Remington 700 .308 or .338

Do you have other rifles that you can shoot now? If not, I would start with the .308 and get really good with it. In 2-3 years from now when you move to where you plan on going after bigger game you can always get a .338 if you feel the need. I have both :)
 
when i was a one gun hunter i used a 300wm for everything and it worked. 308 isn't a long range moose gun. i would keep shots to about 250 yrds and happily hunt anything with a 308. even 250 is a long shot for a lot of us when in the field.
 
Honestly ... if you look at the ballistics vrs recoil, Im not a .338 fan at all until you get into the Edge and the Lapua. .308 will be way more fun
 
I personally find the .270 and .308 to be good go to, do all calibers the .303 Brit and the 6.5x55 swd are other calibers people I know that hunt with say only good. What I want is a custom build .338 federal M14 I think within 300 yards it would be a good hunting rifle and in a SHTF world you can still make ammo.
 
The real question for longer shots like 300 yards is are you able to do it from field conditions. I see some bench shooters struggle when they have to shoot off of an improvised rest.
Do you reload? If so go for the .338 win mag if you truly want one. You can load it mild pushing 180 gr bullets at lower velocities and have an excellent deer cartridge, and then step it up to full horse power 200+ gr projectiles when you're hunting moose or elk.
 
WhelanLad said:
The argument of 30-06 or 308 is a absolute waste of time an im a bit surprised that was brought up.......WL
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Well, that depends, my friend. If one is shooting only factory ammo, and only up to 165 grains, then you are basically correct.

However, a reloader has a distinct advantage with the 30-06, particularly with the heavier bullets.

From 180 grains up, the '06 will deliver an additional 150 - 200 FPS, which is definitely worth having if chasing Elk, particularly.

Not knocking the 308 here, just pointing out a realistic view of the two chamberings.

A 338 delivers recoil above the tolerance level of some shooters, so the OP needs to consider that. [A T3 Lite in 338 will get your attention!!]

Regards, Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
Well, that depends, my friend. If one is shooting only factory ammo, and only up to 165 grains, then you are basically correct.

However, a reloader has a distinct advantage with the 30-06, particularly with the heavier bullets.

From 180 grains up, the '06 will deliver an additional 150 - 200 FPS, which is definitely worth having if chasing Elk, particularly.

Not knocking the 308 here, just pointing out a realistic view of the two chamberings.

A 338 delivers recoil above the tolerance level of some shooters, so the OP needs to consider that. [A T3 Lite in 338 will get your attention!!]

Regards, Dave.
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Unless you "long throat" and shoot a single shot platform...
 
Eagleye said:
Well, that depends, my friend. If one is shooting only factory ammo, and only up to 165 grains, then you are basically correct.

However, a reloader has a distinct advantage with the 30-06, particularly with the heavier bullets.

From 180 grains up, the '06 will deliver an additional 150 - 200 FPS, which is definitely worth having if chasing Elk, particularly.

Not knocking the 308 here, just pointing out a realistic view of the two chamberings.

A 338 delivers recoil above the tolerance level of some shooters, so the OP needs to consider that. [A T3 Lite in 338 will get your attention!!]

Regards, Dave.
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Thats a pretty good point about 30-06 ammo selection. I do not reload, and not sure if that will be in my near future. The ammo selection for 30-06 is enticing. I have never had recoil issues for anything I have shot, even magnum's of different calibers.


JamesM said:
The real question for longer shots like 300 yards is are you able to do it from field conditions. I see some bench shooters struggle when they have to shoot off of an improvised rest.
Do you reload? If so go for the .338 win mag if you truly want one. You can load it mild pushing 180 gr bullets at lower velocities and have an excellent deer cartridge, and then step it up to full horse power 200+ gr projectiles when you're hunting moose or elk.
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I am able to hit 300 pretty well in a kneeling position. I am honestly on the fence about the .338 and that makes me think I should get a .308 or 30-06 until I feel the need to get a bigger caliber. You guys have been awesome in giving me a lot of help and things to think about. Seems for every positive there is a con. I wish I could have all the rifles
 
roche1982 said:
I haven't really got into the 7mm, but I am stuck, but I keep coming back to the .338
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Like i said, that is what I did many years ago. My thinking at the time was err on the heavy side if you only have one gun.
What I didnt know was that as my finances and my interest grew, there would be others.
The 338win mag is a great cartridge in so many ways, but it is expensive compared to the 308 and a lot more belligerent when shooting.
I dont regret choosing the 338 for deer and moose, it was just way more than i needed and deer and moose were and are what I hunted most.
When you have the coin for an exotic hunt, you will have the coin for a heavy rifle as well.
 
My hunting rifle is .300 win mag, but if you are choosing between .308 or .338 I would say .308 for sure. Its not about being afraid of recoil, its that if you want to make your long shots on moose you had better practice, and .338 will bring penalties. The recoil is significant enough that it will effect your ability to practice, as well as your pocket book. In addition if you are new to hunting then you should know that there is a great deal more to the art than shooting at 300 yards or more. So many more factors come into play when the target is breathing. Plus .308 is just a great round and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for moose at realistic distances.
 
Well Thank you everybody for the suggestions, I decided to go for the REM 700 CDL in 30-06. I will eventually get a XCR II in .338 WM, but for now its not a necessity.

IMG_7130_zps33807575.jpg


Cheers
 
Download your new .338 for the time being.... Up load her when ya wanna punch the lights out of a Elk or Moose..

jmo

WL

Edit- Have faith in your NEW Thurty Aught 6 and load projectiles suitable for your Quarry.
 
roche1982 said:
Well Thank you everybody for the suggestions, I decided to go for the REM 700 CDL in 30-06. I will eventually get a XCR II in .338 WM, but for now its not a necessity.

IMG_7130_zps33807575.jpg


Cheers
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I like it , classy !

Top it with the best leupold your can buy and your set.

Mush
 
308 or 30.06 will kill moose all day long. .300 mags slightly better.

While recoil may not have been a problem so far, there's a world of difference in recoil between the .338 Win Mag and the .30 caliber stuff. Recommend you go a few rounds with one first before committing your dough to it.

FWIW.
 
sir_springer said:
308 or 30.06 will kill moose all day long. .300 mags slightly better.

While recoil may not have been a problem so far, there's a world of difference in recoil between the .338 Win Mag and the .30 caliber stuff. Recommend you go a few rounds with one first before committing your dough to it.

FWIW.
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I have tried the .338 and dont have a problem with the recoil
 
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