Opinions on .338 win. mag.

[dewandgin]

My dad and i both have xbolt 338's and i have shot them both alot and have shot a few elk and a moose this year and all of them have been one shot kills. The elk was 435 yds  this year and the 225accubond did it's job and then i had to do mine. i still shoot a 270 for deer and antelope but anything bigger it is my go to gun.

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[webbspinner]

I have a lot of rifles,all winchester 70's but one, and it is one of my favorites (although heavy) it's my 338 wm ruger 77 w/tang safety.  tack driver w/my 225 Handloads (2900 fps) and the kick is less than my model 70 300 wm, and Ive never shot anything twice with it.  If I only could have one, it would be the one.  I also have a 7mm and shoot 160 accubonds out of it, great rifle.  That being said, you can never have too many favorites 

[bearkautz]

I love my 338 win mag ! ruger mkII with muzzle brake . 215 gr sr bt  2860 ft pc. Iv not had the blood shot meat that I see with other faster calibers  like my 30-06-  .  I prefer head shots if I can . I'm 4'' high @ 100yd. 5'' high @ 200yd. 0-@-300yd with the 338 . I like the 300 win mag as well . flatter ! 185 accubond . it is all built placement . I've killed a lot of beef with a 22mag.

[RadSav]

That being said, you can never have too many favorites 

Amen! 

Seems my favorite gun in the safe changes as fast as the pages on my calendar.  Can't really pick a favorite as when the safe door swings open they all speak to me so seductively I'd hate to make one feel bad.    There have been times when they stop talking so nice to me and that's when it's time for them to go.  That's probably why there are no more 12 gauges in there causing trouble anymore.

Last year during rifle season I still hadn't gotten my buck and chose to venture out with the multi-season tag.  I had such a hard time deciding I drove around the woods with three rifles in the truck most of the season.  Each got some quality time in the woods.  During spring bear this year the same thing.  Seems only rain makes my choices limited as I only have two stainless big game guns.

The 338 and the 375 are the new girls.  The 375 doesn't go out as she is waiting for some new duds.  But the 338 Model 70 talks so sweet and sexy she will get out to the woods real soon.  She's got a weight problem but for a big girl she's really sexy!  Big bores and clover leafs make me very happy.  And the 338WM always leaves a big smile on my face when we go to the range.  She might talk her way into a spring hunt in Canada if this keeps up 

I haven't guided too many clients shooting the 338WM.  But, I have yet to see an animal shot twice with one either.  I think that speaks as much for the accuracy of the round as it does about the caliber.  If the British Columbia game department would stop cancelling my grizzly hunts I guarantee that's the gun that will be backing up my bow!  And there won't be any 30 cal back at the truck.

[hillbilli]

.338 Win all the way..   I think if you really want more power than .30-06 (which already pushes a  .30 cal bullet to 2900-3000fps..) then the answer is not a faster .30 like the .300, but rather a bigger bullet. The .338 Win is the largest common caliber available in basic (and basic priced) rifles.. by this I mean a basic black rem 700, savage 110 series, or howa/vanguard, etc  -all of which are reasonably priced. The "BIG" african calibers, tend to only be available in "safari versions", or magnum length actions that run about a grand in price.. And the hotter, wildcat .338 rounds arent much better price wise..  .338 is also about the only cartridge that falls midway between the .30-06 class and the african catridges- that is common and available just about anywhere.. It WILL kick more than .308/.30-06- but thats to be expected with the same velocities and half again the bullet weight. These are the  reasons the .338 Win has become a common staple in grizzly country. Ammo is fairly expensive, but once you have brass and dies- it isnt that much more expensive to load, and can be downloaded for deer size game..

[BULLBLASTER]

I think a .375 H&H would be extremely cool to have, if for no other reason than it's such a classic cartridge.

Of course, it would have to be a Winchester Model 70, Super Grade. Oh my, I'm getting flushed just thinking abou it.

I was able to borrow a 375 H&H for my elk hunt this year (it was a friends birthday and he told me to take his gun and shoot him a birthday elk) I did just that! I have to be careful how much I think or talk about it because that gun was awesome!!! if I think too hard I will want one. his is a model 70.

Stop it!  I'm getting flustered and might do something foolish like buy one on Bud's Gun Shop tonight....

Oh my, they even have one in stock

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_61/products_id/61252/Winchester+Guns+535116161+Model+70+Bolt+375+Holland+%26+Holla

me want!

[huntinguy]

you can think of the 338win as a 06 on sterioids. trajectory is similar, depending on load.

200-225 grain bullets seem to work well. I have taken elk at near 300 yards and blacktail at 15 yards (yep, too close to fit it in the field of view of the scope). I have never seen any blood shot meat from 338, even at 15 yards. Lets see a 7mm/300win or similar do that.

IF I was to be a one gun hunter the 338 win would be the gun.

[Hunting7mm]

OK guys....  Looks like I'm going to have to buy a .338 wm.  Just have to find one in stainless.  Appreciate all the help.  Thanks!!!!!!!

[Biggerhammer]

OK guys....  Looks like I'm going to have to buy a .338 wm.  Just have to find one in stainless.  Appreciate all the help.  Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[Wea300mag]

Everyone should have at least one. Mine doesn't get much use, still waiting for my moose permit.

[RadSav]

OK guys....  Looks like I'm going to have to buy a .338 wm.  Just have to find one in stainless.  Appreciate all the help.  Thanks!!!!!!!

If looking for stainless I'd take a look at the Savage Bear Hunter!  Mainly since from what I hear Tikka/Beretta is not doing general importing of the 338 any longer.  Stainless, Accutrigger, Fluted barrel, Adjustable muzzle break for under $1,000 is a good deal in my book.  Some don't like the 23" barrel, but that is one of the things I like the most about it.  If I wanted a long range gun I'd be shooting something other than the 338WM in the first place.  The Savage does beat your cheek up pretty good with that dumb stock angle.  But, most guys I know shooting it add a raised cheek pad and eliminate that problem.

Good luck in finding just the right gun for you.  I think you are going to enjoy being the proud owner of a 338WM

[Craig]

Had one. Sold it after two trips to the range. Hated it. Bought a .300 ultra mag and put a muzzle break on it. Could not be happier now. I shoot 180 accubonds with great success.

I might just be a wimp but it was a Ruger rifle and it kicked like a mule. Not fun to shoot.

[Whitpirate]

What's folks opinion on the early 1970's Winchester Model 70 338?  I've got a friend that is looking and I found a 1970 Model 70 that's seen some use but seems like everything is still well in place..... just curious if anyone had opinions?

[Westside88]

I've shot a few different makes and models of 338 win mag. One particular Ruger kicked horribly, but that may have been because it didn't fit me well. I have friends who own other Rugers and love them. Mine is a browning A bolt in stainless.  It has a 26" barrel and shoots pretty nice.  I've shot light weight 06's that I enjoyed less. It's probably like anything else. Find one you like and make sure it's set up to fit you best with a good butt pad like a limbsaver.

[RadSav]

What's folks opinion on the early 1970's Winchester Model 70 338?  I've got a friend that is looking and I found a 1970 Model 70 that's seen some use but seems like everything is still well in place..... just curious if anyone had opinions?

I've found those early '70's push feed Winchesters to be excellent for accuracy.  The bolt is a little soft so the jeweling tends to look ugly even a short while after having it done.  But it shouldn't matter on the way the gun performs.  If he can get a good deal and the barrel looks good I'd say go for it!