Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Should I give up the .338 win mag?

I have a stainless savage 110 .338 win mag that I've had for a while that I like to use for black bear. Over the last 6 or 8 years ammo had gotten crazy expensive for it and just about impossible to find. I was thinking about selling it and buying a .375 Ruger (I know it's overkill for black bear, but so was the .338. It might also have future use as well if I can make it up to Alaska). Ammo has been consistently more available and even more economic for the .375 Ruger. What do you think, should I trade the .338 win mag in for a .375 Ruger,? If so, which would be the better buy, the Mossberg Patriot or the savage brush hunter? Thanks

375 Ammo may be more available right this moment but, on average, I would think, making the switch to the Ruger over the WinMag seems like a step backwards availability wise.

The 338 will do anything that needs doing in Alaska. The main reason to switch to 375 is because you want to. A perfectly justifiable reason.

I wouldn't buy a Mossberg .375 Ruger, unless they've changed how they build them. If you love your .338 Win, why not learn to reload? If you don't want to reload and worried about ammunition availability get a .308 Win to hunt black bear.

I have to agree. The better rifle is the Ruger Alaskan or African in 375 Ruger.

There is a relatively new cartridge that came out in '06, no one can predict if it will become popular enough to assure ammo re supply, but it might be worth a look. Supposed to be versatile, bullet weight wise. Ammo boxes are marked, .30-06, whatever that means.

I would go with a 300 win mag if looking for ammo availability.

Reload and the problem is solved.

DF

There isn’t a rifle or chambering cited,that’s worth a fhuqk. Hint………

If concerned with factory ammo availability and price, and you're wanting to stick with a magnum, why not grab one of the new Rem 700s in 7RM with 8" twist?

M70 Stainless 375 H&H all the way, right Stick.

The 338 had been around and is proven. If you're finding 338 to be more expensive than 375 Ruger ammunition, you're not looking in the right places.

More guns get sold because "Alaska/out west someday" than any other reason lol.

I'd trip it for an appropriate black bear cartridge and shoot more often with the savings in cost of ammo. Assuming you don't reload based on comments in OP.

I've been of the belief that if a person REALLY needs more than a 30-06 - that's 375 and nothing in between is really the step up needed then. I'm not a 30-06 slut, don't even own one save a Garand. I'm more of "If I wouldn't poke it in the ribs with a 7-08, I probably shouldn't use something till 375 level of power either"

Keep the 338

Unfortunately,I suffer one. Hint………..

I tend to agree with this statement. Your best option is to reload, much more economical once you get set up.

Reloading will change the scenario and the options.

DF

I like the idea of shooting them right in the pump-station with a 7-08. That will work and work just fine.

Jordan,

Do you know if Remarms improved the SPS stock? Been meaning to check one out as overall quality has supposedly improved.

Jason

Strange that he is able to find 375 Ruger ammo and not 338wm??? I definitely would not be giving up on the 338wm though.

210 grain Nosler Partitions and 74 grains of Vihtavuori n-160. A 225 Hornady Interlock propelled by 75 grains of Hodgdon H4831. Good black bear loads and good for everything else loads. Keep the 338.