338 Winchester Magnum

[dannyfro]

I have always been intrigued by the 338-06 as well, as it is so efficient. It is accurate and kicks rather mild. The 338 Federal also sparked my interest.

Dan

[yooper77]

I have always been intrigued by the 338-06 as well, as it is so efficient. It is accurate and kicks rather mild. The 338 Federal also sparked my interest.

Dan

Here is and article on the 338-06 by Finn Aagaard.
 
http://nitroexpress.info/ezine/NickuduFiles/Members-PDF/Aagaard-338-06.pdf
 
I also like the 338 Federal too.
 
yooper77

[LanceR]

A good powder for reduced loads in many applications Hodgdon H4895.  It can be loaded down to 60% of the max charge of any load it is listed for and still give uniform ignition, pressure and velocity.  Hit the "DATA" link on the Hodgdon home page for reduced data info.  There's also an article at:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_H4895.htm

The loads listed on Hodgdon's reduced load page are all designed to cleanly take deer at 200 yards or more.

338-06 and 338 WM brass are usually about the same price- $0.80 each or twice what 30-06 brass costs.  It is a lot less $ than 300 RUM, though.

A good option to tame recoil in a 338 is to get a BAR Safari model.  The weight and gas action result in most shooters sensing about a 30% drop in perceived recoil.

Lance

[yooper77]

A good powder for reduced loads in many applications Hodgdon H4895.  It can be loaded down to 60% of the max charge of any load it is listed for and still give uniform ignition, pressure and velocity.

338-06 and 338 WM brass are usually about the same price- $0.80 each or twice what 30-06 brass costs.  It is a lot less $ than 300 RUM, though.
Lance

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

No need to purchase high dollar 338-06 A-Square brass, since its easily made from running a 30-06 Springfield case through a 338-06 A-Square full length sizing die and no fire forming required.
 
yooper77

[dannyfro]

Makes it more pleasurable to shoot when its not breaking the bank. Thanks for the reading material Yooper.

Dan

[1911crazy]

I been using the 30-06 since 1973.  In '94 i wanted something bigger and badder power wise.  I wanted to get away from the 30cals too.  I chose the 338win mag because of its 4,000ft lbs @ muzzle and the 2,700ft lbs @ 200yds thats the muzzle energy of a 30-06 @ 200yds.  I purchased a new remington 700 in 338wm.  benchrested @ 100yds using 225gr winchester super x ammo i can put two rounds thru one hole the gun is that accurate.  It picks up blackbears and slams them down.  I have no fear of anything when i'm hunting with the 338wm. I don't carry a side arm anymore too.

[dannyfro]

Sounds like you found the winning formula. Its a great balance of power and trajectory.

Dan

[mcwoodduck]

Sounds like you found the winning formula. Its a great balance of power and trajectory.

Dan

If you look at the ballistics and compare a 338 WM to the 375H&H
Hands down the H&H round has the edge out to 200 yards and then a strange thing happens, the 338 has more energy and speed, trajectory is flatter. 
I own both and the 338 is easier to shoot and flys flatter and because of the recoil I do not mind shooting the 338 WM off the bench or prone.  Something that hurts with the 375 H&H.

[dannyfro]

I've shot both the 338 Win Mag and the 375 H&H and I shot my 300 RUM side by side with the 375 H&H in a Remington 700 XCR and I have to say to my surprise I found my RUM to have sharper recoil. I thought the 338 was very comfortable for the power your getting.

Dan

[RevJim]

 I agree, a 300 RUM is much sharper in recoil than a .338 WM. In fact, the only rifle that was a true beast in .338 was a friends early '80s Model 70. It just had too much drop in the heel, and was pretty light. It was bru-tell, ha. I've had custom LW rifles in .338 to .340 W that wasn't as painful. I find the 338 RUM is another great round. But the 338 WM has been around so long, you can find ammo for it too in many out of the way places, especially elk country and up north. Good luck to you Pard!

[grizzlyadams1874]

i realize this is an old thread, but i have and old model 70 in 338 as well as a custom 29 inch heavy barrel for my encore.  i dont shoot the 70 anymore but i love the encore setup. i didn't think that a larger bore gun could be as accurate as this one is! another one that surprised me is the 375 h&h setup on the same gun. they are both accurate enough to go wood chucking with,though it would get expensive!

