Rebarrel a 338 WM to ????

[TBuckus]

I have a Model 70 push feed 338WM that is want to rebarrel. I'll let you guys know what I am thinking and why, then hopefully someone more knowledgeable could let me know if my thinking is right.

I have a suppressor coming soon. I have a tikka 300WSM that I was initially thinking of putting it on, but found out the barrel is too thin and mods would need to be made and I like it the way it is.

The 338 needs a new barrel and am thinking of rechambering to a 300wsm with a 20" barrel since the suppressor is 7". My thinking is to go WSM vs Win Mag since it is a short barrel and I already have WSM dies.
I'm not concerned about long range with this rifle. It's an older rifle I got from my uncle and feel that if I want a long range build with the suppressor, I should get a different receiver instead of dumping money in this one.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

Seems a little redundant having two 300 WSM's
Maybe sell both and pick up a custom 700 action, no idea how light you want to go but Mesa Precision has a special on titanium actions right now, $1200 I think..
build that WSM on a long action and it'd make up for some of that barrel loss.
One thing I've learned is do it right the first time, otherwise you'll never be totally satisfied.

 

[MudRunner2005]

7mm RemMag works perfectly in that platform with nothing more than a barrel swap.

 

[elkaholic]

If you don't mind a wildcat, I have something new out next month. It's the new 300 PRC with an Improved chamber that I've been running for about 5 years now by modifying the 375 Ruger. It's kind of a wildcat that isn't because you can shoot the factory Hornady ammo in the improved chamber and you have the improved brass ready to relaod with a big boost in performance. It will run the 225 ELDM, for example, at 3000' which is Norma mag territory.

 

[TBuckus]

7mm RemMag works perfectly in that platform with nothing more than a barrel swap.

True, but so would a 300 win mag. Now if you can convince me that it is better than a 300, I'm in.

 

[MudRunner2005]

True, but so would a 300 win mag. Now if you can convince me that it is better than a 300, I'm in.

Trying to convince a .300WM supporter that a 7mmRM is better (even though they are almost identical on paper when you compare equal weight-for-caliber bullets), is like trying to convince a 6.5CM supporter that the .260 Rem. is better (despite them also being nearly identical ballistically, with a slight edge to the .260 Rem). No matter how true and proven it is, they will still never believe you.

But, I will say this, the 7mm does everything so much better, that it even does a better job of being a .300WM...Than a .300WM.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/anyone-own-a-7mm-300-win-mag.51404/

 

[TBuckus]

If you don't mind a wildcat, I have something new out next month. It's the new 300 PRC with an Improved chamber that I've been running for about 5 years now by modifying the 375 Ruger. It's kind of a wildcat that isn't because you can shoot the factory Hornady ammo in the improved chamber and you have the improved brass ready to relaod with a big boost in performance. It will run the 225 ELDM, for example, at 3000' which is Norma mag territory.

Sounds like a lot of recoil. As I get older, I'm becoming more of a wimp. That's why I want to turn the 338 into something lighter in recoil.
Bet that'll be a great long range cal

 

[MudRunner2005]

Sounds like a lot of recoil. As I get older, I'm becoming more of a wimp. That's why I want to turn the 338 into something lighter in recoil.
Bet that'll be a great long range cal

The 7mm RemMag does actually have less recoil than the .300WM... That is something it does better. It uses less powder and shoots a bit flatter (higher BC for weight bullets). A 7mm 175 Elite Hunter has a higher BC than a .30 cal 175.

 

[TBuckus]

Trying to convince a .300WM supporter that a 7mmRM is better (even though they are almost identical on paper when you compare equal weight-for-caliber bullets), is like trying to convince a 6.5CM supporter that the .260 Rem. is better (despite them also being nearly identical ballistically, with a slight edge to the .260 Rem). No matter how true and proven it is, they will still never believe you.

But, I will say this, the 7mm does everything so much better, that it even does a better job of being a .300WM...Than a .300WM.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/anyone-own-a-7mm-300-win-mag.51404/

Would you say the same with the 7wsm vs 7RM?
Ive read enough that the 300wsm vs 300wm is similar to the 6.5CM 260rem argument.
One reason I'm thinking of a WSM is I think it would work better in a short barrel

 

[MudRunner2005]

Would you say the same with the 7wsm vs 7RM?
Ive read enough that the 300wsm vs 300wm is similar to the 6.5CM 260rem argument.
One reason I'm thinking of a WSM is I think it would work better in a short barrel

That is correct from my experiences shooting both. I would say they were negligible in recoil weight. But the 7WSM was slightly sharper and faster recoiling due to the shorter and fatter powder column, and had a bit more perceived muzzle flip, compared to the 7mm RemMag. But as far as overall recoil, they were basically the same.

I'm not a recoil sensitive person, so I'm being as honest as I can be.

 

[terratracker]

Not a ballistic know all, but I would suggest, with respects to the op stating a lesser concern for the long range, A) 338-06 or B) 35 Whelen, both long action. A using op's existing bullet stock and B offering large game knock down energy, with a 180 gr. bullet option. They're both formidable, giving good bullet expansion & weight retention with slower speeds. Just my two bits. TT

 

[hunter67wa]

One of the Sherman SS. Is your can for 338

 

[TBuckus]

One of the Sherman SS. Is your can for 338

.30

 

[MudRunner2005]

You could go with an SS cartridge, but they would be better served in a short-action, since they were designed specifically for that purpose.

I'd go with a 1:8 twist 7mmRM for your rifle, or a 1:7 twist .264 WinMag... For shooting the heavies out of it.