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338wsm on short action MRC
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Guys,

I have inherited a 300 WSM built on a short action Montana Rifleman Action, in an MPI synthetic stock.

As I already have a Kimber 8400 in 7mm WSM, I don't feel I have the need for a 300 WSM, as for anything I hunt here in NZ, the 7mm is more than capable.

What I would like to do is go bigger in calibre, and I am seriously considering the .338 WSM, as I owned a 338 Win Mag a number of years back and like the calibre.

As the MRC short action has a long magazine box, and therefore I can seat the bullets out, how far off .338 Win Mag ballistics is it. Barrel length will be 24 inches in length, I certainly don't want to go any shorter than this. Who makes dies and chamber reamers for this calibre?

I can't find much in the way of reloading data, so is it safe to use .338 Win Mag starting loads then work up from there. Anyone know how Reloader 17 or 19 works in this case?

Lastly, is the .338 WSM a straight neck up job from .300 WSM brass?

Other options I may consider chambering wise for this rifle are the 35 WSM or the .350 Remington Magnum.


She was only the Fish Mongers daughter. But she lay on the slab and said 'fillet'
 
Posts: 511 | Location: Auckland, New Zealand. | Registered: 22 February 2006Reply With Quote
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Kiwi,
I'm assuming you've already looked into the 325wsm??? I've used a 325wsm loaded with 200 gr Barnes TSX bullets in Africa and found it to be very effective. I also used it on a couple Utah bull elk and my wife used it to take a whopper bull elk.
I'm sure you could do very well with the wildcat 338. If you decide on the wildcat, forming the brass from a 300 or 325 case would be a snap.
Best to you regardless of where you head with the new rifle.
Zeke
 
Posts: 2270 | Registered: 27 October 2011Reply With Quote
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Have a look at the 35 Sambar. 300 wsm necked up to 35 with no changes. reports of a 250 at 2700 with a 24" barrel.
 
Posts: 2267 | Location: Maine | Registered: 03 May 2007Reply With Quote
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Another vote for the 325 WSM. Its a true 8MM and bullet choice should be pretty good in your part of the world.


"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
 
Posts: 11137 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003Reply With Quote
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+3 Big Grin
 
Posts: 18537 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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I kind of like the idea of the 350 RemMag since the 3.1" magazine will allow better bullet selection and seating lengths. Also, wont the 338 RCM work fine if you dead set of a .338 bore?
 
Posts: 223 | Registered: 25 July 2006Reply With Quote
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Hondo,

Hadn't thought of the 338 RCM. My only concern is getting brass for it down here in NZ, whereas the 338 WSM can be formed easily enough from 300 WSM and there is a ready supply of brass.

I still haven't ruled out the 350 Rem Mag which is easily formed from 7mm Rem Mag with a Redding form die and 7mm Rem Mag brass is quite cheap here.


She was only the Fish Mongers daughter. But she lay on the slab and said 'fillet'
 
Posts: 511 | Location: Auckland, New Zealand. | Registered: 22 February 2006Reply With Quote
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The 300 WSM is within 20 fps of the 300 WM, I wouldn't suspect much difference in a 338.


Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10059 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I have done a 338-300WSM in the past. It is the 300 necked up to 338 and the client loves it. Reamer is available if anyone is interested.

Email me please: Jkob60@msn.com


Jim Kobe
10841 Oxborough Ave So
Bloomington MN 55437
952.884.6031
Professional member American Cusom Gunmakers Guild

 
Posts: 5503 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 10 July 2002Reply With Quote
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Easiest way would be to buy the 338 RCM and rechamber.

The WSM reamer will have no problems cleaning out the RCM chamber.

Or buy the 350 RM and rechamber with a WSM reamer.

I'm using the RCM now and if the brass ever gets hard to find it will get a quick WSM upgrade.

Reg S&F
 
Posts: 463 | Location: Victoria, Australia | Registered: 26 September 2007Reply With Quote
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