[mcwoodduck]

i realize this is an old thread, but i have and old model 70 in 338 as well as a custom 29 inch heavy barrel for my encore.  i dont shoot the 70 anymore but i love the encore setup. i didn't think that a larger bore gun could be as accurate as this one is! another one that surprised me is the 375 h&h setup on the same gun. they are both accurate enough to go wood chucking with,though it would get expensive!

The 338 Off the bench is OK but my 375 H&H off the bench hurts.  Once sighted in I only shoot it standing and will only let someone shoot the 375 off hand for the forst shot.  But both off the bench are taking a cap off a two liter soda bottle.

[grizzlyadams1874]

they are ok, want to have some fun... bench a 460 weatherby! 

[dannyfro]

Along with the bank loan your gonna need to shoot it!

Dan

[Drilling Man]

they are ok, want to have some fun... bench a 460 weatherby! 

  I have and i found the .378 Wby. to be worse!
 
  DM

[grizzlyadams1874]

i have not had the pleasure... or lack thereof, of shooting the 378 yet

[Ron T.]

Whats been your experience on game? I am sure it was lethal but just curious as far as ranges and terminal performance. Thanks for your reply.

Dan

*************************************************************************

Rifle used:  Customized pre-'64 Model 70 Winchester with a 26-inch barrel in .338 Winchester Magnum purchased in August, 1960, serial #4654xx.

Longest shot... (in 1962) mule deer buck shot from one side of a "hill" in the mountains of Colorado across a small valley to the facing side of the next "hill"... range = 425 yards (estimated) ... bullet was a 200 grain Hornady Spire-Point in front of 75 grains of IMR4350.  Muzzle velocity approximately 3050 fps according to a popular reloading manual.  Bullet drop verified the estimated range.  Bullet lost due to a complete "shoot through".

Largest game taken... (in 1965)... moose with a 5 foot+ antler spread on a fly-in float plane trip into an unnamed lake in northern Canada.  Guide estimated weight at 1500 pounds (I think he was trying to "butter me up"), I'd guess weight at 1100-1200 pounds... ended up with 750 lbs of tough, ground-up "moose-burgers".  Bullet was a 210 grain Nosler Partition Bullet in front of 75 grains of IMR4350.  Muzzle velocity approximately 3020 fps.  Instant kill (neck shot, vertebrae powdered).  Bullet recovered... weight: 148.6 grains (approx. 71%)... perfectly "mushroomed" back to "belt".

Undoubtedly one of the finest "medium" bore calibers available, but recoil (even in my Model 70 which weighs 10½ pounds including scope and sling) was always severe and unpleasant when shooting my "hot" handloads off the "bench-rest"... and I am not "recoil-brittle".  The above loads yielded 3-shot groups at about 1 inch at 100 yards.

Opinion:  The .338 magnum is more "rifle" than necessary for most North American big game with the exception of the "big bears".  Rifle "retired" in 2001.  Replaced by NRA 98%, 1953 Model 99 Savage in .300 Savage caliber (deer hunting only in Pennsylvania).  Hunting load:  150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet in front of 40.8 grains of H4895.
Chronographed muzzle velocity =  2635 fps with maximum deviation of 3 fps (+1 fps/-2 fps).  Accuracy (3-shot group): .112 inches @ 50 yards.

Added (2006):  Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI"-Mannlicher-style stock, 20-inch barrel, 39-inches overall length) in 7x57mm (purchased because I always wanted one and finally gave into the "lust").
Current accuracy load:  47.2 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain Sierra, flat-based ProHunter bullet =  .176 inches (3-shot group)
Current hunting load (still under development):  50.0 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain Sierra, flat-based ProHunter bullet =
.404 inches (3 shot group) @ 50 yards.  Muzzle velocity (estimated - based on chronographed lesser powder charges) = 2785 fps.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[dannyfro]

Nothing wrong with those results! Sounds like sir have had more than a few once in a lifetime moments. Thanks for your insight it is much appreciated.

Dan