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Allen, It is poetic justice that the 338 Win's stock should rise so well over the past 15-20 years. I believe many truly saw it as to much for the lower 48 and somewhat specialized to Alaska hunting. Most were caught up in flat shooting chambers back in the early 60s through 70s. This undoubtably made the 7mm and 7.62mm bores very popular, which they remain today. But unless you use and see big game animals go down to the 338 Win, you cannot realize its smashing power. This of cousre leans to the specialized version above. However, most should not be fooled or try to pigeon hole the 338 Win. It's aerodynamic 200-210-225 projectiles make it plenty leathal on game weighing 300-500lbs at 500 yards for the consummate rifleman. Meaning that cow or mid sized bull elk are by no means safe. Realizing that the 338 Win shoots 225 grain loads about and inch or so lower over 500 yards from the 180 grain 300 Win Mag, makes me understand that the 338 Win Mag, in my mind, is one of the very best of what we call "versatile". Take Care, rossi | |||
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I grew up in a family that has used 300 Weatherby's exclusively for over 30 years. My brother has killed many Alaskan game animals, including Grizzlies with his. Ditto for my Dad, my Uncle, my cousin, and myself. No question about it, the 300 Weatherby, (and the 300 Win Mag ), is a killing machine. I shot my first Grizzly at about 300 yards. It was lights out. However, after my second Grizzly I switched to the .338 Winchester Magnum. I haven't killed as many animals with it as some of the others who've posted, but in my experience, it kills quicker, and more cleanly than the 300 Magnums. I've just used the 210-gr. Nosler that I handload to 2900 fps, and so far the animals I've hit just crumple at the shot. I think both cartridges are incredibly effective, (I include the 300 Win Mag in the group as well), so it comes down to personal choice. Frankly, after 20 years of using the 300 Weatherby, I'd probably just use the 300 Win Mag if I were to use the 300 magnums again. Availability of ammo, brass, and guns is much better, and you won't see any difference between the 2 in effectiveness. | |||
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I own both my choice 300 wby better selection of bullets but thats just my preference | |||
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The real deciding factor should be: Can you buy the ammo at Wally World??? This has often been what helped me decide. No kidding. Its one of the reasons why I rarely venture into the world of AI or other little known, esoteric cartridges. If your rifle is with you in Bangor and your ammo is in BFE, are you dead in the water? I understand if everyone followed this rationale we would only own .22's, 30-06's and 12 gauge shotguns but it is food for thought. I have killed elk with both a .300WinMag and a .338(2). For my hunting -dark timber, close range- I could tell little difference in the results but, of course, the .338 seemed to strike the harder blow. FYI, 200's in the .300 and 250's in the .338. | |||
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The 338 Winnie launches 180 gr BTs at the same velocity as the 300 WM and still carries the same sectional density as a .308 caliber 150 grainer. This makes it fine for thin skinned game out to 400 yards. If you need heavier bullets way out yonder, both Federal and hornady make 338 High Energy ammo that will launch 225 grainers at 2950 and 250s at 2800 fps. | |||
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Doublegun: I'm probably gonna get flamed for some of my comments but.... No one could even pay me to have any .300 Mag. anything. As far as I'm concerned, they are all smallbore artillery pieces that are overbore. The public seems to have a fascination with velocity & eats the concept up. My frame of thinking is from my hunting conditions in Ak. and I am aware that conditions seem to be different in the Lower 48. Having said that, I think someone would be better off with the .338. There is quite a selection of bullet weights for the handloader and I believe that if one can handle the recoil of a .300 Mag., then they can handle the recoil of a .338 as well. You should still practice so don't get me wrong. As to putting animals down I can't compare to the .300 Mag. since I've never seen an animal put down with one. However, this previous moose season, one of the guys in our camp killed a 40" bull at about 250 yds. with a .338 using Federal, 210 gr. Partition factory loads. He saw the bull & took a broadside shot. The bull turned 180 deg. & began heading for deeper water. The guy wasn't sure if he hit him & so shot again and the bull went down. When we got to the animal to dress him out, we found that he hit the animal both times at it looked as if the path of the bullets had crossed, forming an "X". Upon cutting the animal open, the lungs were total mush, 2/3 of the diaphragm was gone & we never did find the heart. I've never seen such devastation in an animal in my life. For me, hunting in areas where there are large, furry creatures that can hurt you, I'm a firm believer that a larger hole in the barrel is much better than a smaller one. In my .338, I've now gone to using 225 gr. Northforks and get better accuracy than I have with Partitions. My choice is definitely for the .338 and I wouldn't look back. Now some of the guys can flame me for my comments on the .300 Mags but I've expressed my opinions. Bear in Fairbanks | |||
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Quote: Nothing like shooting oneself in the foot. Chuck | |||
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There is not that much of a difference between them, I have shot large game with both with good shot placement they both work great | |||
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Gents, Thanks for the advice. Given my only HP is a 30-06 I think a 338 would be a better fit, given the performance discussed in this thread. I am a big fan of SAKO 75's - how is that rifle chambered in 338? Thanks | |||
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<allen day> |
The thing to keep in mind is that all of the rounds being mentioned are truly great and versatile hunting cartridges. The bullets they launch will not bounce off of any big game animal up thru moose in size, and if a quality bullet is sent out of any them to the right spot, said critter is going to become a dead critter very quickly. I've never had anything but good results with the .300 Win. Mag., and I've taken over 100 big game animals with that cartridge in Africa alone, not to mention numerous deer of various types, plus elk, moose, sheep, pronghorn, bears, hogs, etc. over here. The African stuff has also included several moose-size eland, plus lion, leopard, and a brace of cape buffalo. Just about everything has gone down right away. So if anyone thinks that the .300 Win. Mag. somehow can't cut it properly for general hunting purposes, all I can say is that's not what my experience has shown me. I'll just say this: Each of these cartridges (.300 Win., .300 Wby., .338 Win.) has a devoted following of hunters, many of whom have taken almost all of the world's big game species over a span of several decades with any one of them. James Mellon collected just about everything on the planet with his .300 Win.; Dr. Gerald Warnock of our own Portland, OR SCI chapter won the Weatherby Award largely thru the use of his ancient .300 Wby. that's gone thru something like five barrels; booking agent Jack Atcheson has taken his old, beated .338 Win. Mag. around the globe time and again. The list goes on........ Pick the cartridge that matches your own personal philosophy, your own personal sense of style and run with it. You won't go wrong with any of them. AD | ||
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DoubleGun, I have a Sako M-75 Stainless in 338 - shoots great. There is a very nice m-75 Deluxe at one of our local gunshops, and I'm sure that you could find a m-75 Hunter if you wanted too. If you're in the OKC area you are welcome to shoot it to see how you would like one. I shot my first Elk with my M-75 Stainless 2 years ago so it's definitely earned a place on my favorites list........DJ | |||
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