Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 300 magnum vs 338

Yes! And it is sweet. I got a great deal on a Bushnell Elite 3500 that I put on it. I hadn't had any of the elite series, but I really like it so far. Although I haven't shot it in low light yet or past 150 yards.. I've put 60 rds of factory stuff through it and have my first batch of handloads ready to go. Selling a .270 (supposed to show up tomorrow) that I had as a "backup" rifle because I like this one so much. Ready to shoot some doe with it this deer season hopefully.
-Jake

A 300 mag can shoot a lot flatter.

Trajectory compensation is elementary... windage not so much, at least for me. (SWAG usually works... ) Which would drift less, a 225 gr .338 round, or a .300 220 gr. load (or use 210 and 200, respectively, if you prefer) at comparible near max respective velocities? Seems to me , considering offhand, faster velocity would give the wind less time to act on bullets of similar weight the same way gravity has less time to influence?

I will add that perceived recoil also depends on muzzle blast. I've found I have less perceived recoil (and the better I shoot) the more better my hearing protection with the same gun and loads. I double up plugs and muffs on the "range", if I can.

Also include visual muzzle-jump. A porting system (Mag-Na-Port on my .338) also reduces felt recoil by dampening recoil energy , and by reducing muzzle rise. It may contribute to it by increased decibels, however.

I can tell you that my RU77 , 17 inch barreled, .30-06 with shortened/slimmed stock (probably around 7.5 lbs with scope) is not as pleasant to shoot under any circumstances as the 9 lb or so scoped RU77 .338 with Magna-port. The 9 lb M98, 27 inch heavy barreled '06 is a real pussycat - almost down to the same felt recoil as the Rem725 .260, (20" bbl?) both of which I can shoot off sandbags or whatever with no forend hold without problem.

Since I already have a 7mm rem mag that shoots good I think I will pass on a .300 magnum unless the deal is exceptional. I think I'll direct my search towards a .338 win mag or 9.3x62. Should be more than up to the task of whacking moose inside 300 yards and bison or elk should I get drawn.

It offers a slightly larger hole, which some people care about. I am one of them. Other than that it comes down to personal preference, both will be more than up to the task of what you have planned.

Pass the 338...

Me too.

But the size of the hole has a lot to do with the projectile chosen and velocity rather than caliber, within reason. A Superperformance 150 gr. SST through my '06 tends to leave a larger hole through caribou, than a 250 gr. Game King through my .338 on moose with similar shot placement and range. Different constructions, and over 500 fps difference in MV.