.338 Cartridges: What have played with? Which do you prefer?

Guy Miner · 2025-02-10T06:05:55-0800

I think the only 338 I've ever shot was my guide's 338 Win Mag SAKO with the magazine floor plate taped shut!

I'd just dropped the grizzly the second time with the fourth 200 gr Nosler Partition from my 30-06... four shots included one miss, one lousy hit and two that dropped him, all from under 50 yards. I was starting to reload my rifle when Joey traded his 338 for my empty rifle and said "finish him." I did so firing into the bear's chest. He was down but not dead until then. I think that finishing shot was at about 15 or 20 yards.

We recovered the well expanded 225 grain Barnes TSX and one of my 200 gr Partitions from the bear. I've got 'em around here someplace.

I like the 338 Win Mag, just never have owned one. Joey has gone to a 375 of some sort these days. He does a lot of guiding in big bear country in Alaska. I'm glad that he and I have stayed in touch off and on since that 2017 hunt. Maybe someday I'll be able to hunt with him again. Maybe.

Guy

FOTIS · 2025-02-10T10:02:01-0800

I have shot and owned many. Currently I only have a 338 RPM (3 hogs), a 340 Bee (elk and antelope) and a 338-378 ( a Bull Moose)
Love them all but the 340 edges out the other two due to its classic status.

PJGunner · 2025-02-10T12:24:40-0800

I have the book AFRICAN RIFLES AND CARTRIDGES by John Taylor. One of the cartridges he damns with faint praise is the .318 Westley Richards. He condemns it because local hunters used it to shoot elephants. The interesting thing about the cartridge is the bore is .318" but the bullet is .327 in diameter. The cartridge is very similar to the .338-06 running a 250 gr. bullet at 2400 FPS, probably using cordite as the propellent. I understand that brass can be made using 30-06 brass. With three rifles in .35 Whelen, I haven't seen the need for the .318 WR or 338-06, LOL.
Paul B.

PJGunner · 2025-02-10T12:34:23-0800

salmonchaser said:
Hell I’ll stop by Pauls and pick it up for you when we head north around the first of April. Im sure I can come through John Day, Maybe

While that would work, it wouldn't be legal thanks to GCA 1968 and GCA 1986. I'd have to pass. If you're in the neighborhood do stop by. I don't get many visitors so you'd be more than welcome.
Paul B.