for elk, moose, great bears, something in the 210 grain to 250 grain range would work best. Of course it's going to depend on what the rifle likes best and one won't know that until they start making up test loads.

So, what do you all think regarding my reasoning? I had a friend chew on my ear that I should go with a .300 Win Mag as an all around rifle but I'm not convinced. I shot one a lot last year, OK a couple of them, and just couldn't seem to warm up to it. The .338 Win Mag was a different story though.

Interested to hear what you all got to say.

Vince

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[Osprey78]

Not an expert by any means here. I shoot a 300 Win Mag. I have never shot a 338. Not adverse to them, just never have shot one. I upped my grainage to a 200 grain PT this year as I am in quite a heavily grizzly populated area, we have moose and elk and the occasional deer :roll: when the wolves don't have them on the run.

The recoil is modest and actually seemed more comfortable with the 200 grain pill. I feel confident that it can and has taken deer from <100 yards to black bear ~200 yards. A long shot has never presented itself to me as we are pretty thick in the terrain dept around here. However it is fully capable of taking the long shots if need be, and if I help it along too.

In fact, I just ran JBM with a 200 grain PT travelling at 2810 fps from a 300 Win Mag, and a 210 grain PT travelling at 2860 from a 338.

The 300 Win Mag has less drop in the long run. Now like I said, i am not an expert by any means, and I know there is a difference of 10 grains between the 2 PT's however, for me...I see no reason why I would want or need a 338...at this point in time. Having said that, my mind could also be swayed quite easily.

Edit: The 300 Win Mag with the above data also has 691.8 ft*lbs while the 338 carries only (only...ha) 565.4 ft*lbs

 

[Partisan]

A lot of people will tell you the best "All Around" rifle caliber is a 30-06 and others say a 375 H&H. It is one of those perpetual discussions that liven up the off-season. That being said, some thoughts.

1.) Yes Hand Loading increases any caliber's versatility. (and shooting enjoyment)
2.) The 300 magnum is going to have an edge in the 180-200gr bullet selections. It just physics. It is above 200grains that the 338 will start to pull ahead.
3.) If you load either round to the same energy level in the same weight rifles they will have equivalent recoil. Just more physics.
4.) You can down load either caliber down for medium game and still have +/- 3 inch MPBR out past 250 yards with recoil that is still stiff but not ferocious.
5.) With today's ballistic calibrated reticules and especially custom calibrated elevation dials a few inches difference in drop is no big deal. I am skeptical about shooting game at plus 400 yards anyway. Drop is constant but figuring wind drift is something else. Bullet placement is still prime.
6.) Sounds like you lean toward the 338 so get it. Start with easy loads and you won't regret it. Plus at a public range when somebody asks you what you are shooting and you show them a 338 round their eyes get a lot bigger than with a 300... :wink:

 

[salmonchaser]

Well I love the 338 and think it could or should have a similar reputation in North America as the 375 earned in Africa. With a 200 yard zero, a 250 grain AccuBond, I can hold on the elk out to 400 and shoot without screwing around, the kiss principle.
I have a break on the 338 Jarrett, I can replace the break with a cap, but don't. I know that with out the break snot comes out my nose when I shoot. I also know I won't forget I took the break off when hunting. What has worked for me are ear plugs attached to a plastic band you wear around your neck. With a little practice and a little time to set up the shot they work well. I agree with others the 338 shines with heavier bullets.

 

[345 kv]

If I could only keep one of my rifles, it would be the 338 WM. I've owned it for a long time and killed whitetails to wild bison with it. As far as recoil, it does have some sitting at the bench but in the field shooting at game I've never noticed.

 

[Thankful Otter]

Vince

I used a 30-06 for everything from bunnies to bears for a lot of years, as it was the only rifle available to me, and it never let me down. Fast forward, out of college, employed, married and lucky for me the husband came with a very nice and generous grandfather. Because of him I have had the opportunity to try out many different calibers.

If I was dead set on getting a 338, I would get a 340 Weatherby, same thing only on steroids. My husband has one and loves it.

As for myself, I feel the 375 H & H is easier to shoot than the 338 and will do even more for me, excluding distance. Personally, ever since Aleena ( Africa huntress ) gifted me the 300 H & H, I find it to be my absolute favorite and it will do everything I need a rifle to do.

So as not to confuse anyone, the 7MMWSM and 45/70 is our work rifles and we feel they are perfect for the job. But if I am headed out on a dedicated hunt, I will use one of the H & H's ( 275, 300, 375 )

 

[FOTIS]

My 340 bee rocks 210 PTs at 3175....LETHAL!

 

[gerry]

Nothing at all wrong with a 338 WM as an all around gun, it is extremely versatile and can do everything you would want to do. There is a case to be made for a 300 WM to be a bit better in theory at long range but in practice there is no real difference. There is no need to get a round you don't really like when the 338 can do what you want.

 

[Divernhunter]

I have both a 338WM and a 300WM. I have taken game with both at short to long ranges.
Both work.
I prefer the 338WM.
I have no use for the 338Weatherby or bigger cased 338 cal rifles.
To each there own.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My two favorite factory rifles were the Model 70 Alaskan .300 H&H and the .338 WM. I used both for about 35 years or so. I also like the .340 Wea. Mag but not the Mark V so much. I guess that I am backing up Cheyenne's choices. My all-around-rifle would be the .375 H&H, hands down, for everything but African buff and elephant. For those two I would choose the .470 NE.

