Still worth buying a 338 WinMag if I own a 375?

[John1989]

To me…. I think 338 is a great round… it has the ability to shoot a wide range of bullet weights and will absolutely do the job. It also; in many cases has better sectional density than 375 h&h so it penetrates better. Lots of people who bear hunt use it religiously. With that being said…. The only negative I’ve experienced is that both the 338’s I own are pretty ferocious in the recoil department. My 375 h&h is almost two pounds heavier than either of my 338’s and one of my 300 wm weighs more than either of my 338’s with less recoil…… something to consider maybe?! I’m sure lots of the guys here shoot huge rifles more than I do but I’m not a huge fan on 338 recoil. I am a huge fan on the performance because 338:

Does more damage than 300
Is generally a smaller/lighter package rifle than a 375
Penetrates better (with comparable bullet weight) than 375 and shoots flatter.
Has a better selections of bullets than 300 wm (160-300 gr.)

What I dislike:
Rifle weight (imo too light to shoot 300 gr.)
Sharp recoil
The general availability of ammo and bullets

I guess for Africa the big difference is that you can hunt dangerous game with a 375 legally but not with 338. Which I get but I also don’t because I’m sure countless grizzlies have been hammered with a 338 wm over the last 70 years and I’m sure it would absolutely stop some dangerous game in Africa if the shooter was up to it.

For what you take in recoil and the availability of ammo…. I generally think 300 WM makes more sense than 338. Just my opinion.

 

[Safari Dave]

To me, the .340 Weatherby is the ultimate cartridge for elk.

The .338 Winchester Magnum is a close second.

 

[Deepfork]

If I had to pick a single cartridge for anything whitetail size and larger in North America 338 Winchester be my choice. For me, not foreseeing shooting over 300 yards, it definitely exceeding my abilities. It is where my personal cartridge comfort level begins when in the closer range bear environments. I like shooting my 338's, have zero desire to sell them. That being said my 375's come very close to covering that same 300 yard trajectory. But the 338 Winchester still has an advantage with a bit higher bc bullet.

For my present purposes the 338 Winchester is a better fit than my 300 mags in most circumstances. My moose hunting is certainly 250 yards and under so my 325 WSM and 338 Winchester get consideration over the 300 mags. Maybe for caribou on the windy tundra, I would favor the 300's. But, considering my personal range limitations I think I will still take a 338 Winchester.

Curious why you consider the 300s better at long range, over 300 yards than the .338. I have been obsessively tinkering with .338WM loads for a few months now. The one that really stands out for long range is a 230gr Hornady ELD-X. Its very accurate in my rifle, average MV is 2845. At 675 yards FPS and Ft-Lbs of energy are both still over 2k.

 

[ldmay375]

Curious why you consider the 300s better at long range, over 300 yards than the .338. I have been obsessively tinkering with .338WM loads for a few months now. The one that really stands out for long range is a 230gr Hornady ELD-X. Its very accurate in my rifle, average MV is 2845. At 675 yards FPS and Ft-Lbs of energy are both still over 2k.

Quite often the near same, to higher bc bullets at higher velocities in the 300's. Definitely so in the bullets that I would use for each. That is why I said, "Maybe for caribou on the windy tundra, I would favor the 300's." "But, considering my personal range limitations I think I will still take a 338 Winchester."

I try to purposely stay away from the terms better and best. That is an individual preference, based on that individual's needs / desires. My bullet focus is more aligned with close to very close range shots. For me this usually is a monolithic or solid shank bullet with a bc of .320 to mid .500's. Which is consistent with my 7mm's through 458's regarding full fledged expanding bullets. Most are .400 to lower .500's.

 

[Northern Shooter]

500-600m is a long, uncertain range for shooting at big game. A 338 WM would fill the gap nicely between 30 and 375 but the 375 would nicely fill the same gap down to 30 caliber Just another way to look a it. Overall the 338 WM is very versatile. My range of big game calibers, after a few years of thinning goes: 270 Win, 338-06, 375 HH, 416 Rem Mag, 458 Watts. If forced to go Spartan minimalist I would keep the 338-06 and 416 Rem Mag.

is 500-600 considered an extreme range for hunting with the 338? Shots at that distance aren't uncommon in western Canada.

