I've got one of the Ruger 77 Hawkeyes in .338 RCM with the 22" barrel. Light, handy, powerful. With the softer Speer 200 gr Hot Cor's loaded to 2700 to 2800 fps, they put down the big 300+ pound northern Missouri whitetails quickly. It'll be my primary rifle on my next elk hunt, loaded with Accubonds, Fusions, or Weldcores.
Like others have said, I don't know why the .338 RCM isn't more popular. To me, it's just about perfect for elk, moose, larger deer, and most bear and noticeably lighter and handier than any .338 Win Mag rifle I've handled.
I'm glad I got one while the gettin' was good.
I think mature riflemen also add percieved recoil to the equasion when new cartridges are introduced as well as the potential availability or lack thereof, for reloading components. It can add or subtract from any new release.
Probably why most opt for the .338/06 as the better option for those not favoring a magnum in .338 but wanting the bullets available in that caliber.