 

[bobnob]

160g TSX in the 338WM will take most big game, as will a 180g AB. And they won't bruise you to death doing it.

The fact you can use up to 300 grainers just makes it all the more versatile. Perfect medicine for Kenworths.

I can tell you for a fact the 200g Hotcor loaded to around 2750fps in the 338WM is one helluva pig load!

 

[wildgene]

...well, I'm all for shooting the heaviest bullet as fast as you can shoot it well, I just don't know a lot of people that can shoot a .338 that well. I don't even know a lot of people that are real comfy shooting a heavy .300. The concept of "moredeadder" doesn't really apply until you are @ very long range, say 500yds+, or facing sumpthin that can & will eat you...

 

[Vince]

Gene,
I don't disagree with you.
I'm able to shoot sub MOA with any caliber I shoot, providing the rifle is capable, or I don't own it.
I've found the recoil velocity to be less with the .338 when compared to the .300 Win Mag. That translates to more of a hard shove than a fast jab. I find the jab more disconcerting.

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[Guy Miner]

Several years ago at the Idaho state sniper match, we had a nice young fellow show up with a good .338 Win Mag. Most powerful rifle at the match. Shooting from prone, it started beating him up pretty quickly and accuracy went downhill fast.

A very generous shooter loaned the young fellow a custom built Win 70 in 7mm WSM, and he proceeded to shoot rather well with that easier kicking rifle.

Yes, that was a match, not hunting, but to me it points out how
Much easier it is to practice and get GOOD with a lighter recoiling rifle.

As far as "power" it just doesn't take a cannon...

Take this with a grain of salt as I enjoy spot & stalk bear hunting with a .375 H&H, which is clearly NOT necessary.

Regards, Guy

 

[Vince]

Guy,
Can I take that with sea salt as opposed to the commonly used Morton's table salt?

There is no question that being able to practice frequently makes one a better shooter. We all have our limits as far as recoil. For me is a box of .338 Win Mag in a morning at the range. For others it may only be one round of that cartridge. That is why my upper limit, as far as cartridges go for commonly used hunting rounds, is the .338 Win Mag.

Vince

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[SJB358]

Run the 338 Win Mag. I like a lot of others but my 338 Win Mag is just an awesome performer. I love to try different things but the 338 has become my go to. The rifle forced the cartridge on this one, but I've yet to be disappointed in what the 338 Win does in the field.

 

[Rigbymauser]

I can only concure with versatillity of a the .338cal especially with the 300grain bullets. As I use a .333Jeffery it can make a .375H&H unemployed. The long 300grain goes deep and leaves a bloodtrail a blind can follow.
The .340Wea would be my choice if I didn´t have a .378Wea.

 

[Europe]

My two favorite factory rifles were the Model 70 Alaskan .300 H&H and the .338 WM. I used both for about 35 years or so. I also like the .340 Wea. Mag but not the Mark V so much. I guess that I am backing up Cheyenne's choices. My all-around-rifle would be the .375 H&H, hands down, for everything but African buff and elephant. For those two I would choose the .470 NE.

Charlie, it would be hard to argue with your choices. I also like the 300 H & H and 375 H & H. I personally was never able to warm up to the 338 but without a doubt it is an excellent all round North America caliber. Charlie, if the opportunity ever presents itself I would like to do what Cheyenne has done and add the 275 to my collection

To address this thread directly. Vince, the 338 would be a hard one hunting rifle to beat

 

[Vince]

My two favorite factory rifles were the Model 70 Alaskan .300 H&H and the .338 WM. I used both for about 35 years or so. I also like the .340 Wea. Mag but not the Mark V so much. I guess that I am backing up Cheyenne's choices. My all-around-rifle would be the .375 H&H, hands down, for everything but African buff and elephant. For those two I would choose the .470 NE.

Charlie, it would be hard to argue with your choices. I also like the 300 H & H and 375 H & H. I personally was never able to warm up to the 338 but without a doubt it is an excellent all round North America caliber. Charlie, if the opportunity ever presents itself I would like to do what Cheyenne has done and add the 275 to my collection

To address this thread directly. Vince, the 338 would be a hard one hunting rifle to beat

The more I play with my .338 Win Mag the more I come to that same conclusion.

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[Darkhorse]

I don't have or have even shot a .338 WM, but I wish I had a need for one as I've always thought it a really neat cartridge. If I lived in the west I'd own one but I think it's a bit much for me as an all around.
But I do own a .300 WM and I think it's a great all around. Mine is a Browning Abolt II and it has the BOSS, and I always shoot it with the brake. I've taken the time and effort to really get the BOSS dialed in and it is a 1/2 MOA and under rifle. Very comfortable to shoot and extremely flat shooting to boot. It has taken my longest shot on a bull elk and my largest whitetail. I liked it so much it was the only rifle I hunted with for 15 years.
It sounds like you are set on the .338 so that is what you should get. I wanted a .300 WM and that is what I got.
Get what you want and be happy.