I was set on a 300 RUM but some people told me to just get a 300 win, not saying the 300 rum is bad or anything just not that big of a difference. But then others were saying I should move up to a 338 RUM I haven’t heard too much about these guns, what are they like?

What do you think I should do? Should I stay with the 300 or move up, and if so what would you recommend to me as for make?

Thanks and looking forward to hearing your advice

BigJon-
With elk in mind, I'd recommend the .338 Ultra mag, especially if it's in the Sendero. Of all the johnny come lately cartridges, this one fills a niche. Often compared to the 340 Weatherby, the 338 UM will do all the Wby will, and does it without freebore.

Secondly, it has been my experience that 338 calibre in particular is easy to load for, not finicky like some smaller bores. Why exactly, I don't know, but that has been my experience. Combine that with a first rate selection of bullet weights with outstanding sectional densities, and you're in business.

Lastly, it seems that the sendero is a no-nonsence rifle, albiet a little on the heavy side. Given proper optics, it's a tough cartridge/rifle combination to beat.

BigJon,
I have all of the full length Ultras (not the 7) and I would tell you that the 300 Win. is most likely your best choice.

Why? Well....In the 30 cal department the 300 Win. has many 1000 yard advocates because it is a well rounded combination while the Ultra has limited popularity as it has few real world advantages but does have the downside of short barrel life and pretty sharp recoil. In the hands of a good shooter, the difference between the Winchester and Ultra (at normal hunting range) is almost nonexistent . While not the ultimate grizzly gun, the 300 Win. has more than enough power for most everything else North America has to offer. The 300 Ultra is NOT a better killer on the larger species.

In the .338 department the .338 Winchester is the British Columbia's (quite likely Alaska's as well) 30-06. It does everything and it does it well. The .338's seem to hit harder and (in my opinion) offer a significant gain in horsepower. Gaining a long range advantage with the .338 ultra comes down to the shooter's ability to both shoot well at long range and deal with what most people describe as vicious recoil.

I have seen many folks shoot Ultras very poorly from a bench rest. Those folks chose poorly and have equipped themselves with a liability having little hope of executing a well placed shot at any range-never mind long range.

The Ultras are no place to learn good shooting skills but are a good tool in the right hands.

Have fun!

I just recently picked up a 338 Ultra mag. I went with the 338 because for the game I hunt mostly moose and bear, the extra bullet weight comes in very handy. I also liked the comparison between the 338 ultra mag and 340 weatherby. I have seen first hand the way a 340 and 338/378 perfrom on alaskan game. I was much more impressed with the way a 340 weatherby hits compared to the 300 win mag.

As to the recoil, yeah it kicks. I am having muzzle break put on it right now.

I went with the .300 RUM in the Police Version as I suppose it recoils a tad less than the .338 and that makes for easier shooting at Vermin, I got this for a fun large game varmint gun that shoots flat and it does this job very well, it's fitted wit ha canjar trigger MK4 6.5-20 leupold in Badger rings and bases.

Ican shoot it fine and when the barrel is worn out I will replace it.

I own both the 338 RUM and the 300 RUM. The 338 rum is a great gun for the big bears, moose, and long range shooting. It has a about 49 ft lbs of recoil shooting a 250 gr bullet.

The 300 RUM is a great gun for long shooting at game or a powerful shot when needed for normal shooting and can move the 200 and 220 gr bullets at a respectable fps for hunting. It has about 39 ft lbs of recoil. The stock design
helps you not feel the recoil.

JRO--which style of 700 do you own?

Secondly i would gravitae to the big 33, I am a big time 340 nut and this round would be an awesome one to work with.

Mark D

BigJon-
You never mentioned what you're currently shooting, however allow me a word or two about recoil if I may.

I don't know why some folks make such a big deal about recoil citing ft/lbs of it and what not, afterall what should one expect driving heavy bullets fast? Applying Newtonian logic, one would be unreasonable not to expect more on both ends of the rifle. Recoil is subjective, and in my opinion is a non-issue. My friends and I have been known to hunt gophers with .30 calibre magnums, so just how does one get to Carnegie hall? Practice, practice, practice.

It is not my intent to discourage anyone or pick a fight, however if one worries about recoil they are most probably better served with something smaller in calibre. I'm sure most of us cut our teeth on the venerable .22 then moved up to larger bores, and going from a 30 magnum to a 338 magnum is just another step up, nothing more, nothing less. I see no need to worry about recoil, afterall the Brits, not known for being the largest in stature, did right well with their double rifles.

I own a 338 RUM and shoot it regularly from the bench-- certainly it has recoil but I believe it is oft exaggerated. I am 6' and weigh 185 lbs so I put a brake on it. My fourteen year old who weighs 130 and is 5'7 has begun to shoot it as well on occasion.

I agree it has more to do with your shooting skill level. This is not the rifle to start on! It can become an effective tool if you learn the proper usage......

IV

If I were getting an UM chambering, it would definately be the 338. I don't see the gains the 30 caliber version over the 300 win mag as signifigant, but in the 338, I can see it.

As far as the recoil issue goes, I honestly haven't fired a 338 rum in an unbraked rifle of hunting weighte 8-9#'s, but I would suspect the recoil would be considerable. Not considerable in the sence of flinching, I've fired my 458 lott's off the bench and never flinched with them, but considerable in the sense that I don't know that I'd be able to get comfortable enough to shoot a 338 rum at real long range and shoot small groups, which is the entire reason behind having a 338 rum.

My 2 cents.

