What rifle in 338 win mag?

whitetailwoodsarcher

whitetailwoodsarcher

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Well I think I'm going to get a new hunting rifle in 338 win mag. I usually hunt with a rifle chambered in 308 win, but I want a rifle with some real power! I'm not recoil sensitive in fact I prefer shooting a gun with some kick! I have been looking at the savage Alaskan brush hunter and actually just checked one out in cabelas. Feels like a solid gun. I'm just not sure if there is a better gun out there in 338 win mag for under 800 to 900 bucks? I think it's good looking not sure why many people think savages are fugly? Maybe I just like the ugly ones? Haha. I'll be using it for farmland hunting as well as deep sask bush so I don't want a rifle with a 25 inch barrel or weight 11 pounds. I'm open to all suggestions just don't want to spend over 1000 bucks would like to keep it around 800 bucks if possible. Also would prefer open sight on it
Thanks
 
Mine is a M700SS, had it for about 15 to 20 years. No question that they put moose down quicker than the smaller calibres. I killed a lot of moose with .270's but never with the authority of the .338.

Jim
 
I had a Ruger 77 Hawkeye in 338 that I traded, it was a good solid rifle and I think a very good value under $800 new, but if I replace it, I would get a Winchester 70. I had a Savage 111 in 338 that dropped the magazine every second shot, I also would not hesitate to get a Vanguard.
 
Ive had a couple light .338wm rifles, but my current Sako is much nicer to shoot at 9.5lbs. A Vanguard would be a good one, and just enough heft to mitigate recoil. I have no interest in a Tikka, Xbolt or Savage in this cal...
 
Of all the 338s I've owned, the nicest by far was an old Sako L61R in a MacMillan glass stock (factory) The rifle was fairly light but stock design was excellent and mitigated recoil greatly. I do believe it was dubbed the Sako Fiberclass.......very accurate with several bullets and very well balanced. However I'm afraid if you were lucky enough to find one today it would blow your budget all to he11. I just recently bought a new Win supergrade in 338 but it is exactly what you said you did not want, 26" barrel, gorgeous wood and no sights.........and well over $1000. Made a very nice 340 Wby though, which is exactly what I wanted.
 
"...want a rifle with some real power..." You have one. Nearly got blown off the bench by a guy with a .338 one time. Far too much muzzle blast and noise. Mind you, 'I want one.' is reason enough.
 
My 338 is a Tikka T3 stainless. It is light and kicks like a mule on the bench. It has a limbsaver recoil pad added and I upgraded the rings as the cheap dovetail ones snapped off. It is a pleasure to carry all day, even in the bush. And it swats moose down with authority, dropped 2 nice bulls last year with it and 250 gr Speer Grand Slams.
 
Mine is a Browning X-bolt in 338 win mag. It will take down anything and is nice to have around when you are gutting an animal and the neighbourhood bear decides to come around for a visit.
 
Mine's a Kimber 8400 Classic. Its light, CRF, holds 5 rounds, and seems to kill grizzlies and moose.(OK, one of each but still........) You say you like recoil? You should try it out, you'll be the happiest guy around.
 
I have a Rem 700 BDL with factory detachable magazine...the rifle shoots vey accurately, the recoil is stout, but manageable...more of a push than a slap. When mr moose is in the crosshairs you never notice any kick and the moose usually doesn't take another step. I picked mine up used in vg condition for $900...it was made in 1990. I will never sell it.
 
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sunray said:
"...want a rifle with some real power..." You have one. Nearly got blown off the bench by a guy with a .338 one time. Far too much muzzle blast and noise. Mind you, 'I want one.' is reason enough.
Click to expand...

Did that rifle have a brake? Cuz even a .308 has a muzzle blast like a howitzer, once you install a brake on it...

I've got a M700 .338WM in a Wildcat Composite stock. The rifle weighs 8lbs with scope and ammo and it's a pussy cat to shoot. It's my go-to rifle. I pretty much automatically grab it, when I'm heading out for a quick trip.
 
I have a Tikka T3 338 WM, its light shoots great and I use a PAST recoil pad made for 7mm-416 off the bench ( I've shot 60 full power 250gr loads in one sitting with it on) shooting at game you don't notice it. It and the Weatherby Vanguard S2 have a 1" or less guarantee for 3 shots @100yds. The others don't. This is how it shoots with 250s :)
 
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