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IMR4350
Advanced Member
USA
576 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 13:12:10
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THE 338WINCHESTER MAGNUM - AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
With my Ruger M77 chambered in 338Winchester Magnum with a 24" barrel and with the receiver no longer than a standard 30-06 length, I have a substantial big game rifle and cartridge. This American classic is truly a very versatile all around cartridge for big game. It has reasonable recoil with only the 250-300 grain bullets being a little to much for some people, but not for most of us who use the magnum cartridges when hunting big game. If one re-loads for the 338Winchester Magnum, the new cartridges like the 338 Fed and the 325WSM are not able to run with it, nor can they use the heavier bullets as well or with as much punch.
The 338Winchester Magnum can push a 180gr bullet at 3100-3200fps, a 200gr bullet at 3025-3075fps, a 210gr bullet at 2980-3010fps, a 225gr bullet at 2850 - 2900fps, a 250gr bullet at 2800 - 2820fps, a 275gr bullet at 2670 to 2700fps, a 300gr bullet 2500-2550fps, and is manufactured by 90% of the major gun manufactures. This places it right in the middle of good company when you consider how flat it shoots (like some of the 300 magnums) and how hard it hits (like the some of the 375 magnums).
It is not a compromise by any stretch of the imagination. On the contrary, with the bullet and powder selections of today, the 338Winchester Magnum is a very good all around big game rifle for coyote to Brown Bear. It is arguably the best elk and moose cartridge, with no apologies when used on bear. With lighter loads it reaches out hitting coyotes, deer and hogs like Thor's Hammer, while not destroying any more meat than the 30 and 7mm caliber cartridges.
A hunter in the field with this one cartridge could take everything from coyote to the largest Alaskan Brown bears. It would not destroy meat anymore on the smaller size big game like white tail deer than would a 130gr bullet out of a 270. It would buck the wind at distances that most hunters would consider reasonable and with plenty of energy to anchor anything in North America and most of Africa out to 400yds (where legal to use). Also, with some bullets and loads in the right hands, it could be a very effective round when used at longer ranges.
Since1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America, as well as plains game in Africa, with consistent success. Easy to load for, accurate, reasonable recoil if stocked correctly and hits like a hammer. With velocities that are perfect for the big game bullets that are manufactured for the .338 caliber. Jim, a friend of mine said, "with the 338Winchester Magnum you could kill everything from mice to Moose" and I would add even a big mean-spirited bear up close. Jim summed it up in his use of figurative speech, in accurately describing the 338Winchester Magnum.
Most are aware in the hunting world that the 30-06 with a 180gr bullet has been and is very affective in most situations and on most game given proper circumstances. Also the effectiveness of the 300Winchester Magnum using a 180gr bullet is unquestioned. In light of this fact a 338Winchester Magnum using a 250gr bullet, has a striking energy that is around 25% greater than that 30-06 with a 180gr bullet. Also, the 338Winchester Magnum using a 250gr bullet, has at least 15% greater striking energy than the 300Winchster Magnum using a 180gr bullet. On top of that the cross-sectional area of the 250gr bullet is 20% greater with a momentum factor that allows for greater penetration due to 70grs greater weight.
It has tremendous potential as an all around big game cartridge for smaller deer to the largest, toughest and heaviest game in North America. It is a tremendous medium bore with great legs. What do I mean by saying great legs. It is a true sprinter with endurance and has a hard quick crushing blow, like a heavy weight. Bullet selection ranges from 180 grains to 300 grains to meet any need the North American hunter would engage. It can be down loaded to 30-06 levels and still produces excellent accuracy.
On smaller species of big game one can use the 180gr to the 215gr bullets. Now there is a bullet in this weight range that is good on the smaller species of big game, while being the exception in this group due to the fact it is also highly effective on the larger species of big game. I am making reference to the 210grain Nosler Partition. The 210gr Partition has velocities between 2980fps and 3010fps with very good accuracy, flat shooting and hard hitting. It is a combination that really allows the 338Winchester Magnum to stand out as a longer rang load while still being devastating up close.
