I'm looking for a rifle for Moose, Bears & possibly an elk or two. I really like the reach of the .338 RUM or .340 Weatherby. Thoughts??

I'm squarely in the 338 RUM camp, especially if you plan on shooting past 350 yards. On the other hand, one can't really go wrong with the 375 H&H magnum.

Unless you are planning to shoot all that game past 500 yards lol I see no reason not to just go 338 win mag. Cheaper rifles, MANY more choices in said rifles, not sure if you reload or not, but if not, more choices in ammo. Still if you need a fast 33 to turn your crank I see it as a toss up betwen the 2. Less powder higher pressure 340, or more powder less pressure in a larger case requiring modified action. Either choice, you are limited to 1 brand of rifle as both may as well be proprietary, unless you go custom. And if you go custom, why not go 338 Lapua? I know where there is a ready to install 338 lapua barrel for around 5 bills threaded for a R700 action

I'd pick the rifle first, then the caliber. What rifle do you like best?

I think the 34 bores are perfedct for larger big game in NA. I would only consider the 375h&h if yo ujust want one or plan a trip to Africa. Either the 338winmag or 340wby will do it all from deer to moose & big bears.

There is nothing wrong with any of the big 338s. selecting which rifle you want it in is also a good idea. The 340 is very hard to beat. If you handload 340 ammo costs very little more than 338 win to load, A 340 barrel can be installed on many actions.If you find wby brass a little expensive you can use 375 H&H brass. Once through the size die, load and fire and you have perfectly formed brass.For any of the larger North American game the 340 gives up very little to any calibre.

375H&H. You can always download it to 338 power levels and still make use of those 300gr bullets. Nobody has ever posted here that they bought "too much rifle".

Rich

I have loaded for and shot them all and have .375s, as well. I much prefer the plain, old .338WM, with a 250NP at 2750-2800. In fact, I carry these more than all my other rifles combined.

The .338 RUM and the .340 Weatherby are outstanding. I like the RUM but I like the Norma Brass for the Weatherby. Either would be fabulous along with the .338-.378 Weatherby and Lapua.

I have come to really like the .358 STA, but I don't know of any current factory rifles.

The 375 RUM, .375 Weatherby, and the awesome .378 Weatherby loaded to extreme velocities with 260 gr Accubonds would give reach.

The advantage to the .338 caliber is "target" quality bullets.

What I'm currently using in this role is a Ruger No.1 chambered .416 Rigby with 300 gr Barnes pushed fast.

Having shot and owned all three I will say this:

The 338 Win mag is by far the best all arounder for North America. The 340Wby is a bit more oomph and is probably the max I would shoot prone without a muzzie brake. The 338 RUM, 338-378, and 338 lapua are equivalent and are really overkill for anything under 500 yds. The 340Wby on up usually have 26" bbls whereas the 338 win has a 24" bbl.

Then there is the 375 H&H, extremely versatile for the biggest of critters, and would be my choice if I lived in Brown Bear land. It runs on lower pressures thereby getting good case life. The 375 has better ability to shatter bone and is less likely to be deflected by woody parts.

John

I have been making gut piles in Alaska for 45 years. For the last 35 years I have been doing it with a .338 Win. Mag. and 250 grain bullets. With today's "super bullets" I know I could get by with a tough 225 grain bullet. If a critter is to far away to shoot at with a .338 Win. Mag. I suggest getting closer.

Here is a different spin on it. I'm a lefty and when looking for a 338 or a 375, I was able to find a 375 H&H before I was able to find a 338. I reload so I picked up some 260 gr Nosler Accubonds and 300 gr Partitions. I think I'm all set for anything in NA or Africa. I realize the H&H burns more powder than the 338, but I only need one rifle now for big game out to (and maybe beyond) 300 yards.

If you are building a custom, I prefer the 338 RUM (after months this is what I decided on). As for off the shelf, the Rem only comes in the XCR unless you go with the custom shop, then you might as well just build a real custom.
Pros - reloading components easier and more economical to find then 340 or 338 lapua or Edge. Plus, Berger is introducing a new 338 line this year.
Cons - plan on a muzzle brake and a big limbsaver pad
That said, just my opinion. All the above calibers have strong camps with good reason. They are all great calibers, just boils down to what you want. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by analog_peninsula:
I'd pick the rifle first, then the caliber. What rifle do you like best?

+1

Have owned and loaded for .338 Win, .338 RUM, .338 Lapua, ,.340 WM, and .375 H&H,.376 Styer, .378 WM and recently the .338 RUM and about to start on a .375 Ruger project

Not a bad gun/calibre among them---
just different and
each rifle with different handling characteristics.

On average the .338 Win Mag is a great rifle ,
AND in good supply with READILY available ammo ---
and
IF you happen to loose your ammo in transit this makes a HUGE difference..

