My New Sako 338WM Your Thoughts

Picked up some Nosler Ballistic Tips to try out from a buddy who doesn't reload
There 200 grn and i thought I'd put about 69grains of IMR4350 under them
also have some Sierra GameKing's 250 grn'ers probably the same powder starting a little lighter like 64.0
Just a place to start don't really like Ballistic tips so It will be for range use only.
For glass I was thinking 4x12x50 for the added view am I out to lunch on this idea?
 
x-Hare said:
For glass I was thinking 4x12x50 for the added view am I out to lunch on this idea?
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Depends on what and where you're hunting. For moose sized targets, all you really need is a good 2-7x. I used VXIII 2.5-8 on a couple rifles, really a good all-around scope...
I took my moose this year at 275 yds, on 5x, and it was perfect. Probably could have just used 2.5x.

On a Big Game rifle 3-9x40 should be plenty of magnification...
 
I agree I have 3x9x40 on my other rifles I just thought 50mm for the added field of view and because I thought to be different although I really haven't had any problems with the 40mm
when I'm, walking I have it set on 4X
eye's not as good as they used to be but I still spot all the game.
 
X 10 on a VX3 2.5-8, I wouldnt' go to a 50mm obj, but that's me. Does the 50 mm obj have a 30mm tube, because if it doesn't I think you are wasting what the 50mm obj can potentially do. And if it is a monster with a 30mm tube you better have some damn good rings, because the recoil from a 338 will make a heavy scope creep in the rings, the more rounds you fire.
Oh by the way did I say 2.5-8 cause if I didn't you should get a 2.5-8.
 
Good point never thought about the recoil effects.
Although I won't be cheapen out on the rings either
Here's the spec's
VX-II SCOPES · 3 - 9 x 40mm
Finish - Gloss • Length - 12.4 • Power - 3 - 9x40 • Reticle - Wide Dup. • Wt. (oz.) - 12 • FOV at 100 yds. - 32.3-14.0
VX-II SCOPES · 3 - 9 x 50mm
Finish - Gloss • Length - 12.1 • Power - 3 - 9x50 • Reticle - Duplex • Wt. (oz.) - 13.7 • FOV at 100 yds. - 32.4-14.0
 
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I'd go with a nice 3.5-10x40 VX III on that. It will look goooooood.:cool:

Anyway, my two favorite loads for the .338 are 210gr TSX's, 72grs of H4350 and a Winchester LR magnum primer, and the 250gr Partition and RL19 (start at 67grs and work up until you see 2800fps then stop. My load worked in my rifle, and got the same velocity as book, but was 3grs more than book:eek:) all the rest are the same. The meat damage was as minimal as it will get with both. I actually prefered the TSX's, but the 250's well, there freaking big and mean. Have fun.
 
x-Hare said:
I agree I have 3x9x40 on my other rifles I just thought 50mm for the added field of view
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x-Hare said:
Good point never thought about the recoil effects.
Although I won't be cheapen out on the rings either
Here's the spec's
VX-II SCOPES · 3 - 9 x 40mm
Finish - Gloss • Length - 12.4 • Power - 3 - 9x40 • Reticle - Wide Dup. • Wt. (oz.) - 12 • FOV at 100 yds. - 32.3-14.0
VX-II SCOPES · 3 - 9 x 50mm
Finish - Gloss • Length - 12.1 • Power - 3 - 9x50 • Reticle - Duplex • Wt. (oz.) - 13.7 • FOV at 100 yds. - 32.4-14.0
Click to expand...

And you'll notice the FOV is the same for both scopes, only the 40mm will allow lower rings and is slightly lighter.... ;)
 
Nice choice in rifle. A Leupold VX2 in either a 3-9x40 or 4-12x40AO would be a great scope. IMO you dont need a 50mm OBJ lense. Optilock mount rings (if you can find them) or the ring/base setup gets my vote.

As for bullets, 225gr Accubonds, 210 or 225gr TTSX would be my choice in the 338WM. I am not a fan of the BST bullets for big game.
 
a 50mm objective is absolute BS on a hunting rifle, useless, unless it's on a heavy barrel rig that is not toted around much and has the cheek piece height to use it properly...and even then I don't think many of these guys shoot at night...a good 40mm will transfer more light to the eye than it can process anyway.....50mm scopes are mostly marketing gimmicks IMHO
I'd get e new matte Leupy 3.5-10X x 40 and and call it good....even that's a lot of scope for a 338 Win hunting rifle.....a 2.5-8X would work fine.....
 
Rembo said:
a 50mm objective is absolute BS on a hunting rifle,50mm scopes are mostly marketing gimmicks IMHO
I'd get e new matte Leupy 3.5-10X x 40 and and call it good....even that's a lot of scope for a 338 Win hunting rifle.....a 2.5-8X would work fine.....
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The Guru's have entered the room, and I gotta tell ya I appreciate it.
After pasteing the info the difference's were not as huge as I've be told.
I'm now leaning the other way. Man I love this place, thanks guys.
:cheers:
 
Very very nice. I have a Sako 338, but it is an AV model. Beautiful gun. I will post my favourite load once I get my stuff unpacked from the move.
 
When I got my 338 in 1987 I put a 2.5 - 8 Bausch & Laumb on it but found the crosshair too fine. The next scope was a 2.5 - 8 VariX III. And the final scope was a 1.5 - 6 B & L 4000. It worked very well on crows, gophers, marmots, dear, elk and Moose. Great choice and congratulations.
 
I think you've got a fine rifle there. More importantly you've realized that if you want more than the .30/06 can deliver, it's better to go bigger rather than faster. I think you'll find that your .338 is an all around big game rifle, just like the '06, but with a little more authority.
 
Sako 85 S/S .338 Federal

Here's my new one...and a PENNY to prove it's MINE:D.

2poupoj.jpg
 
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I bought Ruger #1 in 338 WM for moose. Didn't get one ... so I put in a light load behind a 200 grain Hornady and it worked well on a deer. At 20 yds the bullet didn't come out the other side ... no meat damage ... and no recoil.

Even at full loads, the 338 won't produce as much meat damage as a 7mm RM or a 300 WM.

If you reload, you'll find that there's a greater selection of bullets than a .375 and the brass is cheaper. (In fact there are plenty of 7mm RM shooters who discard their brass so I collect those and neck them up to .338 ....and Bob's yer uncle.)

Nice gun, eh.
 
Here is my choice for the scope for this rifle... :D

Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm
Boone & Crocket Reticle
Matte Finish
Length 11.4"

Just put my Vari-X 111 2.5-8X36mm with it's new installed by Tony @ Korth B/C reticle back onto my Rem 700 LSS 375RUM after a few sight in shots it was hitting dead on @ 200 yards first line down on the B/C reticle averaged 2 1/2" high @ 300 yards.

I feel the B/C reticle is the best hunting reticle available.
 
I am still trying to decide on a new scope for mine. I moved the scope from my 338 last year to my 7mm. What do you guys recommend for elk/moose? 1.5-5, 2.5-8, the 3x9 ?
 
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