My New Sako 338WM Your Thoughts

[x-Hare]

My new Sako 338 always been a 30-06 kinda guy 180 grain Nosler Partitions now the picture change's more lead futher reach
Always looking for Moose/Elk but when Lucky Bucky pops ups he's going down too. Now the weak are saying to much gun to much meat damage.
I know theirs lots of 338wm user's on here what's your preference loads, Bullet weight's /Type ect., and scope selection.
Right now I'm thinking VX11-4X12x50 FD

 

[archie_james_c]

###y . I'll throw some pictures up of your rifles little sister when I remember to get batteries for my Digi-Cam. Sako 85 S/S .338 Federal wearing a VXII 3-9x40.

 

[blargon]

I have a VXIII 2.5-8 on mine, really like them...I have had good luck with .225 Interbonds, 225 Interlocks, and took my moose this year with the 225 TSX.

Recently I've been toying with 200gr Interlocks, but haven't completed development yet...

 

[x-Hare]

Seen good reports (Gatehouse I think) on the TSX I always thought more was better now I'm thinking maybe go lighter still a nosler partion guy but maybe new gun new bullet. What kinda hole/meat damage did you get on your moose?

 

[tikka]

Nice Sako! I would set a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10X40 or a 2.5-8X36 on it.
I have a sako in .375H&H that needs glass as well. I will probably set a VXIII2.5-8x36
on it so I can mount it low. I have not shot my .375H&H yet. I can see this gun having lot's of recoil though. I will need the eye relief of the Leupold.
Again! Nice Rifle. Tikka

 

[tuffteddyb]

nicew rifle!
used my 338 win on 2 deer this year and it was same as my 280 rem for meat damage.
one nephew got with it he got some shoulder bone ,but it still wasnt bad.i just use federal 225's they shoot great.

 

[X-fan]

If you like the 30-06 you are going to love the 338Win.

210 Partition at 2900...Great all around bullet than penetrates better than its size dictates.
225 Partition, Accubond, or Barnes TSX at 2750-2800. All very good bullets.

The 225 TSX is violent at 338 Ultra velocities (blew the far shoulder off [as in gone] of my deer last year)...No idea what it works like at 338Win speeds.
You can eat right up to the hole with a Nosler Partition..Little hole in, little hole out, and a train wreck in between!
I have had great luck with RL-19 with all of the above mentioned bullets.

Nice rifle! Will be a shame to put the first ding in it!

 

[SakoAlberta]

here's the other side:

Nice looking 85!

You won't have to worry about meat damage on a deer. Those big bullets go through a deer without making a mess.

 

[x-Hare]

Thanks Clay
YUP Thats my Gun.
I should have metioned that I'am getting this rifle from Prophet River Firearms
I get the BOLT when the last payment is made.
It was to good a deal to pass up and just look at that wood grain.

 

[Omega]

I always been a fan of the Barnes bullets in my 338s. Anything from the 185 up to the 225 have all shot good for me

 

[SakoAlberta]

I get the BOLT when the last payment is made.

LOL, we take a lot of 'heat' for taking pics without the bolts. We do this to save time but mainly becuse we want the rifles as mint as possible.

 

[x-Hare]

what kind of bullet weights do you 338 folk find optimal for accuracy

 

[Dukeoflawnchair]

I haven't had a tonne of variety in loads worked out for everything, but for the little I did, 225gr were all favorable in terms of accuracy.

I'm sold on Barnes TSX's for life personally.

 

[Pathfinder]

Speaking of the devil....I just got a Kick-EEZ put on my Sako AV in 338 WM. It was fairly violent with 225 gr. max loads when I had the orange "puck" on the stock. Im using Interlocks and accuracy is good and I have no reason to believe I need anything else at the speed they are moving. Im also starting to toy around with 200 gr. interlocks.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Nice looking rifle and a great choice of caliber.

Can't go wrong with a Sako in 338 WM

 

[mcrae555]

If I didn't have a 375 Ruger I would have a 338 Win Mag. I think its a good choice for BC(where I live) when I was after everything...

I used a 338 Win Mag for a couple of years and I used the 225 grain Accubonds and they worked really well. I took 4 bears with that rifle and it was a good combo.

By the way thats a really nice looking rifle! I would scope it with a VXII 3-9x40 myself...

 

[archie_james_c]

LOL, we take a lot of 'heat' for taking pics without the bolts. We do this to save time but mainly becuse we want the rifles as mint as possible.

I always wondered that you bunch of weirdo's. But if I had to take pics of THAT many guns...I wouldn't go through the trouble either. Just tell the customer to use their imagination.

what kind of bullet weights do you 338 folk find optimal for accuracy

PM Blargon, he seems to be quite the .338 WM shooter.

 

[416ON]

nice looking rifle and a great choice of caliber.

Can't go wrong with a sako in 338 wm

+1

 

[blargon]

PM Blargon, he seems to be quite the .338 WM shooter.

I'm far from experienced with it, I've only had it for 2 years. I have tried about 5-6 different bullets, with a couple different powders, and have grown a fondness for 225gr bullets.

 

[archie_james_c]

I'm far from experienced with it, I've only had it for 2 years. I have tried about 5-6 different bullets, with a couple different powders, and have grown a fondness for 225gr bullets.

My mistake. But still the most popular choice seems to be 225 eh.