I know there isn't a whole lot of difference as far as the impact on game animals, but I can't make up my mind which I cartridge to chamber the M1999 SA I've got ordered in.

I'm thinking I'd use Nosler 210 bullets in it if I go with the 338-08.

Anyone who has a 338-08 I'd like to hear about the performance you are getting out of yours.

If I were building it I would do the .358 Win.....but I have a thing for anything 35 caliber

With the 338-08, you'll have a one bullet, one load gun, 210 gr partition @ 2500 fps, which will be a good combo, but I don't think any of the other 338 bullets will be as well matched for the case.

In the 358 win, you have 225 gr @ 2500 fps, and the choice of sierra, nosler bt and partion, swift a-frame and barnes X. You can also shoot cast pistol bullets for cheap low recoil practice and small game.

I also have a strong 35 bias, and the 358 is a great round, the must under-rated big game round IMHO.

Elkslayer,
The .358 has an advantage in the smaller case of the parent 308 cartridge due to the added diameter. It will make better use of the powder space than the 338 could. You also have better selection of bullets from 150 to 275 grains. For plinking or light varmint use you also have the selection of 35 caliber pistol bullets to widen the selection. (Don't knock the pistol bullets, my 358 shoots the Sierra 158 grain JHC bullets to .33 inch at 100 yards) With 338 the choice of bullets is extremely narrow.

PaulS

Good points all! Not to mention the once and hopefully again factory availability of ammo (if one were not to reload).

350 rem mag!!!!!!!!!!!

For a Western rifle I would consider the Magnums. They get more out of a short action in particular when the bore diameter is as large as .35.

For hunting deer and black bear in the East I favor the .358 Win with a featherweight barrel.

Of course there is "timber" out West and a light .358 Win would work.

There is talk of a .338 WSM at www.shortmags.org

I own a rebarreled Sako .338-08 and have owned a .358 Browning BLR. I don't think there's much difference between the two w/regards to performance on game. A 210 gr Partition @ 2,500 fps vs. a 225 gr Partition at 2,400 fps amounts to a whole lotta nuthin. If you have $ to spend, like something different and have the time to play around reloading, a .338-08 is a cool little number. I have the Ackley Improved version and its a sexy little catridge. If you want factory ammo, or like to reload but not spend $85 (Hornady) or $129 (Redding) on custom dies, the .358 Win is for you. Availabilty of bullets for reloading isn't an issue for either caliber. Sierra, Speer, Hornady and Nosler all make a variety of weights or types to suit any need. Take your pick, either will do if you can shoot the gun.

If you want a 338, I'd go with an 8x57 necked to 338 (or just an 8x57) over a 338-08. The 8x57 case will give you enough additional capacity to allow you to make good use of 225gr bullets (at about 2500fps), and the M1999 SA has enough magazine room.

I happen to know gunsmith John King, Kila, Montana, has a couple sets of .358 dies for sell at the time from an estate. Otherwise, you will pay about $50 generally for a new set. He's barreling a VZ24 action in this caliber for me at the time.

I'd have to recommend the .358 -- because of the possibility to use cheap pistol bullets for practice!

I have a .358 Norma Mag, and since I like shooting my rifles a lot, I really like using pistol bullets for practice.

Bullet choice is great for the .358 bore: from 110 grain pistol bullets to 310 grain Woodleigh (although for the .358 Win I'd stop with bullets no longer than 250gr roundnoses).

Still, you sure won't go wrong with either choice...

I know! Get'em both!

jpb

I have owned rifles in .338-'06, .338 WM, .358 Win and .35 Whelan. The .338 WM and the .35 Whelen are still here. For hunting use I used to think the .338 and higher sectional density was the factor, but I have matured with field experience to liking the larger cross-sectional area bullets (assuming equal bullet quality, placement and SD factors). Area goes up as the square of diameter.

Ol' Elmer said he liked the bigger bullets to better let the blood out and the wind in.

Lately I notice the .376 Steyr has been going hunting, and the smaller two are sitting home.

jim dodd

IN my view the .338/06 is clearly the better cartridge. I wonder about the loads quoted, as they are lower than the velocities I get in my 24 inch rebored Springfield barrel

Here are my loads.
200 grain Speer
H 414 62 gr 2735 fps
64 gr 2806

210 gr Nosler
H 205 62 gr 2706 fps
64 2800
H 414 63 gr 2758 fps
64 gr 2800

225 gr Hornady
H 205 60 gr 2570 fps
62 2680
IMR 4350 58 gr 2610 fps

250 Nosler
Norma 204 60 gr 2509 fps
62 2509
H 414 62 gr 2587 Probably max.

I once owned a .35 Whelen, and I could never get 2500 with a 250 grain bullet. I realize that is just a difference in individual rifles. But considering the sectional density, bullet diameter, and velocities, I like the 338-06 better than any cartricge over .30 cal without going to a magnum case.

H 205 is nt available, but I found it identical to H414 as far as loads and velocities go. Both are essentially the same as IMR 4350, but being more dense I could get more in the case.

Jerry

Sorry, but I missed that the choices were the .350 and 338-08. I would still go for the 338-08. I doubt game would ever notice the difference. I see however why someone said that bullet was limited to 210 gr. I assume the length of the bullet and magazine limit the bullet weight.

Anyway my loads above might be of some interest to someone here.

Jerry

since you want a short cartridge, have you considered the .284 win. necked up, either .338, 358, or .375? there is an article in an old reloader's digest on the .375-284 M99 savage.