Gentlemen,
I am thinking about a .338 Win Mag not because I can't kill elk and moose with my 30-06, but because the griz are moving down into the areas I hunt. I have searched other threads and didn't find what I am looking for. What brand would you recommend, and why? I need reliability and accuracy, and also not something I have to take a magazine out of to reload (any inline feed mags, like Tikka, etc.) I guess I am wondering specifically about the accuracy of Ruger rifles, when compared to pre-shutdown Wincesters.
Thanks
Graham

How about a 9.3 CZ? Doesn't have the range of a magnum, but range isn't part of your requirement. Don't know how ammo availability may affect your choice.
.

i've got 2, and like them both... first is a crf m70 that i picked up for $400... seller didn't like the recoil...topped with a cheapie simmons scope, it will shoot 1 1/2" with factory... 2nd is a belgium browning BAR... topped with a redfield 2-7x, it will shoot 2 shots into 1 ragged hole at 100, then have a flier about an inch away...recoil on the BAR is about like shooting a 30-06, maybe less...the winchester m70 will handle handloads, the BAr won't...small-base dies might cure that, but i haven't got any yet...1 of my shooting buddies has a ruger m77 in .338...another choice to consider...

Hardest 338WM model to find second-hand in southern Australia where Sambar deer are hunted is either a new model synthetic or older boat-paddle Ruger MkII stainless/synthetic in 338WM. Says alot for their reliability and toughness when hunted hard and dirty. My 350RemMag untuned other than trigger is an honest 1.5MOA rifle, I'd expect no worst from a 338WM but would accept 2MOA on any hunting rifle used for large game.
Cheers...
Con

I like my Ruger 77 MKII just fine. The stainless, synthetic variety handles our sometimes nasty Alaska weather without problems. And after some minor trigger work, it's as accurate as I can shoot it. Mine likes most any loading with 225 gr. bullets, but I'm partial to the Swift A-Frames.

I love my model 70 338WM. I think you are going to get a lot of oppinions.

Land,
I suspected that, but then, that is what I asked for! I have loved my M70 and would love to get my hands on one in .338, but will have to see if it will work. I am planning for this purchase sometime before next elk season, possibly, and will report on how things go.
I'd love to hear more experiences,
Thanks very much.
Graham

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Gentlemen,
I am thinking about a .338 Win Mag not because I can't kill elk and moose with my 30-06, but because the griz are moving down into the areas I hunt. I have searched other threads and didn't find what I am looking for. What brand would you recommend, and why? I need reliability and accuracy, and also not something I have to take a magazine out of to reload (any inline feed mags, like Tikka, etc.) I guess I am wondering specifically about the accuracy of Ruger rifles, when compared to pre-shutdown Wincesters.
Thanks
Graham

I assume you're north of Prince George, so I'm familiar with your climate and terrain. Go with the Savage stainless synthetic, accurate out of the box, it's tough as nails and utterly reliable.Don't get hung up on CRF, it's greatly over rated. I've had far more issues with feeding from Winchesters than I ever did from Savage or Remington.

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Gentlemen,
I am thinking about a .338 Win Mag What brand would you recommend, and why?
Thanks
Graham

I would not be afraid of a Ruger -especially older ones. Any tang safety Ruger will, more likely than not, be a good shooter, and can be had for less money than a Winchester or Sako. I had one in the 80's and it was a good shooter, albeit heavy when compared to others.

The classic series put out by Winchester was a good rifle overall, but they did have barrel problems in the beginning, and at the end of production quality control was an issue.

I would never turn down a M700 if you can find a good deal, but Sako remains my first choice today.

I hunt in griz territory too, and I don't feel under gunned when carrying my .338 Win mag. A 250 grain partition launched from the 338 Winchester will stop anything on this continent if you do your job.

I'm with Buckshot, unless you are trying to do it on the cheap or something, you can't beat an out of the box Sako 85--in you environment I would recommend the Grey Wolf over the synthetic stocked versions, the Laminate stock is just a bit heavier and will help tame the recoil a touch, and still give you all weather stability. The Sako stainless actions are stainless throughout.

If you are looking for lightest possible, go with the Finnlite!

Fish, I should have known you'd recommend a Sako. That may be a little more than I can afford ( I know, I know, how much is peace of mind and safety worth ) but I hadn't even considered a finnlite. Thanks for the heads up. Thanks to all for your input.
Regards,
Graham

I have a cabinet full of Sakos but for your use I would recommend the Ruger. I have found the Rugers I have owned to usually be good shooters. The price with the built in rings is very attractive and the gun is reliable. I would look for a stainless synthetic Ruger or if it fits you consider the new 338 Ruger Short. It sure is interesting with the 20" barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Fish, I should have known you'd recommend a Sako. That may be a little more than I can afford ( I know, I know, how much is peace of mind and safety worth ) but I hadn't even considered a finnlite. Thanks for the heads up. Thanks to all for your input.
Regards,
Graham

True Enough M70, but I actually do support LJS's view too! The tang Rugers have been good rifles for several of my friends, and the one I had was a good shooter too!

