My uncle just bought a .338 Win Mag it weights in at 9lbs (rifle only) and he wants me to try it out heres the thing though It took me along time at the range to get rid of a flinch that I developed shooting a lightweight 300 mag and really don't want to have to deal with that again. I can handle a sendero in .300 win mag no problem and a 870 Express shooting 3" Mag loads how would the .338 compare to those two? I have always read that it was a killer on the shoulder so I am nervous but most recoil charts it doesn't look that bad. The rifle is in a synthetic stock if that makes a difference. Thanks.
.338 Win Mag shooters
- Thread starter Jayph
- Start date
He is not a gunnut hes a pick a rifle up once a year and go hunting guy. He bought it off a friend he described it like this 
It's a Ruger action with custom barrel the guy told him he thougth it was a lijia my uncle described it as a thick barrel. The synthetic stock the way he described it sounded like a houge, it was the guys bear gun and I guess he bought a new .338 RUM so my uncle bought this one. I don't know when I will see him next to shoot it but I will try to take a camera.
It's a Ruger action with custom barrel the guy told him he thougth it was a lijia my uncle described it as a thick barrel. The synthetic stock the way he described it sounded like a houge, it was the guys bear gun and I guess he bought a new .338 RUM so my uncle bought this one. I don't know when I will see him next to shoot it but I will try to take a camera.
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I had a canoe paddle style stock on a factory ruger, and it gave a decent whack, but nothing i couldnt get used to. In a rifle with a bit of heft, like the one you describe, it should be manageable for a guy used to 300 win mag.
My Tikka T3 lite gives me a good whack at 6 3/8 lbs. Even with a good recoil pad on I still know it. The only reason I tried out this Tikka was I tried to get a Ruger for months and couldn't find the one I wanted used. (canoe paddle stock, stainless) I would imagine if your gun is 9 lbs stock. With accessories, she'd be a 10 lb gun. If the stock shape is wrong for your size and comfort, it'll may be stiff shooting for ya, otherwise, get a good pad and she'll seem very similar to your 300 win. Heavy = nicer to shoot/harder to carry. With a good sling it then becomes easier to carry
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There's something about the recoil on a lightweight .300 Magnum that I REALLY don't like.
I have a 20" .375 H&H carbine and enjoy shooting it a lot because it weighs +9 lbs scoped. If the .338 magnum is in a 8.5 lb rifle, you should be OK. Shoot the first couple of rounds offhand, not off the bench to see how it feels.
I have a 20" .375 H&H carbine and enjoy shooting it a lot because it weighs +9 lbs scoped. If the .338 magnum is in a 8.5 lb rifle, you should be OK. Shoot the first couple of rounds offhand, not off the bench to see how it feels.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
If you are scared of the rifle before you fire it, chances are it won't disappoint.
The problem with the try a few shots scenario is that you have no control. If the rifle was yours, you could load the ammo to your comfort level. While some folks find that synthetic stocks produce more felt recoil than wood, the fit and quality of the recoil pad are far more critical when it comes to perceived recoil. A youngster I was shooting with one day was complaining about the kick from his dad's .30/06, but he fired my .375 offhand with no problem. The '06 was a bit long for him, and the butt had a broken plastic butt plate. The stock on my .375 was a bit shorter and the Decelerator took the bite out of the recoil, and took away his fear of powerful rifles.
If you decide that you will shoot this .338, fire a couple of shots off hand as this is the position that minimizes the felt recoil the most. If thats not a problem, begin shooting from rested positions. If its too strong thank your uncle and pass the rifle back to him. If you do continue to shoot, don't shoot beyond your fatigue level. If you head says, "Damn, that one hurt!" its time to take a break.
The problem with the try a few shots scenario is that you have no control. If the rifle was yours, you could load the ammo to your comfort level. While some folks find that synthetic stocks produce more felt recoil than wood, the fit and quality of the recoil pad are far more critical when it comes to perceived recoil. A youngster I was shooting with one day was complaining about the kick from his dad's .30/06, but he fired my .375 offhand with no problem. The '06 was a bit long for him, and the butt had a broken plastic butt plate. The stock on my .375 was a bit shorter and the Decelerator took the bite out of the recoil, and took away his fear of powerful rifles.
If you decide that you will shoot this .338, fire a couple of shots off hand as this is the position that minimizes the felt recoil the most. If thats not a problem, begin shooting from rested positions. If its too strong thank your uncle and pass the rifle back to him. If you do continue to shoot, don't shoot beyond your fatigue level. If you head says, "Damn, that one hurt!" its time to take a break.
I have shot the 338 for years and do not find it to kick any worse than the 300 wmag. If you are concerned , start with 200 gr and work up to to 250. 225 might be the best for flat shooting and hitting. Currently using a 338-06 imp and 250gr and 2650( chrono) in a 7# rifle and scope and it does not affect the shooter and I have let other people shoot it also. Most people judge the recoil of the gun by just looking at the shell that it uses. I have peoiple look at a 45-70 shell and would not shoot it and it was tha all purpose 300 gr. Very light load and very mild recoil.
K
K
if you look at the numbers in foot pounds, when you get into where the 338 really starts to show it's stuff( 250 -275 grains) it generates almost TWICE what an 06 does- 15 pounds( o6) vs32 or better- so you're going to feel it in an 06 weight rifle, not so much in a 300 mag with heavy bullets- as for me , i've got a bar with a muzzel break, so it's managable- and i shoot 275s
Kick & 338
If you are worried about this and others off the bench get a LEAD SLED.
This makes benching a rifle a total non event.
Purchased one this year and will never be without one again.
The look on a shooters face the first time it is used is amased.
Don
If you are worried about this and others off the bench get a LEAD SLED.
This makes benching a rifle a total non event.
Purchased one this year and will never be without one again.
The look on a shooters face the first time it is used is amased.
Don
Thanks you guys when he comes around I will likely try it (but defenetly offhand) The post about some people believing synthetic stocks produce more felt recoil surprised me as I was led to believe that they lowered felt recoil over wood (learn something everyday) I was always led to belive that the .338 was a shoulder breaker but never knew anyone that shot one I guess when I get my chance to shoot it I'll draw my own conclusions. Thanks again.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
