I decided to go for a .338 WM in a composite stock and stainless bolt action. Now is there a big difference between the leading manufactures. Kimber's are hard to get in my area I have to special order....Are they worth the extra money compared to a Ruger or say a Browning? Just looking for some advice from experinced. I have been shooting the same Browning 30.06 semi auto for about 15 years so this is a change for me. I had my Browning out west last year in the snow and ice on a backpack trip and the semi auto was a maintenace nightmare....thus the need for the switch.....

RUGER, NO QUESTION!!!!

I have the ruger bolt action.M77 MKII in .338 topped by a Nikon monarch 3x9!Great rifle.

Well, Kimber makes the .338 in the Montana - recoil is prolly like chewing on tinfoil when fully stoked with the heavies. Have you considered the Remington XCR?


Might check the classifieds here too, Ruger there right now:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...owflat/Number/1619071/page/1#Post1619071

sk

I have the Ruger MkII.
Shoots nice and was not too expensive. However, I wish I had bought the synthetic/stainless version!

SS Ruger Mark II. No question.

I'd go with the Ruger as well given the current state of the factory gun industry.

Sako model 75SS or the Greywolf model would be my choice for a 338WM.

Since I am not pleased with the layout of the LA Kimber 8400's I could second that.

I have not seen the recoil pads on the latest Rugers but somehow I have little hope that its a modern one and the 338 needs one and more.

Tag, that 338 is going to kick like hell. Are you aware of that?

I'm sure it ain't gonna kick that bad....

No doubt

For me it would be hell. Your experience with recoil between an autoloader 30-06 and the extreme recoil velocity of a 338 WM out of a bolt action is up to you. As for myself I avoid the 338's.

A Kimber 8400 Montana in 300 WM might be of some use. An annoyance with the 300 WM is that the long bullets look like crap in that round with its short neck and too short magazine. A long magazine would solve much of that. The 8400 LA is really a magnum action. Take out the magazine spacer and maybe adjust the bolt stop and now you would have a sweet 300 maggy. Bet it would kick less than a Ruger of the same weight.

There is a little kick out of the 338 but not the fearsome one that people have in mind.

Especially with lighter bullets.

Make my 338WM a Mcmillan and a Ruger. Total Utilitarian!!!!

Of the two mentioned, I've owned three Ruger bolt guns and one Kimber 8400. I still own two of the Rugers and the Kimber. My Rugers all do what they're supposed to do and are sub-moa accurate. The Kimber is about the nicest looking factory bolt gun going (IMO)but after Kimber's having replaced the barrel, tuned the trigger, and restocking it still doesn't shoot like we've come to expect bolt guns in that price range to shoot. I'm going to keep playing with it for a while. My next bolt gun will probably be a Sako.

With out a doubt...Ruger

+2 for all the Ruger votes. My son and I each have one, both being sub MOA and nice shooters. Haven't found anything I like as well as Rugers.

Ruger is the one.

Ruger Hawkeye stainless/synthetic would be my choice.

I agree