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Originally posted by woodsracer:
Does anyone have any info concerning experiences with either of these three calibers and Long Range (600 yards+) elk hunting????

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Originally posted by dgr416:
I have shot caribou with the 338-378.I got mine at 450 yards.Then I let a friend shoot and he got two with one shot at same distance.I used Nosler 250 gr partitions.I loaded them with 109 grs of reloader 25 with Federal 215 mag primers.My cousin loaded some for me and weighed each charge and he shot a few .25 groups with my gun.I have two of them now in case I ever wear one out.Its important to clean these rifles around ever 60 rounds due to heavy powder fouling.Its a pain in the butt .I have a 5.5 x15 nikon on one and a 6.5x20 nikon on the other.I just got some bonded 325 gr bullets from a guy in Canada I am going to try.The web site longrangehunting.com is an awesome long range hunting site. >>>I spend lotsa time there too!<<< They use 300 gr serria match kings.I have not shot anything with them but have loaded some .It didnt shoot as good as the nosler partitions.I think the serria 250 gr bt would be good too.I would stay with 250 gr or larger.There are alot of smaller grain bullets that will blow apart at 338-378 speeds.I get around 3100 fps with the 250 gr and 2800 fps with the 300 gr.I have not shot these 325gr yet but they look awesome.I think they will go around 2700 fps.I would shoot elk out to about 800 yards with the 250 nosler partitions no problem.It adds about 300 yards to a 338 win mags range.The long range hunter guys use 30" barrels to get around 3300fps from a 250 gr and 3000 fps with a 300 gr.The next step up from the 338-378 is the 408 or the 50 bmg.I like toting a 10 pound gun instead of a 30 pound one.

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Originally posted by David:
I used to have a 338-378. Mine always shot great, but I made the mistake of not putting my ear protection on just once when shooting with the brake. It was so loud, my ears actually hurt from the shot. Since I don't hunt with ear protection, I decided to try it without the break. The recoil was brutal. >>>Hmmmmm??? I shoot my CZ550 PRONE off of a Harris bi-pod to practice for elk hunting (it wears a 4.5-14x50 Leupold). I may have to consider a brake although I don't have one on ANY of my hunting rifles.<<< My 470 Capstick is more pleasant to shoot. I was able to get sub 1" groups both with and without the brake. It shot best with LOTS of RL25 and 250gr bullets at 3060fps. I think you will find the RL22 is just a bit fast, especially with the heavier bullets.

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Originally posted by David:
My rifle was a Weatherby Accumark that came with a factory brake. I don't have any other rifles in the same caliber to compare to, but I have heard that the Weatherby stock design leave something to be desire when it comes to felt recoil. Other stock designs may not feel as punishing. I do my load development shooting off a Hart Benchrest since I have one and some some Benchrest shooting.

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Originally posted by dgr416:
I always use reloader 25 and 109 grs is the maxium in my rifle with 250 gr bullets.I only shoot 250 gr or larger with this caliber.I loaded some 275 gr Kodiak bullets they shot good but nothing like the Nosler Partitions.I shot 100 grs of Reloader 25 with 300 gr bullets.I want to see how these custom 325 grs bullets shoot.I hope they are around 2700 fps.The factory accumark 338-378 is hard to beat.it has a 26" barrel and a 2" muzzle break.The remington Sendero in 338 ultra mag is pretty good if you can find one .I think the 338 ultra mag will disapear in another year or so.I have a bunch of brass for my Weatherby 338-378s.I deloaed and necked down some cheap 416 Weatherbys.It was hard work but the brass lasted forever.I would buy some reloader 25 powder.My rifle locked up with 112 grs of reloader 25.I got 3250 with that one shot but it was too hot.I got an ejector mark with 110 grs of reloader 25.The 109 grs of reloader 25 with Nosler partitions 250 gr and federal 215 primers shot .25 " at 100 yards and under an inch at 300 yards.I would not fool with lighter bullets in the 338-378.It will just wear your barrel out faster.I still have to see to believe about the 300 gr serria match king.The guys on longrangehunting.com shoot deer and elk out to 1000 yards or further.I just dont trust those bullets as much as they do.The bonded 325 grs I just got are $70 a box of 50 pretty spendy but awesome.I find myself hunting with my Weatherby Accumark 338-378 more than any other gun I have these days.I have gotten so use to it that even my 338 win mags seem small.

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Originally posted by 338guy:
I don't think there is really any difference between the various cartridges you list. I prefer the 338-378 over the 358 because there is more bullet selection. I think it is the perfect elk rifle. >>>That's what I am wanting! <<<

I have a Harris Talon with a 28" barrel and no muzzle brake. This was the longest I felt I could use for hunting and I would rather have a longer barrel than 2" of muzzle brake. The recoil really isn't bad. >>> When completed, my rifle will weight around 10.5 lbs so I'm not too worried about the recoil, but THANK YOU for your confirmation.<<< The bare rifle weighs 8.5 pounds. I also have a 460 Weatherby barrel for it. If you think a 338-378 gets your attention shoot a 8.5 pound 460!

I use 7828 and RL-25. I also plan to try Retumbo this summer. The 200 Nosler BT is very accurate and holds together well. The Barnes X's and Honady Interbond are also great bullets.

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Originally posted by Thumpper470:

It is mild shooting with the factory MB, but I hunt withOUT the MB.

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Originally posted by Kingfisher:
Woodsracer, I'm sorry it took me a couple of days to respond. I've been out of town fishing. To answer your question, yes, I remember the contour on the barrel. It's a Shilen #17 which was a special contour Shilen used to offer for Remingtons. Now that they've re-done their website it's not listed in their contour list, however I'm sure that they could still make it for you. I essentially told them I wanted the largest diameter they could turn out and still fit in the stock in the longest length they could make. That's what I ended up with. Anyway, recoil and weight aside I really enjoy hunting with it and it's the first thing I grab whenever I go.

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Originally posted by Kingfisher:
I can't believe I forgot to give the specifics. If I remember correctly the #17 was between a 5 1/2 and a 6. The diameter at the muzzle is .825

Regards,
Tom

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Originally posted by Kingfisher:
I can imagine. My gun is somewhere around 12.5 lbs for the whole package. That's scope, bipod, etc. Add an extra pound for each round in the magazine.