.338 WinMag ?

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goldidig

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Guys, I am primarily into Milsurp guns but do hunt whitetails, black bears and coyotes with 6.5 X 55's. I have a chance to buy an absolutely like new, original older Ruger M77 with a HIGH quality scope chambered in .338 WinMag in the $650.00 price range. I was wondering what they are like? Will it kick me outa my hunting boots? What is a fair price range to expect to pay for these rifles? I am sure there's a few of you guys who own these guns or who has owned them. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Al
 
I used a 338.winmag but it was in a rem700 with a nice decelerator pad, plus i'm about 230lbs, so not too bad on me, lol... i dont know about the ruger's weight and how it would handle, kick, etc.

But for deer/moose all you need is some lighter loads in like 210 grain ammo and it'll be fine... i shot some 250 grain high energy (federal ammo brand) and you could feel the kick quite a bit.

Oh, but for the money, why not 650 is ok.
 
I was kind of leaning that way myself, in regards to buying it and just reselling it if it doesn't suit me. Should be an awesome shoulder cannon. Thanks for the fast response guys. I have to make a decision on it by Tuesday, so any advice is a big help.
Al
 
The recoil from a .338 isn't too bad in a heavier rifle. It's actually quite popular with elk hunters in AB and BC. Seems like a resonable price if the scope is good.
 
For that price, I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a Smartie. If the "kick" is a bit stiff, put a Pachmeyer decelerator pad on the butt, load up some 185gr TSX bullets and you have one hellova flat shooting, hard hitting rifle. Enjoy!
 
It's a Leupold variable 3 X 9 older model. Unsure of exactlty what model. Nice scope though. I think the gun is around 9 to 9.5 pounds without the scope so maybe it won't be as nasty as I am thinking.
Al
 
Get it, you wont be sorry. I loaded 180 grain accubonds in my .338 tikka lite, and with the nice recoil pad I put on, it feels no worse than a .30-06. It hits like a sledgehammer. No worries. You can sell the gun alone for 6 or 7 hundred. (depending on options/condition) and all leupolds are guaranteed for life. Should always keep a hammer of the gods in the gun locker if you ask me.
 
goldidig said:
It's a Leupold variable 3 X 9 older model. Unsure of exactlty what model. Nice scope though. I think the gun is around 9 to 9.5 pounds without the scope so maybe it won't be as nasty as I am thinking.
Al
Click to expand...

Buy it. Even if its a Vari-X model scope, its still worth $250. Likely weighs 9lbs with the scope...

I shoot a .338WM @ 8.5lbs, and I don't mind the recoil. I'm actually thinking about getting a lighter stock...
 
since i've got some 30 caliber stuff, i'm already there as far as the under 200 grain class is concerned and i'd rather have 5 shots at 180 as opposed to three- where the 338 really shines is in the 250 to 275 grain slug, used for big bears , elk( ok, it's overkill to use the 275's on elk) and it "kicks " about a third again as much as an 06- 215 pounds peak recoil vs 160 for the 06- i've got mine recoil padded and braked - fired factory ammo in an indoor range( short yardage) there's a "shockwave" that comes back at you as opposed to a kick or a push- but out in the bush , where it belongs, it's a fine rifle
 
The 338Win is a nice mid range thumper. It's all you really need for anything in this country.
No question you'll know it when you fire it. How much of that recoil you actually feel, will depend on a lot of factors. I hope your rifle fits you well, and you enjoy it.
Sounds like an excellent deal.
 
I have a Ruger No.1 in .338 WM which is much more pleasant to shoot than my 7 Rem Mag. The key is the Limbsaver recoil pad. X3 on the suggestion of getting a good pad fitted (the stock Ruger's are more like hockey pucks) when you get the gun. If the gun is as described, I think you've got yourself a great deal.
 
I introduced a buddy to hunting and helped him buy his first rifle....A 338 Winchester no less!

All I did was to have a pachmyer Decelerator installed and then loaded 225 grain partitions to 2300fps....He maintained felt recoil was less than his fathers lightweight 30-06 mountainrifle!
In no time at all he was killing game and never missed the extra 300-400fps....Nor did the dead game!

I wasn't until years later when he asked to fire his 338 across my chronograph that he found out. :D
 
Make sure the gun fits you. I had a M77 in 300WM,was a nice gun. I just could'nt get comfortable with it. Kept reaching with it to find a comfortable position. Drove me crazy compared to my Husqvarnas and Tikkas which seem to come right up. So it went bye-bye.
 
I'd rather shoot a straight stocked M-77 in .338 than a Remington,Winchester or Browning.
A lot of the fellows I hunt with have discovered the same thing. Two of them still regret getting rid of their old beat up 77's and picking up "shiney" new 338's that kicked the snot out of them because of different stock design.

Ruger got it right.
 
X-fan said:
I introduced a buddy to hunting and helped him buy his first rifle....A 338 Winchester no less!

All I did was to have a pachmyer Decelerator installed and then loaded 225 grain partitions to 2300fps....He maintained felt recoil was less than his fathers lightweight 30-06 mountainrifle!
In no time at all he was killing game and never missed the extra 300-400fps....Nor did the dead game!

I wasn't until years later when he asked to fire his 338 across my chronograph that he found out. :D
Click to expand...

I like this advice....if you feel the need you can stoke up the load later.
You can get 185 TSX's in 338 which I think would make a good light recoil load, maybe load it to about 2700-2800 which would approximate a 30-06....should work fine for everything..

Besides,..any good solid bolt action hunting rifle that you buy used at a decent price can usually be sold for what you paid for it,..so there's really nothing to lose by trying it.
 
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