Hello all.

I would like your opinions on the two calibers im choosing from. I am going to do
either a 300 Rum, or the 338 Rum. What are the advantages and disadvantage of these
cartridges. The rifle will be hunted with and used for long distance shooting.
What do you all think? Why/

I have the 338 RUM, and with a 225 gr. Accubond (BC=0.55) I can get 3200 fps, which makes it an exceptional long-range big-game rifle for any sized game. It is very accurate. The gun likes TTSX Barnes bullets as well. Now Nosler makes a 300 gr. Accubond. IMO, the 300 RUM is way overbore, and likely hard on barrels. Regards, AIU

I appreciate all the info I can get. Ok I am currently shooting a 300 win mag shooting
190vlds. The rifle is about 13lb and it gives me a pretty good thump. Any idea what the recoil would be with the 338. I may have to brake this one if its bad enough.

Downrange:

This is a bit off topic but I would like to make an alternate suggestion, a .338 Ruger Compact Magnum. I have one with a 20 inch barrel. I shoot 225 grain Hornady bullets because I like bullets that are heavy for caliber and I am getting about 2600 fps. I know that you are looking for something much faster. My Hornady manual says that with a 185 grain GMX bullet you can get 2850 fps out of a 20 inch barrel using A 2520. If you want a little more velocity, Ruger makes this caliber in a stainless synthetic with a 22 inch barre. Put a range finding scope on and it will give you all you need in a light, handy, low recoiling package. I have a 340 Weatherby but in truth, I really prefer the little .338 Ruger.

Just food for thought.

Downrange, welcome to AR, where you'll never find a shortage of opinions! :-)

When you say downrange shooting, do you mean targets or game? Weight is not usually a consideration with a target/position rifle, shot from one or a few spots. But when it comes to hunting applications, the rifle has to be toted through the woods and up & down hills. Rifle weight to mitigate the recoil of a 300 or 338 Ultramag will result in a cumbersome piece to be carrying around afield. A brake would allow you to handle more "horsepower" in a lighter rifle, at the expense of muzzle blast.

What's the plan?

PS: Dave gets a commission on every 338 RCM Ruger sells, and so flogs them continuously :-)

Sorry bout that I kinda mixed up thoughts there. I will long range target and hunt
with it. The weight thing isn't really a prob, there isn't and mountians or anything
around here just lots of wide open and a few small hills. I usually find a little hill top and set up and just glass around looking for game.

You are already shooting a good longrange round, the 300RUM is more of the same. The 338 RUM would be a step up. Check out.
www.longrangehunting.com

I think it would be a mistake to purchase either. They are hard on your shoulder and cheek, hard on your ears and very hard on your wallet. I would suggest a 7mm mag. or a 300 mag no larger than a 300 Win mag. Maybe one of the WSSM's either 7mm or 300. Both will offer more long range performance than all but a select few shooters can take advantage of. Learn how to shoot well below 500 yards before you attempt longer ranges. 500 yards is a mighty long ways. I've been hunting and target shooting for over 50 years and limit my shots on unwounded game to no more than 350 yards.

Swampshooter I agree that the 300wm is a great cartridge. I've been shooting one
pretty regular for the last five years or so. This is the second barrel on the rifle
and I am guessing that I have close to 2000 rounds down this tube. So its time for a new one any way. Thats why im exploring other options.

Or should I try a simple approach and put a longer stick on it and get more velocity out of the 300wm.

Arm chair speculation here, I,m not a long range shooter. Did grow up in Saskatchewan, my definition of a long shot has changed with location. First, let me muddy the waters a bit, if you,re starting with a rebarrel to ultra mag, you might take a look at the B&M cartridges, see if theres something that gets your attention... A few more options, the ultra mag case leaves you with a pretty decent foundation if you want to go off in a different direction.
Recoil. Starting with a 13 lb 300 Win mag, should be around 20 lbs. Going to 338 RUM, 13 lb gun, with 225s at 3227, around 34 lbs of recoil, 9lb gun, recoil goes up to 50 lbs. With 250s,pretty similar figures in either gun weight.
If you go the other way, head for a 7 RUM, 175s give you a realy good sectional density, 3164 fps with a 13 lb gun, 24 lbs recoil. 34 lbs with a 9 lb gun.
I,ll be the first to admit to being some what recoil sensitive. Never tried one of the ultra mags, did try the 338 Lapua through a braked Savage Long Range Hunter. Pretty similar rounds, the 338 Lapua was an absolute pussycat with a braked gun. Realy soft shooter.
Put a brake on any of em, recoil becomes mostly a non issue for the shooter.
So bein a little bit of a gun nut, these all have a certain appeal for me. On the other hand, I,ve got a little brother out in the prairies who,s a better shot than I am, he got a coyote the other day at over 600 yards with a 7-08. He claims luck..
Anyhoo, check out your options, see which ones talkin to you, prepare for long term hearing loss if you shoot a braked gun without hearing protection. Take a good hard look at the one thats talking to you. If you buy it and hate it, you can always sell it and start over.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
PS: Dave gets a commission on every 338 RCM Ruger sells, and so flogs them continuously :-)

