300 or 338

[bgilli2]

I am going to have a new rifle built and am really struggeling on 300 win mag to 338 edge. Somewhere in there is where I want to land but not sure. Will definetly have a muzzle break and be around 9 lb. rifle before scope. I want to enjoy shooting it without taking a beating. I have a .30-06 and 7mm mag so I want something larger pretty much for elk, long range shots, sub 1/2 moa, and just fun.

What caliber is a good balance of recoil and velocity within the caliber range above?

Thanks for the help.

 

[angus-5024]

well, you can go for more capacity in the .30 cal (compared to the 300 win) or less than the .338 RUM/edge. Im thinking that a 300 Rum would do you well. The less obvious choice would be something along the lines of a .340 Wby or .330 dakota.

What action are you useing? The .338 SIN may fit the bill nicely, a little faster than the .340 WBY but not as fast as a .338 RUM.
I feel the 300 RUM is great for no brake, or a real fun gun to shoot with a brake.barrel life is the downer, but its not to bad.

 

[D.ID]

Considering you have a 7mm and are planning on a brake........I would go 338 and not look back. Since I got mine running it is in a whole different league and even way out there those 300 grainers really hit em noticeably harder than my standard mags and has better barrel life than it's 30 cal sister cartridge. Now that I have one I couldn't live without a big 338 in the collection.

 

[bgilli2]

Using a remington action trued likely. Is that okay for a 338 ultra?

Thank you

 

[TXshooter]

I'd get bothgun

 

[D.ID]

about 90% of the ultra mag rifles out there are built on the remington. Absolutely.

 

[DRG]

My belief:

.30 for under 1000

.338 for over 1000

 

[SHRTSHTR]

My belief:

.30 for under 1000

.338 for over 1000

+1 on .300, especially with the 9lb criteria.

 

[shepardsonp]

My belief:

.30 for under 1000

.338 for over 1000

I have two .338 caliber wildcats (supressed) based off the 300 RUM case. I also have a .308 caliber wildcat based off the 300 RUM. For the .338's I shoot the 300g Berger VLD'S and get 2800 - 2900 FPS with 94.0 - 95.0g of H1000 and CCI 250 primers.

I am working up a load for the .308 230g Berger with the same powder/primer combo.

I have no doubt the 230g VLD will perform well in the 1,000 - 2,000 range.

Recoil?? IMO, If you shoot magnums and are concerned about recoil, you need to consider a smaller caliber.

 

[mikeym1a]

I run a switch barrel. 300wm and a .338 RUM. run the same bolt, switch the barrel out in 60 seconds.

 

[shepardsonp]

I run a switch barrel. 300wm and a .338 RUM. run the same bolt, switch the barrel out in 60 seconds.

That's cool!!!

 

[chucknbach]

My biggest is a 7mm rem mag also. If I were in your shoes I would jump the next rung on the ladder (.30)and go .338 but I'm not and don't plan on killing anything over 1000 so I'm content.

 

[WildRose]

My belief:

.30 for under 1000

.338 for over 1000

Pretty solid theory. I'd limit the 300wm though to 800 for large tough and/or dangerous game however.

 

[azsugarbear]

The big 338's cannot do anything at 1,000 yds that a 300 RUM cannot do just as well (except deliver more ft. lbs. of energy). Where the big 338's really shine is at 1,200 to 2,00 yds. At those distances, the differences are very noticable. The big 338's are more expensive to shoot, even if you reload yourself. So, unless you really need a big 338, I would stick with the 300 RUM.

I am currently in the process of gathering parts for a 338 Lapua improved build. Guess I can't take my own advice.