338RCM what's the deal?
- Thread starter double gun
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I had one of if not the first in Canada, neither dies, brass, or loaded ammo were available up here when I bought mine.
The first Hornady loaded ammo I tried was so hot the primers blew out of the cases and extracting them was nearly impossible.
The rifle was a very good shooter especially with my handloads, but eventually it seemed to be no more or less than my 338-06 for performance.
It is a nice performing round and good groups were made with a variety of bullet weights from light to heavy.
The rifle however, suffered from a lack of quality control when built...
The first Hornady loaded ammo I tried was so hot the primers blew out of the cases and extracting them was nearly impossible.
The rifle was a very good shooter especially with my handloads, but eventually it seemed to be no more or less than my 338-06 for performance.
It is a nice performing round and good groups were made with a variety of bullet weights from light to heavy.
The rifle however, suffered from a lack of quality control when built...
I was planning on building a 338-06 to replace the one I sold, but lighter. If I can get similar ballistics but with a short action, it seems like a no brainer. However component availability does worry me a bit. Hornady is the only company producing brass??
Its a good round, but you would want to lay in a good supply of brass even though it might be made for quite a while.
If it means anything I had better case life reloading Hornady made 338 RCM brass than I have using that same make 375 Ruger stuff..
There is now plenty of 338 RCM load info available.
What are the cases going for up here (ballpark)? I can't seem to even find them listed anywhere up here.
Honestly can't remember what I paid as it was a few years ago now but I got some from Epps and if I recall P&D.
Let me know if you go through with a build cause I still have a few pieces left + some loaded rounds...
Let me know if you go through with a build cause I still have a few pieces left + some loaded rounds...
I know a couple blokes who use em here downunder, Biggest problem is that its almost a must to reload for, which isnt a bad thing if your into that or want to learn!
Both the guys are using Barnes tsx in 225gr an thats all i know in that respect.
many a Sambar has been shot with both rifles incl some big stags, all were Dead .
One guy mentioned to me, "I love how handy the little Ruger setup is, but i wish i had a 300WSM" - he isnt a reloader an relys on another bloke to do them for him, the 300wsm is due to the lower cost o factory fodder to shoot around with aswell.
cheers
WL
EDIT-
I do kinda wish i had one, but i have a wsm instead
Both the guys are using Barnes tsx in 225gr an thats all i know in that respect.
many a Sambar has been shot with both rifles incl some big stags, all were Dead .
One guy mentioned to me, "I love how handy the little Ruger setup is, but i wish i had a 300WSM" - he isnt a reloader an relys on another bloke to do them for him, the 300wsm is due to the lower cost o factory fodder to shoot around with aswell.
cheers
WL
EDIT-
I do kinda wish i had one, but i have a wsm instead
I like the 338RCM case.
However if u really were fixated on 338 and a short action and want something different with more velocity, I would suggest a 330 WSM. That would be actually quite practical. Lots have been done already and are good performers by all reports. Once you have the dies, using 325WSM or 300WSM brass, it's easy to load and brass is tough and plentiful. IMO the Win Model 70 short mag action is a good (best) platform. My own Ruger77/350WSM has been a great and practical wildcat short action performer.
Thanks to Kevan's kindness I have a few donated 338RCM cases on hand which he sent me a few years ago - so I could measure and experiment with them. I measured case volume etc and necked one up for 358 use. I determined that no advantage was to be gained over the short action 350RemMag so abandoned the 35-338RCM idea - especially with the 338RCM brass being in short supply.
