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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 18, 2023 18:45:42 GMT -5
Was light reading an old Nosler reloading manual while listening to White Hunters by Herne, about the original white hunters of Africa. When I read a very poignant comment from our own David Bradshaw. On of all things a rifle caliber, his comment being that if a 45-70 and a 7mm Rem Mag ever had a child it would be the 338 Win Mag. I’ve never been a fan of the 7 mag but do recognize its attributes and the 45-70 is still around because it flat works. The 338wm is a personal favorite and was my first choice for an all around caliber and my first full custom rifle.
Now I’m watching a showing of John Wayne’s “Hatari” on FMC channel,……it’s been a nice Saturday considering no shooting has taken place.
Trapr
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,670
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Post by Fowler on Nov 18, 2023 18:51:14 GMT -5
Sitting here awaiting an elk to pop out tonight with my 338 in my lap. Loaded with 225gr Partitions at 2975fps it is just a deadly rifle. I have other elk rifles of course but none more perfectly suited to ek than this one.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 18, 2023 19:03:35 GMT -5
It seems perfectly suited to any game bigger than big muleys and smaller than a ton. Although I like mine for big muleys, big pigs, and whitetails as well.
Trapr
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jpw480
.30 Stingray
Posts: 140
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Post by jpw480 on Nov 19, 2023 3:19:48 GMT -5
When Ruger came out with the CRF MKII, I snached up a stainless RS boat paddel in 338 win mag for my any weather do everything gun.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Nov 19, 2023 6:27:16 GMT -5
On two safaris in 1994, I took 19 head of African game up through a 2,000 lb. Livingston Eland with a .338 Mdl.70. It is a superb cartridge. I always used 250 gr. Nosler Partitions.
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,670
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Post by Fowler on Nov 19, 2023 9:17:06 GMT -5
One thing I like about the 338 is on smaller game the bullets don’t tend to be as destructive as say a 130gr bullet in my 270. The bullets are a bit tougher and certainly kill just fine but don’t over kill if that makes sense. A bullet that is designed for whitetail deer in this rifle would be way soft for a moose or elk. Just my observations…
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Post by bushog on Nov 19, 2023 11:34:09 GMT -5
I love my .338 WMs…..
The first nice rifle I bought after my house fire here in NM was a pre-64 Model 70 in .338 WM. It’s a nice one that I paid $799 for in 2002. For me that was a lot of $$ then. I need to get it back out this Spring to take to CO next year…
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 19, 2023 15:24:39 GMT -5
I’ve owned 4, a Ruger tang safetied 77, my custom Mauser, a SS 700, and a SS M70. All shot well, but the Mauser is the only one I still have. Plus two 338-06’s.
Trapr
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Post by bushog on Nov 19, 2023 20:03:39 GMT -5
I’ve owned 4, a Ruger tang safetied 77, my custom Mauser, a SS 700, and a SS M70. All shot well, but the Mauser is the only one I still have. Plus two 338-06’s. Trapr I've leaned towards my 9.3x62 and 9.3x64.... Have Blaser R93 barrels for both. Why? I don't know.... |
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 19, 2023 21:10:54 GMT -5
My 9.3x64 needs blooding
Trapr
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,670
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Post by Fowler on Nov 19, 2023 23:00:16 GMT -5
Well I was amazed by my 338 today. Busted a medium sized cow tonight with that 225gr Partition at 2975fps at 125 yards or so, quartering shot, broke the onside shoulder and didn’t get an exit! I didn’t think you could pick an angle that the bullet would stay in the elk at.
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Post by pacecars on Nov 20, 2023 8:47:13 GMT -5
Never had a .338 but would love to try one. I had a Steyr M Professional in 9.3x62mm that was a hoot. I hunted deer for the longest time with my graduation present a Ruger No 1 .375 H&H. The big bores do not mess up a lot of meat as was said. Back in 1984 factory ammo was over $1.00 a round and that was just too dang expensive so I learned to reload because of that rifle. I think the .338 would make a heck of an all around gun. An 8x68mm or 8mm Rem Mag might be bone jarring fun too
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 20, 2023 9:22:49 GMT -5
Well I was amazed by my 338 today. Busted a medium sized cow tonight with that 225gr Partition at 2975fps at 125 yards or so, quartering shot, broke the onside shoulder and didn’t get an exit! I didn’t think you could pick an angle that the bullet would stay in the elk at. Partitions seem to be one of the few bullets I find in game. Especially when impact is at close range, like 100 or so yards. I normally much prefer an exit, but regard the Partition as a fine example of an exception I’m willing to accept. They just work, and work over a large range of velocities. This goes for the Swift AF as well. The 225 partition when it became available allowed me to stop shifting between 210’s for medium game and 250’s for larger game. That weight range is all I use in mine now. Nice to hear you got some elk meat, the work starts now. Trapr |
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Post by bushog on Nov 20, 2023 11:06:28 GMT -5
Well I was amazed by my 338 today. Busted a medium sized cow tonight with that 225gr Partition at 2975fps at 125 yards or so, quartering shot, broke the onside shoulder and didn’t get an exit! I didn’t think you could pick an angle that the bullet would stay in the elk at. Partitions seem to be one of the few bullets I find in game. Especially when impact is at close range, like 100 or so yards. I normally much prefer an exit, but regard the Partition as a fine example of an exception I’m willing to accept. They just work, and work over a large range of velocities. This goes for the Swift AF as well. The 225 partition when it became available allowed me to stop shifting between 210’s for medium game and 250’s for larger game. That weight range is all I use in mine now. Nice to hear you got some elk meat, the work starts now. Trapr Accubonds stay together better for me and exit. |
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 20, 2023 11:31:04 GMT -5
at 200 yards range, I found the 338 to out penetrate my 375 H&H, with similar for caliber bullets... love the old cartridges, but when I had my sell off, I sold my Browning in 375 H&H... I still had a bunch of cartridges & reloading stuff, so I ended up getting an Encore barrel in 375...
My Browning Stainless Stalker in 338, I think would kill most anything, with the right ammo, if I do my part...
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