Are the .338s becoming pointless?

[Gater]

Not looking to offend or claim they're not effective, BUT...it used to be that the .338 lapua was regarded as in a league apart compared to .300 and 7mms because of the bcs on the 338 bullets. Now this is definitely a thing of the past, with high .7 and even .8 range g1 bc 7mm and .308" bullets that can be driven faster all things equal For true extreme range the big .375s are dominant. For tactical purposes all of the above are way more than adequate antipersonell rounds, body armour or not. None of the above are truly suitable anti material caliber. The way it seems now is that the .33s don't have an advantage over the 7 and 30 trajectory wise and can't match the 375s out of similar size rifles. Nothing wrong with .338 cartridges but not a whole lot I see that would make me choose one with things as they are now. Show me if I'm wrong!

Not saying or government always does the right or smart thing but the rounds being used by our long range snipers is .30 cal or bigger just saying

 

[bdyal1972]

What are you using in .375 with over .800 BC? It would have to weigh 400 grains. You're talking about Chey-Tac and Barrett territory. Anything that is meant to be carried any distance and shoulder fired from a standing position in .375 bore isn't going to drive something that size more than 2300 - 2400 f/s. So I'd say there's your answer. It still represents the best combination of BC and energy in a standard shoulder-fired HUNTING carry rifle at distance.

Even in .338, the Chey-Tac will walk off and leave a Lapua or an UM, or my Edge, which is a UM. It's not a fair fight. They are 2 different tools used for 2 different things. You won't see me sporting a 20lb Chey-Tac in the New Mexico mountains on an elk hunt, however!

Just the thought of packing a 15# "hunting" rifle @8000' altitude in the mountains OR 3000' mountains of the Oregon south coast....... in 40deg rain....

Gives me chills...

Flashbacks....

Ptsd

Remembering making fires in the rain fully exhausted mixing freeze dried peas, pancake mix and apricots in one bag, eating it dry, drinking water with EVERY MOUTHFUL.....

GOING TO SLEEP IN A TIN FOIL EMERGENCY BAG....

AND


Being thankfull!!!!

Lol

 

[RH300UM]

+1 for the .338 being alive and well.
We all have our own reasons and perspective on what and why we shoot, what we shoot and how we shoot.
I'll be using the .338 RBH this fall for bull elk.
Pushing a 260 hammer at 3k in a 24 inch 10 lb rig hunt ready Sub MOA to 1k yards is a very lethal and capable LRH setup.
Yea it's got some push on the shoulder. The design was a lighter more hunt/pack friendly rifle.
We get choices (for now) in the USA. I take advantage of that!

Edit: The 300 Berger at 2850+ is another choice

 

[.300 Dakota]

400grn berger in 375enablr 2850-3150 @ muzzle!!!

Makes a 378weatherby 300 grain seem docile!!!

But

Enablr has 5-6x barrel life!!!

Without even knowing what an enablr is, I'll wager it has a powder capacity approaching or exceeding 150 grains. Again, apples to oranges. I'm sure there are all kinds of crazy wildcats with ultra capacity cases for special purposes, but none are necessary for hunting anything in North America. If it makes you feel better to carry and shoot something like that, then it's fine. But you can't make an argument that it's "necessary". Nothing in North America that a .416 Rigby or less can't take care of in short order.

 

[Rum Man]

Well here is last years picture , one happy day for me ! 1244 yards !
Remington action ,30" Proof , Burris Xtr ii 5 x 25 x 50 yes it's a tank scope, T-3 Termanator brake . But the way its pictured 10.6 pds. All in . It's in different hands now !

Time for a 26" set up next !

Rum Man

 

[.300 Dakota]

Well everyone reading or posting here will have a different answer or opinion on this .
I'm going to speak from experience. I have several 300 Rums and they do a great Job.
But Hands down I would grab one of my 338's for Elk everyday of the week .
I have put together several 338 Rums and several 338 Edges . No PaPua yet .
I have shot at 100 yards to 3027 yards with excellent results .
I took my Bull last year at 1244 yrds . 338 Edge , 300 gr bergers. No I dont recomend every guy reading this to try it . I have countless hours of practice and reloading to get to that point .
In the end dead is dead weather you choose caliber A or caliber b ..

I believe it needs to be enough to take the game of choice with respect to it .
If your up to it the 338 can be a great choice in my book !
Lord a willin and the Creek dont rize I will be right back out there this Fall giving it my best again to Bag a Elk !
Best of luck in your choice it's a tough decision with all new caliber's out now !!

Rum Man

I 2nd this, as I use an Edge (infrequently), but would just like to add that I installed a Khan-Trol self-timing brake, and full power loads feel like a 7 Mag. It's like I get to have my cake and eat it, too!

 

[Mike Matteson]

Somethings are harder to master like a 8 lbs trigger pull. and getting kick like mule. Two things to do, put a muzzle brake on it and change out the trigger. With that done, my 338 W.M in a Ruger has become my go to rifle for hunting especially for elk or Africa hunting. I am with J E Custom the bottom line is shot placement no matter with what rifle you are using. To me it's a matter of Spot and Stock, and especially if you are bow hunting. The best part of hunting is spotting, then stocking, and closing the distance down to 100 yds and less with a bow.

 

[.300 Dakota]

Well here is last years picture , one happy day for me !
Remington action ,30" Proof , Burris Xtr ii 5 x 25 x 50 yes it's a tank scope . But the way its pictured 10.6 pds. All in . It's in different hands now !
View attachment 212627

Time for a 26" set up next !

Rum Man

Beautiful! I am running a 27" Brux Sendero contour.

 

[Rum Man]

This is the Elr 338 Edge !
19 pds , it's a bench set up , 325 min of elevation available

. I cant lay Prone yet after my Open Heart Surgery.

Rum Man

 

[.300 Dakota]

This is the Elr 338 Edge !
19 pds , it's a bench set up , 325 min of elevation available View attachment 212628

. I cant lay Prone yet after my Open Heart Surgery.

Rum Man

Just AWESOME!

 

[LRNut]

I shoot 28N, 300 RUM, .338 Edge, and .338 LM at long range weekly. There is not much difference between any of them in terms of wind drift. What I have come to the conclusion is that trying to practice at long range with something like a .308Win is somewhat counter productive, since its drift is significantly higher.

 

[orifdoc]

They're possibly irrelevant for deer and elk (and probably always were at typical hunting ranges back in the day). The world is full of bigger critters though. For big bears, eland, lion, bison, giraffe and such the .338s have a real sweet spot. All of that can be done with .300-class rifles, but .338 is better and .375 possibly better still. Not many of these are often hunted at long range, but there's no particular reason they couldn't/shouldn't be. Heavy dangerous game should probably not be hunted at long range and the traditional .400-class rounds are obviously designed for close-in work.

 

[Rum Man]

Just AWESOME!

3027 yards so far !
Second happy Day ! Lol
3 shot group of 26 3/4" !

Red arrow is my shooting spot !

Rum Man

 

[.300 Dakota]