For anything in North America, a .338 WM. is all you'll need. Load it up with a 225 NorthFork & you're good to go for anything. If you go after a Brown Bear, change the bullet tot a 240 NF. Mike Brady told me that he designed the 240 gr. bullet for Brown bear. I can tell you from experience that the .225 gr. bullet is hell on moose. For a scope, I'd use a 1.5-5 Leupold since you could well encounter conditions from thick timber to relatively open areas. This scope will work perfectly. BTDT.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
I'm squarely in the 338 RUM camp, especially if you plan on shooting past 350 yards. On the other hand, one can't really go wrong with the 375 H&H magnum.

I agree, I've had both in AK.
A 338 RUM with a good 250 gr bullet doesn't leave much on the table.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
375H&H. You can always download it to 338 power levels and still make use of those 300gr bullets. Nobody has ever posted here that they bought "too much rifle".

Rich

OK, I have a .458 Win. Mag. that's a bit "too much rifle" for black-tail deer.

Now somebody has "posted."

Well, I must agree with idaho sharpshooter use a 375

it can depend on
what else you have,
how heavy a gun you want to carry,
and how much to spend (CZ custom will make you a nice 338Lapua with controlled-feed, but wants $3000 and change).
For lighter carry, there are a couple of great 6.5 pound options, no scope, in 338WM. (I have one in Tikka with scope at 7.3 pounds. My dainty wife says 'it jumps a little' when she shoots it. but it sure carries nicely.)

I had a 416Rigby in Africa so the 338 WM was a natural n providing a different trajectory/character at prices of regular rifles.
If you have a 300WM you might want the 375HH for a difference, but you might miss some of the 3000+ trajectory.
If you have a 270/7m/30 you will enjoy the 338WM upgraded thump at similar trajectories. I also wavered on the 375HH and 338WM 25 years ago and went 338. Worked great, from duiker even to buffalo. I really liked the versatility and 'standard action' prices. Then I used 250NP, today the 225 TTSX bullet will truly do it all, even flatter than the 250NP. If you want some long range options, you can carry some 185 TTSX (at 3100fps+ drops 13.5" at 400 yards sighted in at 2.5"/100) for excellent guaranteed penetration on all angles of front and side shots on herbivores. (Just remember whatever its different point of impact vis a vis a 225 TTSX sightin.) I would walk around with 225s since you will have time for slipping in a 185 for a long shot (350-500 yards). The 225TTSX 2800fps only drops 5" at 300 when sightedin at 2.7"/100. Over 400 yards the 225gr would need a rangefinder but has 1600ftlbs at 600 yards.

So enjoy your choices. There are many other similar calibres, too, but it sounds like you would prefer non-custom/not-rare/not-proprietary.

I have the 338 Rum and a Sako 375 H&H. For hunting Moose the 338 Rum will kill a moose.

I have a few 338's and a 340.
As an all around it is difficult to argue with a 338 with 250 NP's @ 2750-2800 FPS (Just like Dewey) and you can do that with a 24" barrel.
Shoots flat and hits hard.
How many "big" bears are you planning on shooting? I suspect you may be hunting a lot more Moose and Elk. Elk are truly a potential long range opportunity and I have shot Moose near and far.
A 340 Wea with 225 Accubonds at 3100 FPS are a long range big game offering without peer in a "manageable package".
Both are outstanding North American big game cartridges.

+1 for the 338 WM.

I like shootin the 225 grain Barnes bullets for everything. The 225 grain bullets will kill everything in North America.

This thread reminds me of being in camp with my buddy sitting around the fire at night trying to figure the perfect one gun North American hunting rifle. Conclusion for me was the 338 Ultra Mag. You can load it with 185 grain bullets to 30-06 velocities or load up the 250 grain bullets to 338 Win or bump them up again to full potential. You can even get Swift A-Frames in 275 grains. Now that has to be a North American stopping bullet.It just seemed to be so versatile. I'm in the process of having my 375 Weatherby re chambered with the new reamer to get rid of all the Weatherby free bore. If it doesn't work out it will get re barreled in 338 Ultra Mag.
Take good care
Dave

Will your shots be more than 300 yards? If not, then a .338-06 or .35 Whelen is perfect for the game you mentioned. Why waste powder and deal with so much recoil?

.338 RUM is the poor man's 340 Wby. I'm not knocking it, just stating the obvious.

.375 (Ruger or H&H) is a great caliber. But it's overkill for NA.

It's all good. Buy what you like and you will use it with a smile.

With the cost of the Howa M-1500 barreled actions and the Boyd JRS classic stocks, you could build both a 338 Win. Mag and a 375 Ruger for $1000.00:

http://www.legacysports.com/pr...pecs_baractions.html

- .375 Ruger, 3+1 in chamber, 24 #2, 1-12" twist $415.00

- .338 Win Mag, 1-10" twist $415.00

- (2) Boyd JRS Laminate classic $92.00

Total: $1014.00

quote:

Originally posted by Buano:
I'm looking for a rifle for Moose, Bears & possibly an elk or two. I really like the reach of the .338 RUM or .340 Weatherby. Thoughts??

