338 Win Mag or 300 RCM
Currently I have a Sako 338 Win Mag. It kicks like a frickin' mule, hence I am considering parting with it and getting a 300RCM. Am I loosing my mind, or would this be a decent down-grade? Thanks
0
-
What are you hunting?
A nice low recoil round like 6.5x55, 243, 7mm-08, etc. would probably do all you need it to without as much fuss and muss...
Of course, a better recoil pad may do it for you also...0 -
Currently, I also have a Ruger 77 Hawkeye in 257 roberts. Thoroughly enjoy that rifle. Of course, I have no choice but to enjoy it. I have spent hundreds more above the cost of the rifle on a re-crown, a new trigger, pillar-bedding the stock and glass bedding the action and floating the barrel. I also shoot a 673 Remington in 6.5 Rem Mag. Had almost the same work done to it, and it shoots very well also. I bought the 338 in anticipation of moose hunting when I get back from this deployment I'm on now. I can shoot it pretty well, but it's just not very enjoyable at all. 0 -
I have a Ruger M77 in 338WM. I had it Magna-Ported years ago, weeks after I got it. Judiciously tames the muzzle jump and makes it much more manageable.
I am not familiar with the 300 chambering you mention at all, so can't comment on it.
As far as down grading to something more manageable, the old tried and true 30-06 is plenty capable of collecting moose.0 -
You're right about the 30-06 H P D, but the 30-06 is so common, and me being an odd-ball myself, I kind of like the odd-ball cartridges. Part of the reason I also shoot a 6.5 Rem Mag. Seems alot of people think that is a step-child of a chambering, but I still like it. Same with the 257 Bob that I shoot as well. 0 -
If the 338 bothers you try finding a 35 Whelen. Heapin' big moose medicine, lot less recoil. Fits in well with your other orphans. 0 -
hadjii,
The .300 RCM is a fine cartridge as are so many others that will fill the bill for your elk hunt. You don't need the .338 Winchester Magnum to kill an elk but it is considered to be a superb cartridge for such hunting.
Do a search on the forums using the term 'recoil'. There are several really good threads that cover all the possibilities of taming recoil or at least relieving some of the pain from it.
The best solution is a great fitting stock. Too many of us have been tortured by what the industry uses as standards for rifle stocks.
The easiest potential solution is to have a Simms Limb Saver pad put on in place of the factory pad. You can also use the MagnaPorting but I prefer a brake because it's effects are better against recoil.
I think if you want to avoid some of the costs and machinations attendant to solving your problem with the recoil, you should consider a rifle chambered for the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge. The 7mm-08 is another excellent cartridge that is mild yet effective for elk when loaded with an appropriate bullet.
Best.0 -
If you are going for the deer category, you can't go wrong with a 250 Savage. 0 -
+ 1 with nononsense. Not sure what model you have but SAKOs are very accurate rifles. I have a SAKO M995 in .300WM and is quite a shooter. This particular model is not noted for it's recoil pad - 1/4" but with a custom muzzle brake, it is tamed down to what is comparable to a .243 recoil.
.338 WM is an excellent cartridge ... you're right it does kick like a mule. I have Ruger M77 MKII in .338 WM with a custom muzzle brake and is comparable to a .308 recoil. Recoil can be further reduced by installing a better recoil pad from Limbsaver but I will be upgrading to a better stock instead.
There are all types of effective muzzle brakes out there, however they are not for everyone - they are very loud and creates a danger blast zone that requires extra precaution and awareness when firing. Check out the link below.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f94/muscle-brake-video-7mm-dakota-45297/#post306019
Good luck!0 -
hadjii,
I will go on to agree with Nononsense. Especially the part about the SVL Limbsaver recoil pad. I just put one of those on a rifle scope combination that weighs in at 8 lb.-2oz., chambered in 300 RUM. What a blessing it is. I also have on on my 870 Turkey Gun, and my 45 and 50 caliber muzzle loaders. You will think you have a whole new rifle.
Any of the 30 calibers from 308 Winchester up will work, and the 300 magnums of which there are many to choose from are also fine. However, you do not need one of them to kill an Elk or Moose either. If you are hunting in grizzly country, stick with the 338, but elsewhere, that 6.5 Mag you have is fine...many of the Moose killed in the Scandinavian countries are killed with a 6.5x55, which is comparable to the 260 Remington.
Just a few things to think about.
Best0 -
Thanks for the wonderful replies. Lots of good information is continually passed along here. I think I will be sure and try the new pad, and probably put a muzzle break on. Research tells me that the KDF or the Vais breaks are the two to consider. Would this be correct? A little bit ago I was over on the Ruger talk forum, and there seems to be some consensus that the RCM's may not last long on the market with the competition. Ruger has dropped the Frontier model of rifles in their entirity this year, so one would wonder what will be next. Thanks again. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments