Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help Me Choose .257 Wby or .338 WM

tzone -

Regarding .338WM rifles...

1. They aren't necessarily heavy, as has been pointed out. Mine has a fluted 22" barrel and weighs no more than my .300WM or 7mm RM and not significantly more than my or 280 or others.

2. Not a fan of muzzle brakes and the only bolt rifle I have with one is my lightweight .308 Ruger Scout with a 16.1" barrel. Calculated .338WM recoil with 225g AccuBonds at around 2750 fps is a bit more than my .300WM with 180s at around 3050 fps.

3. The difference on target between my .338WM and smaller diameter cartridges is quite noticeable with much bigger holes in. Have never recovered a .338 bullet even on my longest elk kill at 487 yards.

4. Is the .338WM fun at the bench? Not particularly, but it isn't that bad. I wouldn't say my .300WM or 7mm RM or .30-06 rifles are fun at the bench, either, but I've used all the above to hit clay pigeons on the 600-yard berm. For fun, get a rifle cambered for lighter weight, smaller diameter cartridges or one that i heavy enough to absorb a lot of recoil. My most fun rifles are .223, .243, Win .257 Roberts and my heavy barrel 6.5 CM and 6.5-06AI rifles. Recoil on those is light enough al my daughters love to shoot them. If recoil is a biggie, get the .257.