Comparison of .338s
I'd appreciate objective comparison of the .338s: Norma, RUM, Lapua ... I have heard and read of each, but figured that the best way to get the best comparative info is to toss it in here, where there is the highest probability of catching folks that have experience and/or knowledge with each or at least a couple .... and are in a position to compare and contrast. Thanks.
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What will you be using this .338 for and what's most important to you?
Simple capacity and ballistic tables will tell you which one will likely give you the highest velocity for a given bullet weight. If you'll be hunting the big bear, and can comfortably handle the recoil, then that might be all you need to know. Otherwise you might want to consider things like what firearms are they available in? Ammo availability and cost of components? Recoil? Resale value when you turn it around, etc. Personally I'd be comfortable with the standard .338 Win. Mag.; plenty of punch for all but the biggest bears, availability in a wide range of rifles, ammo availability and cost and recoil.
Hopefully someone will be along soon to look at your question from a different angle. My own .338 is long gone, and a garden variety Win. Mag. version at that.
Good luck.0 -
I don't think theres much comparison, if the 338 win mag isn't enough then think about a 375 H&H and if you need more then get a 416 or 458. More speed out of a 338 diameter don't impress me, 2600-2700 fps with a 250 grain good bullet will put the big brown bears down, it worked for me. 0 -
I agree that the .338 Win Mag is PLENTY!!! The newer 338 Rem Ultra normally has a 26" barrel...most of the regular 338's have 24"...lighter and easier to carry! Also cost of ammo is much less with the 338 Win Mag and much more available. If you want more...go to a 458 Win Mag...those, you can even hand-load down and really have some fun with 45-70 balistics!!! 0 -
I agree with other posters thus far. I own a .338 WM and meets all my hunting needs.
If you have the need to push limits and stay with .338, checkout the 338 Allen Magnum by (Kirby) Allen Precision Shooting.
408 Cheyenne Tactical parent case, necked down to 338, shoulder moved roughly 50 thou forward and fireformed to min body taper and sharper shoulder angle.
265 gr. AT RBBT(.920 bc) at 3500 fps in 32" barrel up to 350 gr. ULD RBBT at 3200 fps in 32" barrel.
Designed for heavy big game hunting at long range or standard big game hunting out to extreme range. Has been proven consistent and accurate out to 3008 yards by holding moa accurate out to this range and remaining super sonic in velocity with the 265 gr. AT RBBT.
Appropriate powders: H-50BMG(recommended), H-870, AA8700, US869, WC872, VV 20N29
Good luck!
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Well, that seems to be a pretty short list...there is the 339 Winchester Magnum, 338 Federal, 340 Weatherby, and 338-378 Weatherby that have been left out.
oout of the bunch, the 338 Federal is the smallest. It yeilds ballistics just below that of the 338 Win Mag. I am not sure where you got the 338 Norma from, as I know only of the 308, and 358 Norma Magnums. The 338 RUM, Lapua, and 338-378 Weatherby are all in the same class and will run bullets of the same nominal weight 200-300 FPS faster than the 338 Win Mag, which is about 100-150 FPS quicketr than the 338 Federal. The 340 weatherby is inbetween the RUM class rounds, and the 338 Win Mag.
The 338 Win will do at 400 yards what the 338 Federal will do at 300, and the rest will do at 500.
The larger class of cartridges requires longer barrels, more powder, and more expensive brass. They also provide the shooter with an outstanding amount of recoil...if you are not recoil sensative before you try these, you could be after.
I am sure our fine, extremely knowledgable moderator Nononsense will be along to add to this...or at least I hope he does.
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For Elk in timber how could you beat the 338-06? 0 -
Anyone care to share their (honest) 3 shot average group size, at 500 yards, from field positions? I've tried only enough to know that once I leave the bench, the results are far from stellar. Shooting the real bruisers only aggravates the situation. If I can't get within 250 to 300 yards, the critter walks, courtesy of my limited ability.
Well not from field positions but my pre64 mod.70 338 can shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups at a 100.
First I think you need to know what the gun can do, then compensate for human error.
Exactly. The second parts what I think too many ignore. Hopefully not. Try that 3 shot group at 500 yards from sitting or kneeling some time. Or standing against a tree, propped over napsack padded stone wall, etc. Might be a little larger than 2 1/2 inches. The point, simply and obviously, being that you need to know what you and the rifle are capable of from typical field positions and calculate the maximum distance at which you can reasonably take a shot based on that, and not what you can do over sandbags from a solid bench rest.
My hornet will hold 3/8 to half inch at 100 yards all day long from the bench, but I won't take a head shot on squirrel at more than 50 in the field. From the bench, 175, no problem. Big difference, for me at least. Like the man says, "YRMV".0 -
quote:Originally posted by RCrosby
Anyone care to share their (honest) 3 shot average group size, at 500 yards, from field positions? I've tried only enough to know that once I leave the bench, the results are far from stellar. Shooting the real bruisers only aggravates the situation. If I can't get within 250 to 300 yards, the critter walks, courtesy of my limited ability.
Well not from field positions but my pre64 mod.70 338 can shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups at a 100.
First I think you need to know what the gun can do, then compensate for human error.0 -
quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
quote:Originally posted by RCrosby
Anyone care to share their (honest) 3 shot average group size, at 500 yards, from field positions? I've tried only enough to know that once I leave the bench, the results are far from stellar. Shooting the real bruisers only aggravates the situation. If I can't get within 250 to 300 yards, the critter walks, courtesy of my limited ability.
Well not from field positions but my pre64 mod.70 338 can shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups at a 100.
First I think you need to know what the gun can do, then compensate for human error.
I have seen several rifles that are capable of shooting sub MOA groups off the bench at 100 yards...just not by their owner.
Had a guy once on a Elk hunting trip with a Veore', chambered in 30-06 tell me his rifle could put them one hole. Got to the range to check after travel, and his rifle was printing paper size groups. Another guy tried it and got sub MOA. We sat the owner back down with his rifle that I loaded for him. When the rifle went click, and he had flinched, head up before the click, that explained why the large groups.
I believe one point Mr.Crosby is trying to make, is that not everyone can tolerate recoil. Once the recoil anticipation sets in, it carry's with you, even back to lighter recoiling rifles. So, it is best not to shoot something that you will develop a flinch with.
Another point is that most field posistions are not as stable as the bench with bags. Very rare is the occaision that we will be able to have as solid of a rest in the field. We need to try these shooting posistions before the hunt to determine our effective range. A good hunter never takes the shot beyond this.
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quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
quote:Originally posted by RCrosby
Anyone care to share their (honest) 3 shot average group size, at 500 yards, from field positions? I've tried only enough to know that once I leave the bench, the results are far from stellar. Shooting the real bruisers only aggravates the situation. If I can't get within 250 to 300 yards, the critter walks, courtesy of my limited ability.
Well not from field positions but my pre64 mod.70 338 can shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups at a 100.
First I think you need to know what the gun can do, then compensate for human error.
+1. Here's one off my Ruger M77 MKII in .338 WM using factory load Hornady .225g SSTs.
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