338 Win Mag

[Mike0341]

sorry i tried using the sear function on here and everything from 1911 mags for sale and even posts I've written in the last few days (none of which talked about 338 win mag) came up.

i tried to google it and pretty much only subjects in regards to hunting came up about how its pretty affective against large game due to the heavier bullet.

anyway i came across this because i was looking on savages website because I'm buying my wife a model 11 hog hunter in 223 as her first centerfire rifle and wanted to look around a bit. i noticed the same rifle comes in 338 Win and since i have no prior exp or knowledge of this caliber i figure i would try to put my google-fu skills to use just to find out my google-fu sucks when it comes to this subject.

anyway from what I've been reading and correct me if I'm wrong is that the 338 in that 20 inch barrel isn't going to be very accurate at long range and that caliber barrel choice would MIGHT likely be better suited for what the name of the rifle implies "hog hunter" which to me means "close range brush gun". so you have a big bullet in a small easy to carry package kinda like a safari rifle used in africa or something i guess.

now my question is if put into a 22-24 inch barrel is this caliber a good choice for 600-1000 yard shots when compared to a 300 win mag. i figure the 338 will fight the wind better but does it have the velocity to carry that heavy round out to 100 and keep a good group.

the 300 win mag ammo is most likely easier to find (an assumption of course since I've never actually went to the store looking for i used to own a 300 win along time ago and ammo was pretty easy to find at the store).

thanks in advance and once again I'm sorry that i couldn't get this figured out with my google-fu. ill continue searching though

Mike

 

[redbullitt]

Re: 338 Win Mag

Lots of guys shoot 16 inch 308 winchester to 1k. Dont worry about barrel length. You lose velocity, but not accuracy in a quality barrel. However, mag calibers generally do perform much better by getting higher velocities with more barrel though. Read up on it, you might be surprised what a short 308 or short 300 mag can do.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/338WinMag.htm

I don't see why you couldnt use that caliber, but I dont think it would be my first choice though due to recoil. There are simply other rounds that I would pick.

Were I you, I would look into something in 7mm, 260 rem, etc. Very nice ballistics and much lower recoil.

 

[Mike0341]

Re: 338 Win Mag

thanks for the advice. i have a 20 inch 308 that performs well and I've seen the 18s due just as good or better. i was mainly wondering how the 338 win compares to the 300 win in terms of capabilities at long range (600-1000).

I'm not tech savvy when it comes to load data but i kinda understood the information in the link. part of me wants to build a 300 win because i used to have one and i loved it when i was a kid (well 16 or so and I'm 28 now) and part of me wants to move on and try something new. as for recoil I plan to get a brake for it so that wouldn't be an issue.

thanks for the info. ill keep practicing my google-fu
Mike

 

[Ironmanms]

Re: 338 Win Mag

Also look at the 300 blackout, great hog gun!

 

[Mike0341]

Re: 338 Win Mag

yea i know the blackout is a good hog round but not exactly what I'm interested in. i shoot hogs with my SOCOM 16 and it works. just interested in which round is more accurate out of the 338 win and 300 win at long range. i know 300 win is more popular from what i can tell (seeing as how no one seems to have any info regarding long range accuracy out of a 338 win).

ill continue my google search and hopefully find something useful

thanks
Mike

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: 338 Win Mag

What are you going to be shooting at 1000 yards?

If you're shooting paper, there are cheaper cartridges with a lot less recoil.

 

[42N8 1]

Re: 338 Win Mag

300 win mag will actually have better velocity and muzzle energy than the 338 win mag past 500 meters.

 

[Mike0341]

Re: 338 Win Mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wspe1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">300 win mag will actually have better velocity and muzzle energy than the 338 win mag past 500 meters. </div></div>

thanks.

as for recoil and cost of ammo I'm not worried about it.

but it seems to be a crap round for long range

thanks
mike

 

[lestersurv]

Re: 338 Win Mag

Barrel length isn't a primary factor in "accuracy". Benchrest competitors mostly opt for a 20-22" tube for harmonic reasons. Velocity loss might be a factor in retention of sonic+ velocities. Don't want to have your rounds slowing below sonic/1000fps because once they do tumbling & other effects can occur.

No problem with the .338win. You get Way Better flexibility for bullet seating compared to almost all other .338 rounds. Not as much velocity, comparatively, but still plenty enough. Not as "flat shooting" as the whiz-bang magnum flavor of the week, but still enough...

Learn to shoot with your trajectory curve, get a decent scope w/plenty elevation and enjoy muct better barrel life and a finely accurate ctg. I would go 24" barrel minimum. Lots of valid reasons to prefer the .338win over any of the larger magnums.

Might also look at the .338/284. Essentially the same as a .338-06 but shorter case so you get all the neck and bullet seating advantages. Velocity isn't the only factor to consider...

 

[TheBroke1]

Re: 338 Win Mag

I use an old Rem. 700 in the 338 win. mag and have been shooting one for over 30 years my barrel length is 22" coupled with a sheppard scope this gun can and will do anything you ask of it and more to 1000meters and beyond, Recoil is less than some of the 300win mag loads available, You can also use some of the newer bullets out there and have an exellent target competition gun my old 700 will shoot sub .375" groups out to 500meters day in and out. It is just a stock model 700 remington BDL out of the box with no muzzlebrake just a good recoil pad. Mine has taken everything from coyote to elk and LARGE Bear and will do it all with one well placed shot with a good bullet. I have a minumum of 10,000rds threw mine and its still going strong. As for the sheppard scope the 338 win mag can be loaded to match this scopes reticle exactly out to 1000yds and their good glass with a built in rangefinding reticle there hard to beat and the glass and warrenty are better than Leupold's.
TheBroke1