does the 338 rcm have any advantages over the 338 win mag? I dont really know much about the 338 rcm other than short video clips i have seen and supposidly you get the same performance from the 338 rcm with a 20 inch barrel that you would with a 338 with a 24 inch barrel. im planning on buying a 338 really soon and i was wondering if maybe the 338 rcm would be a better choice over the win mag. I reload so take that into consideration.

338 RCM might come in a shorter package but you'll find 338 Win Mag ammo and components everywhere. I never thought of a 24 inch barreled sporter as being too long for most of my hunting. I also believe longer cartridges in relation to their fatness tend to feed better than short-fats.

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

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... .

Dennis

It all depends on what type of hunting you plan to do with the rifle, what type of terrain, etc. If you plan on hunting a lot of thick cover and want a light, highly maneuverable rifle, the 338 RCM is a great choice. I have the 338 RCM and took a book-class bear with it last year, and was very, very pleased with the rifle. It achieves 338 Win Mag velocities out of a 20-inch barrel with 200 and 225 grain Hornady factory ammo. The rifle was very handy in some of the thick alders and stuff I hunted, even though I ended up shooting at 180 yards. (One shot, double lung, through and through, DRT, with 225 grain SST). Since you reload, it's important to note that Hornady uses a new, special powder, unavailable to the public, to achieve that performance, so you'll likely have to settle for a bit less velocity when loading your own for 338 RCM. If you're planning on a lot of open country hunting and long shots, you may want to stick with the 338 Win Mag, especially since you reload. If Hornady ever makes the powder available to the public, that might be a game changer.

Unlike Dennis, I DO like the factory ammo. The 225 grain SST load took down the biggest black bear I've ever shot instantly. The bear will make the book, and a story on the hunt will run the May issue of Petersen's Hunting. Hornady, by the way, has now added a 185-grain GMX load to the lineup. Haven't tried that yet.

While there's nothing wrong with the factory ammo in my book, Dennis is the guy to talk to re. reloading for the 338 RCM.

One thing we do agree on is our mutual fondness for the 338 RCM. I would have no qualms taking anything on this continent with the 338 RCM, though my first choice for brownies/grizzlies would be something a tad heavier.

The 338RCM cannot ever live up to the MIGHTY 338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM.
Treat the RCM as a short case/high pressured 338-06, that's where it's at. Not bad, just not great, IMO.

Great thread. I am in the process of building a 338 RCM. As to feeding with short fats...this is not like a WSM case, it fits and feeds like a dream from my old tang safety M77 short action, while a WSM case won't get past the feed rails.

I am certain that the 338 Win mag will beat this with handloads as the capacity of the 338 RCM is almost identical to the 338-06.

I totally agree it won't keep up with it. For me the rifle that it comes in is just so nice and that's the only thing that would ever lead me to it, not the round.

Problemo is I already have a nice 338 WSM and a 338/06 and a 340 so I feel sort of covered. A Montana in a 338 Federale still perks my fancy from time to time though..

Dober

To be clear, it matches the 338 Win Mag in certain bullet weights in factory loadings and I don't see it as an either/or situation. The short, handy rifle it comes in is the 338 RCM's claim to fame. It's use certainly isn't restricted to close-cover situations (witness pile of plains game shot by Ruger CEO in Africa), but that's where it really shines.

I also have the 338 Fed in a Hawkeye all weather. It's my designated Calif. rifle as it happens to shoot the (mandatory) copper very well.

As you can no doubt tell, I tend towards rifles specialized for the particular job at hand... gives me plenty of excuses to keep acquiring more.

That would only be the case if you actually liked a .338 Win. I do not, nor do I like any other belted magnum. I think the Ruger long and short cases are the perfect answer, as they are slightly bigger around than an H&H case, but fit nicely in the actions. I have a .375 Ruger and a .338 RCM, and like both of them very much. If I were headed to Africa any time soon, I would have a .404 Ruger built, as has been demonstrated and discussed by a personal hero here ), and it would do very well.

Since the .338 RCM has slightly greater capacity than a .338-06, I doubt very much that it builds higher pressure to achieve the same velocity. And that's the true role of the RCM, whether Hornady wants to face it or not.

Dennis

Dober, how do the 338/06 and the 338WSM compare? Interesting caliber. You could kill two birds with one stone if you rechambered a Kimber 84L montana in 338/06? wishful thinking...