Biebs, I can't help it. I just love this little gun

Muttly thats pretty good how do you figure those recoil numbers?? If I go the 338 rum the rifle will prob be under 18lbs , it maybe close but under, so is still considered a light gun in local shooting club.
I have nothing against the 7mm cartridges, From what I understand the ballistics are great. Only thing is everyone and there dog here has something 7mm, they brag them up like they are the only thing out there. I love goin to our matches and out shooting them with my so called big slow 300wm. I like being the odd man there. It would be great to showem up with a big caliber

I use online recoil calculators, mostly the one at realguns.com. Quick and easy.

Dave,
I appreciate hearing about the 338 RCM. My wife shoots a stainless Tikka 270Win but likes the idea of a shorter, traditional wood rifle. The 338RCM would be pretty nice in Africa and in a small package for a smaller frame. My wife is about 115 lbs. 5'5". Meanwhile, I still don't understand why Ruger backed away from a "338 Ruger", a full-size case with the ballistic equivalence of a 340 weatherby or 330 Dakota.


Downrange-
I would agree with someone above that there is no real point in going from a 300WinMag to a 300RUM. They shoot the same bullets with the same BC's.
If you are building the rifle, I would seriously weigh a couple of other options, the 338 Lapua and the new 338 Norma Magnum. Check out the longrange bullets like the 265 TTSX and the newer 280 TTSX (.667 BC, but 1.88 inch long. Should work with magnum length magazines but they are probably too long for the 338 WinMag.)

Recoil will not be an issue if you've learned to shoot the 300WM well. The real problem is muzzle-blast. I'm one of those who avoids a muzzle break and just lets a rifle shake my shoulder a little bit. But make sure that you can walk with the rifle. Keep it 10lbs or under. If you're thinking costs, then there is nothing wrong with the 338 WinMag. It is an absolutely sterling calibre whose only "downside" is that it is over 50 years old. It's a sweet little calibre, well balanced for the bore size. I probably feel about it the way Dave thinks of the 338 RCM. And a 225 grain TTSX is available with a .514 BC. Not too shabby, and it's relatively fast. The Winnie will push it at 2800+, while the Lapua and Norma can probably do 3000fps at the top. If you want over 3000 fps then the 338WinMag can shoot 185 grains at 3150 fps. Anyway, I think that you will enjoy the larger calibre after so much shooting of the 30's.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

there is nothing wrong with the 338 WinMag. It is an absolutely sterling calibre

I agree wholeheartedly, the 338 Win Mag can shoot 160gn Barnes TTSX @ 3390fps, and 300gn Woodleigh RNSN @ 2450fps, and everything in between. For long range work the 225gn or 250gn Nosler accubond is superb, and there are a variety of new efficient 265gn bullets available that I haven't tried yet. Plenty of options, and big enough for anything below buffalo.

Welcome to AR.
My $.02 worth. You're on the right track but need to go further down the road. If you are trying to stay with factory components then the .338 RUM may be the ticket with 300gr SMK. My thought would be to go to either a 338 Norma Mag or the 338/300rum (.338 Edge), or possibly the .338/.375Ruger wildcats.

The Norma Mag is impressive, the Edge is really just the 300 RUM necked up to .338 and it is quite capable. Either if those is capable of repeatable accuracy out to 1500 yards. I am told the .338/.375Ruger is also pretty close to the same performance window.
If you're thinking truly long range then 500 and less is a chip shot.

The only muzzle brake I've not been bothered by was a Vias (sp?).

For info on the .338 Edge check out Defensive Edge Custom Gunsmithing. Not that you need to go through him but it gives you an idea what a .338 Norma Mag or .338 Edge are capable of.

416Tanzan I would like to try the lapua but problem it that my action wont take a lapua.
416tanzan, 338User I will look closer at the 338 win mag.

