338 Fed or 338 RCM?

[Scott Spencer]

If you were buying a Ruger Hawkeye, and you had a choice of either caliber, which of the two would you choose? I have a 338 Win Mag, stainless Model 70 with 26" barrel, that someone may want to buy.

I can't really justify keeping it - especially when I want a smaller rifle and specifically a Ruger. I'm actually ready to get rid of it because I rarely shoot it and the 338 Fed or RCM seem to be pretty good ballistically (probably not as good as the 338 WM though).

Scott

 

[jmad_81]

Well I have the same rifle and I know what you mean about wanting a smaller one. That being said it is my favorite rifle. Its really hard to beat the 338 WM as an all around rifle.

If I had to pick between the 338 RCM and 338 Fed, I'm picking the RCM beause it is closest to the WM. If you don't need the extra horse power the the 338 fed would be the way to go. Think the 338 fed would be several steps down at far as energy, and recoil. If your just looking for a smaller 338 WM then get the RCM. If your looking for a smaller gun all together then go with the 338 Fed.

I really like the Hawkeye rifles. I have a 375 R hawkeye, the trigger is great and the gun just feels good in my hands. The stock did crack out at the tang of the rifle but don't think you'll have that problem with the 338s. I really like the looks of the new tan and stainless ones. I've never been a big Ruger fan, but Love the one I have.

 

[Scott Spencer]

We think the same way....I bought my first Ruger last Dec (.280 Rem) and absolutely love it!! It is the stainless and black version so I'm looking at the wood version of the 338 RCM. I do want a smaller rifle with similar performance.

The honest truth is, I have no real need for a 338 of any kind. My hunting is done in Alabama and Mississippi for whitetail of 140-200 lbs. I've hunted out west twice in my life (elk & mule deer) and killed my elk with my 30-06 and my mule deer with the 338 WM last Oct. One day I hope to moose hunt, black bear hunt, and even elk hunt again at least once more. My .280 and 30-06 will handle all of those easily.

Maybe I just sell the 338 WM outright and use that money to convert my 280 to a 280AI like I talked about wanting to do a month or so ago?!?! The thing is, I am getting .3 - .75" groups with it right now and the factory barrel. Sort of hard to justify messing with that.

Damn, I hate decisions like these......

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

The only way I would own a .338 Federal would be in an AR platform...which I would kind of like to have. Beyond that, personally, I keep the .338 Win Mag. With that said, the .338 RCM is alot more gun then the .338 Federal.

 

[DrMike]

Both are good cartridges. However, brass is not plentiful for either. I like properly headstamped brass for my cartridges, and Hornady has a spotty record of providing sufficient brass for the cartridges they promote while Federal brass for the 338 Federal has only been announced. Antelope Sniper is correct that the 338 RCM is a lot more gun than the 338 Federal. However, within reasonable ranges, either is sufficient for black bear and elk. I wouldn't hesitate to use either on moose. I would probably opt for the 338 RCM and buy sufficient brass for the next several years just to ensure that I had enough on hand. If all I had access to was a 338 Federal, with the promise of headstamped brass on the horizon, I wouldn't feel cheated with that cartridge, however.

 

[bullet]

WOW!!! What a choice to make. You must really want a Ruger and I agree with the desire to own a Ruger. I love my Ruger 260, 30-06 and more and more my 358Win. Brass will be and issue to some extent and Antelope Sniper and Mike are right about the RCM being more cartridge for sure.

I am not sure that I have not done myself an injustice in owning the 30-06 and the 358Win because I find myself not needing any other cartridge to do all the hunting I have or will do that these two won't handle. Now that is good since I don't have as much money to work with these days and can't buy every cartridge out there that I would like to have.

One good thing is that what ever cartridge you go with, the Ruger Hawkeye is a great rifle. Target rifle, NO!!! Hunting rifle that won't let you down with good accuracy, YES!!!

If you sell your Model 70 and get a Ruger in either cartridge I don't think you will be disappointed. Can't wait to see which cartridge you settle with.

 

[Scott Spencer]

All sound and excellent advise from people I may not know personally but who's opinion I respect and value. I will probably just sell the 338WM and just not buy anything else for now. Who knows....maybe I just go buy a wood/blue 257 Roberts Ruger Hawkeye instead of a 338 RCM?!?!

 

[JD338]

I would go with the 338 RCM for more power and range,if needed.
The 257 Roberts is a nice option. :wink:

JD338

 

[bullet]

All sound and excellent advise from people I may not know personally but who's opinion I respect and value. I will probably just sell the 338WM and just not buy anything else for now. Who knows....maybe I just go buy a wood/blue 257 Roberts Ruger Hawkeye instead of a 338 RCM?!?!

JD, is right and I agree that a 257 Roberts is a great pick, very good round for .25 cal.

 

[JD338]

I have a M700 Classic 257 Roberts. Great caliber and very accurate, its one of my favorites! I shot this coyote this past winter at 140 yds with the 110 gr AB.

