So guys, I pose another question to ponder on. If you were going to have a 338 for pig, deer and elk which one would you choose? What are the highs and lows of each.
Thanks,
Aaron

Aaron, I'll take a stab at this one!

There's no doubt that both are capable cartridges for pretty much all hooved game animals in the right hands. Myself, it boil downs to recoil. I can deal with the WM but not the RUM. A larger selection of factory ammo for the WM is also another factor for my selection for the WM.

Frankly, you can't go wrong with either!

Good Luck!

WM for me, less recoil but still can push a light bullet quite fast. Much greater availability and selection of factory ammo, cheaper brass.

I owned a 340 Weatherby once, which is equal to the 338 RUM, or maybe a little less powerful. The recoil in it was just to much for me, so I got rid of it.

I now own a 338 Win Mag and love it. Recoil is still there, but it's not in the same league as the 338 RUM. Yes, you can load the RUM down, but what's the point? Brass is everywhere for the 338 Win Mag, and cheap.

My vote goes to the 338 Win Mag.

I wouldn't want to rely on factory 338RUM ammo over the long haul. Too much history goes against it.

338 win mag, plenty of factory ammo that is readily available, and it develops enough velocity to shoot flat and hit hard. I also doubt that I'd be able to shoot the 338 rum accurately enough due to the sharp recoil to take advantage of it's slightly flatter trajectory. My thinking is, if a 338 win mag isn't enough, then the answer is a larger dia heavier bullet, not more speed.

I settled on the 338 Win. and have never regretted that decision..The others only offer noise, recoil, and smoke IMO......

i just asked myself the same question until i found a 338 RUM SS with a 3-9 simmons scope, reloading dies and a box of partition ammo (sans 1) for $510. why get a .308 when you can have a 300 WM

Well, I have done some research on this. Check out these threads first for opinions from other posters:

330 Dakota vs. other .338s and check out this one too:

330 Dakota on Big Game vs. other .338s

Here is what I found on the .330 Dakota:

1.the published velocities (210gr.@3200fps, 225gr.@3000, 250gr.@2900) are between a .338 win. mag. and a 340 wea. (or almost identical to 340 wea factory loads)- so less recoil than the 340 wea. and about as much as you'd want in an 8.5 pound rifle.

2.It fits a standard length action- so a shorter bolt stroke than the .338 rum or lapua or 340 wea.- this would be good for a quicker follow-up shots on bear or maybe a slightly stiffer action? I would use a Model 70 action.

3. It has no belt, unlike the .338 win. mag or 340 wea. which might make it slightly more accurate and smoother functioning

4. Brass is made (apparently) by Norma, so quality brass is available- yes, I know it is expensive but that is fine for a hunting rifle

I would go .338wm. The RUM , to me, is a specialty round for the guys shooting beyond 300yds on a routine basis. For the 95% or so of us who hunt, the .338wm w/ a 250gr bullet @ 2700fps is all you need in NA.

I own the 338 Rem Ultra Mag and its all in what I'm hunting that would decide in how fast I would load it. I can shoot the 250gr bullet at 2700 fps or I can shoot it at 3100fps.
I like my RUM. Recoil isn't a factor to me I have a brake on it that I can remove.

Some years back I had a 330 Dakota built on a Ruger #1. Shot well and I hunted with it for a couple of seasons. That was back in 97-98. Back then A-Square was making the brass and then another company did it for a while and now from what I know Norma makes the brass. Its a good cartridge but I more or less when back to the 338 Winchester. If you don't already have a 338 then it would be a good choice, but I sure as heck would not buy a Dakota so chambered, since it takes very litte work to rechamber a 338 Winchester M-70. Broad Creek Rifle Works who built my Ruger dose a lot of them or had. I think the 338 Winchester is the best of the whole lot. Ammo is everywhere, all kinds of rifles so chambered.

I don't know about other .338's, but my Ruger .338WM hammers moose for me each year, and most have dropped to one shot, including the one a couple of weeks ago. This one was almost too far, but I shot it just when it stopped in a clearing 325 yards away with a Federal 250-grain NOS-HE.

I'm with the other guys. The .338WM is an absolutely well balanced and great cartridge. It is easy to handload, accurate, shoots pretty flat, and hits VERY hard. It has manageable recoil in a relatively light rifle. It can be used to take 90% of the WORLD'S big game. Hard to find fault with a round like that. Can you tell I like the .338 Win Mag ?

Geronimo

Hey all.. Thanks for the input. I guess I am open to both as recoil isn't much of a concern right now. So the next question is... Who has a 338 to sell me?
Thanks,
Aaron

I think I have shot more stuff with a .338 Win than anything else, and I have never passed on a shot because it lacked velocity. Zero for 200 yards, and if the critter is 300 yards away, dial up a VariX III all the way and put the post on the chest.

A friend is back into the money again and he is buying rifles along with already having another safari to Africa all set up. He just got a 340 Weatherby as he likes their rifles. It's for sale already as the recoil is too much for him. He is going with his 270 Weatherby and 375 H&H M 70.

Yup,

You start pushing 250 grain bullets at the velocity that they are capable of, and you are going to get rocked! I don't shoot many out of my 338 Win Mag, I much prefer 210's at about 2900 feet per second. The only reason I would hunt with 250's is for Big Bears.

Aaron, I don't own a 338 Win Mag but I've never met anyone who found theirs wanting (very much unlike the guys the who who have owned and sold their 340 Wby and the various RUMs). I suspect it would be easier to find 338 Win Mag factory ammo in out of the way places. All that said have you given any though to the 338'06? Good hunting! Michael

lawdogso,

Best keep in mind that the .338 RUM isn't selling very well. Remington, in an effort to boost sales of their .338 and .375 RUM's dropped the .338 Win. Mag. and the .375 H&H from their line up. It hasn't helped so most don't expect the .338 or the .375 RUM to be around long. And don't worry about the belt on a cartridge, the so-called feeding problems many like to say they have doesn't exist. I have been banging away with belted magnums for over 40 years and never had a hang up yet. Lawdog

Well guys I did it. I got a Browning A Bolt 2 in 338 Win mag. Thanks for all the help on this one. Once I get it here and go to the range I will give a report on it.
Aaron

Good job. You'll love it.
JCN