BigNate I was reading some on the 338 Edge , I would like to give it a try. My action will take the case just fine but, the one thing I havent had to do yet is form brass. Its prob a piece of cake, but I have never done it. Wish I could find somewhere I could watch it being done.

If you want something bigger than a 300, then I would use either 338 Lapua or 338 Norma Mag, but since the 338 Lapua will not fit your action, I would clearly choose the 338 Norma Mag.

quote:

Originally posted by Norwegianwoods:
If you want something bigger than a 300, then I would use either 338 Lapua or 338 Norma Mag, but since the 338 Lapua will not fit your action, I would clearly choose the 338 Norma Mag.

Why won't it fit the action? Is it a push-feed that would need a drilled out boltface? If so, then the 338 Norma Magnum won't work either. Also, the Norma was also intended to be used for long bullets seated out to long magazine lengths.

The 330 Dakota could be an option.

quote:

Originally posted by Clem:
The 330 Dakota could be an option.

An excellent choice.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

Originally posted by Norwegianwoods:
If you want something bigger than a 300, then I would use either 338 Lapua or 338 Norma Mag, but since the 338 Lapua will not fit your action, I would clearly choose the 338 Norma Mag.

Why won't it fit the action? Is it a push-feed that would need a drilled out boltface? If so, then the 338 Norma Magnum won't work either. Also, the Norma was also intended to be used for long bullets seated out to long magazine lengths.

downrange said the 338 Lapua would not fit his action and I thought the reason for that was that the 338 Lapua is a bit to long.
I thought the 338 Norma would fit as it rather much short than the 338 Lapua.

The lapua has to big of case head, I think I would be ok length
wise tho. I can use a .534 dia head round max and a 3.650 oal to fit in the mag, I could single load long ones for fun time shooting. Im pretty sure the dakota is to big also. That's why I was thinking one of the rum's

I,m startin to get curious, what action are you using, what sort of rig, if you don,t mind me asking?... 13 lbs seems fairly heavy. Whats the longest barrel length you,re wanting to work with?

Sure thing it is a 300 win mag, It has a shilen select match #7 barrel 28" , timney trigger about a pound break, mrc long magnum action, boyd thumbhole stock, leupold vx3 lr 20x scope.

I wouldnt mind a 30-32" barrel Im goin to get a kreiger #10 MTU contour for what ever caliber I do choose , barrel would be prob between .900 to 1.000 at muzzle. I like the looks of some of the richards microfit stocks, but they have mixed reviews. I want a bench type stock, gun rest on bipod or a caldwell rock rest. I dont really mind the weight, I have a homemade sling made from a seatbelt that I carry it across my back when goin to and from.

for sniping deer in 338,
you'll want the 280 grain TTSX in .667 BC, a real hunting bullet, and a new rig with a Lapua case (3.5 grains over the Edge, 7 over the RUM) or maybe bigger like the 338/378. If you're going 20 pounds, then you can consider a Cheyenne Tactical.
For good ol' hunting, the 338 WinMag or 340 Weatherby will meet all of your needs.

I would go with the 338RUM if building a long range thumper. A 26 inch or longer barrel to get the most out of it.

If you're worried about recoil, you can always load the 338 RUM down. When hunting, I never feel the recoil and I use a sissy bag at the range to sight-in the hunting loads. Regards, AIU

Aiu thats true could use bags and stuff. I just trying to get as much info on it as I can so I dont build something I dont like. There only one gun I own that I completely hate to shoot its my 12ga bolt slug gun. It is a friggin terror to shoot. I dont want another like that.

since you already have a 300 Win mag I would go with the 338 RUM.. but I really enjoy my 300 RUM

Not insulting you here, but, if a 13 lbs 300 Win Mag gives you a "pretty good thump" then the RUM series might not be for you. Its a very noticeable step up in recoil from my experience.

Maybe you are looking at this in the wrong direction? Have you considered going down in caliber to the extremely high BC 7's and 6.5's? Going to be a lot easier on the shoulder and give you the same long range results. A long throated 7 Rem mag or a 7 STW throwing 168 or 180 VLD's is very popular with the long range crowd.

quote:

Not insulting you here, but, if a 13 lbs 300 Win Mag gives you a "pretty good thump" then the RUM series might not be for you. Its a very noticeable step up in recoil from my experience.

Maybe you are looking at this in the wrong direction? Have you considered going down in caliber

Agreed..when one talks about possibilities of up to 18lb rifles or 30"+ barrels, you need to take a serious look again especially if you talk of moving it off the bench to do any type of hunting.