All,

I seem to have turned into a 338 nut all of a sudden.

338 WSM
338-8mm Rem Mag
338-06
338 Win Mag

I have a chance to pick-up a custom 330 Dakota at a decent price.

Will the 330 Dakota "buy" me anything over the 338s that I have and have listed above?

Feedback is appreciated.

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Speak softly and carry a really big MAGNUM.

Regards,

Mark

PA - I shoot a .330 Dakota built by Dakota. I also have a .338 WinMag, but don't shoot it much since I got the .330.

I shoot 250gr Nosler Partition Gold at 2850fps with 82gr of H-4831SC. Basically, you will get between 150 to 250 additional fps depending upon bullet weight over a .338 WinMag. Trust me, you will love the .330Dak.

PA,

I am also a 338 nut. I have:

338 Lapua
330 Dakota
338 Win Mag

The 330 Dakota will be pretty close to the 338-8 Rem Mag. I can get ~2850 from a 250gr bullet. The problem with the Dakota is the cost of brass and dies, otherwise they make a very nice package and mine is very accurate.

Just FYI I have had 3 different 340 Wby Mags, two different 338 WM, and a 338 RUM. I am a huge 338 fan. I plan on building another 338 as soon as I get back from vacation (the wife said I had to wait 'till then otherwise it would already be started).

I am thinking of a 338 x 284 next, just for something different.

If you get the Dakota let me know, so we can share reloading notes.

Jim

Gents,

Thank you very much for the speedy replies.

Appreciate it.

I'll have to think this one out.

I have a NIB Ruger RSML MK II in 416 Rigby that I have up for sale.

If it doesn't go anywhere, I've been thinking 338 Lapua.

Will the Lapua rim fir the face of a 416 Rigby bolt? or is the bolt face too big?

------------------
Speak softly and carry a really big MAGNUM.

Regards,

Mark

The 338 Lapua is a necked down and shortend version of the 416 Rigby. So the answer is yes, the bolt face would be the same. You would be able to rebarrel with no modifications to the action or bolt.

How much are you asking for your 416?

Jim

Jim,

I was looking for $1, 350 but have been told 1,100 is probably more like it.

Give me an email address and I'll send some photos.

mhaydu@mercurylink.net

or

mnh@merrimacind.com

------------------
Speak softly and carry a really big MAGNUM.

Regards,

Mark