338 vs 300wby vs 300RUM

vancouverbc

vancouverbc

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Yes, the same old question keeps popping up.

My 338 win mag deal fell through so I am back on the block to buy a big game rifle. I already have two lightweight hunting rifles in 308 and 30-06 and I don't "need" anything more but I would like add another gun to the collection. Buying guns is half the fun.

I would just find another 338 win mag to buy but there don't see to be a ton of them lying around the shelves so I am trying to be a bit flexible. I am a reloader but know nothing about reloading the bee or the RUM - I assume brass is a bit of a pain in the ass to find or pricey but I really have no idea I need to look into it. The 300 RUM isn't going "out of business" anytime soon is it? This new rifle isn't going to see a ton of use so even if I bought two or three boxes of premium ammo and kept the brass it would probably last me a long time.

If you were to add another long range big game rifle (Northern BC and Alaska hunts) which of these three calibers would you go with and why? Or would you consider some of the other Weatherby calibers? I also need to be able to find ammo and actual rifle in recommended caliber ;)
 
Anything with the word Weatherby on it will cost more and won't be easy to find. Last time I looked, .300 WBY was running around $65 plus per 20.
The RUM could be discontinued at any time if its sales projections don't meet what the marketing types want. They think nothing of doing that with no regard for their existing customers. However, buying as much brass as you can afford should you buy one, makes that issue go away. You're safe with a .338 Win though. Although finding ammo in small places might be an issue. if you get there and find you left your ammo on the kitchen table.
There's nothing in North America that requires a magnum of any kind to kill, but I'd be thinking .300 Win. It's been around a long time and has been accepted in small places.
 
I had a 300 weatherby for years while in Europe in pair with the 9.3x62 and a 7x64.

shoot enough 300 RUM to love just the name ... and never liked the 338 win mag for the recoil it was giving and the same kind of performance you can get in wby.

I loved the Roy hype earlier when it exploded water jugs ....

and because my wife killed her first big game with one.

hope it helps.
 
I've found .338 mags to be more comparable to .375 mags and .300's.

For someone who already has a 30-06, I'd skip 300 magnums and go .338. Nothing against 300 magnums, I own two, but at the end of the day they shoot the same bullet as the 30-06, just farther. If you want more, then get more.
 
Northman999 said:
I've found .338 mags to be more comparable to .375 mags and .300's.

For someone who already has a 30-06, I'd skip 300 magnums and go .338. Nothing against 300 magnums, I own two, but at the end of the day they shoot the same bullet as the 30-06, just farther. If you want more, then get more.
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I tend to agree with your line of thinking - I want the 338 win mag but finding a nice rifle to go with it has been a bit of a challenge. I really like, among other brands, the Mark V's or the new Vanguard Back Country but they dont come in that caliber (or I can't find one) so I am trying to consider other options when I see that giant elk/grizz/zombie way out there
 
I like the .338's ability to shoot heavier bullets like the 250 gr. The sectional density on those bullets is pretty impressive.
 
It depends on why you want something bigger than the 30-06. If it is a matter of wanting to take longer shots the 300's make sense. If it is a matter of taking on bigger game like moose, big bears I would choose the 338 for the bigger bullets. Plus if you reload, 180 gr bullets in a .338 will out do your 30-06 with 180gr bullets by a fair amount.
 
skhunter said:
It depends on why you want something bigger than the 30-06. If it is a matter of wanting to take longer shots the 300's make sense. If it is a matter of taking on bigger game like moose, big bears I would choose the 338 for the bigger bullets. Plus if you reload, 180 gr bullets in a .338 will out do your 30-06 with 180gr bullets by a fair amount.
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I am still learning about sectional density, so don't get me wrong here, but I think http://www.chuckhawks.com/sd.htm would argue with that line of reasoning. The 30-06 in the same weight would have higher sectional density and offer better penetration. Although bone breaking with the fatter bullet would have to factor in here? I think you would need to go with a heaver bullet in the .338?

If I am wrong, and probably am, please clarify lol.

for reference:

"Probably the best way to compare different calibers is by SD, not bullet weight. Comparing calibers by bullet weight can be deceiving. For example, the .270 Winchester and .30-06, which are based on the same case, can both shoot 150 grain bullets. However, the 150 grain .30-06 bullet (SD .226) is best used for CXP2 (deer size) game, while the 150 grain .270 bullet (SD .279) is most appropriate for CXP3 (elk size) game. The 150 grain .270 bullet should actually be compared to the 180 grain .30-06 bullet (SD .271), as both of these bullets are appropriate for CXP3 game in their respective calibers and boast similar SD's. This is important to remember when comparing rifle bullets."
 
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I've got everything on your list and would say .300 Weatherby of those you listed. Then probably look around to see if anyone's looking and grab a .300 Win and run like hell. The .338 is decent, and the RUM just feels like a whole lot of buck and roar for next to nothing gained.

Brass for the Weatherby is easy, the Weatherby factory Spire-point ammo costs less than the empty brass. Remington RUM brass was $65 a bag of 50 today at Cabelas. I finally found some Norma RUM brass at $240 a hundred.

Odd that you're having trouble finding a .338.
 
Dogleg said:
Odd that you're having trouble finding a .338.
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Well I was trying to find a step up from the typical $700-$900 Rem 700 SPS Stainless / XCR, X Bolt (which I do like and may yet buy), Ruger, Savage. I wanted a gun with a decent stock right out of the box and while I like Savage rifles, I can't stand the feel of their stocks. Don't like the Tikka stock either. A Bell and Carlson would be nice but the 700 Mountain SS, for example, doesn't come in a 300 let alone a 338. And so on and on it goes to find the right gun at the right price
 
vancouverbc said:
Well I was trying to find a step up from the typical $700-$900 Rem 700 SPS Stainless / XCR, X Bolt (which I do like and may yet buy), Ruger, Savage. I wanted a gun with a decent stock right out of the box and while I like Savage rifles, I can't stand the feel of their stocks. Don't like the Tikka stock either. A Bell and Carlson would be nice but the 700 Mountain SS, for example, doesn't come in a 300 let alone a 338. And so on and on it goes to find the right gun at the right price
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Take a look at a Model 70 Super-grade, or Kimber classic or Classic select grade. A definite step up from a Savage. Sako and Cooper should be able to set you up too.
 
vancouverbc said:
I am still learning about sectional density, so don't get me wrong here, but I think http://www.chuckhawks.com/sd.htm would argue with that line of reasoning. The 30-06 in the same weight would have higher sectional density and offer better penetration. Although bone breaking with the fatter bullet would have to factor in here? I think you would need to go with a heaver bullet in the .338?

If I am wrong, and probably am, please clarify lol.

for reference:

"Probably the best way to compare different calibers is by SD, not bullet weight. Comparing calibers by bullet weight can be deceiving. For example, the .270 Winchester and .30-06, which are based on the same case, can both shoot 150 grain bullets. However, the 150 grain .30-06 bullet (SD .226) is best used for CXP2 (deer size) game, while the 150 grain .270 bullet (SD .279) is most appropriate for CXP3 (elk size) game. The 150 grain .270 bullet should actually be compared to the 180 grain .30-06 bullet (SD .271), as both of these bullets are appropriate for CXP3 game in their respective calibers and boast similar SD's. This is important to remember when comparing rifle bullets."
Click to expand...
With today's controlled expansion bullets, the monometals in particular, sectional density means very little. It is far less important than bullet construction.
 
Dogleg said:
Take a look at a Model 70 Super-grade, or Kimber classic or Classic select grade. A definite step up from a Savage. Sako and Cooper should be able to set you up too.
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Sako is one gun I havent really looked at. I have tried to avoid getting sucked into the Sako wormhole...but maybe resistance is futile.
 
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