Big game caliber suggestions

[Buttermilk]

7 RSAUM is an excellent choice in my opinion. Brass is not plentiful, which is a shame. ADG does offer it. (I spent several months collecting brass before I had my 7 RSAUM built).

Mine has been very accurate.

My 30 Nosler has been equally accurate.

 

[WV Hitman]

bsc, I took an elk at 200 yds.+ with my .338-06 JDJ Encore handgun and a 185 X. Also took an elk at 352 yds. with my .338 JDJ Contender( same as .338 Fed.) & a 200 gr. BT. The holdover on the long shot was a great deal. Both elk dropped, but still the .338s have more recoil than the 6.5/.284, and, to me, are not nearly as shooter friendly as my 6.5. The trajectory of the my .338s was not great. My newest .338 is a .338Mag JDJ Encore. I've done deer and groundhogs reliably with it out to 400 yards with 185Xs. It's trajectory is better and recoil is definitely more noticeable.

 

[Ernie]

Undecided.
I've used pistol scopes on everything thus fast, so that's the direction I'm leaning.

Pistol scopes work. I used them for years.
I Like Rifle Scopes So Much More though...

 

[Ernie]

I do reload quite extensively from .218bee all the way to the big .50

Looking at a few boxes of leftover Barnes .338 185fr TSX and having a plethora of .308 brass is what originally had me leaning 338 federal. Ive had tremendous luck in this caliber in 338-06 and 338wm.
However, given the velocity loss with a pistol, and pretty dismal ballistic coefficient of said bullet, im a bit concerned it wouldn't have the necessary velocity for reliable expanding at 300+ And my experience with .338 bullets is that they tend to be on the tougher side.

The hive mind here has given me a couple ideas that I haven't already considered, such as the 7saum. And the 6.5-284 definitely seems to be a performer and I imagine would have a fairly mild recoil.

I appreciate the responses so far, and if anyone else has any favorites please chime in.

6.5, 7mm, or 30 cal is where I would park.
284 Winchester family, 280AI family, and the SAUM, WSM, and 6.5 PRC family will do everything you want, when necked up or down to the caliber you want to use.
I would seriously look at brass availability in this decision, as mentioned above

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I did one xp in 330 dakota. Use 250gr partitions in it. Shot this buck on Kodiak a few years back at a little over 400 yards. He didnt go far on his own propulsion. Slid down the hill a ways dead.

If you're really interested in a 338 Id go bigger than the federal.

 

[longbarrelxp]

I like the 338 Federal in 15" barrelled XP-100 with Hornady 200 FTX. They are designed for the lower velocities of the 338 Marlin so are good in the xp.