Of course for the really big stuff the 250gr bullets due to their great shapes and constructions are real game getters for sure. The 250gr to the 300gr bullets when used in the 338Winchester Magnum do not have to apologies, nor are they inferior for any of the tasks handed them when taking big game.
I owned and shot the 338Winchester Magnum some 20 years ago but did not hunt with it nor did I reload for it to my regret. I am doing both now and that is why I have written this article. I am a shooter, hunter, and re-loader, that is in the process of discovering what others have known for years. The 338Wincester Magnum is hard to beat as an all around big game cartridge. It is easy to load for, shoots flat, hits hard and according to a multitude of hunters and guides, brings home the bacon. It truly is and has been an American Classic and will be used by the discerning and informed North American hunter for many years.
I am proud to be one of those discerning hunters who will have a lot of fun with an American Classic cartridge during hunting season this year and the years that will follow. I will not be disappointed in the results. Yes, Mississippi deer and hogs, Missouri white tail, Louisiana deer and hogs, with the 200gr Accucond, 210gr partition and last but not least, with a 225gr Patition the Alaskan Black bear in the spring of 2011. Watch out game, cause here I come with my 338Winchester Magnum. |
Since 1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America. By: Mike Price |
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lefty o
Advanced Member
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 13:22:52
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| i think the 338win mag is a good cartreidge, but go a shoot a couple hundred prarie dogs with it and tell me what you thin of it! 1 cartidge does not do it all well!!! |
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lanenebraska
New Member
USA
22 Posts |
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IMR4350
Advanced Member
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 14:14:27
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quote:
Originally posted by lanenebraska
30.06 is The TRUE American Classic.
If ya can't do it with an .06, it probably can't be done.
   
IF YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH A 30-06 USE A 338WIN MAG |
Since 1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America. By: Mike Price |
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edward5759
Average Member
133 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 14:29:16
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Glad you like the 338.
think If I only had one gun and ammo was not a problem. I would go with a 338.
I like the 250 Grain round nose and the 200 sprire point.
72 grains of imr4350 More of a push to me. 300 and 7 mag has sharp recoil it hurts too much.
ed |
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IMR4350
Advanced Member
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 14:35:07
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quote:
Originally posted by lefty o
i think the 338win mag is a good cartreidge, but go a shoot a couple hundred prarie dogs with it and tell me what you thin of it! 1 cartidge does not do it all well!!!
True, no one cartridge does not do it all but I don't remember saying that is was used for prairie dogs? I think I said coyotes to Brown bears. I have put 250 rounds through this one so far on load work and I love shooting it at the range. It will be fun to play with and hunt with. I have a 22-250 for varmint. |
Since 1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America. By: Mike Price |
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sonnyboy
Average Member
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 15:23:17
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Great article IMR4350. I have long thought the .338 Win Mag. would be a great all-around rifle even though I do not own one. Would you feel comfortable using one as a stopping rifle on brownies and the great "nanook"?
Happy Shooting
sonnyboy |
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IMR4350
Advanced Member
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 15:29:26
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quote:
Originally posted by sonnyboy
Great article IMR4350. I have long thought the .338 Win Mag. would be a great all-around rifle even though I do not own one. Would you feel comfortable using one as a stopping rifle on brownies and the great "nanook"?
Happy Shooting
sonnyboy
With a full load 250gr, 275gr or 300gr? Yes! |
Since 1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America. By: Mike Price |
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skyline
Advanced Member
Canada
2577 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 16:02:37
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There is a big difference between a stopping rifle and one that is adequate for taking a certain game animal with a good bullet in the right place.
As an example the .375 may be the minimum legal caliber for thick skinned dangerous game, but it is not and never has been considered a 'stopping' cartridge.
