Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats musing short mag .338s

I've had a 6.5, as well as a couple 7 SAUMs. Every time i look at one, I can't help but think that a .338 version in a short handy rifle would be a pretty decent thick woods thumper. I'm in NB, and longer range stuff is the exception, rather than the rule, so I'm not really concerned with tipping Bullwinkle over at 500 yrds. In fact, moose shots are often well inside 100yrds, and bears are usually that much closer again. I suppose I could just go with a .350RM, but 35's don't really turn my crank, and neither do belts. The .338 Federal would probably do it, but why not bump up the volume a bit? The .338-06 would also serve, but I haven't found a long action that I liked as much as a short. Thoughts?

Biggest problem is you are probably looking at least a semi-custom venture. I am working with a .338 Ruger Compact Mag which is at least a Factory Cartridge but brass is scarce to non-existent. Necking up the WSM case probably more practical but then you have cost of custom dies and chamber reamer to factor in. Not done a lot yet with the RCM but would say you have a good idea based on whatI have done so far.
Kevin

The 338RCM is one that has intrigued me a bit..

338 06 is the way to go

338 Fed or 338-06 just due to brass availability with 308 and 30-06. You can easily form your own brass. I have the 338Fed and would have no problem shooting a moose with it. If looking specifically for a SA Mag then I would do a 338 WSM for brass availability and I know RCBS made dies for at one time.

I have a .338 RCM and really like it. The body of the case is the same as 6.5 PRC, but not sure if necking up to .338 is viable...might be too much difference. If interested in .338 RCM then wait and buy the brass first, perhaps 500 cases. Reloader 17 gets 2720 with 225's and 2530 with 250's out of my 20" barrel...but if building one, I'd go 22".

I'm finishing a 338 Sherman Short (SS) build myself. Rich Sherman sells brass, dies and will rent you a reamer. I elected to go with a fast twist and we'll see how it goes. It is based on the RSAUM.

The above is intended for 2.95" box magazines, particularly with 250 Berger bullets, but he also offers a longer version based on WSM brass that is fit for longer actions such as a Tikka or so called "midlength" actions, where COAL is not as restricted as in an AICS box.

Good info. I'm sure that will be a pretty efficient cartridge. Based on recent experience with my 300 RSAUM.. A 338 RSAUM would be cool. However, how much different is it than the 338RCM? Probably damn near the same cartridge? Also, this type of cartridge just screams 210 Nosler partition.. IMHO..

mpwolf
I have a 338 RCM I could be talked out of.
There are 40 rounds of Hornady Superformance factory ammo,185 gr. GMX bullets
and 300 pcs. of brass with reloading dies. The rifle is one of the all-weather models.
Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

That's enough brass for an invasion!

We're ready :-)

I have a defiance tenacity I am going to build a 33rcm on. I have looked at the shermans but he is redoing the chamber dimensions.

We should all be ready.

Agree, esp in this neck of the woods where the OP is as well.

Brass is easy and the long action will take bullets seated out.

I've had a few 338/06's over the years. They are simple, straight forward and feed like butter. It's simply the most efficient use of the 06 case and probably the overall single best "do all" chambering for NA. I'm sure I'll get some pushback on that statement, but if you know, you know.

Like others have said, I'd likely just live with the extra 3/4" of action length and do a 338-06. If you didn't intend to load the long-nosed stuff, a shorter long-action like a M77 or Vanguard/Howa would likely work just fine.

The OP wants a short action in a .338. I'd recommend the .350 RM in a 20 - 22" but says he's not tuned in to .358-cal. I've had several of each, and if there's a difference I've yet to discover it from splitting hairs!

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

I had a .338WSM made from a Ruger #1 the year after the WSM’s were introduced. Long before the .325WSM came out. I form from smaller brass. Dies are easilt made- already exist. With a well constructed bullet of 250 gr and 70ish gr powder it’s a hammer.

338 RCM in Ruger compact rifle! 20 inch barrel, short, handy, fairly light. Not too many will give them up but you might find one at a decent price. Most on GB are overpriced but sometimes not. Ammo and brass can be a challenge though. It's the cartridge/rifle I wanted and wish they would have made 30 years ago. Sadly already discontinued.

338x284 all the way, i have a nula with a 22 inch 10 twist that will shoot 200gr hotcores and 200gr combined technology bullets to the same point of impact at 100yds and 160 barnes ttsx are 1.5 high and the velocity is fantastic. 200s are in the 3000fps area and 160s are 3200s. it also groups 180 nosler accubonds about a inch high and about a inch to the left. 2.995 coal on all loads

+1

I'm a short action guy, but I've hunted my .338-06 in some pretty thick places and never felt handicapped by having the extra action length. My boy used it to drop 2 moose with it last year.

Yup - +3.

I'm a SA guy too, but still built a 338-06 some years ago. Such a great, well-balanced cartridge. Super easy to load for. No problematic feeding. And if there's a better looking cartridge, I don't know what it would be!

Remington had at least some intent to bring out a .338 RSAUM because they made some headstamped brass. One of the writers, might have been Layne Simpson, showed a picture of said brass while touring the Remington plant back in the early 2000s. I always thought a model Seven so chambered would be the cat's ass, but it died on the vine.

Quick rifle swap, then back to moose hunting. No worries, the bulls aren't responding to calls yet, and just now starting to cool down. Foliage starting to drop, can actually see further into woods.

The 416 ruger cracked a stock. 1/4" thick balsa wood with obvious grain run-out near rear of mag box.

The 338 rcm with 275 grain swift a-frames is the back-up. It doesn't eat stocks for lunch. I dunno why anyone would claim you can't load long bullets in the 338 rcm? Theres 55 grains of powder under that javelin spear!

That sucks. However, I'm surprised you are not running a plastic, tupperware, or otherwise synthetic stock on that rifle in those conditions??

Just get a 325 WSM and put an end to the madness

The 325 Wizzum is dead. No one wants an 8mm