Hello all!

I have sifted through various calibres and decided to buy a 338 wm. Now I need help to figure out which one to buy. I would like to spend about $1000 or so (rifle only). I would like a composite stock with blued barrel if possible and NO muzzle brake. Weight is not a huge issue with me, around 8.5 pounds would be ideal, but if I have to go heavier I will. I would appreciate your thoughts and impressions. Thanks!

You're describing a Sako TRGs. Although out of production, you can often find them on Gunbroker or Auction Arms. I think that Tikka has a blue/synthetic model that would be a close second.

But if you're willing to accept a plastic stock, you could buy just about any good bolt action and replace the stock.

I have a Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker that meets your specs. I will never sell this rifle, it just shoots too good !!! Composite stock, dull black finish, 60 degree bolt lift, tang safety, it has everything that I like in a real hunting rifle. I consider this gun a tool and use it as such for elk hunting. It shoots under 3/4" MOA and with a 210 Partition kills like the Hammer of Thor !!

I'd buy a Howa/Hogue M 1500 # LSIHGR63402

24" barrel blued.

for about $400+ dollars.

the browning is nice or you could have one made on a 1917 enfield they make nice simi customs.

How about a Vanguard?

A couple of buddies of mine have them in 300 Winnie & 300 Webbie. They are a pleasure to shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by bowhuntrrl:
.... It shoots under 3/4" MOA and with a 210 Partition kills like the Hammer of Thor !!

What's a realistic muzzle velocity from a 24" barrel with a 210 grs NP in a .338 WM??
- mike

Just last week I picked up a Sako 75 stainless/synthetic from a member of this site for $900. One trip to the range and I'm already in love with it.

Good luck in your search.

mho, With the 338 Win Mag, a 24" bbl, and the 210 par. with a max charge of H-4350, 70-to-71 gr.velocitys will be around the 2900 mark.

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
What's a realistic muzzle velocity from a 24" barrel with a 210 grs NP in a .338 WM??
- mike

My Sako does 2940 fps with a 225 grain Nosler Partition, and just a few fps more with the 210. Both are propelled by H4831. It seems to have a "faster" barrel than some.

For reasons known only to Nosler, the 225 Partition has a somewhat sharper ogive than the 210. Combined with the slightly greater sectional density, this should give the 225 even more advantage in B.C. With the very similar velocities, the 225 seems preferable to the tried and true 210, particularly since it shoots a little tighter in my gun.

The 210 NP is a great bullet that by all accounts outperforms its size and weight, but the 225 NP seems to be even more of a good thing.

Another vote for the Sako. Be patient and you will find one to fit your budget. I paid $850 for mine and it's a shooting son of a gun! Worth the wait!!!

This is my answer to your question. A used $400.00 Ruger M77 and a $112.00 Bushnell scope! I know, I know it's not what you are looking for, but this budget bomber is quickly turning into one of my favorite rifles. It's accurate as hell, and it knocks the snot out of wild hogs!

You could join in the bidding on this beautiful Sako L61R

Or buy this Sako Finnbear for the buy now price

Or go new in box modern Remington with a synthetic stock and stainless action and barrel.

Obviously each person is different but if I were to recommend something along your parameters, I would find a used Rem 700 in 338WM. If I could not find one then I would get one in 7mmRM, or 300WM. I would then have it rebarreled/reblued in 338WM. Find a stock you like whether it is a HS Precision, McMillan, or others. I did something similar many years ago but it was SS with an HS. A couple of years ago, I put it in a 700LSS mountain rifle stock. It will stay in that configuration for a looong time. Here is a pic...


As far as loads go, I get close to 2900MV with the 225gr Nosler Partitions and RL-19 so I would imagine 2900 with 210s won't be a problem. In the Feb 2007 issue of Handloader magazine there was an extensive article on reloading the 338WM. Try to get a copy of it - No you can't have mine.

RH

Why hasn't anyone has mentioned the Model 70 Winchester? Oh, I guess it's because they went out of business. I picked one up about a month ago in 338 and really like it. It is partial to the 250gr bullets, which suits me just fine. Most of my big game rifles are model 70's. Some are push feed and some are CRF but they all shoot well. I highly recommend them.

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

quote:

Originally posted by bowhuntrrl:
.... It shoots under 3/4" MOA and with a 210 Partition kills like the Hammer of Thor !!

What's a realistic muzzle velocity from a 24" barrel with a 210 grs NP in a .338 WM??
- mike

I get 3050 fps through my chronograph. I use IMR 4350. My Browning has a 26" barrel .

