Tell me I am making the right choice!!

[jmad_81]

I bought my 338 WM when i was a jr. in high school. It is a stainless M70 classic. I was 6' and about 175 lbs at the time. The recoil was about as bad (or at least it seemed like it) as a 270 win that I had. The 338 WM does have some recoil so don't think it won't kick, but more than likely it won't be alot worse than your 06. I do have a good pacmyer pad on mine and it helped a good bit.

As far as scopes go, Mine has a 3.5x10x40 VXIII on it. Works great! I also have the 2.5x8 on another rifle and like it alot as well. pick either one and you won't be dissapointed.

In my mind the 338 WM is the perfect NA round. like everybody has already said can be loaded up or down for anything. I love mine, and have never regretted getting it, and plan on never getting rid of it.

 

[SJB358]

That rifle is identical to mine, except mine has the BOSS on it. I am another that has had excellent luck with all of my Model 70's and cannot wait to buy a new one made in SC. 670.00 for that rifle looks like a fair price. Scotty

 

[BP736]

Scott,
I have the exact rifle that you are looking at. I bought it about 12+ years ago. I love it. Mine has a Vari X II 3x9. As far as "overkill" goes... a friend of mine told me many years ago, "Small bullets are for small game... big bullets are for ALL game." Someone else told me that "killing deer with a 338 is like killing flies with a hammer". I support theory #1 personally! All kidding aside, the 338 WM is a great caliber. If the recoil gets to you, you can always put a muzzle brake on it. You can make a 338 have the recoil of a 270, but you can't make a 270 perform like a 338. I have been shooting 250 gr Hornadys for years, but am in the process of developing a 225 gr AB load. I think that will be a perfect combination of bullet weight and velocity. It will be more than adequate for anything that walks on this continent. I've never killed a deer with mine (been in a rut with the 300 weatherby), but I will someday. It has been my go to rifle for elk for a while now. I always take it bear hunting, but haven't had the opportunity to shoot one with it. Hope this helps.
BP736

 

[Scott Spencer]

All of your responses have been very much appreciated and this is why I frequent this website. There is so much knowledge here and everyone is treated like family.

In any case, I'm buying it Wed and having it shipped to my FFL. I'll follow the advice and see how she shoots before I do any major work on it. Keeping the costs down in important as I don't have an unlimited budget.

I'll post some photos in the coming weeks once we get some weather to go out and shoot it. I've also got to buy a scope for it as well. Christmas in January....can't beat it. :grin:

 

[cloverleaf]

Ok, officially just a little bit jealous... . Nice!!! Let us know how she shoots!

 

[old #7]

The 338 win mag is not too much gun for whitetails or mulies. Find a accurate load and do what Pop does with his 416 to antelope..... kill em and put a patch over their eye. :lol:

 

[BK]

Ok, officially just a little bit jealous... . Nice!!! Let us know how she shoots!

+1. I would love for my SS M70 to have a biggger brother.

Of course, I also want a Super Grade .338 badly!

 

[Guy Miner]

I really like that rifle! :grin: Had one in 7mm Rem mag for a while and it was a good all-around rifle.

Particularly since you're a handloader, I think the .338 Win Mag is just fine. You can load modest powered ammo for practice and deer, then load 'er up for the big stuff if you want. BTW - absolutely nothing wrong with having some power on tap for big mountain mulies out west. A 300+ yard shot is a strong possibility, and those big bucks can go 300 pounds. They can be real tough. I know a lot of guys out here who have one big game rifle for everything; black bear, elk, mule deer. Most of them choose some sort of magnum, a .300 Win mag being most common. The .338 isn't at all unusual though. Nice big bullets make nice big holes.

I can see the advantage of using the .338 for everything out west, and Nosler makes some fine bullets for it.

Please keep us updated on loading, range reports and most importantly, a hunt report with you and that big ol' Model 70 posed with a giant 6x6 bull elk!

 

[DrMike]

Dead is dead. Really, there is no such thing as too much power. The 338 is a great all 'round cartridge for North America. You could do a lot worse than a 338 if you were restricted to one cartridge. Load lighter bullets for reach and for deer, and have a heavier load for bigger ungulates and bear.