I'm looking for a 338 wildcat that will give me around 2750 fps with a 225 grain bullet. The 338-06 seems to come up short. I'd like to come in half way between the 338-06 and the 338 win mag. I was thinking the 9.3x62 case necked down would work out. It seem that's what they did with the 338 Sabi. Anyone load for this round or have any ideas of a similar round?
338 wildcat
- Thread starter Shakky
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Your 2775/225 idea sounds like right in the ballpark for factory ammo in 338wm. If you load, a starting load for 338wm would be close to vanilla enough. Sure you are not over thinking this?
.338 AI?
But nowarningshot has a point. The .338 Win Mag will do what you want with ease, while Hornady lists 2700 as max with the 225 grain bullet in the 338-06. 9.3x62 brass will not give you more case capacity than '06- 9.3x64 cases will, but can be hard to find and pricey to boot.
But nowarningshot has a point. The .338 Win Mag will do what you want with ease, while Hornady lists 2700 as max with the 225 grain bullet in the 338-06. 9.3x62 brass will not give you more case capacity than '06- 9.3x64 cases will, but can be hard to find and pricey to boot.
The 338 Sabi is an awesome cartridge - shot my first Eland bull with one - it has a big following in SA where it was developed. It makes a great Bushveldt rifle.
http://www.sabirifles.co.za
I suggest surfing gunsite.co.za you'll probably find the information you require there.
For bushveld application, the 338 Magnum was regarded as too fast. What hunters wanted was a bushveld calibre in the same class as the old 318 Westley Richards. Because of the popularity of the 338 Magnum, 338 bullets have become readily available in a large range of weights and configurations.
The solution therefore was the 338 Sabi. Ballistically similar to the 338-06, it is not one. The Sabi’s case is blown out so that it is more of 9.3x62 necked down to 338. This was done not to increase velocity, but to lower pressure. This cartridge is also very easy on the shoulder for such a heavy bullet (recoil is about in the 30-06 class).
The cartridge was developed around the 250gr bullet at 2350ft/s. Although it will launch the 200grainer at about 2900ft/s this defeats the object of the calibre, which is:
* Low velocity for minimal meat damage, acceptable bullet performance from conventional construction bullets and deep penetration.
Sabi rifles load this bullet commercially (correctly headstamped, they also supply correctly headstamped cases for the reloader and are the only source of reloading dies) and they will also load any bullet of your choice upon request.
The cartridge is a proprietary cartridge of Magnum Arms (Sabi Rifles) and as a custom shop obviously they also build custom rifles for it (on any components of the client’s choice and to any specification).
This is a truly African cartridge which has over the last 10 years gained quite a following. This cartridge is capable of taking on the largest non dangerous game including Eland and Giraffe.
All said, imo, if you are going to buy a new rifle and if you intend to hunt mainly Bushveld and closer (less than 250m) open areas it is very hard to beat the 9,3x62Mauser. Cheaper ammo available just about anywhere, cheap bullets for reloading, easy to reload, unsurpassed bushveld caliber for biltong hunters (just about no meat damage), excellent terminal performance, good enough on all game up to Buff, lightweight rifles, easy on the shoulder.
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nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Go on...Nikon spot on. Its a ballistic calculator for the Nikon BDC rifle scopes. I checked out 338wm/225 in both Federal and Winchester and all the offered loads were in the 2720-2790 ft/sec range.
The 338 WM is going to kick. Even factory ammo is going to be stouter than a 30-06. I think you are actually describing either a 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, or even a 375 H & H. Realize that some of those calibers are going to be offered in heavier rifles, many of which have stocks designed to lessen recoil. As a person that likes his magnums...get the gun that fits you, or fit it to you...use a good recoil pad such as a Limbsaver($50 item)......and realize that one does not feel recoil when shooting at game...only at the bench.
The 338 WM is going to kick. Even factory ammo is going to be stouter than a 30-06. I think you are actually describing either a 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, or even a 375 H & H. Realize that some of those calibers are going to be offered in heavier rifles, many of which have stocks designed to lessen recoil. As a person that likes his magnums...get the gun that fits you, or fit it to you...use a good recoil pad such as a Limbsaver($50 item)......and realize that one does not feel recoil when shooting at game...only at the bench.
If you are comfortable with .30/06 recoil I would recommend a .30/06... this is simple physics, if all other factors are equal, more energy out the muzzle equals more recoil transferred to your shoulder. Fortunately there are other ways to reduce "felt" recoil... namely; stock fitting, Decelerator style recoil pads, heavier rifle etc... if you reload, just customize a load to maximize energy at the highest level of recoil that you are comfortable with. The wildcat route should be your last recourse, IMO.
i shoot the browning xbolt 338 winmag, and i load 185 gr barnes tsx, getting around 2700 ish , and kicks the same as my friends 30.06, no sense building a wildcat when there is way easier options, unless you really do just want to have a wildcat lol
