What kind of accuracy do you get out of your 338 win mag barrel?

[teddy12b]

What kind of accuracy do you get out of your 338 win mag barrel?  If a guy were to get one for longer shooting would be be better off going with the pro-hunter barrel over the regular 26"?  I'm just curious because I ran into one an old gray haired elk hunter yesterday and he didn't think much of anything less than a 300 win mag or 338 win mag for elk hunting. He did say inside of 300 yards a 30-06 is fine but he also mentioned that he'd seen a few that were hit good go running off.  I think I can trust an old gray haired hunter more than today's magazine writers so I'm thinking a 338 win mag barrel may be in the future if I ever go on an elk hunt.  Any friendly opinions on this?

[Grumulkin]

Since I've never shot an Encore in 338 Win. Mag. take this for what it's worth.  I was waiting for someone with 338 Win. Mag. experience to answer you but it appears it's not going to happen soon.  I have shot Encores in a variety of calibers including 375 H&H Magnum and accuracy has been good in all (about 1.5 to 2 MOA for the 375 H&H Mag. barrel.  You should be able to do at least that well with a 338 Win. Mag.

I think by far the majority would agree that a 338 Win. Mag. is quite sufficient for elk.  As far as lesser cartridges not being sufficient, I disagree.  Even relatively light cartridges like the 257 Roberts will take elk consistently if the ranges are reasonable, bullets are good and the bullets are placed accurately in vital organs.

Magazine writers get to hunt a lot more than most of us and try a wide variety of firearms and cartridges.  Not to say some old elk hunter doesn't know what he is talking about, but said hunter may be speaking from personal bias, may not have much knowledge of ammunition and ballistics and may not be as experienced as the magazine writer.

[Keith L]

I bought some muzzle-loaders a couple years ago from a magazine writer, and after getting the guns found he had written a lengthy review after only firing one shot from one of the guns (and not cleaning it afterwords).  He even included a picture of the one shot he took, and a picture of the target with a three shot group shown.  He cut the other two in.  When confronted with this he admitted it.  Since then I have not been nearly as impressed with the data in magazines as I had been.  I know they are not all like that, but now I wonder.

The writer I am referring to is now in prison for fraud.  He defrauded a local with a "deal" on collectible rifles that didn't exist.

[Grumulkin]

Since then I have not been nearly as impressed with the data in magazines as I had been.

I'm more impressed with the date in some magazines than in others.  The American Rifleman, for instance, in all gun tests clearly states how many shots were fired and the range.  I believe five, five shot groups at 100 yards, which if I remember correctly is how they test rifles, is a fair test of accuracy.  Guns & Ammo, on the other hand, lists group sizes but usually omits other data such as range and number of shots.  I also detest the tendency of some writers who dismiss "fliers" as not being the fault of the gun, blather on about how 4 inch groups are good enough for deer (maybe true but irrelevant to accuracy questions) and feel qualified to discuss the merits of a gun's accuracy after only a few shots with it in fairly casual conditions.

On the other hand, gray haired old timers can be opinionated, don't do controlled tests on firearms, etc. either.  Just because they're gray haired doesn't mean they know what they're talking about.

[Keith L]

Some of us old timers are no haired and opinionated.

[teddy12b]

I have found the best advise I usually ever get is from the old gray haired guys.  Not because they know it all, but because they've been around long enough to try different things and simply know what works.

[kudzu]

I bought a 338wm pro hunter barrel last year, for a back up to my sendero 300rum , for last years elk hunt. Didn't have long to play before I left and with the first scope being bad, cut my time down more. Here are my results.
All groups were shot at 100 yds.
Fed speer hotcores 225gr.  1.5'' groups
Fed noslor Accubond 225gr  2''groups
Fed nos. part. 210gr.  3'' groups.

Although not bad, not what I was expecting with all my other PH barrels shooting much better. Have not messed with since. Will try a few things to see if I can get it a little better. Will probally stay with the 225 accubonds. Have others for 200gr and under. If I can't make the fac. shoot with then I will go to the bench.This barrel will most likely only be used for elk or hopfully an Alasken bear hunt. If I can get to MOA I will be satisfied. Will still use the the 300rum for the long work as my last 2, 3 shot groups at 300yards were 1 1/4 c2c. This is with handloaded 200accubonds over 92.5gr RL25.

Hope this helps, DM