I want to buy a new .338 win mag rifle for elk hunting. I want a black synthetic/composite stock and a s.s. barrel. I'm interested in a Savage 116FCSS, Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS, Ruger M77 Hawkeye, Sako 85 Synthetic Stainless, or possible a Browning X-Bolt. I,ve never shot any of these, they just seem to be good options. Would love to hear anyones thoughts, good or bad about these options or if I'm missing a better choice(.338's only), let me know. Thanks in advance. Rick

Out of those you have listed, I'd go with the Sako 85. Sako rifles are well made & very accurate out of the box.

I'm EXTEMELY partial to my Kimber Montana thats been chopped to 23".....recoil is entirely tolerable and accuracy is excellent.

Kimber or Win M-70 would be 1st choice; the Sako is a great rifle, but I'm not in love with the stock design, but it is tolerable.

Also consider the Weatherby VG, Sub MOA.........not a bad rifle at all.

MM

Listing some preferences would help. Preferred overall weight? Type of bedding? Barrel contour and length? Trigger preferences? Push feed or controlled feed? Accuracy guarantee? Answer these questions... and you'll be well on your way.

For the money, Tikka rifles are very nice. Tikkas shoot too!!

I have had 2-Ruger 77's and both have been great. I was dumb and sold it, but splatter was nice enough to sell me his. They get my vote!

I have a Rem 700 XCR in .338WM that is a great shooter, but I'm having the barrel knocked back to 23". I find the 26" too long for the thick stuff...

And to think, you could have had a 338 RCM with 20-in. barrel for the thick stuff.

In that bunch, I would definetly go the SAKO 85 Synthetic. You may want to also consider the SAKO 85 Hunter Laminated Stainless version. These guns shoot really well and function flawlessly.

Cheers,

If you can get past the aesthetics...

Kentucky windage. I wish I could be more specific on what I want. I own a used(pawn shop) savage 308 that I deer hunt with. I'm going elk hunting in sept. and hope to become a regular. So I know little about the details you asked. I read alot about the savage with the accutrigger and accustock. I thought that would get some votes but nobody even mentions it. Whats wrong with the new savage? Thanks

There's nothing wrong with Savage, in my book. They make some of the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles around. Actually, any of the models you listed should work fine for elk. Since you're not certain of your preferences, the best advice I can give would be to suggest that you hook up with friends or guys at a range or club... and find a way to actually shoot some of these rifles and see what you shoot most comfortably, what seems to fit you best, etc.

I really like my M700 XCR, and it's a real shooter, but the 26" barrel isn't ideal IMHO.

The XCR coating is for real though.

The first two that pop into my mind is the T3 and the 700/XCR and yeah I'd chop that one down to 23" in a heart beat.

Not sure if the A7 is made in 338 or not but if it is it'd get a look as well.

Dober

My preference for a 338

1. Model 70 pre-64 or Classic Stainless
2. Ruger 77 all weather
3. Sako 75/85
4. Remington 700

Ok, if we're gonna talk Pre's then my first vote goes to one in a Edge. Talley's, 6x36 Leo with LR dotz, and either an Uncle Mikes mtn sling or if you like leather the Montana sling is an excellent one!

Dober

Dobes,

Two questions. Roughly what would you expect to pay a smith to chop a barrel, and second, if a guy has an excellent SHOOTER (which my XCR is), what is the risk that chopping the barrel will degrade accuracy?

I just hate to mess with a very successful rifle, but, I do not like the 26" tube...

Cut it to 23" Jeff you won't be sorry. I'd spect 75 bones should cover a chop n crown job. As for accuracy to date I've never seen any changes. If it did change at all I'd be for betting it'd be for the better.

Personally, I see no downside to sending it to the chop shop.

Dober

Thx Mark.

Might just do it. The 26" tube is a little much.

It will definitly fall in the category of "messing with success" though. As well as "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

Rick,
Sounds like you've got your mind set on a 338WM, but I don't have to tell you that you don't "need" a 338 for elk.
My advice is to get the least expensive one, put a decent quality scope on it, then use the money you saved to get a pantload of ammo, then shoot the piss out of it. If you want to trade up to something else after you learn about the 338 and what you want, then trade it in on whatever.
Just go shooting, dude!

I've thought about the accuracy as well, but I'm doing it anyway. May have to tweek the load a bit when I get it back.

My guy up here charges $40 to cut and crown with a recessed crown like the factory one...

Heck nobody will say it but I well check out the new Winchester All weather rifles coming out this spring in the 338 all the other rifles in any caliber shoot well and they have every thing you asked for and they are accurate. Plus they are are a Winchester albeit redneck a new Winchester

I have had several .338 mag rifles but my Tikka T3 S/S is my favorite. It is lite weight and very accurate.

23" barrels on 338's are fabulous things......

That is excellent advice. If you're not going for blued/wood then just get a great shooter and save your money for the glass and ammo.

I highly reccomend an XCR, then the winchester and well Montanas and Sako's are out of my paygrade, but if it's no issue they are great guns. I don't have a Savage but I hear great things.

The main thing is that you know your rifle and can fire it from any number of field postions.

I am a big .338 fan too. Go big!

Boy... M700 XCR's are expensive enough these days that I don't even really look at the money any more. I mean, $900 vs. $1050 or whatever...

I could not agree more that a 23" tube is nothing short of perfection on a 338WM.

Aagh. You guys are killing me.

How much velocity you think I'd give up, from my 26" tube?

Jeff if you cut off 3 I'd count on losing somewhere tween 75-90 fps total. So what's that at 600 yds another couple clicks?

Go 4 it!

23" is by far the way to go!

Dober

I had a .338 in a Tikka that shot really well, also. Bought it used, I think it was a banquet/door prize gun for RMEF.

Not enough to matter....handling is made mo better.

Course, I like the 25 incher's on pre 64 M70's.But friends and I built 3-4 with 23" tubes....they handle and balance nice!23" is where it's "at" for the 375H&H,too.

Listen to Dober and rc above...they savvy

Nah 23 1/2 balances waaayyyyy better, who you guys kidding?

Only in BC;it's further North....

I knew the coriolis effect had something to do with it! So at the equator we should be using a left twisted pistol?

I have played with a few 338 mountain rigs now. So I think you could be after the new M70 EW, but do not overlook the Kimber Montana. It comes in at exactly 7.48lbs(3-9x40 Vx11, Talley UL's & 4 rounds). Excellent balance, & recoil is soaked up well enough!
Although I have not looked at the new EW(have the Classic S/S). I know it'll be heavier than the Montana.
I prefer light rifles. So the Montana gets my vote.
I hope this helps ya, cheers.