300wm and 338wm

Slamfire said:
338 bullets have high sectional densities and high ballistic coefficients. For example the 300gr Accubond has a b.c. of 0.72! Should be a good choice for heavy game. Impressive downrange energy -

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/338-winchester-magnum/

http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html
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Have and shoot both. Have some for sale because I found a Ruger hawkeye in 300 that fits me like a custom. IMO, the 300wm is the most versatile cartridge for North America. In areas where larger game, or big bears are the norm, for me the 338wm Trump's the 300wm.

I quoted the above text because to me this is a paper not real world example. Some have compared the 338wm as a 30-06 that shoots bigger bullets. True in the 225-250gr range. Most 338 bullets above 250gr are either target bullets or designed for Super Magnums like the Lapua or Rum. Trying to push 300gr in the 338wm is going to result in impingement on powder space and starting velocity. There is also going to be problems with overall length in most standard rifles. At best you are shooting large bullets at 308 velocities. Fine for paper I suppose, but the 338wm is a hunting caliber, few use it for long range hunting or paper punching.
 
I've used nothing but 250s ( Remington factory spire points) in my bar 338- I have 275 speer spires, but I was saving them for my non exixtant BROWN bear Alaska hunt- and that was what was recommended to me by an inuit guide that LIVES there- that's why I consider slugs of less than 250 grains a HANDICAP in 338
 
Slamfire said:
338 bullets have high sectional densities and high ballistic coefficients. For example the 300gr Accubond has a b.c. of 0.72! Should be a good choice for heavy game. Impressive downrange energy -

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/338-winchester-magnum/

http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html
32828218782_064cbe12d4_b.jpg
Click to expand...

nowarningshot said:
...I quoted the above text because to me this is a paper not real world example...
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:confused:

Based on Nosler reloading data, 300gr AB at 2400 fps MV - quite doable with my 338.
 
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you have to consider the commonality of ammo as well- personally I wouldn't touch any of the wsms or oddball calibers for the simple fact that not every gunshop carries them- ie you just can't drive to the nearest c/t or whatever and pick up a box of ammo if yuo're desperate- the 308/3006, and 338 most everybody has, although they're going to stick it to you- if you're going to insist on having an odd ball caliber or oddball hand loads, carry at least DOUBLE the amout of ammo you're going to use and carry 1/2 of it in a separate spot on your trip- that way you're not out if the worst happens
 
The two guns I am keeping for good are my 270 win and my 338 win mag, all the others rifles are fun but in reality are not needed or as nice. I spent a little more on a nicer made rifles for the guns I want to use now and when I am old, not barrel burners and as long as I take care of them they will last. Anything that needs more power in North America than a 270 is worth the jump to the 338. If you want only one rifle then go with the 300. If you want 2 rifles like you posted then go with the 270, 338 combo.
 
the point I was trying to make is that to me the 300 offers no advantage over the 308- but i'm usually about 9feet up when I take my shot- i'd rather the 2 extra rounds and the commonality of ammo-and I have a whole herd of 308s
 
If I only wanted to shoot 200gr bullets I would choose the .300.
I really like the .338 ,had two.
I might have kept one if I spent any time in grizzly country.
 
t-star said:
I've used nothing but 250s ( Remington factory spire points) in my bar 338- I have 275 speer spires, but I was saving them for my non exixtant BROWN bear Alaska hunt- and that was what was recommended to me by an inuit guide that LIVES there- that's why I consider slugs of less than 250 grains a HANDICAP in 338
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I for one have heard nothing but good things about the 338 WM, has a good reputation on heavy game for sure.
 
I like the .338 wm for an all around big game gun. If I was on the island hunting small deer and no dangerous animals around, I would stick with the .270. There's nothing wrong with a 300 wm it's very versatile, I just like the option of running bigger bullets.
 
9.3mauser said:
^^ Wait till C-FBMI shows up, then you'll really feel the .338 love.
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This guy will own a .338 and a .270 too; C-FBMI might be "triggered".

RMan I also have a .338 and 7mm rem mag. I'm not not sure what I would hunt in NA anytime soon that the 7mm can't kill but I still like my .338.
 
9.3mauser said:
^^ Wait till C-FBMI shows up, then you'll really feel the .338 love.
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Well 9.3, I have encountered several incidents where the 338 was definitely found lacking and have heard of several more from other hunters who's opinion I trust and stories I believe. On the other hand I have never lost a single head of game I have shot with my 300s. I do consider the 300 to be a superior cartridge on virtually all fronts, and my opinion is based on my own, and my son's experiences with the 338 and various 300s. As most of you on here know I do not have anything against the 33 caliber, as the 340 Wby is one of my all time favorite killing machines, but the lesser velocity 33 calibers have significant short comings IMHO.
Hence given the option between these two cartridges I would immediately go for a 300 over a 338 without hesitation and would never second guess my choice, and such would be my recommendation after fairly significant experience with both.

I have two friends that have very successfully hunted a wide variety of game with 338s, however when queried about load choice one used nothing but 200 gn Speer HCs and the other 210 Nos Parts and both driven as hard as the primer pockets would allow. This makes sense to me as all they are doing is matching the 300 WM. Given bullets in that weight range I will choose 30 cal every time over 33 cal, given the much better BC and SD of the 30 cal bullets in the 200-210 range and given the fact the 300 WM will drive them to the same speeds or better in some cases.
If one only had a 338 to hunt with then I would say do so with confidence, but use the knowledge gained by my two friends and stay on the lighter, faster side of the bullet selection. However if one is contemplating buying a new rifle I would never recommend the 338 over any 300 mag. If one really wants to move into the "medium calibers" and make a significant step up from the general hunting calibers and cartridges, then a 340, 358 NM or 375 would be my recommendation.
 
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Rman said:
The 7mm and 338 are the perfect pair.

R.
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Agreed. There is something about the 338 on deer and elk sized game that sets it apart.
Running a heavy 338 bullet at 2800fps or so really dumps game somewhat like a big bore.
And a 22" barrel is more tolerable in a 338 making it a bit more compact
 
c-fbmi said:
Well 9.3, I have encountered several incidents where the 338 was definitely found lacking and have heard of several more from other hunters who's opinion I trust and stories I believe. On the other hand I have never lost a single head of game I have shot with my 300s. I do consider the 300 to be a superior cartridge on virtually all fronts, and my opinion is based on my own, and my son's experiences with the 338 and various 300s. As most of you on here know I do not have anything against the 33 caliber, as the 340 Wby is one of my all time favorite killing machines, but the lesser velocity 33 calibers have significant short comings IMHO.
Hence given the option between these two cartridges I would immediately go for a 300 over a 338 without hesitation and would never second guess my choice, and such would be my recommendation after fairly significant experience with both.
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It's a poor craftsman that blames his tools...

And the above is just blasphemy. A 300WM, the 30-06 of magnums, over a 338WM? For shame...
The 338 shoots tornados, lightning, and thunder all the same time, while the 300WM shoots little white flowers and pink underwear.

R.
 
Buckmastr said:
Agreed. There is something about the 338 on deer and elk sized game that sets it apart.
Running a heavy 338 bullet at 2800fps or so really dumps game somewhat like a big bore.
And a 22" barrel is more tolerable in a 338 making it a bit more compact
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A 225 pushing 2900fps is a lot of mail.
Tornados, lightning, and thunder...
R.
 
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