Hornady explained the 338 RCM pressure curve to me by basically stating that it stays at preak pressure -- safely -- longer than other powders, thereby achieving the velocity increase out of the shorter tube with the new powder. A longer, smoother spike as opposed to a sharp spike, in other words.

I also agree.338 Winchester all the way.

While you are waiting for Dober to respond, I will tell you that my experience is that the .338 WSM falls about midway between the 338-06 and the 338 Win. But the gap between 338 Win and 338-06 widens at 225 gr and above, and then the WSM stays closer to the Win mag (its velocity does not drop as quickly as does the 338-06 as bullet weight increase.) Or so it seems in my data.

All it takes for me is to hit all the Sporting Goods stores in town and see which ones have ammo for the 338RCM and which have ammo for the 338WM. My rifle is the 338WM!!

thanks for all your info. it looks like ill be sticking to the 338 win mag.

you won't be sorry.

............Performance wise on any game you could use a 338 on, the game won`t know the difference between these two, whether it be from a 20" tubed 338 RCM or from a 24" barreled 338 Win.

I believe what`s more important is to choose a rifle with most of your personal preferences. If it were me, I really like the handier walnut/matte Ruger Hawkeye in the 338 RCM with its 20" barrel. It has that DGR look to it! And in the the right cartridges, the shorter barrels are no slouches when it comes to very high performance levels....I just happen to have a little experience along the lines dealing with shorter barrels!!

You`re a reloader as you state, all you need is good 338 RCM brass availability, which as of yet, I haven`t read or heard of any problems in that particular area.

Though I owned a 300 Win for alot of years, I too prefer the non-belted casings.

I think that if you were to go, handle and play around with a 338 RCM Hawkeye for awhile as I have, it just may grow on you faster than most 338 Win rifles.

I don't dispute your opinion Cariboujack, nor your logic. It is all sound. I'm just glad I haven't followed it over the years. I've had a lot of fun shooting, testing and loading for a large variety of guns and calibers that can't be regularly found at all stores. Don't get me wrong I own the regulars; but, I more often shoot the ones, and travel with the ones, where reloading is a requirement. I'm not a wealthy man; but, if I took a hunting trip with my "less common caliber" gun and was dumb enough to leave my ammo behind, or have some moron lose it (me included) I would buy another gun at my destination. Would I want to go through that? Hell no. If it were an expensive trip I would probably be taking two guns anyway.

Hell, given the opportunity, I would have both (all three, four, etc.).

As much as I hate to say this. I believe the 338RCM will not catch on, & will die in time. Just like the 325WSM looks to be(I like this cal!).

Federal still does not list 325 ammo. But I hope the 325 lives on, as I do the 7mmWSM.
Maybe Browning with keep these 2 going. The X-bolt has it all from the looks.

The rcm is not as powerful or anywhere even close to as available as the win mag but I love my rcm. It shoots great and handles even better. I haven't tried factory ammo yet but if hornady ever loads some without a plastic tip I'm sure muledeer will try them.

I don't think the rcm will ever really catch on either which is too bad. Mine replaced my 350 rem mag, which I really liked, and I'm not looking back yet.

Bb

Pick up a 338 win mag in a Ruger Hawkeye and then pick up a 338 RCM in the same and see which one you like......its really all about the rifle. And the cartridge performs at least as well as the 338-06 which is a cal that has plenty of fans!

I will make sure I have enough brass to last a long time - just in case Hornady do pull the pin on the round - but I have a feeling it will gain popularity when guys realise just how handy this rifle/caliber combination is........

it is all about the rifles. Keep waiting on Kimber to chamber the montana in this cartridge...probably a long wait..

Cant see this happening. If it does & another company climbs aboard. It very well could survive. But the 338 cal is a bitch to break into.
Me thinks the 338Fed will go longer, but in the end, will die too.
I cannot see any short mags take or replace the WSM's. The SAUM's failed as will the RCM's!

..........I wouldn`t BET on that my friend!!!! The difference between Hornady marketing their RCMs vs Remington`s RSAUM marketing was and is a huge difference favoring Hornady.

You under-estimate the marketing going ons behind the scenes at Hornady.

