realistically discussing the 338 rcm for hunting

[WhelanLad]

Rightio , im trying to get me ol bush stalker pal , whos a older man 45 y.o or so that whilst he is upgrading with all the fancy items he watches on the BRO youtube i have been trying to get him into shooting consistantly at 400m for a decent crack at the alpine high country stag he is chasing..
its one thing to see one in the glass, often a mile away, let alone getting right into it for under 200m shots, of course sometimes theres great stalking to be had in the mean time- but that last light situation,glassing big faces and "a big one" steps out ya kno 380-450m away, im not entirely sold on the RCM in the compact Ruger rifle with a 225gr Woodleigh at i think its about 2500 fps with the load he has.

i been thinkin of what would be a beaut alternative for him, in a lighter package - even though the RCM is reasonably 'light' for a Ruger..

thoughts are still on the 300wsm to keep it short action, something with 24 inch barrel to utilise the velocity availibe to a 180gr,
an the 325 comes to mind for the 'big bore' spec but not sure its guna throw much quicker ?

the RCM could use a 180gr sleek projie but he is pretty loyal to woodleighs


whattyas say for 400m or so with the RCM, hold over for backline but no fancy reticle on this gun-

or just drop the new rifle issue and put a few more woodleighs downrange?

or change to something lighter?

Thanks fellas

 

[Eagleye]

I think the 338 RCM will probably do, but he needs to shoot it at 1,2,3 & 400 yards to get familiar where it hits.

However, I have a 325 WSM, and it flirts with 3000 fps with either the 200 Accubond or the 196 Norma Oryx.

It shoots pretty flat over 400, and get there with a fair bit of authority.

I am sure that the 325 WSM would make 2750 or a bit more with that 220 Woodleigh, a bullet specifically
recommended for the 325. Dave.

 

[WhelanLad]

i went through some notes an messages he has sent on the rifle, hes using 55gr of 06h which is 3 g over adis max data, so thats in the 2650 range which isnt bad n hindsight, 2400-2500 an the drops getting severe i rekon.

Thanks for your info on the 325... 200gr would b good, in the rcm it show 2800 with a 24 inch tube, for comparison. and pending how much hes stuffin in the case lol

 

[WhelanLad]

I forgot about this too, i loaded the other mates RCM an we used 180gr Woodleighs..... and shot a sambar deer at 270m thru and thru..
im not sure why i didnt think of that :S