Should I add 338 to my hunting rifles?

[F&H1821]

Getting ready to get after the bucket list over the next several years. Deposit down on what should be a high quality drop camp elk hunt next year in Colorado. Very likely MT antelope this October (party has 3 pref points). Others on the horizon may include moose and/or caribou somewhere, audad or mouflon, nilgai, (the latter three during our soon-to-be retired jaunts down south), and possibly African buff and NZ red stag if we can ever get back to international travel. Speaking of which, my wife loves to travel more than anything, thus the initial plans on Africa and NZ (but let's hope she doesn't inquire about trophy fees! ). My currently available calibers: 6.5 PRC, 30 06, 300 WinMag, and then jump up to 375 H&H (not adding the 450 BM to the list, my local whitetail and black bear gun). After adding the 6.5 PRC (initial hand loads tuned to 0.33 MOA), I told myself that will be it for the arsenal. However, a semi-retired, avid hunter and budding long range enthusiast should never make such shallow promises to himself. Soooo, I am considering adding a 338, and looking hard at the Nosler 33 M48 Long Range Carbon (spendy brass, at least currently, but I won't be shooting it a lot). I need to also outfit my son for CO elk, who I hope can make the trip with me. Any thoughts on this? I know, it seems a bit silly asking you all if I should go buy another gun, a different spin on preaching to the choir. However, I do appreciate the amount of experience on this forum, thus know I will enjoy reading your feedback either way. Thanks in advance.

 

[dogz]

Years ago I would of said heck ya, anymore with what you have to use already there is Zero chance I'd spend money on another rifle!

Probably won't here this kind of advice from many others though

 

[HunterMann]

You already have a 30-06 and 300 Win Mag that are fine Elk cartridges your son could borrow/inherit. I would choose my 338 Win Mag, which I also feel is better for large bears. So if you want to add a 338, you have plenty of options to choose from.

 

[Quintus]

Yep, you definitely need a .338. Out of cases like the 340Wby, Rem Ultra, and I'm sure the Nosler they are impressive mashers. You will not regret getting one.

 

[86alaskan]

in a word, yes. I went through the same questions at one point, and decided 338WM first. then that one came and went, now it's a full custom 338RUM. I won't sell it, as it shoots so well and has a safe place in the gun room. Sure there are 30cals that'll do fine, but if you're dumping some change into a hunt, why not be sure? I was in Alaska with my 338WM, because I didn't want something big and angry deciding that a 300wm didn't have enough breaking power. Anyways, get a 338 and have fun with it.

 

[dogz]

Yeepers...if one can't handle things with an 06 a 300 and a 375 we're really in it deep...........

 

[hunter67wa]

I really like my 338/06

 

[Calvin45]

I have a .300 win and have asked myself this question too. My answer for now is no, as my thinking is that if a .300 magnum isn't enough I want to step right up to a .375 of some kind.

of course that's subject to change.,.any rifle is a welcome rifle if the price is right .

 

[memtb]

Yep, get a .338 ( a WM is a good little round) and dump everything else......except your Africa rifle! The .338 is a pretty good "allrounder"! It's been my wife's only hunting rifle since 1995....she's convinced of it's effectiveness! memtb

 

[sp6x6]

With your rifles mentioned you dont need one Period. Ive packed a 338 for 38 years,my 27 yr old son for 12 years=50 years of good hard use.DUH U NEED A 338

 

[dusty218]

first and foremost you need to know how far of a shot you will be willing to take ethically. 338win is far from impressive to me unless your shooting under 300 yards. 300 wm absolutely a proven round!! 30-06 time tested but again very limited on your distance for an ethical kill on elk sized animals. I love my 338LM it bucks the wind so good and is a complete hammer. My main elk rifle is a custom 300 ultra mag. I had a client last season take a bull at 750 yards one shot and done. the 338 ultra or 338 ultra are a fantastic choice but if you want to look at a bit more efficient round look the the nosler stuff not quite the speed of the ultra but very close with much less powered being burnt.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Of course you need a 338. I can't believe you even asked. LOL

I used a 338RUM to take several bull moose. Near or far it really got the job done.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

If you think you need a 338 you should probably explore that option. There are plenty of people here who have taken scores of elk with a 300win using heavy Berger pills. My brother has taken 4 elk with a 300win he used to own with a Barnes pill. The 300win is enough for most situations from what I am seeing.
That said, a decent 338 (win or above) is a heck of a hard hitter and if you have the means to buy/ feed it that might be a good second rifle to hunt.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

first and foremost you need to know how far of a shot you will be willing to take ethically. 338win is far from impressive to me unless your shooting under 300 yards. 300 wm absolutely a proven round!! 30-06 time tested but again very limited on your distance for an ethical kill on elk sized animals. I love my 338LM it bucks the wind so good and is a complete hammer. My main elk rifle is a custom 300 ultra mag. I had a client last season take a bull at 750 yards one shot and done. the 338 ultra or 338 ultra are a fantastic choice but if you want to look at a bit more efficient round look the the nosler stuff not quite the speed of the ultra but very close with much less powered being burnt.

A well loaded 338 win is one bullet weight lighter at the same speed than the Lapua. I run a 225 to 2900 fps or a 250 to 2750fps from my #1 338win. My brother is doing 2900fps from 250's in his Lapua. It's a bit of a hard sell to me on the Lapua for the difference I see. Possibly a fast twist Edge +p or similar might be enough difference, but I usually hunt deer so either is a lot of rifle already.