I have one in M70 and it is a real tack driver with a Leupold 3-9 on it shoots sub MOA and shot one group as small as .264" with factory loads no less ( 3 shot 100 yards).

I have both a Model 70 in 338 Mag and a Browning A Bolt in 338 Mag... both are accurate as all get out..

The Model 70 is a little more finicky than the Browning surprisingly...

However, I have to admit.. both sit in the safe way too much... because when I need a 338 bore, I reach for the other Model 70 that I have that has a 24 inch 338/06 barrel on it...

It comes pretty darn close to the 338 Mag, with less powder, less recoil and the ability to hold 5 rounds in the magazine instead of 3...even tho I have never needed it.. it is comforting to know they are there...

Thanks for the feedback on velocity Guys. It looks like 2900+ fps is a realistic expectation. Just what the doctor ordered!

- mike

This is off the subject but the first expierience I had seeing a whitetail shot was with the .338 winnie. My fathers cousin was hit by a car when he was young and tracking a deer miles was not on the agenda. I was about 15 years old sitting in a hole the local DNR had dug out so people wouldnt drive down an abandoned rail line. He was smoking home rolled cigarettes (Legal ones (Tobacco) and listening to a little battery powered radio on the local rock station low but still there. He was a gifted long range shooter and you could see farther than you could shoot down the old rail line. About 350-400 yards out A nice 8-point buck stepped into the corridor. He slid the M70 up in the shooting sticks he made when we got there and BOOOOOOOOOOM! That whitetail looke like the ghost of the locomotive on that line hit it. It slammed that deer down like I couldnt even imagine. It was a perfect heart shot. The heart looked like he hit it with a grenade. It was an impressionable experience for a first time deer hunter. Sorry to ramble on but this forum sparked the memory.

My '06 version did 2790 with 215 in 23", so I'd suspect 2800 is easy with 210's.

Shooting that vs the Win mag took the 'edge' off the kick for me, without needing an overly heavy rifle. One thing you don't want is to develop a flinch with a light rifle with poor pad. It never does an aim good!

Allow me to kick myself in the butt: I owned a Mauser actioned .338 Wm with a 21 inch medium weight barrel. I put it into a Bell and Carlson stock and loaded it hot with 210 gr Noslers. I shot it at various ranges out to 300 yards and it was deadly. A guy made me an offer I couldn't refuse and he took it to Alaska where he is knocking down moose and bears with it every year. Carry weight and length are just right, and that rifle had iron sights. Also, you can never go wrong with a Mauser.

I'm a rookie here, but my sons just had me pick out a new rifle for my birthday. I settled on a 338 Win Mag, but the rifle took a lot more thinking. I ended up with the Browning Stainless Stalker. It's in the price range you are looking for. I was out the door for $805. It helps to know the right guy with an FFL.

I have a Remington Model 700 in .338WM that I bought in 1989; I've hunted moose and black bear with it every year pretty much, 'cept 2006, when I took out the ZKK-602 for moose.
The rifle has a custom fiberglas stock put on by K&S Arms, Edmonton, Alberta. It's been subjected to hellascious weather, run over by ATV's, has a bunch of viscious dings and such on the stock, scope, etc... and It's the best all-around gun in my gun safe... scope is one of the old Baush & Lomb Balvars 1.5-6X.

It's hiding in the background of this pic, from spring 2006 bear hunt.

Well my .002 cents worth I agree with bowhuntrrl .

I also have a A Bolt SS synthetic stock I love this weapon !. I purchased mine from a Friends Gun shop used . Heres a story to believe . Even I couldn't make this up !.

I'm a lefty so my friend who owns the gun shop calls me one day and says , You still looking for a .300 or ?. I said sure .

Well I've got a .338 Win Mag . Heres the deal you can either pay me for the rifle or scope that's on it !. ??

Well I'll pay for the scope !. ( He never told me what was on it !! ) Just what and the make of the rifle . So I figure scope is cheaper . Wrong !!

I go over and he sells me the rifle ( not for the scope cost just the rifle cost !. he's a good fellow . )

It's got a Ziess 2.5 X 10 mounted on it . He even gave me the box of ammunition that the original owner purchased with the gun !. 3 Shells were missing !!!!!!!!!. Best Dam deal I had made in a LOOOOONG time .

He told me the original owner couldn't handle the recoil and bought a 06 from him instead !.

I love that .338 weapon !.Shoots well ...