I am thinking of building myself a custom rifle for target and hunting. targets would go out to about the 800 yrd range and hunting would be deer elk and maybe bears. I was thinking about using a 300wsm but talking to a smith today he recomended 338win mag. I know there are a lot of bullet choices for 300 but am not familiar with 338. which would you all suggest.
custom rifle cal question
- Thread starter d.bala
- Start date
You'd be pushing the ragged edge of what the .300 WSM can do, and only if you stuck with a longer barrel and a long action, so you can seat the heavy bullets out a little further.
If you're wanting a .30 cal, I'd really push a .300 WinMag Weatherby or a RUM; but even with them you'd better have a good rangefinder because even a fairly slippery 190 grain BTSP, starting at 3500 fps, drops 11 inches between 750 and 800, and another 13 inches to 850. You've got enough energy tho'.
The .338 is a good cartridge, and potentially delivers more energy but the really slick bullets aren't meant for game, so you'd be looking at an even steeper trajectory.
If you're wanting a .30 cal, I'd really push a .300 WinMag Weatherby or a RUM; but even with them you'd better have a good rangefinder because even a fairly slippery 190 grain BTSP, starting at 3500 fps, drops 11 inches between 750 and 800, and another 13 inches to 850. You've got enough energy tho'.
The .338 is a good cartridge, and potentially delivers more energy but the really slick bullets aren't meant for game, so you'd be looking at an even steeper trajectory.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
i would go with the 308 warbird wildcat.
it has more power and speed with a 180 gr bullet than any other .30 cal.
but you should really get in to reloading if you pick that round.
talk to ya all later
Riley
it has more power and speed with a 180 gr bullet than any other .30 cal.
but you should really get in to reloading if you pick that round.
talk to ya all later
Riley
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
The 300WSM will handle that range with no more fuss than any of the other 30's, or the 338 for that matter.
In a hunting situation at ranges past 400 a range finder is highly recommended
for the simple fact that a person cannot estimate accuratly enough to put a bullet into a vital area all the time with precision, be it a 338 Lapua or a 300 Win Mag.
Cat
In a hunting situation at ranges past 400 a range finder is highly recommended
for the simple fact that a person cannot estimate accuratly enough to put a bullet into a vital area all the time with precision, be it a 338 Lapua or a 300 Win Mag.
Cat
800 yrd range and hunting .. deer elk and maybe bears...
.340 Weatherby with a 26 inch barrel. Build it on a Remington 700. Use a stainless Gaillard barrel. All the "whack" you need, flat shooting and super accuracy. The last .340 I built has shot lots of groups under 1/2 inch.
.340 Weatherby with a 26 inch barrel. Build it on a Remington 700. Use a stainless Gaillard barrel. All the "whack" you need, flat shooting and super accuracy. The last .340 I built has shot lots of groups under 1/2 inch.
I am also a big fan of the .338s but if you are set on a .30 cal there is the 30-378 Weatherby. Similar performance to the Warbird, around 3450 fps MV with 180 gr bullets.
Just a note to going big on calibres, you can't kill anything if you don't hit it so whatever you choose make sure that you can handle the recoil.
Just a note to going big on calibres, you can't kill anything if you don't hit it so whatever you choose make sure that you can handle the recoil.
thanks all for the above help. I do appreciate the advise but i have noticed on this board you get more answers than you need. the question was for the choice between the 300 wsm and 338 win mag please only help on these two calibers as the rest just don't matter to me thank you
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Get a 300WSM and don't look back!
Cat
Cat
