Will the 338 RUM last?

[WJM]

Does anyone have any insight on the long term viability of the 338 RUM. Does anyone but Reminton still make one (Browning did for a while)? Reminton never added to the 2 original ammo loadings it offered. I noticed that Federal added 2 ammo loadings in 2004 (or 2005?), bringing their total to 4 but then dropped back to only 2 loadings for 2006. I would guess that many 338 RUM shooters load themsevles. Has Remington been selling enough ammo or cases to continue supporting it? I have a 338 RUM and like it, but I am curious?

[sniperVLS]

I dont think anyone can say for sure, not even Big Green themselves.

It would probably take years and years of studying consumer trends to do away with the caliber altogether(its only been out for 6 years). I know its popular amongst the extra long range community, and a lot of caliber variations are made using the .338RUM casing, so that alone might keep it safe.

I do know that if you were asking this question about the .300rum, Id say you dont have to worry. It seems to be far more popular than  the .338.

Personally I wouldnt worry about it. 2007 is right around the corner and if Rem still offers the caliber in their rifles(I have a feeling they will), it'll be a pretty good sign its doing well enough to warrant its stay

Another caliber that a lot of people arent aware of is the .338 Lapua Magnum, and Remmy is offering it in a Police model come this Winter(available to anyone, not just LE). If they support that caliber, they can surely support one they invented.

[nomosendero]

Hard to say, but we can be sure that the 300RUM will be around as it is very popular with the long range crowd. So if the shorter 338RUM does not make it, you can rechamber to the 338 Edge, which uses the longer 300RUM case, so not a big deal for a reloader.

[kx90]

I hope it does cause I just bougt my XCR in .338RUM last year and I love it thus far!  And I'm not a reloader.....yet so I really would like Federal to keep the 180 and 225gr loadings around for a while longer.

[kudzu]

Of all the ultra mags and saum's. This is JMO but the two rem cal. 7saum and 300saum are done ,the wsm's kicked there butt. The 270wsm and 300wsm will stay. The 7wsm may be on the bubble. With the ultra mags. the 375 maybe, the 7mmrum Ifeel is on the bubble and probally the 338rum has a better chance. No ? about the 300rum, it's here to stay.
This sticks, I'm only batting .500. Have to keepers(270wsm & 300rum), and one goner(300saum Rem 673- Won at NRA banquet so can't complain). And one on the bubble (7mmRum). Again this is JMO, and if you want to prove me wrong you will have to wait a few years.LOL
regards, DM

[sniperVLS]

I'd have to agree with you on all the calibers you mentioned.

[nomosendero]

Of all the ultra mags and saum's. This is JMO but the two rem cal. 7saum and 300saum are done ,the wsm's kicked there butt. The 270wsm and 300wsm will stay. The 7wsm may be on the bubble. With the ultra mags. the 375 maybe, the 7mmrum Ifeel is on the bubble and probally the 338rum has a better chance. No ? about the 300rum, it's here to stay.
This sticks, I'm only batting .500. Have to keepers(270wsm & 300rum), and one goner(300saum Rem 673- Won at NRA banquet so can't complain). And one on the bubble (7mmRum). Again this is JMO, and if you want to prove me wrong you will have to wait a few years.LOL
regards, DM

That is exactly the way I see it. The 338RUM is the hardest to predict, but as I said earlier if you are a handloader you have the other 338 options or just buy plenty of brass & forget it.