Not really sure what I should get. Anybody here have the remington 700 in .338 win mag? I would like a rifle that can shot deer, but in the future I would like to hunt larger animals such as Moose and Elk. Should I buy a .308 for the mean time or should I get a .338 XCR II and have the ability to shoot bigger animals down the road
Remington 700 .308 or .338
- Thread starter roche1982
- Start date
.338 Win Mags can be a bit much recoil wise for a new shooter. A well placed bullet is the most important part of the equation and the .308 has killed a pile of moose since it was first chambered. While there is no arguing that the .338 is a fantastic and very versatile cartridge it is more then a lot of hunters or shooters are willing to invest the time and expense to truly master and they would be better served by the gentler recoil and cheaper to feed .308.
The 308 winchester will work for all animals you've listed and has a lot less recoil...lots of deer, moose and elk have been taken with the 308win. The 338 wm will have an advantage in retained energy, have more recoil, and cost about 30% more to shoot.
If cost to shoot and recoil isn't a problem might as well go with the 338 wm. If it were me and I felt I needed more than the 308 win, I'd choose a 300 wm over the 338 wm. mainly because of available bullet weight selection.
All three would be good choices for hunting...and the 700 remington is a good choice as well.
Have fun!
If cost to shoot and recoil isn't a problem might as well go with the 338 wm. If it were me and I felt I needed more than the 308 win, I'd choose a 300 wm over the 338 wm. mainly because of available bullet weight selection.
All three would be good choices for hunting...and the 700 remington is a good choice as well.
Have fun!
Thanks for the tips. Although I am not new to shooting, I am new to hunting. I have never had problems adjusting to recoil in the past. I love the .308, but I also love the idea of more retained energy for bigger game. for the next 2-3 years my main focus will be Deer until I move back to Ontario. Cost to shoot is important but not necessarily a deal breaker. I like the idea of being able to have versatility.... And I am a Remington man, first shot them with my grandfather and always loved them.
I like the way you think
Yeahhh bud, 308 will get er done every time. more of a pleasure to shoot.
The argument of 30-06 or 308 is a absolute waste of time an im a bit surprised that was brought up......
I like your rifle choice, an calibre is up to you, I like how your asking for opinions though, means your thinking.
WL
The argument of 30-06 or 308 is a absolute waste of time an im a bit surprised that was brought up......
I like your rifle choice, an calibre is up to you, I like how your asking for opinions though, means your thinking.
WL
Thanks. I knew once I started doing research that I definitely wanted a .308 as opposed to the 30-06. I love the .308, but I do want to get into big game. I just wish I could get either of these 2 in wood. My initial reaction is to get the .308 for now and get the .338 later. However there is another voice saying go big, lets put some practice into this and get comfortable with the .338. I am not afraid of recoil, but I'm sure there is an adjustment period, and the pleasure to shoot point is right on. Shooting at the range would be cheaper and more of a pleasure with the 308 for sure. I also like the easier selection of .308 ammo to find. I know I want a 338 someday, so I have a lot to think about. Just hoping I can make the right decision. I do know that either way I'm getting a Remington 700 and will be happy.
Have you thought of the 338 necked down to 7mm? Also known as the 7mm Remington Magnum.
Flat shooter, great bullet selection, not too recoilish (if that is a word) and will suit anything up to but not including the great bears, however it would do in a pinch.
Almost as common as dirt, the list go's on.
If you are stuck on those two, i would choose the 338 and did just that in your situation many years ago.
Flat shooter, great bullet selection, not too recoilish (if that is a word) and will suit anything up to but not including the great bears, however it would do in a pinch.
Almost as common as dirt, the list go's on.
If you are stuck on those two, i would choose the 338 and did just that in your situation many years ago.
Why do you think that you need more than a .308 for moose and elk??? You don't. A .308 Win is an excellent all around big game cartridge... it can be loaded with light bullets for predators and with 180's for moose and 168's for elk... very versatile... and much more pleasant to shoot that the .338WM.
Don't get sucked into the whole "You gotta go .338 man, it's like a mini 50 cal. Way better for 1000 yard shots on elk" Only fools and TV shows shoot that far.
Ask yourself why the .308 is STILL used by the US Military, still one of the most popular hunting calibre's, why you can buy it ANYWHERE. Because it works. There are SOOOO many loads for any sized animal in North America. You want a heavy bullet ?… you CAN buy 220gr - 240 gr, but that is HUGE for a .308, better loading a 185-190 well. Not much going to stay up after a .308 - people drop elk and moose with Bows - so why would you think a .308 is too small ??? --- hahahaha
THe 7mm Rem Mag is the next best choice. FLAT trajectory, Hauls butt (fast round), carries a LOT of energy. Kicks a bunch more than the .308 - but a great round.
(.223, .308, .7mm Rem Mag)
Ask yourself why the .308 is STILL used by the US Military, still one of the most popular hunting calibre's, why you can buy it ANYWHERE. Because it works. There are SOOOO many loads for any sized animal in North America. You want a heavy bullet ?… you CAN buy 220gr - 240 gr, but that is HUGE for a .308, better loading a 185-190 well. Not much going to stay up after a .308 - people drop elk and moose with Bows - so why would you think a .308 is too small ??? --- hahahaha
THe 7mm Rem Mag is the next best choice. FLAT trajectory, Hauls butt (fast round), carries a LOT of energy. Kicks a bunch more than the .308 - but a great round.
(.223, .308, .7mm Rem Mag)
Last edited:
Don't get sucked into the whole "You gotta go .338 man, it's like a mini 50 cal. Way better for 1000 yard shots on elk" Only fools and TV shows shoot that far.
Ask yourself why the .308 is STILL used by the US Military, still one of the most popular hunting calibre's, why you can buy it ANYWHERE. Because it works. There are SOOOO many loads for any sized animal in North America. You want a heavy bullet ?… you CAN buy 220gr - 240 gr, but that is HUGE for a .308, better loading a 185-190 well. Not much going to stay up after a .308 - people drop elk and moose with Bows - so why would you think a .308 is too small ??? --- hahahaha
THe 7mm Rem Mag is the next best choice. FLAT trajectory, Hauls butt (fast round), carries a LOT of energy. Kicks a bunch more than the .308 - but a great round.
(.223, .308, .7mm Rem Mag)
I wouldn't say its to small, but I wouldn't mind something that packs more punch. I'm not going to be shooting moose or elk at 1000 yards, but I could see trying longer shots over 300. Am I going to be able to cleanly take a Moose at 300 yards with a .308?
I haven't really got into the 7mm, but I am stuck, but I keep coming back to the .338
