Author Topic: Which 338? (Read 1154 times)

Skeptic10787 · « **on:** April 22, 2006, 08:44:57 AM »

So I'm thinking of a new rifle primarily for PA bear and possibly an elk hunt in the future. I want to go with either a Tikka T3 Hunter, or a Browning A-bolt hunter. Though I don't have much experience, I've formed a soft spot for the 338 caliber after a hunting buddy showed me his stats on, and let me shoot, his custom encore in 338-06. The catch of course being that neither Tikka nor Browning chamber the round.
So here's the question. Tikka chambers the 338 Federal, which isn't far behind the 338-06... or I could get either rifle in 338WM, and handload down to 338-06 velocities, and still have the ability to load standard mag velocities if I wanted. Like the saying goes... you can load as far down as you want (within reason), but you can't load as far up as you want.

Would I be losing a significant amount with the 338 federal? Are belted mags really that much more difficult to handload than standard rounds? I already have a 30-06 that I can load for darn near any critter than moves... would either 338 even be worth spending the money on a new gun, or should I concentrate on using the money for some more practical toys?

jbadams66 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2006, 11:23:25 AM »

If you really like the 338-06 the cheapest way to build one would be a savage (stevens) rifle in .30-06 or any cartridge based on it and rebarrel it.

You can get a new stevens 200 for about 250-300, the barrel cost about $120 and the tools would be about $60 and you could sell them and the origianl barrel and get some of you money back.

Just another option.

7.62X63 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2006, 11:32:25 AM »

Have you considered a T/C ENCORE?They are offering a 338WIN MAG this year in the PRO-HUNTER I believe.The bbl will run $280-300 and if you dont have a frame probably the cheapest route to go would be to buy a complete rifle in sst/black syn.($525+TAX)and then buy the above bbl and you'll have TWO first rate rifles with the ability to add more for less than a comparible single caliber rifle.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2006, 01:11:09 PM »

I had a tikka T3 stainless laminate, it shot pretty well but the stock split after less than 100 rounds. It has a fairly weak recoil lug setup, just a small metal square and a groove in the action. I would definately go with the synthetic if you decide on tikka, the plasitc will flex more than wood and shouldn't crack. I currently have a browning abolt stainless stalker in 338 RUM. It is also very accurate. Either rifle would probably serve you well. I would give the browning the nod just because it has steel magazines instead of the plastic ones on the tikka and I think it is a more durable gun.

For the money its really hard to go wrong with the stainless Ruger 77, thier wieght is pretty decent to cut down on the 338s recoil.

The 338 wm is very easy to load for and can be loaded to cover several uses, 185-200gr bullets shoot really flat for long range deer hunting and 250-275gr bullets drive deep for even the biggest game..

killdeer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2006, 01:14:05 PM »

Really isn't a wrong or right answer. Nothing wrong with a .338 but the advantage of heavier bullets is not what it once was. I say this because with bonded type bullets you get reliable expansion and weight retention.
IMHO this makes the .30s a far better tool than ever before and really narrows the gap with the .338s.
With that being said, I would not buy a .338 WM with the intention of loading it down. The .338 FED will be very near the .338-06 and I could happily drive one.

257 roberts · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2006, 06:01:51 PM »

Had a Ruger 77(tang) in 338Win Mag and sold it
thinking now of rebarreling a 308win to 338 Federal, just waiting for more info on the caliber

simplicity · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2006, 04:08:26 AM »

I've been loading for the 338 win for 16 years now and to tell the honest truth I've never had a problem with belted cases. As far as killdeers comment put a bonded bullet in a 338 will out do any 30 caliber by a longshot. Apet load I have for mine is a 180 grain ballstic tip moveing out at 3225 fps. (chrono'd) Which if you do the math. It is flatter shooting then the 7mm rem mag. ( any factory load) The 338 federal is a great round if you don't wanna have to reach out 400 yards on anything big. It can be done but I'd much rather have my win mag in my hands if I had to make a shot like that. I do like the 338-06 it honestly isn't very far behind the win mag, and I do like the 06 variants ( my other favorite round is the 280) So I guess my choice would be the 338 win mag there are many rifles on the market already chambered for it that won't cost you as much as it would to build a 338-06, It's dang near as versitle as the 30-06 ( I said dang near) and like the 30-06 it's been kicking big anmals for a awefully long time. don't fix it if it's still working great.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2006, 06:03:09 AM »

I think the 338 win mag is great. I own a Browning A-bolt in 338 WM and it is a shooter. Reloading is not any different than any of my other reloading. Not much a 338 WM won't bring down. JMHO.

azmike · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2006, 11:12:44 AM »

My brother shoots a Savage 116FSAK (fluted stainless BBL, synthetic stock) in .338 win mag. Shoots softer than my Ruger MkII 7mm rem mag, and quality appears equal, if not superior. I have compared this rifle head to head to a Browning A-bolt, 1970's vintage model 700 remmy, and my Ruger. For my money, the only one of those I compared that could stand with the Savage was the old Remington 700. I'm sure others will disagree strenuously, but that is only my opinion.

