Tikka T3 .338 win mag or .300 wm?...I have both barrels

[freediver111]

Having a hard time with this decision.
Picked up a SS barreled action Tikka T3 in .338 win, and then found a sale on a T3X stock and .300 win barrel (fluted) with a TBAC brake installed.

The .338 barrel and action are unfired, the 300 has around 200 down the tube.

I was thinking about putting the .300 barrel on, but the 1-11 twist kind of bugs me. Not to mention the 200 grain plus pills can't load to the lands with the stock magazine.

With the .338, it's a 1-10 twist, and should handle the 200-225 bullets just fine. Same issue loading to the lands, but I'm betting I can find a load using NAB's or maybe 230 gr ELD-X or TTSX.

I may just shoot the .338 and see how she does. If I were to keep it a .338, I'd brake it.

Putting a brake on the .338 would cost around the same as having someone spin the .300 barrel on so cost for either option is the same.

Down the road I could get the Atlasworx bottom for AICS mags to load long, but it won't be first in my list.

Thoughts on either option? I already have all the reloading components for the .338, but nothing for the .300.

What do you guys think? I'm honestly thinking it's a toss up, but I'm still debating. I've had good luck with 200 NAB in another .338 win, and they didn't mind a jump as I was limited in mag length with that one as well.

Also, this will be my moose and elk lighter carry rifle. Yes, I have and will hunt moose with it, not just dreaming of hunting them. Yardages are close for moose, but I have no issues shooting an elk out to 700-800 if conditions are right. I do most of my shooting with some 6.5 variants, so hoping to find a good load easily enough and have it as a dedicated mountain gun. Thanks!

 

[memtb]

I'm a big fan of the .338 WM, even though I don't have one. However, I seen what my wife can do with one. From Pronghorns/deer to moose and bears.....her and her .338 make a lethal combination! memtb

 

[jjmp]

sounds like you have it figured out pretty good, my 338 was built long before my 300 w/mag, not dissing the later but the 338 is my big game round Moose Bear and it loads easy and shoots very good also, good luck cheers .

 

[freediver111]

Didn't know why I didn't do this earlier. Aside from simulators, custom loads and us going down that road. Just factory ammo. I know there is a 30cal 212gr ELDX out there and someone probably loads it. But this is just from Hornady's Precision Hunter Ammo.

300WM 24" Barrel, 200gr ELDX, 2850 FPS, 3607 FT LBS. @500 yards 2156fps, 2066 ft lbs

338 WM 24" Barrel 230gr ELDX, 2810 FPS, 4032 FT LBS. @500 yards 2187fps, 2287 ft lbs

Is that enough of a difference? Almost 400ft lbs of energy at the muzzle and almost 200 ft lbs at 500 yards. I can say yes and no.

All good points, not to mention I've read the Tikka 300 is finicky with heavier rounds, mag length and 1-11 twist.

I think it's not even worth worrying about. A 230 eld-x or 200 NAB should work well and has a comparable BC to say a 180 300wm.

I have all the dies, brass, gauges and bullets for a .338. Likely my best option for my needs, and up to 800 it's a moot comparison between the two.

 

[freediver111]

All agreed. FWIW, I have a calculator that was created for us from a ballistics engineer based off of the Green Hill Formula. With a 230gr, Jacketed, lead bullet, it says 11.54" twist is required to stabilize. It's not fool proof but it gives you a really good idea. Easiest way that we test. Shoot paper stapled inbetween two boards at various distances. You don't want a cardboard backing affecting impact. See if the bullet goes through it funny. It may not keyhole, but the hole can look misshaped if not stabilized.

I only see this happening between 200-400 yards if at all, the bullet would then actually settle down.

Interesting. I was under the impression a .338 with a 1-10 would stabilize the 230 grain and up bullets better.

 

[Mram10us]

More room in your tikka mag for the shorter 338 wm

 

[Vol1975]

300
11 twist will shoot 200 grains fine. cheaper to shoot and will kill fine.

Personally I'd do neither. I'd get a 10 twist In a 30 cal.
Cheers

 

[FEENIX]

Interesting. I was under the impression a .338 with a 1-10 would stabilize the 230 grain and up bullets better.

Altitude is your friend when it comes to SG. I load 225 (preferred) and 250 NABs for my .338 WM with 1:10". You can use https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/, just input your own data manually. My SAKOM995 in .300 WM also has a 1:11", no problem with 190 and 210 Bergers. It is due for a re-barrel soon and more than likely go with 1:9" or faster ("my" personal choice for "my" intended purpose).

Just an FYI, HSM load 250 and 300 OTMs in .338 WM (https://hsmammunition.com/trophy-gold/). Not ideal, but it's an option that is available.

At my altitude, the 300 OTM has an SG of 1.77 (1.5 of greater is recommended).

Good luck and happy safe shooting/hunting.

 

[Hunter26]

I know this is a super old thread but if you have any interest in selling the 338 wm barrel I might be interested. Thanks

 

[Frog4aday]

Well, now that this thread is resurrected, I'm curious what @freediver111 ended up doing. He was last on LRH 17 Aug 2023 so hopefully he checks in again & can catch us up. I'm curious because I have Tikka T3 in stainless .338WM and it is not very accurate (2.5 MOA) but still worked on elk & bison. Curious if his Tikka .338WM was a shooter or not.

 

[memtb]

Well, now that this thread is resurrected, I'm curious what @freediver111 ended up doing. He was last on LRH 17 Aug 2023 so hopefully he checks in again & can catch us up. I'm curious because I have Tikka T3 in stainless .338WM and it is not very accurate (2.5 MOA) but still worked on elk & bison. Curious if his Tikka .338WM was a shooter or not.

Wow, that's quite unusual for a Tikka!

Did you do any load development or was this factory rounds? Did you go through all of the routine formalities to make certain that all was well with the rifle, scope bases/rings, and verify that the scope is not the problem?

At this point…….I'm more than puzzled with your Tikka issues! memtb

 

[Frog4aday]

Hey @memtb
Factory ammo & reloads, but not extensive load development at this point. Glassbedded @ lug. No help. Removed forend pressure point. No accuracy improvement but zero stabilized w/hot barrel...not that it matters in a hunting rifle.

I like the gun. Tikka makes quality stuff. I have just never heard of anyone with the .338WM in T3 bragging about the accuracy. It almost seems like the recoil on the .338WM is just too much for their little aluminum recoil lug to handle. Too much being asked of too little material.

Next step is putting it in a B&C stock with actual bottom metal (thanks J&A Outdoors!) to see if that helps. Fingers crossed.

Yes, checked scope bases, rings, action screws - all snug as a bug in a rug. Not a fastener issue. Again, the gun has worked for me, just not the accuracy anyone would hope for. My Winchester 71 in .348Win is more accurate, ha!

 

[memtb]

Hey @memtb
Factory ammo & reloads, but not extensive load development at this point. Glassbedded @ lug. No help. Removed forend pressure point. No accuracy improvement but zero stabilized w/hot barrel...not that it matters in a hunting rifle.

I like the gun. Tikka makes quality stuff. I have just never heard of anyone with the .338WM in T3 bragging about the accuracy. It almost seems like the recoil on the .338WM is just too much for their little aluminum recoil lug to handle. Too much being asked of too little material.

Next step is putting it in a B&C stock with actual bottom metal (thanks J&A Outdoors!) to see if that helps. Fingers crossed.

Yes, checked scope bases, rings, action screws - all snug as a bug in a rug. Not a fastener issue. Again, the gun has worked for me, just not the accuracy anyone would hope for. My Winchester 71 in .348Win is more accurate, ha!

Wow! That's disappointing to hear. If it's disappointing for me ……I can only imagine your disappointmen!

I was hoping that there was some little something that was causing the problem……a design issue/flaw didn't cross my mind! memtb