Let`s see now!.....About 3 years ago, there were these same predictions by the naysayers about another cartridge such as; "It`s not going anywhere",,,,"it will be short lived",,,,"only a fad",,,,"only a trend",,,,"Hornady and Ruger don`t know what they`re doing",,,,,and a few other predictions as I recall!

That cartridge?........The 375 Ruger!.........Where are these naysayers now? Probably drowning in their failed predicitions.

You never know what the rifle makers might chamber as well.

I hope you are right!

The 375 Ruger will not(375H&H is too popular, with history & dependability!) make it either, IMO. But the 416 Ruger will. Just the way I see it

I've seen way too many cartridges come and go and come back to ever make predictions like that. Do you think the .45-70 was steadily popular from 1873 to now? .44-40? 16 gauge? If you look at the past 35 or 40 years, there are whole sets that rise and fall, and frequently rise again. Sometimes over and over.

I don't believe any of us have the ability to predict what will and will not be popular in 2020...

Dennis

...The 375 Ruger won`t make it uh????? Well! 375 Ruger rifle sales since this cartridge`s intro, plus its ongoing and increasing popularity not only in this country but world wide as well, has, currently does, and will in the future, prove your opinion to be very very wrong!!!

In fact, it already has proven your opinion, or the way you see it,,,,to be wrong! The 375 H&Hs popularity, will not prevent the 375 Ruger from its increasing popularity. As a matter of fact, a few African PHs have and more are ordering 375 Rugers. I`ve also read and have heard that the 375 Ruger is growing in popularity in Alaska too??......But I digress!!!

Imho, actual marketing facts obtained by doing some research, should trump personal emotional opinions, which are based only on opinions rather than facts to back them up!

Time will tell I guess. And I hope your right!

Just off the subject for a second.
How do you think a 338 would fare off the 375 case. Would it replace the 338 Win Mag, with Ruger marketing?
Do you have any dislikes about the 375 case. Or is it perfect in design?

.................I know where you are going here! Such as a 375 Ruger casing necked down to 338 a caliber?

In other words, would a 338 Ruger (if named as such) based on the 375 Ruger casing marketed by Hornady, ever replace the `ol standby 338 Win? Imo,,no! But imo, it would definetely sell should Ruger and Hornady decide to ever market that particular round. Many do prefer a non-belted casing!!

The 375 Ruger will not completely replace the 375 H&H. It simply offers another rifle alternative.

In my experience with the 375 Ruger casing, I find no dislikes. In fact, it is a flawless feeder in my Ruger Alaskan and is extremely accurate. It equals 24" and 25" tubed 375 H&H velocities, doing so from a 20" barrel, and also does so from a shorter, handier and more manuverable overall rifle length.

As far as I`m concerned, nothing there to dislike. Just the opposite!!

Thank you Sir for your opinion. All fare comments!


PS-Yes, 338 of the Ruger.

After talking with a couple of gunsmiths. It seems the mighty 338WM gets very little attention compared the 300WM. Even the 7mmRM has dropped.
New times with new rules maybe

.....You`re welcome! The popularities of cartridges among gunsmiths are probably best determined by what areas of the country they`re in and the needs of their customers.

The 300 Win Mag was, is, and will continue to be, the most popular selling 300 mag on the planet. So it is easy to figure, that it will have popularity dominance over the 7 Rem Mag and the 338 Win.

I really like the .338 caliber for bigger game but I just do not see these so called "new comer's" to the .338 line up going much further down the road as time goes by us. As was mentioned the .338 Win mag and .340 Wby are the real deal, in a magnum caliber on big game such as elk, moose and big bears etc. You can find ammo for the .338 Winchester magnum out West at most mom & pop stores, those others you will not.

Yes, I agree the .300 Win mag is one heck of a long range caliber and is within most experienced hunters recoil threshold. The .338 Win mag and .340-Wby are a little beyound that but there are certainly things to tame that recoil down, such as a PAST RECOIL PAD. I carried a .300 Win mag for over 20 years and NEVER had a shot out of that .300 mag smack a bull elk and show the visual response like the .338 Win mag with a 250 grain bullet. I just can't swallow all these so called new caliber FADS the industry has thrown at the shooting and hunting public in the last few years. Stick with what has a good track record and one you can find ammo for in a pinch ok.

..............And I`ll vote the other way and state that we won`t see the word "discontinued" anytime soon posted on the Ruger website for the RCMs.