If I ever buy another bolt action, it'll be a Savage, and I'll probably end up rebarreling to 338-06, just because it appeals to me more than the magnum.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2006, 06:59:29 PM »

My vote is for the 338-06 A-Square..

I took a 25-06 NEF Handi-rifle...sent it off to Wayne York of Oregunsmithing..and he rebored it to the A-Suare round..

I am more than pleased with how it turned out and how well it shoots...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=74152

The 180 grain Accubond shoots as well as the BT's..

$250 for the rifle..$300 for the barrel work by Wayne..and you have the option for any other barrel in the NEF line up..or what ever you choose to make ..Wayne does outstanding work and has done a couple of these in this round..and others..

Mac

nomosendero · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2006, 05:14:37 PM »

Well, there is allways room for one more gun. The way you say possibly an Elk hunt in the future indicates to me that you may not be sure where
you Elk hunt if you go. If it is in Black Timber or thick stuff like the Pacific States, all cartridges mentioned would be fine. However, if it is more open like alot of country in the Mountain States, the 338 Federal would not be my choice, it is more of a Short to Medium range round in the bullet WEIGHTS that you would use for Elk & your existing 30-06 would be much better for that job & the other 338 rounds more so. For example, the Sectional Density of the 200 Gr. 338 is .250 & your vel. in a 338Fed. would be about 2,675 or Fact. 210 @ 2,630. The 30-06 with a good reload would be 2,650-2,700FPS with a 200 gr. with a Sec. Den. of .301 with a much, much higher BC, the difference after 300 yards in Energy, Vel., &
Trajectory would heavily favor the 06. And you can forget about getting any velocity with 225Gr. or heavier wt. bullets in the 338Fed. The factory 185TSX may be a good option, but your gun may or may not like it. I am not slaming the 338Fed & I have no need to do so, it's correct application is Short to Med. range. For the Pa. Black Bears, it or any cartridge mentioned would be great.

I like the 338-06 & the 338WM a lot & both have the right stuff & the 338-06 has enough boiler room even for the 250 Gr. but would be very, very
good for the 225 & under.

Mac, as I have said on previous occasions, that is a fine rifle. I like the fact that with the 26" barrel, you get VERY close to 338WM in the most common 24" tubes, & you get that performance with less powder & recoil.
Yet, because of the Single Shot action you have a compact rifle that is
about the same length as the shot action 338Fed would be & they are not in the same Horse Race. Yes, I am selling myself on this concept & it seems to be taking hold. :-)

jro45 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2006, 04:05:06 AM »

I own the 338 RUM and with it I can load the 250 gr bullet to 2600 fps or I can take it up to 3000 fps. Just something to think about.

longwalker · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:03:05 AM »

When I moved to South Dakota I was convinced that a long range flat shooting rifle was what I had to have. My 30-30 just would not cut it, or so I thought. I bought a 25-06 and love it. It shoots well, and hits hard.
I found out, that I really didn't need it, after all.

I learned that with a little more hunt and a little less shoot I can get close enough to get the job done. When I wanted a bigger gun I built up a 338-06. The went this route for a couple of reasons: 1) I wanted something a little different. 2) I didn't want it to be any heavier than a standard rifle. 3) I wanted to be able to use the rifle hunt many different animals.

My choice was to build one off a used Savage 110 chambered in 270. I rebarrelled, played with the trigger and made myself a very nice shooting rifle. It does everything I wanted it to do. In my minds eye, I can hunt anything in North America with it. Would I bear hunt with it absolutely.

I would sell my beloved 25-06 before getting rid of the 338-06. For me it is just that much better a hunting round.

longwalker

Land_Owner · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:14:57 AM »

just kicking in $0.02...friend and hunting partner shoots a .338 (BAR semi-auto). He has loaded multiple combinations of rounds and powders - a lot - and cant get it to print less than a fist on the wall (thumb to kunckle to knuckle) at 100 yds. It dispatches hogs really well at 50 yards, but is unsatisfactory, confidence wise, for deer and longer shots. Got a turkey with it once while deer hunting. Didn't do the turkey much good, but the legs, head, and back are pretty much a waste anyway - too sinewy. Tough gun and caliber to figure I suppose.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:34:47 AM »

You didn't indicate what cals you already have. For PA Black Bear a 30-06, 308 or 35 whelen are plenty.

Sourdough · « **Reply #15 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:46:00 AM »

Don't know much about the 338-06, but do know the .35 Whelen and think it totally adiquate for anything in North Americia. I would carry it for anything except antalope. I would prefer longer range than the .35 Whelen has for antalope. T/C Encore has the .35 Whelen barrel and the .338 Win Mag barrel. Also the .338 barrel comes in 28" length and is fluted. also has a brake.

Skeptic10787 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2006, 10:55:07 AM »

After thinking about it for a while, I think I'll just load 180 or 200's in the 30-06 for the bigger critters for now.
The delimma is that the two rifles I have are a little "too" practical to get away with buying a new rifle. I can load my ruger m77 25-06 for varmints up to large deer, and the 700 SPS stainless in 30-06 for just about anything. Maybe I'll look at shotguns :twisted: