300wm and 338wm
- Thread starter Alberta Bigbore
- Start date
Rman, I have found in all facets of life that you are somewhat correct about tools, however some tools are much better suited to certain jobs than others, and this cannot be denied. I might also suggest that I have a much larger data base on which to base my opinion than you do..............
Rman, I have found in all facets of life that you are somewhat correct about tools, however some tools are much better suited to certain jobs than others, and this cannot be denied. I might also suggest that I have a much larger data base on which to base my opinion than you do..............
The sentiment expressed in your first sentence, is quite agreeable, accurate, and correct.
Your second sentence, I would suggest, is quite simply wrong.......................
R.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I'm just getting warmed up to the 338 WM having recently acquired one. I would prefer it over my 300 WM for hunting in timber, which is what I typically do, because it propels a heavier and wider bullet than the 300 WM which equates to greater shock delivery, and for unfavourable shot angles, deeper penetration due to the high sectional densities of heavier 338 bullets.
My bullet of choice would be the Woodleigh 300gr RN at about 2400 fps MV. Because it's a round nose design and moving at intermediate speeds this bullet should have some brush-bucking capabilities as well.
The 338 WM can be loaded with lighter bullets to nearly match the flat trajectories of a 300 WM.
My bullet of choice would be the Woodleigh 300gr RN at about 2400 fps MV. Because it's a round nose design and moving at intermediate speeds this bullet should have some brush-bucking capabilities as well.
The 338 WM can be loaded with lighter bullets to nearly match the flat trajectories of a 300 WM.
I read an article a number years back by a well acclaimed hunter and firearms expert, most likely in the American Rifleman, where he stated if he had to choose only two calibers to hunt North American game they would be the 308 Win and the 338 WM. . In his opinion these two calibers would adequately fulfill he needs.
I'd have a hard time with only two, mainly out of boredom, and I don't doubt so would the author of that article. . Hell we only go around once so why own ugly guns and why not use as many calibers as we want to and can afford to. . If in doubt between the 300 WM and 338 WM, buy them both.
I'd have a hard time with only two, mainly out of boredom, and I don't doubt so would the author of that article. . Hell we only go around once so why own ugly guns and why not use as many calibers as we want to and can afford to. . If in doubt between the 300 WM and 338 WM, buy them both.
The only problem, if it is a problem, is that you will have a challenge deciding which rifle to take sometimes.
I agree. .
The only problem, if it is a problem, is that you will have a challenge deciding which rifle to take sometimes.
I find I usually just grab the same one most the time unless I'm hunting an unusual situation for me. Walking long distance, shooting long range, varmint etc. My hunting geography and methods don't have a lot of changes yet, so Ive settled on a similar system to yours, except I started with a nicer 375 than 338, so I'll go that way.
if you're going to use 300 grainers, ck your TWIST- you need a 1/10 twist to stabilize that bullet and most of the 338s are at 1/12- the boys over at sierra advised me NOT to use it in the bar as the twist being 1/12 was too slow- I use a 275 grain semi spitzer -
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Good point, the 300gr needs a 1:10 twist rate which Ruger 338's have -
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/47120.html
(I've got a thing for heavier bullets in the medium bores - 310gr in my 358 Win. & 350 Rem. Mag. SI, 320gr in my 9.3x74R, 300gr in my 375 H&H Mag.)
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/47120.html
(I've got a thing for heavier bullets in the medium bores - 310gr in my 358 Win. & 350 Rem. Mag. SI, 320gr in my 9.3x74R, 300gr in my 375 H&H Mag.)
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Questions like this are impossible to answer in a meaningful way without knowing what other guns you possess and use. Keeping the .270? Then forget the .300 (too similar) and go straight to the .338. But now you've sold the .270 according to another post, so by all means get the .300 as a replacement.
I'm a big .338 fan...but don't even own one anymore, because I have a couple of .375's and just like them that much better. For me, a .300 and a .375 would be the ideal combo. If you like the idea of a few safes full of cookie cutter bolt rifles, then sure, stack up a bunch of .270's, .300's, -06's, .338's, etc.etc.etc...but be aware that it doesn't mean that you will be perfectly prepared for every hunt. It just means that you will waste a crapload of time fretting about what to use!
