700P in 300WM or Savage 338LM?

[sierracharlie338]

So I'm looking at buying a new "project" and can't decide. I am torn between the Remy 700P in 300 Win Mag and the Savage FCP in 338 both are around the same price point. Let me explain the reason for difference in caliber. A) the 700P in 338 is twice as expensive as the 300. B) I've wanted a 338 forever but the 300 is a close second and unlike some folk really love my savage rifles

Now before spouting out cost of ammo and whatnot, I reload so in the end cost of ammo isn't a factor since ill save over buying factory.

Now for uses. I want a long range (longer than my 308s) for mainly target/steel/paper but I am planning an elk hunt with my old man in the next few years so its secondary purpose will be hunting. On the topic of long range I'm talking 1000+. I can shoot 1000 all day with my 308s and want something to push out to hopefully a mile.

So with that being said let the opinions begin.



Thanks


Sierracharlie out....

 

[Beluebow]

For 1000+ and a Elk hammer go 338.

 

[Hunt4life]

Based on your info the .338.

 

[backyardsniper]

I have had a few 338 and ended up going back to 300win easier to source components in bulk since a i shoot a 308 as well. But, that being said I will own a 338 again someday they are truly an awesome round, and if you have never owned on I say go for it

 

[broylz]

there seems to be a lot of extras in the savage 338 for the price. same reason I went with a savage 10fcp-sr over a 5r milspec.

one thing I will say, for what its worth, is I mentioned shooting a savage 338 on a different forum and was warned that they have seen a few issues with the guns not holding up. I would do plenty of research.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Thanks for the replies so far!

one thing I will say, for what its worth, is I mentioned shooting a savage 338 on a different forum and was warned that they have seen a few issues with the guns not holding up. I would do plenty of research.

Can you be specific on how they weren't holding up?



Sierracharlie out....

 

[Graham]

My thoughts:

For hunting, a .300 is all you need for elk, and inside of 500 a .308 will do nicely. But for armored elk, or elk making use of urban obstacles for cover, or elk at 1200-1500 yards, the .338 trumps.

If you buy that .338 you probably won't end up using it that much, and you certainly won't use it enough to get to know it very well.

As for the .300WM, 1700 yards is achievable, but you will need to set it up for the correct bullet if you want to shoot effectively at a mile.

All tolled: At 1000 yards and under .300WM is a more practical choice, you will use it more, and it will be more fun and cheaper to shoot.

 

[broylz]

Thanks for the replies so far!


Can you be specific on how they weren't holding up?



Sierracharlie out....

this is what I got from a couple replies to a mention of shooting the 110FCP 338LM in the savage stock...

"Beware the Savage in .338. Been hearing bad things about the setup coming apart. ohmy.gif "

"Me, too. Last student that showed up with one, we couldn't get it zeroed, with several different scopes. We ran out of windage and it was still 4" right at 25yds! "

and the guy that was shooting it had an obvious flinch and had too much gun or not enough experience or both.

like I said, for what its worth. that's all I heard either way.

 

[broylz]

I have been doing a bit more internet searching and all I can find is scope base screws being too long and sticky bolt issues. what I was told to beware of could be a single incident or a story from someone who heard something from someone who knows someone... not really sure.

 

[Beluebow]

IMO the Rem and Savage action is a poor choice for a 338lm.While both are safely within the pressure limits of the 338 the amount of bolt thrust and flex within the actions themselves creates extraction problems.Alot Savage/Rem shooters have "cured" this by going to Lapua brass over say Hornady where ya have to beat the bolt open to extract.Obviously Remington knows theres a problems since they went to the m16 style extractor on the 338lm.

In conversations with other smiths and one action maker,,Surgeon/Bat/AI and possible a few other custom action builders have built the proper platform for the 338 IMHO.

 

[sierracharlie338]

IMO the Rem and Savage action is a poor choice for a 338lm.While both are safely within the pressure limits of the 338 the amount of bolt thrust and flex within the actions themselves creates extraction problems.Alot Savage/Rem shooters have "cured" this by going to Lapua brass over say Hornady where ya have to beat the bolt open to extract.Obviously Remington knows theres a problems since they went to the m16 style extractor on the 338lm.

In conversations with other smiths and one action maker,,Surgeon/Bat/AI and possible a few other custom action builders have built the proper platform for the 338 IMHO.

I have seen this suggested many times. Although I dont know anyone personally that has the savage, I have yet to find anything that suggests its not worth buying.

Basically I'm looking for rifle that at most would need a stock replacement (or bedding) that I can shoot fairly quickly, meaning slap a scope on it and start developing a load.


Sierracharlie out....

 

[Beluebow]

Certainly didn't mean to imply it wasn't worth buying just some food for thought is all.

 

[sierracharlie338]

It wasn't taken that way although I have heard it other places.

In all honesty I'm being a cheap ass because I'm in the middle of another build in a smaller caliber (that is a custom build) but want scratch my big caliber itch.


Sierracharlie out....

 

[ArmyJerry]

get teh savage in 300 wm or in 338, you can build a savage in the garage, new barrel if needed. For extractors, the first thing I do to every Savage I have is replace the extractor with the Sharp Shooter Supply upgrade, before I even shoot the rifle it gets replaced, cost is like $15 and they extract better than my 700's. If you are buying the Savage from a store, bore sight it at the store with your scope before you bring it home or pay for it. Check in over to savage shooters forum, there are some good threads on the BA.

 

[cypriss32]

I was in this same choice 300win or 338. I decided to rock the 300win. It's just all around alot cheaper to build. I will be shooting 210-230gr bullets. The 230s are .7 bc.... That's a killer. Sent all my parts off to gap.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I was in this same choice 300win or 338. I decided to rock the 300win. It's just all around alot cheaper to build. I will be shooting 210-230gr bullets. The 230s are .7 bc.... That's a killer. Sent all my parts off to gap.

What kind of wait time you looking at?


Sierracharlie out....

 

[JesseSB]

but want scratch my big caliber itch.


Sierracharlie out....

Sounds like it won't be scratched until you have a 338 LM.

I'm a 700 guy but bought a 110 BA in 338 to scratch my itch. I put a NF on it and have shot it out to 1000 with great results. Haven't found a place to take it out to 1760 yet.

I'm shooting Lapua brass and have had zero problems with extracting. I'm shooting 300 g SMK's and it loves them. I just got some 300 g VLD's and look forward to seeing how they compare. I originally thought my Savage purchase would be a stop gap/itch scratcher until I could put the funds together for a, "better" 338 build, but I'm loving it. It has done all I have asked it to do without a single issue. We'll see...

 

[JB02]

I advise you to get the 300 WM, but then you'll need to change your name to "sierracharlie300". I thought you had a 338 LM or some other big 338 magnum. If you don't want to change your profile then I guess you know what I think you should do.

The Savage 338 looks like a better deal than the Remington 338.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I advise you to get the 300 WM, but then you'll need to change your name to "sierracharlie300". I thought you had a 338 LM or some other big 338 magnum. If you don't want to change your profile then I guess you know what I think you should do.

The Savage 338 looks like a better deal than the Remington 338.

Haha I actually had one for a month and shot 40 rounds through it before I had to sell it to pay medical bills. It's was a fun gun for sure.


Sierracharlie out....

 

[cypriss32]

IDK it says 3 months being I provided ALL parts needed! But I dont care 3 or 6 who cares.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Dang that ain't bad


Sierracharlie out....

 

[Kreeper]

338 lm in remy or savage. It will do its part as long as you do yours.