In the past I might have given the nod to Sako as being accurate but what with the blow ups of the Tikka and Sako SS rifles I would not buy one at this time.
Get a Kimber 325 WSM. That's what I would do if I wanted a medium bore like the old 338 WM.
I have a Dakota 76 Classic with shoots .6 regularly with Nosler 250 Gold Moly Frees; of the 12 rifles I have owned in that cartridge, this one is the most accurate and this is a warm load, WW brass, Mag. primer, RE-22-77 grs. My four Pre-64 Mod. 70s will do almost as well and the older Browning Safari rifles I have seen shoot will also group very tightly.
I wouldn't have a newer Tikka or a newer Sako as a gift, but, that's just me. There are other, and more important considerations involved in a rifle of this power and versatility than just tiny groups, IMHO.
Posts: 1379 | Location: British Columbia | Registered: 02 October 2004
Allen Day, Kutenay, and other 338 owners, Have you ever had any misfires with your 338 Mags. I haven't figured out why but 338 win mag is the only centerfire cartridge I've had misfires with, in 3 different rifles. I reload the rounds the same way I reload in 47 other calibers so I don't think it's a technique issue but every once in a while I get a click. I wonder if it might be belt thickness variation or something (Allen's brass comment reminded me of this). Am I the only one?.............DJ
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
I shoot the 338 RUM and when shooting sometimes 1,2,or 3 bullets use the some hole at 150 yds with reduced loads say a 250 at 2750 fps. I have found over the years that Rem. makes a very accurate Rifle. I own alot of Rem rifles.
Posts: 2209 | Location: Delaware | Registered: 20 December 2002
Yankees: I have a Ruger Mod. 77 with the SS barrel & laminated stock. It's been reworked - Timney trigger & glass bedding. My "go to" load for moose & elk is a 225 gr. Northfork and 70.5 grs. of Rldr-22. From chrono data & correcting to the muzzle, I get 2850 fps. I can routinely get 1" groups at 100 yds. and I sight in +3" high at 100 yds. At 200, it's +1" and at 300 it's about 6 1/2" low. Also, I'm probably a bit anal about it, but I seat my bullets 0.010" off the lands as measured to the ogive. I've found that seating depth is oftentimes quite important. One of the reasons I like the Ruger is the open sights. When we go hunting, it's for extended periods of time so I'd be screwed should something happen to the scope. BTW, the scope is a Leupold Vari-x III, 1.5 - 5 variable. HTH some. Bear in Fairbanks
Posts: 1544 | Location: Fairbanks, Ak., USA | Registered: 16 March 2002
I got one of the first stainless synthetic Savages when they first came out in 338 WM and I've been very satisfied with it. It has been used in a northern climate most of the time I've had it and accuracy has been consistent and the rifle has been reliable and safe with zero problems. One of the best rifle purchases I've made. I've used A-frames for a couple of seasons when it was new and used FailSafes since then.
Posts: 8827 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 25 August 2004
I've only owned one in my life. It's a M-70 and shoots well enough to stay in my cabinet.....
It's a beastly powerful gun and I'm not into a lot of self punishment but when I do my job it'll shoot under 1 1/4" at 100 yards.....and I suspect a lot of .338s will do this well.
Just remember that it's not a pleasant thing to shoot.....it's very much like the recoil of the .375 H&H!
Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003