Opinions on .338 win. mag.

[starbailey]

First rifle I ever bought was a Ruger 77 in 338 wm. I killed every thing with it from squirrels to elk with hand loaded 210 Partitions.  It is still my favorite caliber.

[coachcw]

the .338-378 is flat wicked but I wouldn't hesitate for a minute the use a 338 pushing a 225 accubond for anything on this piece of dirt.

[webbspinner]

I was looking for the model 70 post 64 ( to match my others, I'm a sucker for those Winchesters  ) when my brothers elderly friend decided he no longer had a use for his Ruger m77, so I got that one instead (great price)  Well loved, basic wood and blued, but shoots like a champ.  Liked it so much I parted ways (to a friend with a love affair of getting thumped in the shoulder) with my model 70 300 WM.  Great shooting gun also, shot awesome groups but prefer the 338 for anything I would likely use that gun for.  Besides I used the proceeds from the 300 to buy my 44 mag vaquero. 

My model 70 7mm mag is 26" barrel and wears a 6x24 mil-dot, its my real long range gun.  but the 338 is good for anything I can put the 3x9 on.  I shot a Tikka, awesome gun and light but even w/limbsaver I think I loosened my fillings. a true pack a lot shoot a little rifle.  I may put a limbsaver on my 338, but I've been saying that for 4 yrs now and haven't done it yet, it just doesn't bother me.  Mine has the Ruger open sights which just look cool also. 
   Get one (338) and I think you'll be hooked.

[demontang]

You'll love the 338 Wm. I like the mild recoil with the lighter 180gr rounds but load the 225gr accubonds for everything. Ive taken yotes -elk with mine and it will be my one gun cause its all around great round more then able to take anything ill ever hunt

[Westside88]

You'll love the 338 Wm. I like the mild recoil with the lighter 180gr rounds but load the 225gr accubonds for everything. Ive taken yotes -elk with mine and it will be my one gun cause its all around great round more then able to take anything ill ever hunt

No intent to hijack the post,but thought the original poster may be interested as well. How do you find the 180's to shoot? Do they group well? I think that would make this caliber even more versatile.

[RadSav]

You'll love the 338 Wm. I like the mild recoil with the lighter 180gr rounds but load the 225gr accubonds for everything. Ive taken yotes -elk with mine and it will be my one gun cause its all around great round more then able to take anything ill ever hunt

No intent to hijack the post,but thought the original poster may be interested as well. How do you find the 180's to shoot? Do they group well? I think that would make this caliber even more versatile.

I've never seen them loaded commercially except through Nosler Custom (3100fps), but Nosler offers a 180 AB and Barnes has a 160 and 185 TTSX for reloaders.

[yorketransport]

You can't go wrong with any of the 338s! If you want something different, the 338-375 Ruger is a great round that gives 338 Win Mag ballistics from an 18" barrel.

I would choose the gun based on what you want to use it for. If you're looking for a long range elk gun then find a 24-26" barreled set up. If you're looking for "hammer" to carry through the brush then I'd look to the Savage Alaskan Brush Hunter with a 20" barrel.

No matter what you get, try shooting it before having a brake installed. They really aren't that bad to shoot with a good stock and recoil pad.

You'll love the 338 Wm. I like the mild recoil with the lighter 180gr rounds but load the 225gr accubonds for everything. Ive taken yotes -elk with mine and it will be my one gun cause its all around great round more then able to take anything ill ever hunt

No intent to hijack the post,but thought the original poster may be interested as well. How do you find the 180's to shoot? Do they group well? I think that would make this caliber even more versatile.

I shot a lot of 180gr Ballistic Tips out of my 338-06 and they worked great. I've run the 180 AB out of the 338-375 Ruger and they shoot extremely well, I just prefer heavier (225+) weight bullets.

Andrew

[demontang]

I still have a box of federal loads with the 180gr bt. They work great for deer an yote. The 225 accoubonds just flat kill everything  I have reloaded everything for mine during the last 5years

[mountainman]

First rifle I ever bought was a Ruger 77 in 338 wm. I killed every thing with it from squirrels to elk with hand loaded 210 Partitions.  It is still my favorite caliber.

same here! Older tang safety 77. Is quite the hammer!

[Capt. Rob]

338 ultra mag if you want an upgrade don't bother with the win mag. been there done that  sold it! You will love a ultra mag with a 250 sst.

[WoodlandShooter]

what about the .338 made by the Finns?? 

[snowpack]

338 ultra mag if you want an upgrade don't bother with the win mag. been there done that  sold it! You will love a ultra mag with a 250 sst.

Or keep on going and get something from Lazzeroni.

[Huntbear]

I shoot a Sako in .338... smooth as glass, recoil is but a good push.. no snap kick like a 7 mag..  My brother shoots a custom Sako, I built him.. He took a bull at 650 yards between the eyes with .225 gr. Accubond handloads..  have shot several over 400 yards... Never had to chase one more than about 50 yards.   

IF I had to only have 1 gun, (gawd forbid) I would lean heavily towards the .338 wm.. it will take any animal you will ever most likely encounter.

[Damnimissed]

I have a browning xbolt in .338 WM and love it. It shoots great with 250gr core lokts lol. Because its on the slower side of the 338s, it does very little damage to meat, but with incredible knock down power. My buddy has come up with some very flat shooting loads for a .338 with 225gr accubonds, which he drops the hammer on mulies with. My .300 WM hasn't seen action in the 4 years since I bought the .338