 

[Shootist43]

Northern Shooter, this thread brings out one of the best features of AH. I didn't see a negative reaction in the bunch. Adding a 338 Win Mag to your "arsenal" would be a great move. However, for purposes of discussion why did you discount the .358(s)? I particular I'm referring to the 35 Whelen. Especially if you are able to "roll" your own ammo. Personally, I have no axe to grind here as I own several 375 H&H(s), two 35 Whelen(s), a 338 Win Mag and a number of 300 Win Mags and a 308 Norma Mag. Of all the afore mentioned calibers I use the 35 Whelen the most.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Northern Shooter, this thread brings out one of the best features of AH. I didn't see a negative reaction in the bunch. Adding a 338 Win Mag to your "arsenal" would be a great move. However, for purposes of discussion why did you discount the .358(s)? I particular I'm referring to the 35 Whelen. Especially if you are able to "roll" your own ammo. Personally, I have no axe to grind here as I own several 375 H&H(s), two 35 Whelen(s), a 338 Win Mag and a number of 300 Win Mags and a 308 Norma Mag. Of all the afore mentioned calibers I use the 35 Whelen the most.

To be honest I'm just less familiar with the .358s and had the impression they were more of a close range thumper similar to an 45-70 in terms of ballistics.

Also that they are closer in diameter to the 375s.

I'll look into the ballistics of the 35 Whelen and 358 Norma's.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Also for discussions sake, is there anything the 7 RemMag does better than the 338 WinMag?

I have also been considering the 7 RM for the same role (500m+), flat shooting big game hunter.

 

[John1989]

Also for discussions sake, is there anything the 7 RemMag does better than the 338 WinMag?

I have also been considering the 7 RM for the same role (500m+), flat shooting big game hunter.

No. Not even close

 

[Buck0317]

I have both, but my Sako AV Fiberglass in 338 Win just sits in the back of the safe now. I hunted black bears and elk with my 338 for years primarily for penetration and bullet performance. I didn't handload at the time and 338's came with tougher bullets. However, with the advancement of bullet technology I have found my 30-06 will handle all of the chores that I relied on my 338 for.

 

[MedRiver]

Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen might have a bone to pick with you as he LOVES his .35 Whelen. LOL

Won't be much of a fight. I hunt more with my 35 Whelen then my 358 Norma and have all the parts here to build a second .35 Whelen...just because

 

[Northern Shooter]

Can any of the 35s match the 338 WM Mags downrange ballistics?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My 338 is a ridiculously accurate Friday afternoon Winchester model 70. Shoots 225 gr TTSXs well under MOA and with a 3.5x10 leupold will cover a hell of a lot of range. One of the greatest cartridges of all.

@baxterb
My 35 Whelen shoots most projectile well under an inch. Dang the 250gr Hornady round nose cuts clover leafs at 100yds. A 225gn accubond at 2,900+fps out of my Whelen covers a hell of a lot of range as well so I don't need one of them fire breathing, mule kicking magnums to do the same job.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The simple solution here is to shoot a .358 Norma and sell everything else between .243” and .416”

@MedRiver
Sell the 243 as well and get a 25-06. That and the 358 Norma and your set
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

While I might gravitate toward the .35 Whelen instead of the .338 WM, There's always a good reason to have another rifle.

@jay Kelky
The Whelen will do everything the 338 will but with more CLASS. For big stuff there ain't no flies on a 25 cal 310gn @ 2,455fps out of the Whelen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Why? Tell us anything the Whelen does better than the .338WM.

@Deepfork
What canthe 338 do that the Whelen can't and do it with style and panache.
The whelen can put out a 225gn at ove 2900fps for 4,300fpe or a big 310gn Woodleigh at 2,455fps for 4,000fpe.
Sort of makes the 228 redundant in my book.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yes it does. It's serves the purpose with acceptable to me velocity loss. I found a used RUM at a good price, so I bought it. 2700 fps with 250 gr bullet with 21.25" barrel. Velocity went up after I removed the front two magnaport cuts. I cut an inch at a time shooting over a chrono tracking velocity loss. Knowing the possibility of having to rebarrel the rifle if went to far.

@John J
So you put a bucket full of powder in a big RUM to achieve what the whelen does with 64gn of CFE223 and a 250gn bullet. 2,700fps , why.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Won't be much of a fight. I hunt more with my 35 Whelen then my 358 Norma and have all the parts here to build a second .35 Whelen...just because

@MedRiver
All you need is some cfe223 to stoke it with and have even more fun
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Can any of the 35s match the 338 WM Mags downrange ballistics?

@Northern Shooter .
In one simple word YES, and then some.
Bob

 

[Northern Shooter]

@Northern Shooter .
In one simple word YES, and then some.
Bob

You're passion for the 35 Whelen now has me intrigued haha. I'll look into it. How does it compare to the .358 Norma?