Ruger 338 RCM?

[deltecs]

Does anyone yet have and tried the Ruger 338 RCM?  How long is the case neck and approximate powder capacity?  Anyone having the 300 RCM specs would be close enough for my puposes.

[handirifle]

Here's a pic, not a lot of help.



http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/hornady_110107/ Here's the page it came from, and they say the whole case is cut to 2.015" long (same as 308 Win), so maybe you can get an idea of neck length.

That's the Ruger 375 is next to it.

Here's a quote from another link

"Says Mittelstaedt: "We kept the .338 hull shorter (.308 Winchester length) to accommodate the current crop of cannelured bullets, most of which were designed for the .338 Winchester Magnum." He points out that necks on both RCM rounds are "about .300 inch long. Base-to-shoulder measure on the .338 is thus a tad shorter than on the .300. Case capacities run 68 and 72 grains of water to the mouth. That is, the .338 RCM holds about as much powder as a .338-06."

Here's the link

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/RS_0108_01/

Hope this helps

[deltecs]

Yes, I read the article in my research.  I was a bit interested in the .338 RCM until I found some specs on case capacity and neck length. I think now I'd prefer the .338-06 instead.  Had it been a bit more powder capacity and chambered for standard length actions, I'd rather have the Ruger.  I don't need a .338 Mag and think this round is more than necessary for most hunting.  However, a bit more velocity using 250+ bullets than from a .338-06 case would have peaked my interest in a non belted round.  The current crop of .338 non belted rounds are either substantially more than the .338 Win Mag, equal to the .338-06 or less.  One about midway between the .338-06 and the .338 Win mag is what I was looking for. 

[handirifle]

Why not just go with the 338 Win Mag.  The 338-06 will get about 90% of the Mag level, but the way I look at it, you can load the Win Mag down, but the 338-06 can only go so far up.

I had a 338-06, never hunted with it, but am now building it into a 338 Win Mag.  The power is there if I need it.

Sounds like what you might really want is the Ruger 375 necked down to 338, but that would EXCEED the 338 Win Mag.

[deltecs]

Why not just go with the 338 Win Mag.  The 338-06 will get about 90% of the Mag level, but the way I look at it, you can load the Win Mag down, but the 338-06 can only go so far up.

I had a 338-06, never hunted with it, but am now building it into a 338 Win Mag.  The power is there if I need it.

Sounds like what you might really want is the Ruger 375 necked down to 338, but that would EXCEED the 338 Win Mag.

Actually, what I'm looking for in a head stamped round is the old .333 Rimless Nitro with a base and head diameter of .532 to fit standard length actions.  The case capacity of the .333 is almost identical with the .338.  By a small reduction in base cartridge diameter, it would have a bit less powder, but a larger primer ignition for more efficient burn especially in shorter barrels.  The longer neck would permit a much wider range of bullet weights with a good grip on the bullet against recoil and permit different seating depths for optimal spacing from the lands.  This improves accuracy.  Pressure would be reduced for ballistics equal or slightly above the .338-06, still in a short handling brush rifle.  The longer neck is better for reloaders for neck sizing and case to chamber relationship. 

[Sourdough]

I carry a TCR in .338 Win Mag.  It is a break open single shot, with multiple barrels.  It is the nicest shooting gun I own.  I can down load it for whitetail in Tennessee, and it works just fine.  I then heavy load it for Moose and Grizzly here in Alaska.  This is my main hunting gun during the fall.  Therefore I say go with the .338 Win Mag.

[deltecs]

I carry a TCR in .338 Win Mag.  It is a break open single shot, with multiple barrels.  It is the nicest shooting gun I own.  I can down load it for whitetail in Tennessee, and it works just fine.  I then heavy load it for Moose and Grizzly here in Alaska.  This is my main hunting gun during the fall.  Therefore I say go with the .338 Win Mag.

I find nothing wrong with the .338 Win mag's ballistics.  As a reloader though, I don't like the short neck.  When reloading heavier bullets, they extend way down into the powder column to keep overall length in the magazine.  With a rimless case, the capacity would be nearly the same, giving similar ballistics and still have plenty of neck for heavy for caliber bullets within overall length in a standard action, much like the Dakota but less powerful.  I think this would be a near ideal round for hunting Alaska.  I like .338 bore and bullets on game.  I'm just not wild about the .338 Win mags design. 

[Coyote Hunter]

The .338 RCM will prove to be a fine cartridge.   At the end of the day it provides a lot of power in a short and very handy rifle.  The question is how well will it be accepted.

From a performance standpoint it easily surpasses the .338 Federal and most .338-06 load data.

My preference would have been a .338 based on the full-length .375 Ruger case and perhaps we shall still see such an offering.

[handirifle]

The .338 RCM will prove to be a fine cartridge.   At the end of the day it provides a lot of power in a short and very handy rifle.  The question is how well will it be accepted.

From a performance standpoint it easily surpasses the .338 Federal and most .338-06 load data.

My preference would have been a .338 based on the full-length .375 Ruger case and perhaps we shall still see such an offering.

I agree with you.  It also removes the "belt" issues of the Win Mag for reloading.  And beltless rounds tend to feed smoother.