Hahaha I read the original post and formed my opinion before reading the replies, I'm afraid I will only succeed in sounding like a broken record.

.338 Winchester Magnum, Northern BC, reliability a must... I was going to say any of the following rifles would suit nicely:

1) Pre-'64 Model 70
2) Ruger M77 MKII
3) CZ 550
4) Sako 85

Fortunately, I don't really need to say them as it appears everyone else already has. I had some problems getting my laminate/stainless Ruger to shoot but once it got where I wanted it it was great. Needed good glass bedding and a new trigger but it was a sweet gunshow deal.

Hello M70. How is the elk hunting going around FSJ? Hope you have found some good areas.

For a .338 WM in a new rifle I would have to recommend the Remington 700 XCR (not nearly as pricy as a Sako) Yes, they can be had in .338 WM - you may have to order and if you need a 3 position safety like an M70 I am sure Corlanes could help you out.

Thanks to all who have posted. This is highly informative.
Toad, as an old Indian once said, "There is plenty of good hunting, but not much finding." I always seem to be where the elk have been, not where they are. It's all good. If it were easier, they'd call it shopping, and everyone could be a real elk hunter.
Thanks for the replies,
Graham

My own personal .338 WM is a Sako Safari Grade, but I sure wouldn't use it in coastal Alaska or coastal BC (Bella Coola/Kitimat/Prince Rupert or north of there)!! Too nice a gun to let its stock soak up all that moisture.

For that locale my first choice would be a Weatherby .340 with a composite stock (and probably a slightly bobbed barrel-about 23"), or second choice, a similarly stocked Ruger in .338 WM.

Back in northern Alberta, I'd use either the Weatherby or my Sako...

I have lived solo in the remote parts of BC for extended periods since 1965, due to work and hunted the entire province, as well. I have shot, hunted, reloaded for the .338WM since January, 1968 and owned 12 rifles so chambered, loaded for and shot others and have five now.

I MUCH prefer CRF in such chamberings after actual use in your region and managing a gunstore, seeing what rifles were most often returned for extraction/ejection problems. My current rifles in .338WM are four pristine, synthetic-stocked P-64 Mod. 70 Alaskans and a Dakota Mod. 76.

I had a custom pair of tang-safety Rugers and had some problems with them, the Savages are cheap crap and I detest Remington 700s. I am concerned here with more than mere grouping ability and my old Mod. 70s will do UNDER an inch at 100M, with 250NPs over 76-RE-22 or 70-H-4350 and this is 2800 fps-mv, what more could you want?

My choice of currently available .338s is, in order:

1. Winchester Mod.70 Classic CRF, serial under 300,000, easy to find and tune up as well as rep-stock with a Micky, Brown or High Tech.

2. Ruger MKII, CRF, tune as above.

.Dakota 76 or 97, prefer former and re=stock, would be my first choice, but, limited availability and relatively high cost enter into this for most hunters. I saved for four years to buy mine and, after some tweaking, it is a hell of a rifle and lovely to use.

4.Sako 85- a fine piece and one I almost bought in .338WM last spring, but, am too old to spend more $$$$ on new rifles as I have more now than I can ever use.

5. A Browning Safari FN-LE, if you can find a nice one at a decent price and restock it with a synthetic.

6. Find an older FACTORY adapted FN action, as in an older Dumoulin, Browning or FN sporter and have it re-barreled and synthetic-handled in .338WM. A 7 Rem., .308Norma or .300WM will allow this without some "gunsmith" mucking up your action. From what I have seen, only Bill Leeper and Ralf Martini in BC would do this for me.

Get a .338WM, use 250 NPs, SAFs and sally forth among the Grizz, it don't get no better and I STILL prefer this to my .375H&H and 9.3 rifles for general BC hunting.

I've been very happy with my 338 WM M70 "new" pre-64 classic sporter. It's wood/blued and has it's share of dings on it now after 15 years (I bought it new in 93 or 94) of hunting both deer and elk through hot, cold, rain, snow, fog, etc, it's never let me down. It'll probably be the last hunting rifle I get rid of when I'm too old to hunt.

It consistantly shoots under an inch with nosler partitions in 210 and 225 grains weight and IMR 4350 powder. I don't have grizz to worry about so I stick to 225 pt's now. It's pure elk poison.

It's killed everything it's ever been shot at with one shot drops. I couldn't tell you what I paid for it back then, but it was worth every penny.