The .338 is an excellent cartridge and I do not dispute what 4350 has said as to its versatility.......and I would not hesitate to use it to take a brownie or his white cousin either, but when it comes to a stopping cartridge for those two, something throwing a bit more weight and frontal area would be a better choice. While the .338 is carried by some who guide for those two bears, the .375 is far more common and being overshadowed by the various .416's.......more than a few are packing .458's of one persuasion or another.
Stopping a pissed off 1200 pound charging bruin that has been wounded or thinks you may be a good appetizer to go along with the main course of seal, is not something that should be taken lightly. Bigger is still better. |
Let no good deed go unpunished. |
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Galen
Average Member
103 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 18:50:43
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The .338 magnum may just be the best all around cartridge I had one and I loved it but here lies the quandary of the .338 now. The 338 Federal or the .338-06 with the lighter bullets will stay on the heels of the .338. When you need and I mean really need the heaver bullets the range is not excessive and the penetration of a 250 grain bullet from the .338-06 and the .338 magnum would not be distinguishable.
An if you go on up with the .340 Weatherby or the .338 RUM or other .338’s you gain with the heaver bullets but not a lot with the lighter ones,
I love the .338 but unfortunately all of life is a comprise.
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IMR4350
Advanced Member
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 19:56:41
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| Well guys, your points are well made as usual and good stuff to talk about. I just hope if while carrying the 338Win Mag in Alaska and a pissed off bruin comes for me that God will be good and lay just a little luck on my shot placement and the bullet or I might be singing the 338's praises in heaven and not on earth. Good comments!! I know I will have fun with this rifle and cartridge and of course time will tell. |
Since 1959 the 338Winchester Magnum has preformed without question on any thing it has been used on in North America. By: Mike Price |
Edited by - IMR4350 on Oct 28 2009 19:57:17 |
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coyotin
Junior Member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 22:54:07
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Nice article IMR4350. I too just purchased a.338 in the Browing x-bolt medallion, got the Leupold B/C reticle on it. I bought it in .338 win mag for all of the above good reasons. I plan on bear, elk, and maybe caribou hunting in next 5-10 years. I just wanted one gun in the rack for that.
Im still waiting to see how your load work turns in in the 225 grain accubond. Im thinking its gonna be IMR4350 for the powder. Im getting ready to order about 4 pounds. |
"Show me something worthwhile and I will show you someone who has overcome adversity" Lou Holtz |
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lefty o
Advanced Member
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 00:50:58
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| i guess it was your friends statement " everything from mouse to moose"! |
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338User
Average Member
Australia
164 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 01:46:44
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Hi IMR 4350,
I agree with you whole heartedly. From 1996 to 2008 it was the only centrefire I owned. A great cartridge, and even more versatile than you think as there is also the 160gn bullet weight to consider (Barnes TTSX) which you can push out at over 3300fps |
338User |
Edited by - 338User on Oct 29 2009 01:47:38 |
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fishstan2
Advanced Member
USA
1601 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 04:54:37
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IMR 4350, sounds like you really like the 338 Win Mag. As it has been stated, a great cartridge. I would have to go with Skyline on the bigger is better for Bear Medicine!!!!!. That is why I don't hunt them, I don't like the fact I am being looked at like a Hamburger . But If I was to hunt one, here is the combo I would use.
1,200 pound pissed of Bear "vs" Pissed off Barret Rifle with a 750 grain bullet doing 2,800 fps. LMAO. Stan |
WILLIAMS, STANLEY W.
SGM U.S. ARMY
CAMP TAJI IRAQ
"SHOOT EM FROM LONG" RANGE" |
Edited by - fishstan2 on Oct 29 2009 08:11:42 |
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IraqVet2003
Advanced Member
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 07:38:41
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| Stan that is beyond bear medicine! That 750 gr slug I have no dought would go through a bear length wise and keep going. If it was a charge stopping shot cant imagine there being much left of the bear, lol. Vet |
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THE 338WINCHESTER MAGNUM - AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
