It depends...and this ought to be a fun thread grin.

I have a .338 RCM, Ruger blue/wood Hawkeye; have killed game with it; and really like it. I have never owned a .338 Win Mag, because I don't like belted cases, among other reasons. So my viewpoint is pretty much one-sided. Having said that, I really doubt that a 20" .338 RCM can produce higher velocities than a .338 Win Mag in a 24" barrel, if the loads match up. I do think a .338 RCM provides "enough" performance to work very nicely at any hunting venture in North America.

I do believe reloading is a crucial practice if you want to be really functional with a .338 RCM, though, because I don't much care for the few factory varieties being produced. I'm getting really good loads with Re 15 powder pushing 185 and 210 TSX's and 200 gr Hornady Interlocks.

And I'll have a .338 RCM and not a belted anything, so for me it's a lot better deal... smile.

Dennis


"The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets."

"If you're asking me something technical, you may be looking for My Other Brother Darrell."

"It ain't foot-pounds that kills stuff -- it's broken body parts."