Back into the 338 WM game, but not sure I am staying

[orchemo]

I traded back into a 338 WM game this past weekend. I sold my 338 WM after getting beat up by a Tikka T3. The rifle shot great, but it was too light and really bumped the shooter. I always thought, "what if it had a break?"

This weekend, I traded into a Remington 700 XCR in 338 WM with a break. Rifle is in great condition, really nice and crisp trigger.

As I compare ballistics at 400 yds, the difference between the 338 WM / 35 Whelen and 300 WSM is pretty small. I know people claim displacement is a big factor and the 338 WM is the King of Elk rifles, but for my shooting and less than 400 yds....not sure the difference is any

35 Whelen 225 PT - 400 yds Velocity = 1975 Energy = 1950 Drop = 25 inch
338 WM 250 PT - 400 yds Velocity = 1960 Energy = 2150 Drop = 25 inch
300 WSM 200 PT - 400 yds Velocity = 2150 Engergy = 2085 Drop = 21

I have a pair of 35 Whelens and my 300 WSM really likes the 200 gr Partitions.

Where does the 338 WM fit?

Took the rifle to the range this morning and it shot well.

Eric

 

[JD338]

Nice rifle, congratulations.
So where does the 338 WM fit in? When you are hunting something big and your 400 yds turns into 500 yds.
You will have a hammer that's more than enough for the task at hand.

JD338

 

[wildgene]

...(for Scotty)...

...Mod. 70 .325 WSM/ 220gr. SBT @2800fps MV/ 200yd. zero// 400yds./ 2272fps/ 2521ft.lbs./ 20.24" drop/ 8.35"-10mph full value, significantly less recoil than any .338 I've ever shot, less felt recoil than my .300WSM T3 Lite... :roll: :twisted: :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

...(for Scotty)...

...Mod. 70 .325 WSM/ 220gr. SBT @2800fps MV/ 200yd. zero// 400yds./ 2272fps/ 2521ft.lbs./ 20.24" drop/ 8.35"-10mph full value, significantly less recoil than any .338 I've ever shot, less felt recoil than my .300WSM T3 Lite... :roll: :twisted: :mrgreen:

Man, I thought we were friends! :lol:

Eric, your 300 and 35 really do cover the same ground. I've always said if I had the 35 Whelen first I wouldn't have messed with the 338. Being as I've had the 338 much longer I just have to like them both.

For elk to 400 yards I'd be happy as a clam to pack any of your rifles. Gene almost has me convinced I'd like a 325. What he knows deep down is I really like them all!

 

[orchemo]

So, for the "over " 400 yds, use the 250's as first choice bullet? Higher BC? Obviously what shoots best but try to find a heavier bullet?

 

[SJB358]

So, for the "over " 400 yds, use the 250's as first choice bullet? Higher BC? Obviously what shoots best but try to find a heavier bullet?

Eric, I'm running the 225's at 2900 from my 338. They shoot well and hold 1500ftlbs to over 650. Honestly from the 200AB to the 250PT they are all quite awesome in the 338 out to 500 and more. You just can't pick a bad one. For elk there is not shot I wouldn't take with the 200/210 that I would with the 250. They are all excellent. I love the 210. It runs 3000 out of my rifles and just makes doping range a little easier. That said, I'd shoot what shoots best, you'll never be able to blame the bullet.

 

[orchemo]

The problem of me shooting that far, is the blame for the miss is all on the shooter.

Cheers

 

[SJB358]

The problem of me shooting that far, is the blame for the miss is all on the shooter.

Cheers

Amen to that! I'll take the easy sub 100 yard shots all day. I'll let the pros shoot far. I practice long but I'd rather be on top of them.

 

[JD338]

The 338 250 gr AB has a BC 0f .575. That would make your 338 WM sing.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

The problem of me shooting that far, is the blame for the miss is all on the shooter.

Cheers

Amen to that! I'll take the easy sub 100 yard shots all day. I'll let the pros shoot far. I practice long but I'd rather be on top of them.

