I just picked up a Ruger Hawkeye 338RCM from a friend who was in need. I really know nothing about this rifle or caliber. Is it comparable to the 338 Win.? I don't see any big bears in my near future but I am thinking of taking it elk hunting this year. I could use some reloading info. on this, especially with the 180 or 200 gr. bullets. This rifle is brand new with a 20" barrel. I think they call it their guide gun. Thanks for any info. or reviews of this set up.

PM Dave Bush. He can tell you more than ever want to know.

Latest Hornady manual has 338 RCM data. I would stock up on brass. It's basically a short action 338-06.

I have Ruger's similar rifle - but with a 22 inch barrel, a version currently out of production. The yearly Hodgden's Reloading manual (or is it a magazine) has reloading data, and also the new Hornady manual. As said it is the equivalent to the 338-06, however if you order the Hornady ammo it probably higher yields velocities due to the special powders in use. I'm planning on using mine for elk hunting this year. The action on mine was a bit rough. Smoothing the rail edges helped.

Overall its a good all weather rifle and relatively light and handy. However the Ruger scope rings are heavy suckers. I haven't tested mine for accuracy - just enough to sight it in and do some offhand shooting. I reload using the Speer 200 grainers and the Hornady 225 SST's using BLC-2. I will also work up a load using H-414. I found the Modgden's max load too hot resulting in case enough expansion even when full length re sized that the reloads chamber with difficult (using the Hornady dies). The local stores here including Cabelas do not stock ammo for this cartridge.

The 338 RCM has appealed to me for smaller package rifles. I would consider the 210 TTSX bullet at about 2700 fps as a pretty nice combo for elk-size game.


Haven't pruchased an RCM myself. My wife is able to use my 338WinMag and H4895 allows generous or medium downloading. We're thinking that 185 grain TTSX at 2600 fps will make a pretty nice hartebeest-impala load as well as for guests and newer shooters.