I shoot a 270 Win and 338 WM and really enjoy the combo. As most will attest, they compliment eachother well. Here's where I'll break rank - My choices are based on function and economy. If you're rubbin' elbows with Brown bear/Cape buffalo hunters, you can probably afford to shoot what ever you want. In that case, I'd sell your 270 Win and end up with a truely wicked 3-some -

257 Wby
300 Wby
416 Rem

The 257 and 300 are almost twins when it comes to trajectory and the 416 is meant to be used at closer range anyway. Just my .02

It's a superb, well balanced round that will shoot flat enough to suit just about anybody. I'd consider dumping the 270 and keeping the 300/338/416 combo al though your approach is also a sound one. I just can't imagine my hunting without a 300 Weatherby! jorge

A 270, a 338 and a 416 is as good a three gun combo as I can think of. (assuming you can shoot a 416 ok, which some can't)

For a 3 gun battery, swapping out the 300 for the 338 is a very balanced approach. If you want to narrow things down to 2 guns, just get rid of the .270.

My thinking is the 338 will better the 300 in every category, except flat shooting for long range. If the majority of your shots are in the 300+ yard range, then the 300 has a place for you. If you never shoot past 300 yards, you really have no need for the 300 Wetherby.

I have two 338WM and only one 300 mag, a pre 64 300H&H. So you see where my preferences lay. However, unless you're determined to get a 338 at the expense of losing your 300WBM I wouldn't bother. Your rifle with 200 or 220gr bullets will easily handle anything not requiring a 416 (I use mine only on buffalo and up).The SD on the 220gr 30 cal is fantastic at.331 and the 250gr 338 is only .313. It penetrates exceptionally well and at 2700/2800 fps is a devistating bullet (premiums required at 300 speeds).If your Weatherby shoots well and you're comfortable with it stay with it. You won't gain enough to make a difference with the 338WM. The quarry will never know the difference.

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have been rethinking my hunting rifle battery. I currently own a .270 Winchester for black bear/deer-size game, a .300 Weatherby Magnum for elk/larger North American-size game and a .416 Rem Magnum for when I take on the Cape Buffalo. I wanted to sell my .300 Weatherby in exchange for a .338 Winchester Magnum. Then the gap between the .270 and .416 is better served. Plus, there's more selection of factory ammunition and bullets, since I don't handload. Not to mention cheaper than .300 Weatherby rounds and more readily available. I like the fact of being able to shoot a 250 grain bullet let's say at a large brown bear. For those of you who shoot/hunt with a .338 winnie, how do you like the performance of the round? Does it shoot fairly flat? I've felt the recoil and is manageable for me. Thanks.

Dthfrmbv:
Firstly, a very hearty welcome to the board. I hope you find it both entertaining and informative. I know I have.
Now, to address your questions and put forth my opinions. I will admit that I'm personally biased against any .30 cal. magnum, seeing them as neither fish nor foul. I'll probably get flamed for that comment but it's my position. I too have both a .270 Win. and a .338 Win. Mag. The .270 is my "go to" rifle for caribou and sheep and is a great performer on game of that size. My .338 is what I go to for elk & moose. I really think the two calibers compliment each other. I do handload for all of my center fire rifles and get very good accuracy. I use a 225 gr. Northfork bullet for the .338 and have found it to be more accurate than the Partition. when elk on Afogank Island are on the menu, my partner, who doesn't hand load goes with Federal ammunition loaded with a 210 gr. (I think) Partition. He's very deadly with that combo. In my .338, I sight in +3.0" at 100 yds and the drop at 300 yds. is close to 6 1/2". Good enough for me.
Hope my comments are somewhat informative and again, welcome to the board. Bear in Fairbanks

Great round.....wide bullet selection, flat trajectory, manageable recoil, and plenty of power for large game. I agree that it does an excellent job in filling the gap between .270 and .416.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

The .338wm is a solid choice for heavier big game. I have a .280 & .338-06. I handload so ammo availability is not an issue. I've never been a .30 fan nayway, go for it.

I have what is probably the grandpappies of your proposed combination, a .318 Westley Richards and an .404 Jeffrey. I love'em both. Recently, I have decided to downsize my safe and sold off the only .300 I ever owned, a H&H. I don't miss it, but then, because of my job situation, I don't get to hunt like normal people and shoot elk, etc, anyway. That .338+.416 combo is serious for Africa and will nicely do Australia and Alaska as well. I will eventually get something like your .270 or its equivalent for ibex in Mongolia and blue sheep in China so you can see that I fully approve of your plan. Put the Wby on AuctionArms and go shopping there for the .338.

Now Sarge, your trying justify a .270!! come clean..You know a 210 Nosler in a 338 will do anything the 270 can do and beat the wind better!!

A 338 and a 404 puts you in the pound seats, you cannot justify any other caliber, you can only lust after them and add bulk to your collection....