The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles What to do with a WSM - 338 Ruger or 350 Rem Mag?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Stumbled into a 270 WSM in a Kimber Montana. As with many others, the WSM cartridges have never been of interest to me so I bought the rifle as a project. Purpose - Heavier game, all weather - black bear, moose?, but mostly deer to be honest Other guns I have are all smaller (do have a 338 Federal in an 84M and a 45/70 Marlin) and planning a 9.3x62 in the future (ZG-47 and wood stock). I like the idea of the Ruger and have 338 bullets around. The 350 provides nostalgia and a great all around rifle in the Montana. Just want to know others' opinions. No, it won't stay at 270 wsm, not willing to pay for the ammo and dies for something that doesn't interest me. Thanks for looking. ______________________ Ken A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. --- Greek Proverb | ||
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Look at Michael 458s line of B&M cartridges. I am shooting a 416 B&M and Love it. he has a link on all of his posts. "The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain TANSTAAFL www.savannagems.com A unique way to own a piece of Africa. DSC Life NRA Life | |||
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In moose camp there exists both. Either one will give thump and fun. My suggestion is to flip a quarter and hold to it. You won't go wrong either way. | |||
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WSM brass is available and Doc M has ALL the info on the various cartridges you can make from Wsm brass. I have never purchased a whiz bang for myself AND never will. Marketing---in my opinion. I am An original and belted man. Maybe a 350/338, not quite a 338 WM, but close in a SA. Or, if you want bigger, a 350/416. Waters has it in his 'pet loads' '416 express'. | |||
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I have a similar dilemma. I bought a really pretty rifle (from Biebs -- just had to add that) that is wonderful in all respects except it is chambered for .358 WSM -- a necked up .325WSM. I have no dies, no fired cases. Most logical choice is to rebarrel (or fireform a case). .325WSM obviously would work, but it would be a step down. What .338 calibres would work -- could I squeeze in a .338 Win Mag? The rifle is a Serengeti -- M70 clone. It's at the smith, so I haven't taken a measurement. | |||
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When Kimber came out with the 8400 WSM I had to get one and get into SS/Syn at the same time. My Kimber 270 WSM is very accurate. It's lighter than a M70 Featherweight and shoots further than the old 270. It's an excellent deer and coyote rifle. Keep it and shoot it this year when the snow melts. | |||
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lavaca Take a look at Michaels 9.3B&M- its his theory that 338 intrudes to much on your powder space. and he has dies etc ready to go. "The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain TANSTAAFL www.savannagems.com A unique way to own a piece of Africa. DSC Life NRA Life | |||
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A .338WSM will work. I know, it is a wildcat, and I have one! .395 Family Member DRSS, po' boy member Political correctness is nothing but liberal enforced censorship | |||
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Thanks for the answers so far. No, it won't stay a 270 WSM, have a 280 AI Kimber that more than covers for it. The B&M cartridges look interesting but I believe recoil could become an issue in a 6 pound rifle especially since they start at .366 caliber and go up. Plan to go with one of the two calibers listed only, unless there is a great argument to go elsewhere. Prefer not to go wildcat at this point. Have researched quite a bit to get to this point.
