Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

[buckey]

Looking to build one last hunting rifle & I have it narrowed down to the .300 Win Mag & the .338 Win Mag.

I already have a custom .300 Win Mag but was going to build another one with a slower twist barrel (1-11"), but now I am seriously thinking about a .338 Win Mag.

Gimme your thoughts (good or bad)on the .338 Win Mag for a big game hunting rifle = mostly shots 400 yds and under


Here's my parts for the build:

*BAT HRPIC action

*Krieger or Bartlein barrel = #4 or #5 contour with twist depending on caliber

*McMillan Rem Hunter stock

*Jewell trigger

*Badger M4 bottom metal w/ Rem mag box, spring, & milled steel follower

*S&B PMII 4-16x50 in Seekins rings

I appreciate your thoughts & input = thanks!!

 

[Cigarcop]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

My only thought is have Jon build it!!!

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

Has your .300 proven inadequate? The .338 isn't going to net you much gain.

I'd move the other direction and do a 7mm Rem Mag over the .338 Mag. With today's heavy bullets, the .300 Win Mag is going to perform as well as the .338 Win Mag as far as energy goes.

The 7mm will let you shoot lighter bullets (ie less recoil) with high high BCs. It will be extremely wind resistant, more pleasant to shoot, and delivery plenty of terminal energy as far as you would want to shoot game.

Personally, I hunt with a .280 AI and love it.

 

[buckey]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cigarcop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My only thought is have Jon build it!!!

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You know it Keith!!

 

[buckey]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

tylerw02,

*My current .300 Win mag shoots good, but its a finicky SOB when it comes to hunting ammo. I was going to build another & sell this one. I am just curious how the .300 Win Mag & .338 Win Mag compare with each other??

*I have a new custom 7MM Mag (thanks to Jon Beanland) on the way as we speak - it should be here tomorrow or Thursday!!!

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

Must be nice! haha

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

I'd build a 10 twist .300WM pushing a 180gr pill of your liking. The .338WM offers nothing over the .300WM IMO. Yes, a little more energy on game. That comes at a hefty price of recoil and velocity. Sure the .338 has it's fans, I'm just not one.
It's possible that after using that 7RM for awhile, you may just forget about this topic all together!

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Engine22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
It's possible that after using that 7RM for awhile, you may just forget about this topic all together!

</div></div>

Agreed. 7mm RM should do for anything in this hemisphere with the proper ammunition.

 

[REL1203]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

I've shot some nice 338s, i own 2 300WMs, i see no reason to choose a 338 over a 300WM, or a 7mm Mag honestly.. The recoil of a 338 isnt fun, more expensive to shoot, just doesnt really give you anything you cant get else where.

 

[Apothus]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

I have a 338 WM in a savage platform. Ive pushed it to within 4 inches of an 8inch plate at 1250 yards so its possible to go long with it. I have brake on the gun and had a recoil pad installed. it has less felt recoil then my 30-06 has so its possible to get them to shoot nice and soft. i was shooting 225 gr bullets to get to 1200. Now we are looking to push some higher bc bullets to a mile just cuz the 338WM isnt really thought of as a real long range caliber

 

[2 dogs]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

I have shot the 338 Win mag quite a bit. It absolutely crushed everything I killed with it including Nilgai. It is, on paper, prolly not much more than a 300WM, but I have one of those too and the 338WM hits harder. For killing stuff, under 400 yards, it will just be excellent. I shot my 338WM out some time ago and am now shooting a 338 Lapua on the big S. Texas hogs. The 338WM is a slayer....

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

"one last hunting rifle"


havent we all heard this before

What needs killing with said rifle???


for 400 yards and in, i doubt the critter is going to tell if it got hit with a 338 or 300mag, and i highly doubt a critter is going to tell the difference between a 7mm mag and 300 mag inside of 400

there is alot of redunancy in what you have.

i think i feller could do alot of killing here in NA and plains game with either a 7mm mag or 300 mag, if you need something bigger then get a 375

i would probably sell the 300mag you have and the 7mm mag knowning you

build a bad ass 300 mag on the BAT then have you have a lighter 30-06 and solid 300mag, take the money from the 7mm mag and book an elk hunt.

 

[buckey]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"one last hunting rifle"


havent we all heard this before

What needs killing with said rifle???


for 400 yards and in, i doubt the critter is going to tell if it got hit with a 338 or 300mag, and i highly doubt a critter is going to tell the difference between a 7mm mag and 300 mag inside of 400

there is alot of redunancy in what you have.

i think i feller could do alot of killing here in NA and plains game with either a 7mm mag or 300 mag, if you need something bigger then get a 375

i would probably sell the 300mag you have and the 7mm mag knowning you

build a bad ass 300 mag on the BAT then have you have a lighter 30-06 and solid 300mag, take the money from the 7mm mag and book an elk hunt.

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ShootOne - you are close!!

I am building the "bad-ass" .300 Win Mag or .338 Win mag on the BAT action and selling my Black Ops .300 Win Mag.

I just received my 7MM Mag today from Jon Beanland - its awesome!! I can't wait to get it scoped up & on the range.

 

[B.Bates]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

just wait until you get your BAT, that gun will become your favorite and the 7mm will be up for sale

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Tell me about the .338 Win Mag

The specs of the rifle sound great.

I would pass on the 4x16 PMII. It is just to heavy for the type of rifle you are using and there are better choices to be made. If you want to go all out and save a little money to boot you should put a Swarovski Z6 with the ballistic turret on top and once you have a solid load you can get Swarovski to lazer etch you a cusstom turret for about 100.00. This lets you get rid of that three ring crap the scope comes with and have a sick custom turret. The scope will be lighter and It WILL be optically better than the PMII 4x16. All in all better for hunting.

And just to add on the optically better part. I am Schmidt and Benders biggest fan! I have owned and compared the 4x16 to the 5x25 side by side. Optically the 5x25 was hands down better than the 4x16. That is why I sold both of my 4x16s.