This is going to be different.
I have had all the UM and sold all but the .375UM.
As stated above they didn't add a bunch to the already owned and available 338 wm, 300 wm or other super hot 30's so they were extra rifles.
I also have several .375 H&H rifles but felt that the UM added a little versatility to the caliber and by loading down I could duplicate the others as well. One thing I did do was to add a heavier rifle stock to the .375UM and I also got rid of the terrible pad that came with it. If it is your first move up to the larger caliber make it a bigger step. .375 bullets are readily available and reloading for it is easy.
You will never feel undergunned with this choice and if you ever get to Africa, you will already be set.
Frank

Paul H and others have it right.

Transforming the .338 Ultra's both extra power and velocity into long range hits is the challenge. It is my experience that most shooters are unable to perform this task with a 8.5 pound .338 Ultra. The Sendero weight rifle makes the task easier, and a brake makes it doable for most but both the brake and the extra wieght have their issues up the mountain.

Mastering a big bore (416 or larger) is a huge help to the long range shooter. After shooting the big gun, a fast .33 feels like a toy.

For what it is worth my favorite long range round (larger game) is a .375 Ultra. stuffed with 300gr X's or Partitions. I push the 300 Nosler with 106gr of RL-25 and let me tell you, this load gets the deal done. Check out the ballistic tables, this thing is no slouch!
The big Ultra is no toy either, but it is just a matter of a determined and seasoned rifleman wanting to master a bigger hammer.

Mr. newbie should not apply.

Jamie

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Dobrenski:
JRO--which style of 700 do you own?

Secondly i would gravitae to the big 33, I am a big time 340 nut and this round would be an awesome one to work with.

Mark D

All my model 700's are BDL. The 338 Rum has more power than the 340 WBY. Just a little knowledge.

I think you really need to ask yourself what you are going to use it for the most. Both are capable of taking most any deer/elk class animals in N. America and plains game in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by x-man:
Paul H and others have it right.

Mastering a big bore (416 or larger) is a huge help to the long range shooter. After shooting the big gun, a fast .33 feels like a toy.

For what it is worth my favorite long range round (larger game) is a .375 Ultra. stuffed with 300gr X's or Partitions. I push the 300 Nosler with 106gr of RL-25 and let me tell you, this load gets the deal done. Check out the ballistic tables, this thing is no slouch!
The big Ultra is no toy either, but it is just a matter of a determined and seasoned rifleman wanting to master a bigger hammer.

Mr. newbie should not apply.

Jamie

NO KIDDING!!! I long range elk hunt with my .416 Rigby---it's a CZ550 Safari with the sights removed, bedded in a McMillian, scoped with a Vari-X III 4.5-14x50, NO BRAKE-----and at 600 yards downrange it is equal to a .30-06 at the muzzle (325gr. Barnes X @ 2850 fps). When I shoot my venerable .35 Whelen (my deer gun), I feel like I am shooting a pee shooter. I think I could varmint hunt with that Whelen.

BigJon, do yourself a BIG favor......go ahead and get the .338 Ultra---it's kinda right in the middle. You'll have better barrel life, a great selection of bullets, a better case design than the .300 Ultra, and it shoots as flat as a 7mm Rem. Mag while having more energy than the .375 H&H. BTW, according to Sierra's 1-800 Hotline, it is has more accuracy potential than the .300 Ultra as well.

I have heard that the 338 RUM can be very accurate. How do those who own them feel about that? True?

My 338 RUM is a tack driver. It shoots MOA consistently even with factory ammo. I have not yet decided on the best handload for it.

Barstooler

quote:

Originally posted by Barstooler:
My 338 RUM is a tack driver. It shoots MOA consistently even with factory ammo. I have not yet decided on the best handload for it.

Barstooler

Nice! With those results why bother? Unless you want to, of course. Which rifle?

Might be a tad cheaper to roll your own, RUM ammo is a little on the expensive side.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJon:
I was set on a 300 RUM but some people told me to just get a 300 win, not saying the 300 rum is bad or anything just not that big of a difference. But then others were saying I should move up to a 338 RUM I haven’t heard too much about these guns, what are they like?

What do you think I should do? Should I stay with the 300 or move up, and if so what would you recommend to me as for make?

Thanks and looking forward to hearing your advice

I use to own a 300 Win. It is a fine rifle. Now I have a 300 RUM. I do NOT miss the 300 Win.

It is really about preference. Take a truck, how big do you want the tires? They'll all get you where your going.

I'm a big case, big powder kind of guy. I like the Ultra Mag series. I don't own a 338WM either. But if I get a rifle for that caliber, it will be a 338 RUM.

I just like the power. That is me.

Thanks for the info!!!

quote:

Originally posted by gixxer:
Might be a tad cheaper to roll your own, RUM ammo is a little on the expensive side.

I know, but when I bought the RUM last year I was so eager to shoot it that I bought several boxes of ammo, because I had to mail order the dies. I shot up the Rem factory stuff (250 gr Corelock) and was really impressed with the accuracy. I am still working up handloads, but got interupted by my company moving me from Colorado to Maryland -- ever try and shoot regularily in Maryland? Luckely I am moving back to Colorado in March so I can complete my project plus begin working up loads for my newly finished 6.5-06.

Barstooler

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
I use to own a 300 Win. It is a fine rifle. Now I have a 300 RUM. I do NOT miss the 300 Win.

Ditto!

My Friend and I faced this conflict last year with hiw new gun.

I'm with the group that says that there is not enough difference between the 300 win mag and 300 ultra to justify it. The 338 Ultra is by far more useful and more effciecnt with that case.

The 300 Ultra is just a waste of powder. If you want a true 300 lazer then man-up and get a Lazzaroni Warbird but other than that it's a waste not to get the 338 Ultra.

Also, after my friend bought his 338 Ultra, it was very easy to work up loads that fit under a half inch. I'm very impressed by this rifle cartridge, I honestly wish I had one.