Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338 Winchester Magnum

I have two, one BAR and one MGA and use the MGA all the time.
In fact since my youngest son has claimed my 30-06 I use it almost exclusively.
I shoot my ARs and 450M but for hunting I always like my 338.

I've had several over the years mostly Winchester or Ruger. Still have a Ruger right now with the Skeleton stock. I wish it had sights. It's mostly what I use the last few years, except when I get side tracked.

One of my favorite rounds. Have had five, four of which had 22" bbl's. However, ended up going with the 300 WSM seven years ago. Does the same, kicks less and in a Kimber Montana weighs less.

I've had 4. The 4th is on consignment going away.

First gun was good and had I not [bleep] it up, I'd probably still have it. I had a real fight getting it to shoot, finally hit a needle in a haystack with Barnes 210 grain X bullets and 4350. Barnes bullets were not to be found here back then. It was the old X which fouled bad in "smooth" (not!!) Ruger stainless steel. I "melted" the corners off the rifling trying to get the copper out with Sweets 7.62. Didn't clue in when the fouled patches started coming out black instead of blue or green. My bad.

The next two were Ruger 77 mark IIs with laminated stocks, basically the same gun as the first, never could get them accurate enough.

After a long spell without one, I had a long magnum 700 rebarreled. Accuracy was just not quite there. Very good for about 200-250 yards. For no apparent reason, groups at 300 yards strung horizontally. I had wind flags, no wind, less than a half mph, so that wasn't it. I gave up on it after a while.

I guess it could eventually come back home if I don't get enough $$ out of it, it's a 700 XCR action, Bansner/High Tech stock with a decellerator pad, and 22.5" Lilja barrel in factory profile. Cool gun. It's not bad enough I'm giving it away, that's for sure!

The 2nd and 3rd gun were never accurate enough to waste time hunting with. Got a deer with the 1st one before I fouled it up. Never shot much other game with .338 but I shot a [bleep] of digger squirrels with it while I was practicing. Some may choose to argue, but to me it seemed like "enough gun".

Tom

I resisted for the longest time, but I have finally admitted to myself that the .338 Win. mag. is the best caliber available to meet my big game hunting needs, which today are almost exclusively focused on elk. CP.

My .338 Win. mag.
Classic 70 action with a 22" PAC-NOR barrel and a McMillan featherweight stock

Sounds like a plan Chris!

PS, was right near your house today on the way out of town... hope all's well with you and the Mrs!

My Dad was unsure where life would take me when I graduated college so he bought me a Ruger MKII SS/Lam 338 Win Mag. He was far from a gun loony, but was told it would cover everything in North America easily. I remember looking at two identical Rugers in the local shop prior to graduating. One in 300 and one in 338 Win Mag and telling him that I had read on the internet that the 338 recoil was more of a shove. So far I've tried my darndest to show him that it would handle anything I'd hunt. So for I've shot elk, sitka blacktail, mule deer, and pronghorn with it and either 200gr BTs or 210gr Partitions. I lost Dad a year ago in November and I plan on keeping filling tags with it. It will by far be the last rifle I would ever get rid of.

pointer, if you ever need to sell that gun cause you need the money, let me know




cause I'll loan you the money on the most favorable terms you could imagine

heck of a good rifle, heck of a good way to remember dad, rock on brudda, but take care of your feet! (grin)

CP: That's a slick rifle! What contour is the PN barrel?

Brad, if you are ever out my way again and have the time, be sure to stop by my place. I know I would enjoy the conversation.

Bob, the barrel is a custom contour that I also run on my .350 Rem. mag. and Norma. The shank�s diameter at the receiver is 1.5�� and the step down at a 35 degree radius is only 1.160� from the receiver ending at .615� at the muzzle. I really believe that you can move the needle on weight savings and balance by working with the barrel makers on the dimensions of the shank area. PAC-NOR�s standard contours have a shank that is way too long and beefy for my purposes. CP.

CP-very nice looking rifle, that'll handle all I'd ever want to do in the world of hunting.

Enjoy your day!

Mark D

You want the truth 7STW?

You can't handle the truth!!





Sorry, I was having a moment....



I aint got a 338.

300 wby is my go fast smack em hard rifle.

Here's mine. I don't really "need" this rifle but always wanted one and couldn't resist when I saw the stock.

Dwayne,

A Merry Christmas to you and your family. I find a lot of humor in your post.
Thanks for making me smile today.

Tom

Thanks fellas for your posts.That big Roy is a keeper Dave.Good round

Yup he's a good dude.Always enjoy pming with Dwayne.

I,ve had a 338 for quite a few years now.Shot alot of game with it.Probably could have stopped buying rifles after I got it but that would'nt have been any fun!

Thanks for the kind words and offer! I can't ever imagine being so strapped that I'd ever have to part with that rifle, but again thanks for the offer. You know, I think a good way to remember my Dad would be to chase bears around in AK off a boat on the river. Now I just need to find some one in AK with a boat on a river...

Funny thing, that rifle is HEAVY, but I've never really noticed it being all that much of a hinderance. A Kifaru GB helps loads! I keep thinking I "need" something lighter and less powerful for smaller critters, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to buy anything else. Instead I usually by a tag and tote the heavy rifle...

PS- I do take better care of my feet now!

Tzone actually txt me last night while I was out workin in the shop.

He was trying to get me to buy a .338 he found at a gander mountain.

Said it was an older pf M70 with wood stock, sounds like it had irons that were removed.

Price was good.

He's an evil man.

I really love my .338. Its a Lh sako previously in a mannlicher stock. It is my go to elk rifle in washington state. Took a spike this last season at 10 yards, he went 30 after being hit and just tipped over. Complete pass through! 225 nosler partition. The area I hunt is crawling with orange clad hunters and putting the animal down quickly with little follow up is important to me.