I was looking for the all around bad weather gun. I settled on a Savage Weather Warrior: SS, Synthetic stock, Left handed and in 338 WM. All this for $425.00. It fit the bill and shoots well. All I need now is something to hunt for with it.

Unless I read the posts too fast I didn't notice mention of the fact Ruger no longer puts sights on their .338. I have shot more game in Alaska with my Ruger .338 that all my other rifles combined.I have owned the MK I and Stainless MK II. I insist on iron sights as a backup, and sometimes as the primary sights. If you shop a while you can probably still find a NIB one with sights. If I couldn't find one new,I would prefer a good used one with sights over a new one without. Good luck

Although I not owned one in the past I am putting together a SS Ruger Mark 2 Leftie. It will have a Lilja barrel and a McMillan stock.

Martinbns, Personally I really like the Leupold 2.5-8 on a 338WM. Excellent eye relief and wide field of view at low power. The latter being important in dangerous game areas.

I've used my 338WM with 225 gr Swift A-Frames to take moose, caribou, elk, deer and fox. It flat puts game down. If the stock is properly fitted and you have a good recoil pad (I'm planning on trying a Simms next after my Pachmayr bites the dust)the recoil isn't too bad. I can shoot 15-20 rounds from the bench before my shoulder tells me it's time to quit.

If I was planning to hunt the Lower 48 and occasionally in Alaska the 338WM would be my first choice.

Woody

It has always been a toss up with me as to which is the most all around caliber,the 30-06 or .338 Win Mag. I just got one of each both in a Winchester Super Grade. If I had to choose between them I think I would pick the .338. There is very little it can't do. There is real power in the .338 but it can be put up in rifles of reasonable weight and still be very shootable. I really like a .375 H&H but rifles of that caliber need to be considerably heavier if they are to be as comfortable to shoot.

In regards to iron sights. If one can't find a rifle they like with iron sights, you could always have a set put on. Would be a sound investment.

mike

This is Big Bear rifle:

338 Win
FN Mauser
Paul Jager Detach scope mount
Unertal Hawk 4X
Redfield Rear Sights (Sour Dough front)
Walnut stock
Decell recoil pad
225 Barnes TSX with RL 19
WW Cases with Fed 215 Primers

Mine is a model 70 Super Grade. Had it bedded, trigger job, and cut the barrel to 24". Topped with a 2.5-8x VariX-III in Talley mounts. It's one of those rifles that comes along that just breeds confidence. Functions and feeds like a dream and is very accurate with any bullet I feed it. My standard hunting load is a 225 North Fork ahead of RL-19.

Jeff

I have a Ruger #1 .338. I've only bagged a coyote to date with it but based on that I am sure that it will do a fine job on anything I can hunt with it. I bought it for 2 reasons. 1 because I have always wanted a #1, 2nd because I wanted a .338. The 2 reasons just happened to appear at the same moment and we all know how that works. It isn't the most accurate rifle in my stable but is definately well within my self imposed hunting shot limit. If lucky enough to get a Colorado Elk tag this year I will be using it as a backup to my S&W 629. Big Bull, 50 yards +, who gets the shot?

.338wm is my one of my few alltime favourites.
In the factory SSm70 plastic stock our generally good relationship feels somewhat threatened sometimes. Having said that, If I had one custom laminate stocked to my precise personal ergo specs and a decent brand recoil pad, im am sure my relationship with that round would improve noticably. Sort of like going from heshan to silk sheets with the Mrs.

Anyone remember that Dave Miller walnut stocked m70.338win from about 1990 that used to show up in magazines?(the one with2.5-8xLeupold in Miller custom 1pc base). Well that is what started it off for me for the .338win. I am certain starting price back then was US$23,000. Hate to think what it is now.
Anyone have some photos they can post of that rig?

Woodjack, Have you looked into maybe getting a pachmayr decelerator pad, to help improve your relationship with your .338? I put one on my .338, and what a difference. I have no problem going to the range, and shooting some 40 or more rounds, with "no" pain or residual stiffness. I actually like shooting it more than my .308.

mike

I have a bunch of Ruger 77 s in 338 both mark I and II .I also have a winchester stainless model 70.That model 70 with its straw barrel feels like it kicks twice as much.I usually shot it at the range with the boss muzzle break on.Then it kicks like a 270.I like the Rugers 10 to one over the winchester.The rugers have had no problems.The winchester is nothing but problems.

I love both my Rugers. (.308 & .338 WM) They've both performed flawlessly, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

mike

The 338 Win Mag is my favorite cartridge for hunting Alaska. I have three M70's in 338WM, one Sako in 338WM and one SAKO TRG-S in 338 Lapua. I have heard some bashing about the M70's, I have never experienced anything but complete satisfaction from these fine rifles. Maybe because the youngest of the bunch was purchased in 1980. I once shot a four shot group at the Fairbanks range with some of my pet loads with old Nosler machined 250 partitions. The results were outstanding, grouped a hair less than 1/2" group at 200 yds.
It has always been a great performer. It has always been my "go-to" gun. With a little tinkering I have been pleased with all my M70's.

I had a light .338. Squeeze the trigger and it would kill at either end. Re-tubed to a .375 H & H. Recoil is light, with the longer barrel it shoots just as flat with the 270's as the .338 did with the 250's. Kills well. So did the .338. Slightly more accurate than was the .338.

If interested I still have a bunch of Hornady 250 g. .338 solids and Noslers. Also have a Marquart s/s bbl. with a Cannon (appropriate name) comp. Chamber is throated to allow seating 250 g. bullets out a ways. About 3/8" if I remember correctly.

I have an 03-A3 in .338 Win.

My first was a BAR 338; second wsa a Ruger Mk 2
338 and presently have a Win Mod 70 338. Of the three prefer the Winchester as it has 26 inch barrel and I prefer long barrels. Would go witha 28 if offered. Also just got a 375 H&H Mod 70 as well. May sell the Ruger. With Ruger I always jewel the bolt and ploish the race ways and change out factory for a Timney trigger. I started as a kid with a 348 so the 338 is my go to round for just about anything that walks. Have others but prefer the 338.