Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7 mag 300 win mag or 338 win mag?

Of theses which is the best long range capability flat shooting excetra ? I know theres the bullet weight but if life depended on it for long range shots what cal would you guys pic?We have a on going clash about the best cal for both long range shooting say out to 500 to 1000 for target and 300 to 500 for game.Barrel 24 or 26?

7mag is tough to beat but I always had a spot for the 300. 24" barrel is enough but really you have been too vague.
Do you have a target weight for the rifle?
Budget?
Exact application (animal type)?

Thanks dave,


1.71/2 up to 8lbs im a big guy

2.750 TO 1000

3.ELK,PRONG HORN,POSSIBLY GRIZZ.


Have a 338 winny now but might want to down grade if i can get better trajectory dont handload.Also the cost of ammo is up so i want a one type long range hitter also have a 1950 30-06 that belonged to my dad with the lupy i smacked a buck 2 yrs ago out to 325 yrs but that was a one time deal the alinement of the planets and all.lol My buddys are long range target shooters and we are always at this it seems to never stop.

I would vote the 7mag because of the weight of the rifle. 7.5-8lb 300 is going to be a little starchy (Hrnhuntr's description). The 7mag recoils WAY less than a 300. IMO...
But... None except the 338 is much of a Grizz rifle... All work though, don't think anything with a 7mm hole thru is clock work is going far......
Dave

I'm with dave - much recoil difference between a 7mag and the 300 WM and another level of recoil to the 338. A 7.5 338 just ain't right..............

Rifle Weight: A lot depends on how recoil-tolerant you are, how old you are, hhow dumb you are, etc. I hunted for years with a 7.5 pound (scoped) .338 with great results on game. But I am older and my body less flexible now, and maybe my brain has also been bounced around enough to know when to quit.

I would go with the .300. Easier to get to shoot REALLY well than the 7mm, recoil more but not that bad, and heavier bullets for deeper penetration on bigger game. (I cannot believe that somebody commented here that the .300 Winchester Magnum isn't really a grizzly rifle.) It shoots somewhat flatter than the .338, a trait more noticeable at longer ranges, which you seem to be interested in.

JB

I have all 3 plus a 300 & 338 RUM. In my opinion the 300 Win with 180-200 gr. bullets is the best of the 3 you mentioned. It's also very shoot able and does really well with a 24" barrel. The wind really moves the 7mm bullets around and I have found both the 7mm rem and 338 Win difficult to get up to speed with heavier bullets. They all do good out to 300 yards. If I had to shoot really long range I would choose my 300 RUM I does kick a bit harder and has a 26" barrel , which is a pain when hunting . But on my range it shoots substantially flatter and I find it easier to hit with. Good hunting KH

For the game animals and distances you've stated I'd say 300 WM. The trajectories of all three rounds are rather similar with bullets of similar sectional density, so you're trying to split hairs there. I lean towards the 300 WM since the killing effectiveness vs. recoil are a good fit for the elk and grizzly.

But I wouldn't stay home if forced to hunt with a 7mm RM or 338 WM either. For informal target shooting, I'd select the 7mm for the reduced recoil. I'd rather not shoot the 338 WM for enjoyment from the target range bench.

2nd choice for hunting would be 7mm RM, since you're stated hunting range is 300-500 yds. Moose will fall to the 7mm RM at those ranges - no problems. So elk should also. Even grizzly and brown bears, however shots past 300 yds on the bears should be taken only after careful consideration due to the difficulty of recovering them with anything less than ideal hits. We recently took a 300 lb grizzly from 175 yds and a 450-500 lb Kodiak brown bear from 380 yards with 7mm RMs.

Just my opinions.

There is a big difference between 500 and 1000 yards, no caliber is flat shooting between 500 and 1000...you have to know your dope and be able to range well. If you learn that, any of those calibers will do it...as would a 308.

TC

Thanks guys this is great info and i known as do my buddys but i love to hunt with my 338 now my 340 seems to hurt a little more but as i get older am 49 now i should probly go to the 300 for my all aroung big game and long range gun.My 338 is a featherweight and well balanced with scope carrys nice my 340 is heavyer and sometimes not so great to hump aroung.

If you have a 338 already then it should cover the grizzly part of the group and you probably aren't going to be doing much long range grizzly hunting either.

So, I will throw in a vote for the 7 mag. When loaded with heavier for caliber, premium bullets (ie. 160 Accubond) it will be a quality performer at the ranges you spoke about and for all game but the big bears. It also has slightly less wind drift than the 300 WM with 180 Accubonds.