JD338

 

[bullet]

Nice yote JD

 

[Scott Spencer]

Nice job on the predator, Jim!

Is the .257 Roberts getting into too "similar" territory with my .280? Here is my current battery of rifles - .280, 7x57, 308, 30-06, 338WM. I am looking to sell the 338WM and possibly the .308 as well. What caliber would be a good one to go with these, presuming I wind with just a .280, 7x57, and 30-06? The .257 Roberts? A .243? Perhaps a 25-06?

 

[DrMike]

Scott,

You are talking small-bodied deer and an occasional smaller elk, clearly you are moving from the need for larger cartridges. You have a pretty good selection with the rifles you now have to cover the game you intend to hunt. The 280 and the 30-06 will cover your anticipated needs very nicely. Perhaps you need to think about a "just 'cause" cartridge. There is no doubt that the 25-06 or the 257 will work quite nicely for deer. The short magnums may have more reach than you can justify. Maybe it is time for a "fun" gun--perhaps a lever action chambered in a handgun cartridge like a 44 magnum or a 357 magnum. Perhaps you need to look for a sweet little 30-30 or a fire breather like a 45-70? Just thinking.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

You are talking small-bodied deer and an occasional smaller elk, clearly you are moving from the need for larger cartridges. You have a pretty good selection with the rifles you now have to cover the game you intend to hunt. The 280 and the 30-06 will cover your anticipated needs very nicely. Perhaps you need to think about a "just 'cause" cartridge. There is no doubt that the 25-06 or the 257 will work quite nicely for deer. The short magnums may have more reach than you can justify. Maybe it is time for a "fun" gun--perhaps a lever action chambered in a handgun cartridge like a 44 magnum or a 357 magnum. Perhaps you need to look for a sweet little 30-30 or a fire breather like a 45-70? Just thinking.

Scott,

DRMike nailed it. For your needs, the 280 Rem and 30-06 will cover everything.
Fun guns are a different and the options are endless.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Yup, when I was a kid I had a .22 rimfire and a .30-06 bolt rifle. Still have those two rifles, and everything else has been just for fun and because it was interesting. Could have done all my hunting with those two, just fine.

Get what interests you. A mild-kicking rifle like a .257 Roberts is a real nice thing to have. They shoot great without beating the shooter.

Regards, Guy

 

[onesonek]

Nice job on the predator, Jim!

Is the .257 Roberts getting into too "similar" territory with my .280? Here is my current battery of rifles - .280, 7x57, 308, 30-06, 338WM. I am looking to sell the 338WM and possibly the .308 as well. What caliber would be a good one to go with these, presuming I wind with just a .280, 7x57, and 30-06? The .257 Roberts? A .243? Perhaps a 25-06?

Well, you have 2, 7mm's and 2, 30 cal.'s and 1 .338, somewhat what doubled up with the two. If it were me, I would keep the .338WM, just in case you want or need that power, and it is a great elk, moose and bear round. If I needed the money I would sell one of the 7's or 30's and get either a 24 or 25. In my mind the .257 or .25-06 are both great rounds, but again "overlapping" somewhat of what the .280 or 7x57 will do. I would go with the .243 for playing with the varmints and have a well rounded battery. The .243 loaded with 55's do great if you get into prairie dog country when going on a mule deer hunt, will be good for your light deer as well. But then a .22-250 might be another choice. With a .22-.24, and your current 7mm, .30, and .338, you would have a battery that would cover anything and everything on this continent!

Dave

 

[jmad_81]

Well this has taken an interesting turn.

I'm now thinking keep the 338 WM sell one of the rounds you have doubled (or one of each), and get yourself a good fun gun. My savage M12 243 is a real kick in the pants! Do I need it? No. Would I get rid of it? NO! Shoot lights out, and is alot of fun to shoot. Great for anything from paper to deer. Heck I even saw a pic of a gal that took a Roosevelt bull elk with a 243 and a 90 gr (ET I think, it was on Noslers Facebook page.), and those things at almost moose size!

Everybody needs a good AR of some kind as well. They are alot of fun, and can be very handy tools as well.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

I have to agree with onesonek and jmad_81, they have said it well.

The 338 WM will be your elk, moose and long range hammer when needed.
The 280 Rem and 30-06 will cover most anything well. All you need is a 243 Win or 257 Roberts and you have a 3-4 gun battery that covers everything you could hunt, less the African Big 6.

Maybe a good varmint rig, 223, 22-250 or 220 Swift.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Scott, I didn't see a good varmit gun in your mix?
How about something in the 22/250 to .243 Range?
You could sell the .308 or rebarrel it. If you decided to keep the .338 WM you would be good for everything in NA and alot of Africa with that mix.

 

[onesonek]

Rebarreling the .308 is what I would do too,,,then that opens the next "can of worms". :wink:

Dave