New member and first post. My father has been shooting a 30x338 WM since 1960. He typically shoots it with a 165 grain pill - lately a Nosler BT. He has taken a number of Elk, Deer and Antelope in Arizona with his Pre-64 Win in this chamber.

While I hunted big game in Arizona with my Dad in the '70's and '80's, my career has taken me away from this pursuit until now. Even though I'm past my 10th Lustrum, I've got a serious itch to get back into big game hunting - never too late I say. I shoot 100/200/300 benchrest competitions in the Southwest and appreciate custom guns tuned to perform at their optimum.

My Dad's 82 now and doesn't kick butt like he used to. He wants me to use his 30x338; however, I'm looking for some suggestions for a custom Antelope, Sheep, Deer and Elk rifle.

Any comments on actions, calibers, etc would sincerely be appreciated. I currently use BAT actions in my benchrest rifles; however, not sure that is necessary for my big game pursuit. We've got a fellow in Wickenburg that is fairly well known for his work on M700 actions. We've also got Granite Mountain Arms in Phoenix that produces about the trickest M98 actions you'll ever see. Lots of options and your opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Welcome to AR and I hope you enjoy your visit here now and often.

I also shoot a 30x338 and enjoy the 165 as well for nearly all my hunting. Mine is built on an old Winchester model 54. It makes for a light package and a powerful punch.
Take the rifle from your dad and enjoy his wish to share it with you. You will have plenty of time later to try your own cartridges and rifles out.
Frank

I have a.30/.338 (AKA. 30-Belted Newton) too. Mine is on an early Newton action. It is a nice cartridge as you already know. I load mine with 180-gr. spire-pointed bullets. It is virtually a dead-ringer for the .308 Norma Mag in power...or just a tiny, tiny bit below the .300 Win. Mag.

With the right bullet(s), the cartridge will do anything you ask of it on western NA game, and you can always load it down a bit if you want.

If I was you, I'd be proud to accept it and your father's best wishes, and just go enjoy hunting with him as long as you can....even if he stays in camp while you buck the brush during the day.

Those opportunities are always too limited to worry or quibble over the perfect cartridge and rifle. The perfect part is having your dad along to enjoy it with you. (And if you have a son, take him too. He'll never forget those "men" days in camp with you and his Grandad. Just being there together will mean more to all of you some day than whether you ever get an animal.)

Frank & Canuck:

My son has already claimed this rifle

I've told him not to bury his old man and grandfather too fast

He will be off to med school in a year and we are trying to get three generations in the field one more time before it becomes next to impossible.

I've always enjoyed shooting my dad's 30x338. With a 165 pill, it really hits fast and hard. My dad always wanted a Weatherby; however, he could never afford one. My mother gave him the M70 for their first Christmas in 1953. It began life as a 30.06 and my dad converted it to the 30x338 shortly thereafter. He remains a disciple of high velocity and believes a bullet that arrives on target with great speed will kill more effectively than a heavier/slower bullet - that is why he loves the 165 bullet over the more popular 180. While he may not be correct on this matter, his 30x338 has accounted for more than two dozen "one shot" big game heads.

Thanks for your kind words.

Jeff borrow the gun, I would but on long term loan.

Sounds to me as if you are doing a good job in life. Am very pleased to hear your son already wants the rifle. Wish my son wanted any of mine....but he is almost 50 now, and I doubt he will suddenly contract an interest in hunting, fishing, or any other aspect of the outdoors.

I don't think your dad is "wrong" about 165 grains bullets, especially when it comes to slaying animals up to the size of large mule deer. My .30/.338 just prefers the longer bullets, accuracy-wise. If your dad's gun likes the 165 gr. projectiles, then you've got a great rifle & cartridge there. Good killing power and a little less recoil.

I hope all three of you get many more seasons together to enjoy it.

I have always chose 165's in my 300's when possible. I think its a great balance of speed and SD. Its what I shoot in my 300 Wby currently. Good to hear your boy has taken claim to your fathers rifle, it'll stay in the family....AND it gives you a chance to shop for a new rifle! LoL

Your options are endless. Given what you specified for game, I'd say anything from 257 Wby to 338 Win will work just fine. Can't go wrong with any of them, and modern hunting rifles are more then accurate enough. I can understand the desire for ultimate accuracy, especially if you're coming from the comp world. But, hunting rifles these days almost seem to be 1" or less, or they die in the fire. This includes sub 500$ rifles!

For building from the ground up, I'd go with whatever you can find cheapest between the M70, R700 and Howa 1500. Lots of very fine rifles being built on 1500's and I have heard of several smiths who prefer them to R700's for custom work.

Without more limitations as to what you want, how much work, how much money, so on and so forth, there are just too many options.

Welcome to AR!

As I believe Jack O'Connor once opinned; my father, son and I like to "...languish in the arms of voluptous magnums".

My dad also has a Ruger #1 6x284 that shoots bugholes. My son wants that rifle too - they get greedy as they get older. I've told him to pick his poison and grandpa would shoot the other.

Like MileHighShooter suggested, if I play my cards correctly, my son and father will be happily shooting the 30x338 and 6x284, while I'm conspiring on a new custom gun project

Jeff, just to be able to go hunting all 3 of you, buy something out of the box. It can always be customized in due time. Good hunting!