Have u ever seen the actions of a Howa 1500?Talk about bank vault strong.They have nice thick recoil lugs machined as part of the action.The the stock screws into it.The bolt is designed to vent gases and particles into the mag well should the unfortunate happen.Your choice of a 2 or 3 position safety.And of course choices of stainless steel or blued,and synthetic,laminated or walnut stocks as well as different styles of stocks as in;varment,thumbhole,classic,sporter.Reasonably affordable.I have an old one from when Mossberg put their name on it.Came with a small muzzlebrake[same dia as the barrel].Shoots 3 shot moa's with a variety of weights from 200gr to 250gr.It seems partial to Noslers 200gr Ballistic Tips.And handles Hornady's 225 SST's nicely too.It's easier on the shoulder than my brothers Rem30-06 believe it or not

You know they say opinions are like as...... well you know.

I bought an M77 tang safety in .338WM back in '88 and although we didn't get along at first I'd be hard pressed to trade it off at this point. With 250gr bullets it will clover-leaf at 100 yards if you can ignore the recoil.

If I had to buy a new one now I'd get a Ruger in ss/syn or a Win 70 Classic in SS before I'd consider anything else.
If you're not against a different cartridge, the Ruger Alaskan in .375R would be a good choice. It has the synthetic stock, iron back-ups, controlled feed, claw extractor. I can deal with a slightly shorter barrel in trade for handiness. A low power scope and treat the metal with gun juice & a hair drier & it would be quite usable.

I consider your 30-06 plenty of rifle for Grizzly bear under any conditions...but if you are just looking for an excuse for another rifle I'd opt for a .338 on a control feed rifle like a pre 64 M-70 or a Mauser 98 custom or simi custom.

I'm with Ray your 30/06 will keep killing elk and dispatch the bear if needed but if you must have that new bear stoppin elk killin .338 get a Win M70. Mine is a M70 Super Grade Classic (classic meaning CRF) and it shoots pretty accurate with factory Federals or my hand loads.
by the way that is a 5 shot group at 100 yards.

Ray and Snellstrom,
There is no doubt in my mind that my 30-06 is more than adequate for elk (and moose), since I have shot one of each. Bullet placement is still what I strive for. I hope I have not succummed to "Magnumitis," but I want something that will get a bear's attention when he is a bit worked up and trying to steal my elk. There is beginning to be a problem with grizzly bears north of us here about 50 miles, which is where I do most of my hunting. If I was just hunting bears, and not worried about stopping them, I wouldn't be shopping. Thanks for the replies, and for the pictures, Snellstrom. If I were you, that would be the last gun I would ever part with. Good for you!
Good hunting,
Graham

I have had a Ruger M77 mk 1 for 22 years, wore out one barrel, never had a problem in all those thousnads of shots fired.

M-70 Classic,
I can understand that, but the 06 will hammer a Grizzly bear in a hurry, but I love the 300 gr. Woodleigh in the .338 for elk or anything else in NA and like I said it works OK on Cape Buffalo and thats no light phrase...I can dump an elk in the swampy thick black timber of Idaho as he is going away and up his keyster, and it will stick his old nose in the swampy dew!

The 338 Win. is a well balanced and wonderful cartridge, I would not be without one.

Have you thought about a Browning BLR? They make em in 338. Sure would be nice to have a quick cycling gun in bear country!

MHS, Thanks for the thought. I had not considered a Browning at all, tending to not like Brownings mostly for their shiny finishes, and also tending to not like levers in general (Marlin 1895 XLR .45-70 being the exception). I just like bolt actions, and was looking for a not-too-expensive, reasonably accurate hunting rifle that will be reliable and not have a detachable mag.

Ray, Thanks for your input. I will probably continue to use my .30-06 for a year or two, even, until I can find a good used .338 Win at a reasonable price. With the market slowing down, there may be a few more on the market in a few months when hunters up here start to feel the crunch. I respect you experience and opinion. Thank you.

Good hunting,
Graham

i bought a ruger m77/mkII SS/laminate in a .338WM and have had nothing but problems with it. it has been back to ruger 2 times for the stock splitting out just behind the bolt. it is on its third stock now. first one was laminate while the 2nd and 3rd are walnut. i got 60 rounds out of the first one and 80 out of the second one. we'll see how the third one does. this was a new rifle when i bought it.

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Gentlemen,
. . . I need reliability and accuracy, and also not something I have to take a magazine out of to reload (any inline feed mags, like Tikka, etc.) I guess I am wondering specifically about the accuracy of Ruger rifles, when compared to pre-shutdown Wincesters.
Thanks
Graham

Years ago, I bought a stainless Ruger MK-II with that cheap, ugly canoe paddle stock (the skeleton-ize one).

