Range Report: Savage Alaskan Brush Hunter .338 Winchester Magnum

baldtop

baldtop

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I managed to get to the range today with my chronograph. My ammo was Hornady Superformance Interbond 225 grain 338 Winchester magnum. The chronograph was 15 or so feet from the muzzle. The rifle has an 18 inch barrel. The ammo box said 2840 fps. The first round through the chronograph clocked 2800 fps on the nose. I was expecting maybe 2650 fps. I think I'll keep the rifle. 2800 is fast enough for what I want to do.
 
This is encouraging. I just ordered one of those in .375 Ruger last week.

I'm curious to see how much that round gets hadicapped by the 18" barrel.

What's your overal oppinion of the rifle? Finish, feel, etc.
 
Outstanding. At 50 yards she put 4 into a ragged hole with the irons. I don't have a scope on it yet. At 100, she put 3 into an inch. That's from the bench with a good rest, and a 6 o'clock hold on a 6 inch fluorescent orange sticky target on a white background.
 
Wow, that's good. How's the rear sight? I haven't had the opportunity to handle one yet, but from the pictures I've seen it looks a little flimsy. Do you think it will hold up to some abuse?
 
I like the rifle a lot. The barrel has a medium contour, so it's fairly heavy, which is what I want for such a potent cartridge. Rifle hangs out nicely with good forend weight. The iron sights are good quality. The metal has a sandblasted finish, which I like. The recoil pad is good. Plastic stock serves the purpose - I won't be afraid to get the gun wet. I'm keeping it. I figure she'll come in around 8.5 pounds with a steel one-piece base, rings, and an old Weaver K3 I have kicking around.
 
The rear sight appears to me to be a quality piece of kit. Seems fairly robust, adjustment for windage and elevation worked just like they're supposed to. You'll need 2 screwdrivers to adjust the sight - one fairly small, the other a larger size. I have dedicated gun screwdriver set with multiple bits - best 20 bucks I ever spent. No messed up screws.
 
Thanks for the review. I'm going to have to wait a few months for mine still and there's not a lot of information available on it.

It looks like you bought yours for the same reason I want mine. I'm looking for a compact yet potent bush rifle that doesn't mind a week of rain or break the bank.
 
True that JimboJones. But to me, the icing on the cake is the 2800 fps muzzle velocity. It's a 500-600 yard gun, even with the short barrel. What's not to like?
 
baldtop said:
True that JimboJones. But to me, the icing on the cake is the 2800 fps muzzle velocity. It's a 500-600 yard gun, even with the short barrel. What's not to like?
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Are you a 500-600 yard shooter? I personally will not take a shot at that range on a game animal... too much to go wrong with that much flight time. And by the way your combination results in a 290 yard zero with an MPBR (5" radius) of 342 yards... the drop at 400 yards is 12.9", at 500 yards it is 32.7" and at 600 yards it is 61.6"... unless you are going to practice alot you are best to stick to the MPBR... which is still considerable... you still have 2400 ft/lb's at 342 yards... plenty to get the job done.
 
I am a fullbore target shooter - Palma. We shoot out to 900 yards. I don't take shots at game animals past 400 yards. I am confident out to 400. I would, however, take a pot shot at a zombie at 600 yards no problem. The trajectories of the 308 and 338 are very similar, which is one of the reasons I chose the 338.
 
baldtop said:
I am a fullbore target shooter - Palma. We shoot out to 900 yards. I don't take shots at game animals past 400 yards. I am confident out to 400. I would, however, take a pot shot at a zombie at 600 yards no problem. The trajectories of the 308 and 338 are very similar, which is one of the reasons I chose the 338.
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Ahhhh... and there you have it. I applaud your reserve on game when you have had "target" success at much further ranges... feel free to attempt shots on zombies as far as you can see them.
 
Thanks Hoytcannon. I don't like seeing animals suffer, which is why I prefer gun hunting over archery hunting. Truth be told, I let all the deer go this year. I have gout, and venison aggravates\brings on gout. No fun. I do want to whack something with the 338 though. Maybe I'll use it on coyotes, or gophers.
 
baldtop said:
Thanks Hoytcannon. I don't like seeing animals suffer, which is why I prefer gun hunting over archery hunting. Truth be told, I let all the deer go this year. I have gout, and venison aggravates\brings on gout. No fun. I do want to whack something with the 338 though. Maybe I'll use it on coyotes, or gophers.
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You're talking to someone who has been bowhunting for 35 years... and I too do not like to see animals suffer... but I have news for you... bowhunting is lethal and deer, moose and bear go down as quickly on an archery lung shot as they would shot with a 375HH... and for the most part die a peaceful death without ever knowing that they have been shot and sometimes without knowing danger is near... I have been at the archery game for so long that I find it hard to get excited for gun hunts.
 
I made a very unfortunate choice of words Hoytcannon. I would like to withdraw that statement, and apologize to you and all ethical archers. I based my ill-considered comment on an archery incident I saw where the archer had no business hunting. Please accept my apology. I'm sorry. You are correct, Sir.
 
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