1st.....Not everyone who wants to own or whom already has a 338, necessarily wants the power levels or the recoil levels of the 338 Win Mag or a 340 Wby Mag. Hence the 338 Federal as well. Instead, many prefer to scale things down a bit, realizing that most if not all of their kill shots are always averaging within 300-350 yards.

2nd.....Not everyone likes the belted casings.

3rd.....Not all, but many are inclined to go with and are attracted to handier, lighter, and shorter barreled rifles, with their shorter overall rifle lengths for easier carrying in the field, which still offer more than enough performance for the largest of N/A big game. The Hawkeye RCMs do exactly that. We also seem to read everyday where hunters are inquiring about shortening their barrels, that do shorten their barrels, and/or wanting to lighten their rifles in some fashion.

4th.....For the reloader, it doesn`t matter what mom or pop stores carry or what they don`t carry! For the reloader, all one needs is good brass availability for the RCMs.

5th.....Fads or otherwise, Ruger and Hornady were spot on in creating the 300-338 RCMs and the new Hawkeyes chambered for them.

6th.....Aside from the velocity differences, the 338 RCM shoots the same bullets just as straight and just as accurate as the 338 Win and the 340 Wby. So why is a long track record needed in order to prove a cartridge? Modern software, ballistic knowledge, along with modern cartridge design and development furthered by extensive lab experimentations, can rapidly prove a cartridge`s worth without years and years of proving and further testing in the field. The 375 Ruger has been out for 3 years now. Does it need another few years to be proven?.....Nope!...It was already proven before its introduction to the public. It was just a matter of time before the shooting public accepted it.

So if some feel that these newcomer cartridges and the rifles chambered for them are simply fads, then I`ll be the first to stand in line for these so-called fads! I guarantee ya, that I will not be alone in that line!

If I had only one gun to hunt with it would be the 338 WM. My favorite load is 225 woodleigh's, with 71.0 grs/ of H4350, 215m and Win. Brass. Its an old Ruger tang with a custom barrel. It just kills them dead. However,everyone on this post has more guns than one!

I don't get why people try to compare the long magnums with the short magnums? In my opinion they are not supposed to really compete. For longer shots on the plane where a long barrel is not cumbersome, go for long magnum. If you are stalking through dense forest and don't want the 26" barrel, go for a short mag with a shorter barrel that will give near long magnum performance.

With respect to the long magnums, there is (generally speaking) a consensus as to which are the best (or most reasonable for the task at hand). The Question becomes is which short mag is the best?

The ballistic performance of the 3 short mags are very close to one another, which means other factors have to be considered. Apparently the RCM will feed the most reliable because if its rim design? Any truth in that?

Maybe not everywhere I know cause even in Houston 338WM is not everywhere and when it is it is a very limited selection.

My main concern is how long will the cartridges around.

Remember the 450 Marlin and the 480 Ruger?

Excellent cartridges, but dropped.

Snake

Just roll up a 338 Campfire and call it good...

W

you can always download a 338 win mag to the rcm level but you cant load the rcm up to the win mag level.

I don't get the popularity contest, I have hunted for 40 years times I have forgotten or lost ammo..0. Do animals die faster when hit buy a round with high sales numbers?

As long as there are bullets and brass a cartridge is just as alive to me as a 30.06,

Personally I rather like the 338RCM it sets right about my limit of recoil that I can shoot without any concern. Can I handle 375's and 416, yes but I won't go shoot 40 or 50 rounds in a tee shirt.

It is a shame that the RCMs came late to the short mag race. I have a 300WSM and a 7MM SAUM and while both feed 100% they aren't smooth, but the RCM is as smooth feeding as a 308,

Of course the beauty of the RCM is its package. where else can you get a CRF rifle, with a compact length and iron sights in a cartridge thats suitable for all NA game? About the only other one that comes to mind is the Ruger Alaskan and while it might be just the tool for moose and brown bear, its a touch much for whitetail.

Never had one but I thought that Ruger wood stocked rifle in 338 RCM was the berries....compact,and nicely balanced without that fly-away feel associated with whispy guns.

The Ruger felt like a real rifle.I could hunt that thing!

Six of one, half dozen of another when elk are being tumbled at 700 yards with a 243?

I've always been a big 338 win mag fan but the RCM does have some sex appeal in a short action/barreled ruger rifle that can't be ignored......

325WSM is what you need