I'm trying to put together an elk rifle in .338 WM. I do all of my own reloading. I have owned one .300 WM which I couldn't get to shoot worth a crap so I got rid of it. I currently have a Sako .300 wsm that does a heck job shooting 200 grain bullets but this gun is to pretty and to heavy to take in the hills. I want something light in the big hills but something heavy enough to control kick on the .338 wm. I don't want a muzzle break as they hurt my ears and people at the range don't like em.
I want something in 70 degree bolt turn or less with a 23" or 24" barrel. I'm thinking of a gun that weighs about 7lbs + Scope + Shells when loaded I'm guessing that would get me to about 8 pounds. I'm only guessing that this would be a good weight but need opinions on this????
I could get a Sako Finnlight in .300 wsm but this gun weighs 6lbs 6oz's and I'm thinking this is a little little light for 200 grain bullets. Also I leaning toward .338 wm as I may do an Alaska moose / Bear Hunt in the future.
I can order a Sako Synthetic Stainless which weighs 7lbs and has a 24" inch barrel. It has to be ordered factory direct as Sako doesn't sell this gun in the U.S. so might take a while to get here if I order it.
What are your experienced opinions on this setup for big hills and big caliber???
Thanks
Adams
I don't know about your end of the pond, but for me in Alaska there is nothing better than the .338WM with bullet weights from 210 at the lightest, to a 275-grain A-Frame from close-range hunting. But for me the best do-all bullet is the 225-grain 3-Shock X Tipped.
My favorite .338WM rifle this year is a Ruger Hawkeye African model, but not the one Ruger shows on its online catalog. The one I have does not have a muzzle brake, and has a 22" barrel. Other than that, it looks exactly like the "African" models.
Since the wood stock is quite nice, I put it away and bought a synthetic McMillan Classic one with a Decelerator recoil pad. Before I ordered the stock, I had a gunsmith friend of mine measuring my LOP, so McMillan built the stock with the right LOP to include the recoil pad length. However, I did not want a light .338WM, so I kept it heavy around 8 pounds. What I like about this rifle other than being a good-shooter is that the shorter barrel makes it easy to point or to bring on target.
This one, but without a muzzle brake:
http://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/47120.html
