Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 30RCM or 338 RCM Experience?

Man, I have been looking at these short handly bolt action rifles on the Ruger web site and they look like they would be perfect for elk hunting - not to cumbersome in the timber, yet exceptional ballistics comparable to the 300WIN and 338Win out of a 20 inch barrel. Tell me what's not to like about them?

Yep! They are nice. They have that DGR look to them too with those iron sites, which are more common on the bigger bores.

After handling my 300 WSM Ruger Frontier compact, a buddy of mine went out and got a new 16.5" tubed Hawkeye laminated compact version chambered in the 300 RCM. Quite a `lil blaster with superb handling and speed that gets 24" barreled `06 performance.

The Hawkeye you`re looking at in either the 300 RCM or the 338 RCM, which I have handled numerous times at my dealer, aren`t all that much longer than the compacts and are great handlers as well.

Imo, there is nothing not to like about these Hawkeyes. The objections you will get, will be issues with either brass availability, factory ammo availability, along with some opinions from those who think that somehow these two cartridges will die on the vine and not grow in popularity. I think that Hornady and Ruger know alot more about marketing these rounds and their potential for success alot more than anyone here who would offer that opinion.

The 300 RCM fired from a 20" barrel is capable of nearing the 300 Win from a 24" barrel, but it will not equal the 300 Winny. Same with the 338 RCM too. Its 20" er will come close to a 24" barreled 338 Win, but will not equal it.

However, the RCMs do come close enough in ballistic performance, so that either round with their shorter 20" barrel, will do the job just as well as their longer barreled counterparts.

One buys the 300 RCM or 338 RCM for the rifles too.

bigsqueeze,

I think you are right. I have not handled one of the 20 inch barreled compact magnums, but the regular Hawkeye is actually very well balanced. The first one I ever fondled was about two years ago. I saw this new rifle and realized it was a Hawkeye and threw it up to my shoulder. It felt great and it had iron sights and I then wondered what caliber it was. Turned out it was the 375 Ruger. I couldn't believe how light and nimber the rifle was for such a large caliber - come to think of it, the 375 would probably make a pretty awesome elk rifle as well.

Yes, the calibers could fade away but I can certainly buy enough brass or factory rounds to hold me for a very long time. Sometimes when a caliber is no longer produced a rifle becomes more valuable - heck, maybe this 338RCM will be an investment!

...............Yes! I can relate to the 375 Ruger as well. Mine is the 20" barreled Alaskan version. Unlike the 20" 300 and 338 RCMs that come close to the 24" 300 and 338 Wins, the 20" 375 Ruger "does" equal and can depending on the individual rifle, slightly exceed the longer barreled H&H...........Ya gotta luv that uh? The 375 Ruger is a fantastic round!

There is a thread on the 338 RCM vs the 338 win mag. Within it there were some guys talking about the 338 RCM's performance.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...70/Re_338_RCM_vs_338_win_mag#Post3780870

Thanks Azshoooter. I tried a search and didn't see that one.

Those cartridges don't impress me and I'd be concerned about future availability of components. Ruger was just too late on the bandwagon.

That having been said those Frontier Compacts are sweet handling little rifles and I think they're extremely useful. I know Bigsqueeze has a short little 300 WSM that has put the stomp on some elk way out there like any good 24-26" barreled rig but better able to be handled in tighter spots where the animals head when pressure is on. Great tool.

338 RCM is basically a 338-06 (I love that cartridge so I'm NOT dissing it by saying this) which is very capable. In that short package, and assuming you can load up on a lifetime supply of brass, that seems like a sweet proposal.

efw...........It`s possible that 264guy may just get a 375 Ruger instead of the 338 RCM.

However, as long as 338 RCM brass is plentiful, the 338 RCM Hawkeye rifle is as you say,,,"a sweet proposal."