Opinions 300 win mag vs 338 Fed vs 338 win mag

The Hermit

The Hermit

Member
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
Location
An Island in the Pacific
I have a Weatherby Mark V Ultralight in 300 Wby Mag. I love the rifle but it is too long for hunting in the coastal mountains and forests. So, I am looking for replacement with a shorter barrel, shorter overall length, and frankly a little less recoil too. This one is mainly for Grizzly, Elk, and Moose reaching out to 300 yards on occasion. I am thinking about a Sako Stainless Synthetic as a replacement.

I have been told that the 300 Win Mag packs a lot of recoil in most guns and that it doesn't perform as well as the 338's in short barrels...

What do you guys think about the 300 Win Mag vs 300 Win Short Mag vs 338 Federal vs 338 Win Mag in context of the above general criteria?
 
Last edited:
If you're shooting only out to 300 yards, why bother with the magnums? The only exception I would see is a 338 Win Mag for shooting 225 or 250 gr bullets for grizz. Otherwise a 338 Federal with a good bullet like a 185 gr TSX or 210 gr Partition will do in any moose or elk out to 300 yards, with no more recoil than a 270 or 30-06. I love mine (sako 85 338F) 2 thumbs up...now I just need to find a critter to whack with it :rolleyes:

n512917991_642047_1189.jpg


my favorite load is the 210 gr Triple Shock @ 2625 fps, with a 215 gr Sierra at similar speeds for cheaper practice. If you dont reload, it's not a big deal as Federal makes six different factory loads for it :)
 
338 win mag gives you bigger bullets to play with than a 300 win mag, AND can be loaded down to 338 federal levels, if you don't want the recoil.
 
I have had 300 wm and 338 wm, my hunting partner has both. We both agree the 338wm is more comfortable to shoot. Also the ballistics are a bit better in my opinion as I live in Grizzly country. The recoil for the 300 is sharp as opposed to a kick in the 338 but that is just my impression. Anyway, I own a 338 and I sold the 300 a long time ago. Karl
 
I would say go with the Sako in 338 as for if you want it in Federal or Win Mag if you feel comfortable shooting grizzly with a lighter bullet go for the federal if not buy the Win Mag the recoil will still be less than your 300 wby ultra light.
 
A 200 partition in a 300 Win or a 250 Partition in a 338 Win would perform very similiar I think.

But it seems everyone wants to shoot light bullets in their rifles so they can hoot and holler about how fast their bullet is going.

Just my opinion of course.:D
 
Guns in 300win, 300wsm, and 338win usually have 24" or even 26" barrels. Unless you'll have the barrel hacked off, you won't notice much difference from your Wby. I've always felt that there wasn't enough difference in recoil between the three (or the 300wby) to worry about (with the exception of maybe a 250gr. 338win load). If you like heavy bullets, go for the 338win, if you want a little flatter trajectory and higher bc's go with a 300 mag, which you already have. If you want a noticably shorter, lighter kicking rifle, of the four you've listed it's gotta be the 338fed. Of course a boring old 30/06 with a 20" barrel fits the bill nicely. Dozens of factory loads and the best selection of component bullets with acceptable recoil. 150's are fast and flat, 220's offer amazing penetration ( if it can kill elephants it can kill grizzlies) what more could you want.
 
If I was hunting Grizzly I would load my 338 win mag with 250 grain bullets (or 225 Barnes TSX).

Like mentioned above you can download to federal levels but you cant load the federal any higher.
 
I have a .338WM, and I run 225TSX at ~2750. It dropped my bull this year nicely at 275 yds...I don't live in grizz country and have no real need for it, but I like it and I use it because I can.:)

The barrel is 24", but I've been contemplating having it cut to 22" for the thick stuff...
 
Gatehouse said:
Why not a 338-06?
Click to expand...
You can have a cake, and eat it too. 338Fed and grizly? well, in the open- not bad. In bush- not so. Magnums have lots of deficiencies; long and heavy rifles, not enough cartr in magazine, slow recovery after shot, flinching, noise, etc, etc. 338-06 is way better. My vote goes to 35 Whelen; put 225 TSX or 250 NP ammo in it, stick to 20" barrel, in slick bolt action, ( Ruger would be nice ) 1,5x5 Leupold on top, and You are ready for any sane situation!
 
If you don't like 300Wby recoil then you wont like the 338 Win, or 300Win any more.

Todbartel brought up some interesting points about the 338 Federal. The 338 Federal develops recoil in line with the 30-06 and is a very efficient very practical choice. Lots of killing power in a small package.

In a 30 cal I'd probably look at the 30-06.
It works well in 22 inch barrels and will do the deed on game.

I would select the 30-06 for a little added versatility, yet would also consider the 338 Federal (or 358Winchester) for a bit more bore size where range was not a concern.....Tough choice!
 
I have a Weatherby Mark V Ultralight in 300 Wby Mag. I love the rifle but it is too long for hunting in the coastal mountains and forests. So, I am looking for replacement with a shorter barrel, shorter overall length, and frankly a little less recoil too. This one is mainly for Grizzly, Elk, and Moose reaching out to 300 yards on occasion. I am thinking about a Sako Stainless Synthetic as a replacement.

I have been told that the 300 Win Mag packs a lot of recoil in most guns and that it doesn't perform as well as the 338's in short barrels...

What do you guys think about the 300 Win Mag vs 300 Win Short Mag vs 338 Federal vs 338 Win Mag in context of the above general criteria?
Click to expand...

My choice of the three would be the .338wm. The BC of .338 bullets is generally better than that of the the 30's and 35's. one can load it down to 338 Federal or up to full house with 250's.

Personally I don't find much of a difference in recoil between a 300 Weatherby, a 300WM, and a 338WM. My only comment would be that the 338 with 250's is slightly more noticable.

As to barrel length my 338 has a 26" barrel and I find it that it balances well and is plenty handy. I'm not a subscriber to the philosophy of a 2" to 4" shorter rifle handling better. Other short barrel factors I have noticed are an increase in noise and the barrel seems to jump more.

In all honesty if you are not comfortable with the recoil of the 300 Roy I'd then go: 338 Federal, 3006, 338 06, or 35 Whelan. Plenty of lead if you place the shot right.
 
The .300 Weatherby is a better round then any of them, I'd get the barrel cut down and if recoil is a problem, just load it down to .300 Win. Mag. levels, you could also add a muzzle break for all but range work. The WBY. round has a nice long neck and is built on an action that will allow you to seat bullets out enough to not lose powder capacity esp. with the long heavy bullets.
 
I like the .300 win. Very versatile for anything except dangerous game, which is my opinion on the .338 as well.

The .300 has lots of options with bullets between 150 and 220 grains (lighter bullets are NOT practical). SO - I wouldn't be in a rush to get a .338 win if i already had a .300 win. And vice versa as well, but the .338 is not quite as versatile. I think an excellent battery would be a .300 (or a 30-06) plus a medium bore - .375, 9.3, etc.

I have a stainless 695 tikka in 300 winmag that I love, but i just don't use her much any more. Already sold my super grade mod 70 in .338. My go-to hunting rifles have evolved to 6.5x55, 30-06, and a 9.3x62. Actually been thinking of selling the tikka... never thought I'd say that. Magnumitis is cureable after all.
 
Why has no one mentioned the .338 Ruger Compact Mag?
More efficient case design that uses 10-15% less powder to achieve similar performance from a shorter barrel than the full blown Win Mag requires. Less recoil, less muzzle blast. longer barrel life(ok not a big deal in a hunting rig) in a handier carrying package. Reload your own and you are golden.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom