Mo' Thump

[Squeeze]

I have a 300 WSM, that I won at a DU Banquet, so I have a "elk" rifle.  I have other
rifles capable(30-06 Sprg, 308 Win, 25-06 Rem), but I really want something bigger
than a .30 cal rifle.  If for no other reason to have it.  I will be doing some western
hunts, in the future, so there will be a use for this rifle then.  First I have considered
the 325 WSM, but there just is not that much more there, over the 300 WSM.
So I think I have settled on getting a 338 Magnum.  Now is it the very common
338 WIn Mag, or the 338 RUM?  I handload, so ammo availability, and cost,
are not issues.  I might moose, or bison, hunt in the future, so getting a 200 gr.
or heavier .338 cal bullet over 3000 fps, would be preferred.  I see the 338 WM,
is a stretch, with a couple of powders reaching that magic mark, for 200 gr. bullets,
but it can do it.  So tell my what details would have you select one over the other.

As kind of a side note, the .340 Weatherby isn't in the running because I am not
a fan of Weatherby rifles.  No offense intended towards Weatherby fans, I
just do not like the way they feel in my hands.  

Squeeze

[Ramrod]

There is no really big jump in performance going from the .300 to the .338 Win Mag with 200 grain bullets. The .338 really shines with the heavier 250 grain slugs. That said, if you want alot Mo' thump you can always move on up to the .375 H&H. :lol:

[Don Fischer]

Well I really don't think your gonna like this. Ya want "Mo thump", get closer. Now if you just want a new rifle, I've had two 338 Win Mags. and they are powerfull. I used mostly 225 gr bullet's and they give more recoil than I care to deal with anymore.

[beemanbeme]

What does a bullet do at 3000fps that it doesn't do at 2800?  If I were shooting a .338 (one fine elk cartridge IMO, but more than you truely need) I think I'd prefer the 250 @2600+ fps or the 225 @2800fps.  If I were gonna shot a 200, I'd take a 300WM.

[Redhawk1]

I would have to say, go to the 375H&H. For no other reason than just to say you have one.    And you will get your Thump.  :-D

[Don Fischer]

I don't know if they make it anymore, but, Speer used to make a 275 gr bullet that they claimed could reach 2600 fps. Now that's awful close to the 375 285 gr load. And, you can still drop down as far as a 185 gr Nosler if you want. But I too have no idea why anyone would want to turn a 338 into a 300 mag?

[Squeeze]

The 375 did come to mind, but then I was tempted to consider the 375 RUM.  Then
I started to imagine the Mo' Thump on my shoulder, and decided that was probably
Mo Thump than I wanted to stand behind

Thanks for the thoughts.  I was looking at the .338 with Barnes bullets in mind.
For instance, in the 300 WSM, my elk round will be the 165 gr TSX bullet.
I usually step down a notch or two with the Barnes bullets, due to their tough
construction.  In my .308 Wins, I shoot the 130 gr. and even that is probably
too much bullet for northern Whitetails, judging from the tissue damage this
bullet creates.  There is nothing that a 2800 fps bullet won't do than a 3000 fps
bullet will do, in my mind.  I just have these velocity points in my head, and
like a bunch of other nonsense, it drives my purchases.  

I still haven't come to a conclusion, but since the 338 RUM is only chambered in
a one Remington model right now, and no other factory rifles, I am leaning
towards the 338 WM.  Like I said, this is more of a "to have" rifle than a "need"
rifle, and I either may want to trade it after I get some sense knocked into me,
with the 338 recoil, or I could re-barrel it into some new and fascinating
caliber.  Again thanks for the replies.

Squeeze

[Lawdog]

I have a 300 WSM, that I won at a DU Banquet, so I have a "elk" rifle.  I have other
rifles capable(30-06 Sprg, 308 Win, 25-06 Rem), but I really want something bigger
than a .30 cal rifle.  If for no other reason to have it.  I will be doing some western
hunts, in the future, so there will be a use for this rifle then.  First I have considered
the 325 WSM, but there just is not that much more there, over the 300 WSM.
So I think I have settled on getting a 338 Magnum.  Now is it the very common
338 WIn Mag, or the 338 RUM?  I handload, so ammo availability, and cost,
are not issues.  I might moose, or bison, hunt in the future, so getting a 200 gr.
or heavier .338 cal bullet over 3000 fps, would be preferred.  I see the 338 WM,
is a stretch, with a couple of powders reaching that magic mark, for 200 gr. bullets,
but it can do it.  So tell my what details would have you select one over the other.

As kind of a side note, the .340 Weatherby isn't in the running because I am not
a fan of Weatherby rifles.  No offense intended towards Weatherby fans, I
just do not like the way they feel in my hands.  

Squeeze

My only problem with the .338 RUM is it is only available in one rifle(Remington  :cry:  ) and one model(M700 XCR).  Anything else means a custom rifle.  If your going to go the custom route than there are lots of fine cartridges out there.  But for me I would go with the .338 Win. Mag. over the RUM.  Main reason is availability of factory should anything ever happen to your reloads(I had that happen to me one time).  As far as you not being a fan of Weatherby rifles no offense taken.  You can have a .340 and not have it be a Weatherby rifle.  A friend of mine has one built on a Win. M70  that works just great.  Lawdog