If that's a Model 70 WSM action, it's a short action (think 308 length), you won't get a 338 WM in it and are looking at the same options I am. | |||
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For .338 caliber and short action receivers with power greater than .338 Federal you have two wildcat alternatives alternatives and one factory round: Win WSM receiver length - .338 WSM (wildcat) Rem 700 SA (+ others of same length) - .338 RCM or .338 RSAUM (wildcat) If you're thinking of the .338/350 RemMag then just go with the .338 RCM; the RCM has greater powder capacity and it is factory loaded. Personally, if I had a WSM length receiver I'd go for the .338 WSM. Regarding the B&M cartridges - the longer length case limits the caliber to .366 (9.3mm) or larger due to the bullet length of the heavier weight bullets in the smaller calibers. A .338 B&M would however work just fine in a standard length M77 Ruger (or similar length) action as it would give a longer COAL potential... Jim  "Life's hard; it's harder if you're stupid" John Wayne | |||
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Partial to the .350 Remington Magnum, I'm doing a build in this caliber on a Zastava Z98. Nosler now offers .350 RM brass. No issues then with the WSM 0.535" base diameter - the .350 RM / .338 RCM base diameter is 0.532" (?). | |||
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If it "Won't stay a 270 WSM" then: Sell it as it is. It's got it's highest value now. Buy a rifle made the way you want it. Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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While I understand what you are saying, where can I get a 6 lb. stainless, synthetic, 350 rem mag or 338 RCM with a Hart barrel and the quality of a Kimber for under $1500? (it will get a Hart barrel when I decide). Resale is not the concern, the way I look at it, if its not what I want, I'll change it to something I do;-) ______________________ Ken A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. --- Greek Proverb | |||
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Decided I will go with the 350 Rem Mag. Just not a big enough difference between the 338 Federal and 338 RCM it what I plan to use it for to justify having both of them, especially since they would both be Kimbers. Thanks for the input. Ken | |||
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I think the best advice you've been given so far is to sell it, if you don't like it the way it is. In fact, I'm not sure why you bought it if you didn't have something specific in mind for it beforehand...but that's not my business, and not what you asked. So, I would suggest -sell it and buy something you like (gun or otherwise), or -set it aside for an heir, or -donate it to your favourite charity, or -use it as a "loner" and let the user(s) buy the ammo. | |||
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Sir - I appreciate you opinion but I'm really not sure what the issue is. People buy custom actions, military Mausers, etc. as projects when they see a good deal. I got a good deal on the rifle, good enough to rebarrel it to something I want for a price I like. I have a plan, it will be one of two cartridges as listed in the original post and used for the purpose listed. I do not know of a factory rifle that comes in either of the calibers I am interested in that would fit the bill. Why does anyone customize a gun, car, house, etc.? To make something they can afford into something they want. Heck, I've got a Parker Hale/ZG-47 waiting to go to the re-borer to go from a 30-06 to 9.3x62. Why? Because it was cheaper to go this way and I end up with what I wanted to start with but could not afford/find. I've already contacted the smith, and will be driving to Hart (20 minutes away) when they let me know they have the barrel I want ready for a 350 Rem Mag. ______________________ Ken A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. --- Greek Proverb | |||
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I apologize if I ruffled your feathers...I just missed that you bought it solely as a project gun, so I had no way of knowing your experience level, background, or anything else. For all I knew, you could be a fellow with three or four rifles and little else when it comes to shooting arms. I understand entirely about "project" guns. Done that a bunch of times myself. Still have several actions for myself here which I haven't gotten around to barreling yet. I applaud your going to Hart. They make the barrels I use on all my competition rifles, and IME are completely dependable as to what one gets. My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still. | |||
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Excellent choice! I will be looking for suggested handloads for the 350 RM and hope you could lend your expertise. | |||
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Great choice - no flies on the 350 RM, fer sure!! Although, I'm guessing the recoil of a 350 RM in a 6# rifle is gonna' get your attention!!   R-WEST Load smart. Load safe. Triple check everything. Never use load data from the 'net without checking against known, pressure tested load data. Typo's happen!! "the spotlight of truth will cause the cockroaches of deceit to run for cover every time" Rush Limbaugh "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't following you" "never turn on a blow dryer while holding a cat" "genius has limits, stupidity does not" | |||
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Sir - no need to apologize, no feathers ruffled. Have read and appreciate your posts for quite a while, was just confused by that one. Thank you for the explanation. Looking forward to the 350, figured since they made it in a Remington 600 (660?), should be fun in the Kimber. Wouldn't think of going anywhere else for the barrel. The Hart family is very supportive of the Friends of the NRA around here, donating a rifle each year and attending the dinners. Great people, happy to support them. Thanks again to all. | |||
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350 RM! As I stated neither would be a wrong choice. The 350 on the other hand is little more versatile. My buddy didn't have brass, grabbed 50 338 Win mag cases, some effort and voila! 50 350 RM cases. Some are on the 4th firing and still looking good. | |||
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I built a .350 Rem Mag on a Montana Rifleman short action w/ a 23", 1 in 12" twist, SS barrel in a Lone Wolf stock. The Montana Rifleman short action has a 3"+ magazine, so I can load heavy heavy bullets to a long COL. It has become my favorite rifle for all N. American hunts. Life Member- NRA & SCI | |||
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I had an original 1972-73 Rem 700 BDL in 350 RM with the 24" barrel here for Idaho elk. What an authority on putting them down. All brands of 250 gr bullet shot well in that gun. After about 3o years, I let a guy sweet-talk me out of it for his California big pig hunting rig. Worst gun decision I have ever made!  | |||
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I know nothing about the WSM cartridges but the .350 Rem mag is a very nice round. My model 673 is about to go on an Alberta black bear hunt where it will I'm sure do just great. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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I've been a fan of the 350 RM for a long long time. Got one of the first 700 Classics in it and it has served well over the years. Only fault with the 700 the mag box is too short. In a Model 70 short action or your Kimber the 350 RM can really turn on because you can seat bullets further out. I recently bought a stainless Montana actioned 350 RM, why I don't know but I had to have it. I've built Model 70s is 358 Win, 358 WSM and 358 STA. Liked them all but the 350 RM still is my favorite. Michael458's B&M line of cartridges are all great for a WSM action and I have a 9.3,416,458,50 B&M plus a 50 Super Short. Of all of those the 416 is probably my favorite. You have a wide selection to choose from. Don't think you will go wrong with any of them. | |||
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35 sambar would be excellent. 250@2700 with a 24" barrel | |||
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M70 WSM length action WILL accommodate the 338 RCM without issues. DAMHIKT. In fact, I have on up for sale in the classifieds. | |||
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Please correct me if I'm wrong but it is going to take more than a Hart re-barrel to build a 350 Rem. Mag. 338 RCM or a 338 Federal for that matter. You are going to have to go with another WSM caliber because your case uses the .550" bolt-face diameter if its currently a 270 WSM. The 350 Rem. Mag. uses the magnum .532" bolt-face diameter and so does the 338 RCM. The 338 Federal uses the .473" Personally I would go to the 325 WSM and stay away from wildcats. Barnes has a 160 grain .323" diameter bullets available for deer and 200 for moose or elk. If you want to go wildcat go with something like the 358 WSM that can shoot 180-200 bullets. | |||
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I've always wondered what the accuracy potential is in a re-bored barrel compared to a match grade SS. IMO, if it doesn't shoot 1/4" at MOA it doesn't make my list. | |||
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It's my understanding that the rim on the WSM is .535 while the 350 Rem Mag is .532, don't see it as an issue. Already have the brass and dies for the 350, it feeds from the mag and the extractor snaps over the head of the brass and holds it like a crf should. As far as accuracy, you are a much better shot than I, I can't shoot 1/4" so I don't expect my rifle to nor do I know if it could. 1" at 100 for a hunting rifle is fine with me and about as good as I can consistently shoot with one. That's what I hear for accuracy from a re-bored barrel so that is all I could hope for. Thanks for your input. ______________________ Ken A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. --- Greek Proverb | |||
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I've brought 2 338RCM at a very good price Brass hard to come by here in Australia So both will be rechambered to WSM, I have no intentions of using anything heavier than a 200g projectile I have bigger guns for heavier bullets Should be a very easy conversion Regards S&F | |||
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Although, I'm guessing the recoil of a 350 RM in a 6# rifle is gonna' get your attention!! [/QUOTE]yep!! i have a 350 in a remington mountain rifle(uknown weight but it's light) and it definately WILL get your attention!!blaming guns for crime is like blaming silverware for rosie o'donnell being fat | |||
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Smallcal, To save money and time sell that WSM "fall out" of that WSM and buy a rifle that you prefer. It makes little sense time or money wise to take apart a good rifle and rebarrel or rechamber it for another. When we do that we throw away the barrel and labor it took to assemble it. It's much faster and easier to trade it for what we want. Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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Fun and games, the only difference in men and boys is the cost of mens toys!! I see folks pimping the short .338s and the 338-06 etc then trying to make them equal the .338 Win. Makes no since, the action is the same length, they hold the same number of rounds as a rule. The .338 Win. won't have the pressure as a hoped up shorter round has trying to get to 338 velocity..but hey thats been going on since the introduction of sliced white bread, to own a custom do whopper wildcat that will duplicated a factory round is the gobstopper of all time! it surely has been blessed by the Red Gods of Mt. Kenya, go figure!  Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles What to do with a WSM - 338 Ruger or 350 Rem Mag?
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