I'm a big .338 fan...but don't even own one anymore, because I have a couple of .375's and just like them that much better. For me, a .300 and a .375 would be the ideal combo. If you like the idea of a few safes full of cookie cutter bolt rifles, then sure, stack up a bunch of .270's, .300's, -06's, .338's, etc.etc.etc...but be aware that it doesn't mean that you will be perfectly prepared for every hunt. It just means that you will waste a crapload of time fretting about what to use!
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
OP has stated his choice is narrowed down to these 2 rounds, so then it should be a discussion about which one is better for his intended purposes. Maybe some clarity on the intended purposes then?
They are both descendants of the mighty 375 H&H.
Yupp. Too vanilla. The number of people interested in calibers over .30 are somewhat limited, and they are typically the same people who love variety. Hence the love for some more obscure calibers like 358Norma and 9.3x62. (at least thats my opinion on it. No hard data to support this.)
Well theres your problem. 180gr bullets are pretty heavy for a 308 hunting rifle. Obviously very capable, but you'd get better trajectories from a lighter bullet, and the game won't know the difference between a 165 and a 180.
I hope you've got the evidence to back that up, because hes got both the gun collection and the mount collection to talk the talk, and walk the walk.
Personally I went 300 over 338 for the win mags. 30 cal 150 gr to 220 gr is more useful than 200-250 gr 338 cal for me. But then again I use heavy bullets in my big bores
Most threads on here are usually pro 300 so it's nice to see the 338 getting some love.
For hunting I agree with c fbmi experience. I haven't used the 340 wby though.
However I have lately been interested in two 338 cals. The 338 lapua for fun and the 338 federal for close range thick timber hunting. Less meat damage than my 300wm
A quality 30 cal bullet backed by the 300 wm's case full of powder will do everything a medium power 338 will do hence my choice is the 300wm
Most threads on here are usually pro 300 so it's nice to see the 338 getting some love.
For hunting I agree with c fbmi experience. I haven't used the 340 wby though.
However I have lately been interested in two 338 cals. The 338 lapua for fun and the 338 federal for close range thick timber hunting. Less meat damage than my 300wm
A quality 30 cal bullet backed by the 300 wm's case full of powder will do everything a medium power 338 will do hence my choice is the 300wm
The 338 win mag is a classic mid range hunting round irrespective of the BC and SD arguments. Penetration has never been an issue with one, and im not long range hunting with it.
If your friends would have loaded it with different bullets they may have seen its difference over a 300 win mag. But this does prove its ability to do what a 300 win mag can, plus another 50 grs of lead, especially for a hunter that keeps his shots at reasonable distances.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Interesting statistics on the 10 best selling rounds in Alaska, which likely wouldn't differ much in northern Canada. The 300 WM and 338 WM have pretty near equal ranking, and seems to be reflected in this thread -
ALASKA TOP TEN CARTRIDGES (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game survey, 2000)
http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_selling_rifle_cartridges.htm
1. .30-06 (20.9%)
2. .300 Win. Mag. (18.5%)
3. .338 Win. Mag. (18.4%)
4. 7mm Rem. Mag. (8.5%)
5. .375 H&H Mag. (6.3%)
6. .270 Win. (5.8%)
7. .308 Win. (3.5%)
8. .300 Wby. Mag. (3.5%)
9. .45-70 Gov. (1.4%)
10. .280 Rem. (1.1%)
ALASKA TOP TEN CARTRIDGES (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game survey, 2000)
http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_selling_rifle_cartridges.htm
1. .30-06 (20.9%)
2. .300 Win. Mag. (18.5%)
3. .338 Win. Mag. (18.4%)
4. 7mm Rem. Mag. (8.5%)
5. .375 H&H Mag. (6.3%)
6. .270 Win. (5.8%)
7. .308 Win. (3.5%)
8. .300 Wby. Mag. (3.5%)
9. .45-70 Gov. (1.4%)
10. .280 Rem. (1.1%)
A 338wm or 375 Ruger would compliment a 270 nicely. 300wm is a step up over a 270, but both cartridges, in reality, do the same thing (push sub 180gr bullets at 3000 fps +/-) - with a 338 or bigger you can be launching 250gr +
Alaska is known for their grizz though. I'd bet you could replace the 338wm with 303 and be pretty close though. Although I'm pretty sure 30-06, 308, 270, 303 and 30-30 are our top buys. One of the retailers actually posted their most popular calibers a while ago, and that's basically what it looked like.