I'm uncomfortable taking shots on game at 500, 600 yards and beyond. It's just not my "thing" to use and old expression. Too many things to go wrong, and then the wounded animal has a serious head start when it departs...

So Orchemo's 400 yard data makes excellent sense to me. Most dedicated riflemen have little trouble shooting well at 300 - 400 yards. Somewhere not far beyond that is where it starts getting pretty tough. Not that it can't be done, it's just less predictable.

Orchemo, you're right, you've got a lot of overlap between the .300 mag, .338 mag and .35 Whelen, all capable of excellent performance.

Regards, Guy

 

[Vince]

The problem of me shooting that far, is the blame for the miss is all on the shooter.

Cheers

Most shots here tend to run on the long side.
With that said I think it behooves the shooter/hunter to be very aware of his or her limitations and not attempt shots that exceed that limitation. Very few have the ability to pass on a shot. I more admire the hunter that can work within their limitations to make it happen than one who lobs a "Hail Mary" and gets lucky.

 

[sask boy]

Nice rifle, the 338 win mag is just a great Elk slayer ! I would not be afraid to take that 500 to 600 yard shot 225 PTs & under the right conditions.
You are going to be more than happy with that Remington.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Vince]

The .338 Win Mag had become my go to caliber of limited to but one.

 

[OU812]

Eric great looking rifle and glad to heat it's shooting good as I was looking at that same rifle the other day. Like others have already said any of the calibers you listed will all do what your looking for. I guess at that point it's just a matter of which rifle feels the best, shoots the best and you just flat out like the best.

I myself really like a 338 caliber but at 400 yards and less any of those calibers will do the job in fine fashion.

 

[Partisan]

At 400 yards and under there is a lot of over-lap between cartridge classes and calibers.
In the 180-215 grain bullet weights the .308 Mag calibers have an edge over the 338 WM in bullet Sectional density and BC. Although it's more on paper than in practice. Loading the 338 in those weights though does make it versatile for lighter game. It's in the 225-275 gr range that the 338 WM pulls away.
A better comparison for your 338 is to compare it against the .375 H&H in down range energy and comparative recoil.
The other thing is that it isn't necessary to fill the case with every grain of powder it will take. It's like having a 426 Hemi under the hood. You don't have your foot in it all the time but it's nice to know the power is there if you want it... ;-)

 

[Guy Miner]

Nice analogy...

 

[SJB358]

Nice analogy...

I thought so too! :grin:

 

[sask boy]

Partisan, your post hit it right in the boiler-room . The 338win mag is one fine calibre!! It has lots of HP but you don't have to use it all the time.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[orchemo]

Partisan - Good summary.

So the 338 WM best with heavier bullets, but what about the E-tip? 200 gr bullet that is really long and goes fast.

 

[SJB358]

Partisan - Good summary.

So the 338 WM best with heavier bullets, but what about the E-tip? 200 gr bullet that is really long and goes fast.

Eric, when you say "best", I say it depends.. Bullet like the 200 AB and ET are game changers, along with the awesome 210 PT. All three of them can easily be moved into the 3000 FPS range and will absolutely be smashing on elk or moose. Check out the bullet test area, those bullets are awesome performers in the 338. I was pushed on more than one occasion to try the 210 PT. I always sorta thought the 338 was better with the 250's. Well, after doing load work with the 210 then smashing an elk with one, I would say it's THE bullet that could do pretty much anything on soft skinned North American game in the 338. The 200 ET may be better, but I am not sure how, as the 210 penetrates really far and expands really nice.

On the other side of the coin, I really like shooting the heavier bullets as well (250-275's). Those ones can be moved 2750 (250) and 2600 (275) without much drama and would handle the really heavy game such as Grizzly's while still providing really useful trajectory out to 400..

That's the dilemma with the 338, it acts like a 300 mag on the lighter side and a 375 on the heavier side. You gotta love that sort of versatility.