375 jdj vs. 300 WM

[mudriver]

Here's a good Chevy vs. Ford one for ya.

I'm thinking about an Elk rig (don't know when I'll actually hunt one) and am considering getting a 375 jdj barrel for my contender or just go out and get an encore with 300 Win Mag.  I would get both braked since I'm a sissy.  I definitely don't need both.  I've heard from friends that Elk hunt that they typically hit Elk at 400+ yards so I don't think the 375 will handle that.  In fact I'm not sure what will = .338-06?

I'm not sure if there is a cost difference because even though I don't have an encore frame yet, I do have all the 300 mag reloading stuff.  I would start from scratch with the jdj.

I'd appreciate any opinions that I can lay awake at night and consider.

[Jerry J]

I have an Encore frame a G2 frame and a Contender frame. I just love the G2 frame that made the decision for me a 338JDJ. Pros and Cons Encore will be a little bit heavier not by much but it is different. The 300 mag will not be as efficient with the 15" bbl it was designed for a long tube. The 375JDJ was designed for the Contender and works well in that venue. The 375JDJ has taken everything on the planet in a Contender!!
You can now buy factory rounds in the 375JDJ but you are not going to find them at every gunshop, you reload so dies will be your only major expense, much less than the cost of a Encore frame put the difference into a good scope. Let us know what you pick.  Jerry J

[clodbuster]

mudriver,  I just gotta ask since I'm here in Missouri.  Are you a mud river
 or an M  U  Driver?   Back on your question.  Yes you can sometimes find an elk out there at 400 yards,  but I consider that a hell of a shot with a rifle and less than a great game animal like the wapiti deserves.  Even a high speed cartridge like 7 mm mags drop around 4 feet at 400 yds when zeroed for 250.  What would a low aero bullet like 375 at much lower velocity drop?   Every shot would have to be ranged with a laser just to get close.  Just one man's opinion.

[KYODE]

i think both are good choices, but i just traded for a 26" 300 win mag barrel for my encore. only thing is............i'm having it cut/recrowned at 16 1/2" to use as a handgun. :eek:  i'll use the rifle forearm also.

should get it from the smith this week sometime, but may be a while getting it set up and going.

i'm like you.......don't know when/if i'll hunt elk.......but i'll be prepared if i do. :grin:  Ky. has an elk restocking program, and they are drawing tags for hunting them now. until then i'll just use it for an ocassional deer....and just anytime i've been a "bad boy"....i can take it out and punish myself.

400 yards is a bit far in my opinion, but a man has to know his own limitations. :wink:

[mudriver]

Clodbuster - I live on the Mud River in West Virginia.  I'm lucky that I've got my own range and plenty of game to harvest - but no Elk.  Maybe I'll get to hunt some near Kyode! (Kyode, where in KY are you?  I probably drove past your place this morning .)

I think I agree that 400 yards is too far.  Sounds like the 300 WM might be a little bit of overkill.  Would a 300 WSM be any better?  30-06 Improved?

Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to get a new gun :-D

[KYODE]

i'm a couple miles out of greenup ky.(rt 23) and about 20 miles south of ashland.

although the 300 win mag is a rather large handgun caliber, i don't think it's "excessive" for elk. i would expect approximately 30-06 rifle balistics from that short barrel.

30-06AI might be a good one to try also. recoil with any of these big 30's will be stiff i'd think. the 375jdj in an encore should be very managable by others descriptions of it.

[jhalcott]

If a guy can go out and kill an Elk with a BOW and arrow,I suspect he's a LOT closer than 400 steps! They call it hunting for a reason. Many Elk are taken each year with regular old rounds that MY grampa used. Talk with your guide/ outfitter about getting within 200 yards.Practice out to 200+ yards and you'll get your Elk.
   Besides, It's like the classic Antelope shot,most are taken under 200yards.The hunter has to say it was further or he might lose face!

[mudriver]

Hey Kyode, we're about an hour apart.  I live outside of Milton.  If you ever want to blast some lead in WV, let me know.

Thanks for the input.  I'll start saving my pennies! :roll:

[Duffy]

I've been hashing this around too and have pretty much decided on the 338JDJ#2. It has most of the power of the 375 and less recoil. (I don't want a brake) If you look at the ballistics of most of the available handgun heavy hitters you'll find that they pretty much limit you to around 200 yards. Now that's for what I consider a humane kill on a elk type animal. Now others may argue and consider smaller calibers and longer shots but I prefer to get close and do a good job rather than make the "long shot" and then spend half the day/night looking for a wounded animal. Plus theres always the factor of someone else tagging your animal before you get there!  

Just my 2 cents

[mudriver]

How fast will a 338JDJ #2 push a bullet?  Are these based on the 444 cases?  Are they difficult to form?  Just curious.  I've been leaning toward an Encore in 30-06 (maybe 30-06jdj) to push 180g pills out to 300 yards and still drop a decent sized critter.

Can't say i disagree with your logic about range.  Here in WV I got a real long shot last year with my .44 at 130 yards.  About the longest shot you can take around here.

[Duffy]

Check out the SSK site. It's the same as the 375 and 309 all based on the 444. I think the 250 runs around 2100 and the 225 is upward of 2250 or so. Some have said that it can be a bit better. Brass is formed in the sizing die, loaded and then fireformed. There's a test on it in the Hangun Hunter Mag.(cant find my link right now) The main reason I was thinking about it was that it can be shot without a brake. If you don't mind having a brake and want some horsepower check out the 338-06 JDJ, it's right up there with the 338 win-mag.

Ryan

[JC]

I would have to opt for the 338#2 from what you have mentioned. I have to agree that 400 yards would be exptreme with a pistol and for alot of guys with a rifle. Just cause you can doesn't mean you should. I have read up on the 338#2 and it seems to be IMO better in North America than the 375 JDJ. My two cents worth, after I have piched pennies to go bust an elk, I am takeing my Sako Trg-S in 338 Lapua. :sniper: