Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Recommendations for SS/Synthetic Big Bear Weapon (.338).....

I agree, and I thought long and hard about a 338WM before I bought my Extreme Weather in 30-06.

The 26" barrel on the 338 was a deal-breaker for me, and with the flutes it can't be shortened much.

The 22" 30-06 is very handy.

In a 338WM I'd want 24" maximum, with 22-23" being better.

The Ruger Hawkeye Stainless 338WM (sans-flutes) can be shortened.

And I really love the 338RCM in the stainless Ruger carbine too. I am still fighting the urge to grab one of those. The newness of the chambering is holding me back.

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My exact sentiments. By the way how accurate is your EW 30-06??? That's going to be my next new rifle purchase. You know I wouldn't feel undergunned with a handy ol 30-06 with 5 in the mag loaded up with 220 partitions

Sorry, I can't tell you about the EW accuracy yet. Mine is still unfired, waiting for the right scope.

But there have been multiple reports of stellar accuracy. In fact, I don't ever recall reading a negative report. I think it's as safe a bet as you'll find in a rifle you'll like.

And I agree too with you on the 30-06 with 220s. Plus, I know I can shoot it well.

A 338WM that weighs the same as the 30-06 . . . maybe not so well.

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Good luck with that EW, I'm jealous . Keep hearing how accurate they are and I'm wanting one pretty bad. Can't beat the ol 06 either IMHO.

...Decided on SAVAGE. Model 70's are a bit scarce right now (apparently selling very well - demand greater than supply) and the long term viability of the Ruger 338RCM scared me a bit...I ordered him the New Savage 116 "Bear Hunter" that they are introducing this year. Has accutrigger, accustock, camo, fluted stainless steel barrel with their patented muzzle break...much more attractive than your typical ugly Savage rifle although they have a great reputation for accuracy. Thanks again for the help/suggestions guys -

I am sure you will be very happy with your new rifle.

It's a rare Savage that doesn't shoot extremely well, and it sounds like the one you bought has all the nice features.

I'll have to take a lok at one of those. It sounds like a really nice rifle, and maybe the 338 I could use.

Good luck with it.

Trade it on the Ruger while you still can!

I've been 4 times for Grizzly and have killed them with a Remington 300 Weatherby, a Mark V Ultralight 300 Weatherby, and a Model 70 338 Win Mag. All of them worked just fine. That said, I like the Model 70 SS Classic the best.

Of the new guns made today my first choice would be one of the new Model 70's followed by the Ruger. Ruger's are very popular in Alaska. There very durable rifle's. But hey, if the wifes buying, go big! Go for the Winchester EW.

Whoops, saw you already made the choice. I'm not keen on Savages except for 99's and punching holes in paper. But, we all have our preferences. Hope he likes it. I'd go trade it in if it was given to me! I'd come up with some excuse like a different caliber was needed.

I'm sure he'll be very happy with it. A lot of my friends use savages and they have never really had any problems with them. I'm sure it will be a good shooter, as every savage I've ever fired has been extremely accurate. Good luck with your hunt.

Savages don't send the blood rushing to my nether regions, but my buddy showed up with one in 30-06 at our Colorado elk hunt. It had a nice walnut stock, stainless fluted (?) barrel, the new barrel nut... I'm not keen on the Accutrigger but it doesn't suck. Anyway his rifle was pretty classy and, it did shoot.

They do shoot Jeff. As much as I don't care for them, you have to be honest with yourself and others and openly admit that fact. I've never seen a bad shooting savage (hell even the stevens 200's shoot). A friend had one of the older 110 wood stocked 300 win mags and I loaded up some 200 grain partitions for elk and shot some groups, after 2 shots I handed the rifle back to him and said I can't do another one . I looked through the scope and only saw one hole and said ah hell, I better atleast shoot 1 more to make a group. My arm was twitching before I pulled the trigger and my eyes were watering. I pulled the trigger and my damn arm went numb. Oh that [bleep] hurt. He thought I was kidding and he fired off 2 shots and couldn't do the last one. The group I fired was around .400" by the way, but it hurt like hell and left a bruise!!!Also keep in mind how much I love and shoot my Ruger M77 MKII 338 win mag. I've gone 40 rounds of 338 mixed in with 50 30-06 and 50 308 win in a days shooting session. Something about that savage, It was a hard kicker!!

Trouble is,most S/S rifles wear dogschit handles. Kimber rings alotta bells.

CRF is a grandiose Wives Tale..................

I'll go with what Phil Shoemaker says, a stainless Ruger M77 with the boat paddle stock. He's never seen one fail on a hunt.

I dig Ruger,far more than most. They are typically twisted/throated well and do nice things,as per their barreled actions go.

But the boat paddle is a totally dogschit handle,who's greatest attribute is it's inherent ability to magnify recoil.

338's,especially so...................

I always thought that too, atleast with the 300 win mag I gave to my dad (now he suffers with it ). He only keeps it because I gave it to him. Poor sucker . That stock's best attribute is it is tough as hell and I know many guys here love em, but they are not for me.

Find a SS Rem 700 .338 for around $600, and then get a McM Swirly on order. That's a lot of gun for 1k..

Tough to pawn a 338 off to a Newb and to expect great things.

I'd be quicker to hand over a more manageable chambering,with focus being boolit selection and actual trigger time as being the money maker.

Would rather see a gent armed with say a Montucky 308/168X melding,than a 338 they cain't drive,irregardless of it's fodder...................

Welcome back, Stick.

.338's aren't hard to drive. At least not in the right stock with a good recoil pad.

The M700 XCR has a stock that's easy to make fun of, starting with the fact that it's butt ugly. However, that stock along with the Limbsaver they used to put on them (I think they've changed) is a recoil-eating machine. Very easy to shoot. On my .338 XCR anyway, the stock has also proven itself to be extremely stable and not sensitive to rest or hold or sling pressure. Bought the rifle planning on changing the stock; probably 800 rounds into it I'd not even consider re-stocking that rifle.

I'll stick with what I said a few pages ago. Rem 700 XCR II.

You reiterate things nicely,but never on purpose.

Laffin'.................

My experience trumps your guessing in this regard, and the gent did spec a .338.