300 RUM or 338 RUM for 1000m hunting

[Master Diver]

Gentlemen

I am helping a friend putting together a rifle for long range hunting.
We are thinking about using a Remington 700 Sendero SF II, upgrade the trigger system with a Jewell. Mounting either a Mark 4 8,5-25x50 or a Nightforce 5,5-22x56 with Nightforce or Badger ordinance rings.
My question is: 300 or 338 RUM?

Cheers,

Master Diver

 

[jwp475]

You didn't state the intended game to be taken, but IMHO either will work fine.

 

[Kalashnikov]

Pretty sure the Sendero SF II is not available in 338 RUM from factory.

 

[J E Custom]

At that distance ether will work . But for large game (600 lbs or more) the 338
would be my choice at any distance .

My 300 RUM loads will produce 1500 ft/lbs @ 875 yrds and my 338 rum load
produces 1500 ft/lbs @ 1100 rds . I like to have at least 1500 ft/lbs available
for ELK.

I'm not saying you cant kill elk at a 1000 yrds with the 300 RUM but given the choice
I would use the 338.

If the game is less than 500 lbs then I would chose the 300 because of trajectory
and less recoil.

Just my opinion
J E CUSTOM

 

[4xforfun]

You can't argue with the huge can of whoop-*** a .338 can give. Just can't.


BUT......


That being said.....you can't deny the fact that the bullet quality issue is there with the .338. With the new .338 bullets coming out, LR hunters and match shooters alike must be wringing their hands in anticipation.

Have fun,
Tod

 

[Master Diver]

Gentlemen

The game we plan to shoot is roe bucks, very small animals 50-70 lbs.

I have hunted with the .338 LM i Africa and know the .338 bullet well, however a TRG-42 is a more expensive rig and my friend just want a capable rifle and calibre.

Cheers,

Master Diver

200m group

 

[jwp475]

You can't argue with the huge can of whoop-*** a .338 can give. Just can't.


BUT......


That being said.....you can't deny the fact that the bullet quality issue is there with the .338. With the new .338 bullets coming out, LR hunters and match shooters alike must be wringing their hands in anticipation.

Have fun,
Tod

Are you saying that the 338 bullets are not up to par? If so what is your rational?

 

[J E Custom]

Gentlemen

The game we plan to shoot is roe bucks, very small animals 50-70 lbs.

I have hunted with the .338 LM i Africa and know the .338 bullet well, however a TRG-42 is a more expensive rig and my friend just want a capable rifle and calibre.

Cheers,

Master Diver

200m group

Ether the 300 RUM or the 7 RUM would be very good and you have a huge choice of
bullets for both.

J E CUSTOM

 

[4xforfun]

Are you saying that the 338 bullets are not up to par? If so what is your rational?

I am talking strictly about accuracy of 30 cal match bullets compared to .338 match bullets. Many of the top smiths agree. The biggest problem is the number of options of bullets/bullet makers. With the 30 call you have many different bullet makers. With the .338.....not so much....Only Sierra and Lapua come to mind. And, with some of the shooters I know who actualy measure and segragate ALL of their bullets, they say that there is more runout with the bigger bullets.

I know Berger is geting into the .338 market, along with a few others who slip my mind right now. It has been discussed on BRCentral several times, and they are EXTATIC over there!!!.

I don't own a .338, but have done the load development for a half dozen. Some shot very well (Lapua's), and some didn't (338-378).

I was actualy impressed with an AR 30/250SMK Lapua. It averaged 1/2 to 3/4 inch 3 shot groups during load development, but was a PIG to clean. It got better to clean after break-in, but it was a two hour job to clean between shots. I use the 1 shot-clean for 10 shots, then a fouler and 3 shot group/clean for another 10 cycles.

As far as being good game bullets, they will put down anything on earth.
But, when you bring four digit distances into the picture......it's a different story. You don't need a tough bullet WAAAAY out there. Terminal velocity is down enough where you don't need a bonded super bullet.....you need a super ACCURATE bullet with as much frontal area as possible. You need to be able to (properly) hit them to kill them.

And when the distance gets way, way out there(1500+), the 30 runs out of steam.

Don't get me wrong....I want a big .338 in a big way. It's a $$$ thing for me right now. I just won't expect match accuracy from it......YET.

 

[jwp475]

The 300 SMK is excelent in the big 338's for hunting IMHO since 10 shot groups are not needed just the first one in the kill zone

 

[Master Diver]

Gents

I did not know that Remington did not make the sendero in .338 RUM. I guess that 300 RUM will do just fine for my friend.

BTW check out these .338 bullets, you need serious twist to control the heavy 295 grn SP, but most 338 LM and the likes can stabilize the lighter 232 grn SP.
These are very accurate bullets.

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Specifications for use

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Specifications for use

Cheers,

Master Diver

 

[4xforfun]

Gents

I did not know that Remington did not make the sendero in .338 RUM. I guess that 300 RUM will do just fine for my friend.

BTW check out these .338 bullets, you need serious twist to control the heavy 295 grn SP, but most 338 LM and the likes can stabilize the lighter 232 grn SP.
These are very accurate bullets.

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Specifications for use

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Specifications for use

Cheers,

Master Diver

These look awsome. But, if they are a solid they would not be legal for big game around here.

I know a million animals have been hammered by the 300 SMK.


GOD....I WANT ONE!!ge(

 

[Master Diver]

GSC makes hunting bullets also with match look and accuracy!

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - HV Bullets

this si the tech spesc on the .338 HV 225 grn:

GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Specifications for use



Cheers,

Master Diver

 

[BravoEMike]

Master Diver...

I've been looking for a Sendero in .338 Ultra Mag the last couple years,
...and have been unsucessful, well, I found a couple used for around $1800.00
and .338 Ultra mag Sendero's are no longer made by Remington.
Couple months ago I found a Remington 700 Stainless in .338 ultra mag with a thin barrel and laminated stock. I bought it for the donner action.
Sent it off to Hart Barrels in New York, and am having installed, a 26" fluted sendero weight barrel, with a Vias muzzle brake.
I intend on shooting 250 grain Nosler Accu Bonds...
Not certain what stock to put on it yet.
Looked at Manner's a couple minutes ago...I'm impressed!
I currently use an Accuracy International AWM-F in .300 Win Mag.,
...and seriously entertained the thought of using it as a switch barrel gun,
in .338 Lapula and 250 grain Accubonds.
But it is a Beast to haul about.
Well maybe...
Perhaps, I just wanted another rifle.
The cost will be less than buying a used Sendero,
...and coming from Hart, I know the gun will shoot.
I think one can buy a Remington 700 PSS in .338 Lapua, factory direct?
...anyway, a solution, and/or some thoughts for you.
Enjoy.

Bruce