Where will you be hunting?

Theres no wrong choice here. I have several of both and I find that with 250 gr. bullets and up in ether cal theres enough jacket that you can shoot foxes with no expantion and not tear them up to bad. Thats how they work on the small side. On the other end I have ether shot or backed up 9 brown bears kills with a .338 and 3 with a .375. They both work well.

Typicly depending on the maker .375s tend to be a pound or so heavier.

There is a lot of fine moose cartridges......30-06, any of the .300 Mags, .338-06, .338 Win Mag, .340 Mag, .35 Whelen, 9.3 X 62, .......all will work

IMO the recoil of the .338 Win Mag is nearly the same as the .375 H&H.....sure feels the same to me...and if you really need more than a .30-06 to do it.....move to something more....get the .375 (H&H or Ruger)

Get a 375.

I used my 338 WinMag on a recent Africa hunt. It is sufficient for any of the plains game. Plus it can be uploaded for bear/elk or downloaded whitetail.

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
I have loaded for and shot them all and have .375s, as well. I much prefer the plain, old .338WM, with a 250NP at 2750-2800. In fact, I carry these more than all my other rifles combined.

Dewey

I am just curious. How many rifles do you own right now?

And how many have you owned in your lifetime?

I own both a .375 H&H and a .338 RUM. Both are great cartridges and I've killed a lot with each. For the application you mentioned, I would opt for the RUM. My 338 is a lighter rifle with more range. As for power, the RUM has a slight edge on the H&H. Either will be a great choice.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
I have loaded for and shot them all and have .375s, as well. I much prefer the plain, old .338WM, with a 250NP at 2750-2800. In fact, I carry these more than all my other rifles combined.

Dewey

I am just curious. How many rifles do you own right now?

And how many have you owned in your lifetime?

At the moment, since I sold one custom P-64 in 9.3x62 and my old BLR-.308W, and my Marlin 336-1895-'70s-.45-70 and only bought another ZG-47 and a minty .300 H&H-P-64, I have 36 rifles, almost all classic big game rifles, scuh as P-64s, Brno 21/22 and ZGs, Dakota, Mannlicher-Schoenauer and so on.

I cannot honestly recall the life total,I had a list which has disappeared and it had about 120 guns on it several years ago. I would estimate my big game rifles to have numbered maybe 115 in total over 45 years, maybe more.....it's a VERY severe affliction......

I load for an shoot all of them, but, I tend to hunt most with P-64 originals in .338WM and my P-64 Fwts. in .270W see a fair bit of use.

I would have more, but, I just completed a deal for another pb. Rottweiler male this morning; he comes "home" to me tomorrow and these fabulous dogs, this will make three living here now, are both costly to buy and to maintain....but, they are the "light of my life" and I would have a dozen if the damm bylaws were not so rigid here.

I had a very light .338 built when Nosler Partitions were not made for the .375 H&H. Accuracy was OK but it kicked like a SOB. Recoil was so bad I would not let my wife shoot it.

Good soft points became available for the .375 H&H and I rebarreled. It's still very light but accuracy and recoil are much improved. My wife fired some of the barrel break in shots.

When compared to a .338, a .375 H&H is not too much rifle.

For what it is worth, none of the above!

How about a 338-06 loaded with 210 TSX bullets; a 35 Whelen loaded with 225 TSX bullets; or, a 9.3X62 loaded with 250 grain TSX bullets. Any of these calibers will shoot out to 250 yards or so with these premium bullets and deliver enough punch for any animal in North America. They can be made up into a lot lighter, more portable rifle and have a hell of a lot less recoil than the suggestions above.

Oh my, DB you have surely best get on your fireman's uniform and you did it all without a single "belt". +1

.338...either the Winchester or the RUM. They will both work great as long as you do your part and put the bullet where it belongs.

a 338 wm or a 340 is all the gun you will need any where in north america. i have had 14 1 shot kills on elk out to 450 yds. you wont do that with a 375h&h.
the 338 is a lighter rifle and easier packed in the woods. it also is a standard lenght action that keep up with a 375 h%h untill 200 yds and then is alot flatter shotting than a 375 h&h after 200 yds.
the other thing to remember is ammo availibility. you can find 338 win mag alot easier than 375 h&h.
just my 2 cents worth

For what it's worth (and I have not hunted Brown Bear) ... the .338 WM can be a right handy rifle for which ammo is widely available.

Given that the Brownie is the largest of the carnivores, I'd opt for the .375 or even a .416 but probably a Ruger chambering because it will fit in a standard length action. I'd up-gun that way rather than going to a RUM chambering.

Last time I went hunting in Wyoming we were surprised when we found .375 H&H ammo in small rather remote gun shops.

I have the 338 RUM and also 375 H&H. But would
prefir the RUM Reason being it can reach a little ferther Then the 375 H&H.