Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Young Man's first .338: Suggestions?

.338 Win Mag. 👍

wonder if all the fellas advocating for 22 inch barrels are vertically challenged ? grin


longer barrels get you free velocity , less muzzle blast , and the balance feels just right if you might be a longish lanky galoot


barrel length is a very personal choice


and being that the guy wants to play long range and is a handloader , the bigger cases like weatherby , RUM and Edge are well worth considering , they are easily loaded down if thats what you want

I am partial to a 338-06, you can get excellent Lapua 30-06 brass to neck up. But a 338 WM would also work since he is not recoil shy.
From your initial post.

- Model 70 Classic action
- I have used quite a few PT&G aluminum/steel bottom metals with no issues.
- #4 or 5 contour barrel with a 1:9 twist. All of mine are getting 1:9 twist because I like monos and they are longer, plus the extra twist helps when shooting subsonic and slower loads. I like #3 @ 23", but I am a hunter. A 22-26 will work because weight is not an issue, and wants to shoot long range. The 1:9 will help with the heavier longer LR bullets that are available.
- Find a stock that fits him. I like McMillan Edge, but one that fits is more important than brand. Lighter is better for hunting, heavier is better for LR.
- Definitely go with a variable scope up to 14 or 15 power. Not too much for hunting but will let him get out there on targets. I have a 2-7 on my current hunting rifle.

I have a suppressed 338-06 on the way. Has a #4 contour barrel to accommodate the threads. It will get a higher power scope, up to 14. It could be used to plink at LR.
I also have an African style 338-06 coming which will get a lower power scope. Max 9 power, if that.

Since he already has two nice "hunting rifles", ( I think) he should have the 338 set up for LR, 338 RUM or even Lapua, if his blank is twisted right. He can lug it in the mountains until he gets tired ( maybe 3 days later) and then drop back to one of his lighter rifles that he will wisely bring as a spare. During the year he can play with it on the target range, all good trigger time. He should also join a LR Rifle Club and "learn" how to shoot LR, etc. This all will cost a whole lot more money than "just a hunting rifle" in 338/06 OR 338 WM. Will add this....back in 1998 I had MatchGrade Arms build me a super lightweight Mod 700 in 340W. It had one of those "holes all around" muzzlebrakes. Loud is an understatement, even with the earplugs we all used. It was so light that when the brake 'arrested the recoil" it gave the same effect as an air piston in an air rifle. It kicked the guts out of two scopes, a Leupold 2.5x8 then a Zeiss 3x9. It was a real killer with the 210xbt...before it kicked the scopes out. Love the 340W ( and the 338 RUM) but not in a lwt rifle.

Well, might not be the answer you are looking for but I am just about to put a Ruger 77 tanger in .338WM on consignment at my LGS. Blue/walnut. Bought it new 20 years ago and don't think I have put 10 rounds down the barrel, since. PM me if interested!

"The Kid" perused all contributions last Friday. He'll be here for supper this Friday and see what y'all have contributed since then and so far.

Better results than I thought from this. I'm learning some as well. Thanks to all, especially those that became specific and related actual experience.

The comment about wanting to do recreational long range shooting tells me he needs to move up to the big .338s. He already has a 308 and 6.5x55 that will cover nearly all hunting. Just get a 338 Lapua, load some 250 or 300gn Berger’s and do it right.