I wasn't concerned about MOA accuracy — elk out to 300 yards don't require it. I was concerned about it being weather-proof. I was concerned about price and reliability.

The hunt never materialized, but I ended up with a .338 Win Mag which is better than 1 MOA out to 300 yards, not (AFAIK) sensitive to weather, and very reliable.

It's now my favorite CF rifle, cheap as it was.

I used a Model 70 SS Classic in 338 Win Mag to shoot a 8' Grizzly in September. Great rifle, accurate, pretty light and functions perfectly. The Model 70 is my vote. If you keep an eye on the Gun auction sites, you can pick one up. Lot's of folks don't like the recoil and sell them after shooting them a bit.

I have a Model 70 classic.
It shoots pretty good now , About 1.5 inches with 225 grain bullets. I would like to either customize it, Cut 2 inches and recrown at 24 ,mount a banded front sight with a fold down rear, put a barrel band sling swiver and a short synthetic stock. mabye a MPI, with a decent pad.
But I migh go a differnt rout.
...tj3006

After getting a Vanguard synthetic in .338wm, due to budget constraints, that for some reason shot 1/2" groups @ 100y with 20+yrs old 300gr Winchester Power point factory ammo, out of the box. I'll recommend it every time!!!! Trigger little fussy but smoothed it out quite a bit. Recoil manageable.

Nothing wrong with going cheep, It's accurate and action is strong!

Good luck!
Johan

quote:

I guess I am wondering specifically about the accuracy of Ruger rifles, when compared to pre-shutdown Wincesters.
Thanks
Graham

As I started to read your post, the first brand that came to mind was a Ruger.

This is what makes sense to me: First, Ruger does not have a stellar accuracy record but much of that is still due to the timeframe in which they were buying bbls from a company called Wilson if I recall correctly.

I've owned a few Rugers and have never seen any problems achieving a great load. I still favor my Ruger 270 quite a bit.

In my opinion, you wouldn't be shooting at a grizz more than a couple hundred yards anyway, right? That said, Ruger certainly will not let you down.

They are priced well, you can find a good used one for even a better price. As far as I know, they don't have feeding problems. If they do, I've never experienced it.

If I was in your shoes, I'd buy a Ruger and not think twice about it. They are a good workhorse rifle, strong and reliable.

As much as I don't like Rem. factory ammo with corelokts, I can't deny that this factory ammo shot good enough to kill anything at 200 yards in my Ruger rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Thanks to all who have posted. This is highly informative.
Toad, as an old Indian once said, "There is plenty of good hunting, but not much finding." I always seem to be where the elk have been, not where they are. It's all good. If it were easier, they'd call it shopping, and everyone could be a real elk hunter.
Thanks for the replies,
Graham

Two thoughts: Have you checked Corlanes? or How about sending your -06 to Bevin and getting a 338 made on your M70? If you prefer a 338-06 I have a brand new reamer I can lend out.

Having your 06 turned into a 338-06 is a perfect compromise between your current 06 and picking up a 338WM. The power difference between the 338-06 and 338WM is pretty slim. A 9.3x62 is a damn fine choice as well, and could also be built on your current rifle. If you want to keep the 06 and just get a new rifle, the CZ550 is might fine indeed.

I hear you on the BLR, I'm not the biggest lever fan either, but I figured I toss it out there!

Wow, I thought this thread was dead!

Doc, On the contrary, the grizzlies I may be shooting could be as close as 50 yards or less. This is mostly because we can't actually hunt them unless we get the draw. I appreciate your perspective on Ruger. I handled a Hawkeye in .338 that felt pretty good. I am looking for a used one, if I can find one up here.

.366, Thanks for your generosity! I checked at Corlanes last month, and they had a couple of .338s, but both were Tikkas, an old one and a T3. Nice, and cheap, but not the gun I am looking for. I have thought from time to time of rebarreling my -06, but didn't know if it was worth it. Is it possible to put a 338 mag on my -06 action? I might have to look into that. Thanks for the idea.

Thanks to everyone else who has posted here. Your input may have forced me to buy another gun, (sigh )

Good hunting,
Graham

The only thing I hated about the LH .338 WM Tikka I found for dad-in-law (Whitetail Deluxe Hunter) was the detach mag. You have to load it like a .22LR clip -- detached, one shell at a time, inserting the cartridge by slotting the base in perpendicular to the bore.

Singles could be loaded and shot, but you'd have to carry another pre-loaded mag in case you needed more shots quickly.

It was a tack-driver, tho!

BNagel

I can't believe that the 340 weatherby hasn't been mentioned.

My 375 H&H is a Sako Hunter 75. That rifle is very accurate.