338 win mag...is it longrange

[94browninghunt]

Hey, new to this forum . I want a 338 win mag for long range. I shoot it to about 400 yards right now. Is there a custom gunsmith that i can buy a 338 win mag rifle from to make it long range? i use it specifically for big game.

What other cartridges do you recommend for long range and for big game?

Thank you!

[mtbohunter]

Any good gunsmith can true up a 338 and make it a better weapon. Any custom gun maker can build you a 338..it all depends how much you want to spend.

The 338Win Mag is usually not considered the right casing to use for long range shooting because you just cannot get the bullet traveling fast enough to keep the trajectory down to make it practical for much over 650yds because its generally going down hill fast at that point.

338RUM is the cheapest brass to buy when considering a long range weapon in 338 caliber. I am building one on a Remington 700 action, new barrel, trued up and new stock for $1,500 range not counting a scope.. Probably a Vortex 6-24 for glass around $800 so for 2,600 you can have a decent long range 338. Like I said its all,, how much do you want to spend.

Best shooters

338 edge
338 Lapua
338-378 Weatherby
338 Remington Ultra Mag
These are the most popular and the RUM is the cheapest way to get a long range elk thumper.

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by mtbohunter

The 338Win Mag is usually not considered the right casing to use for long range shooting because you just cannot get the bullet traveling fast enough to keep the trajectory down to make it practical for much over 650yds because its generally going down hill fast at that point.

It is all based on whether the rifleman is a HUNTER or a SHOOTER. If I had a 338 that stopped ..flat dead as if it ran into a brick wall at 650 yds I wouldnt feel hampered even 1 bit. STALK the prey and then drop the hammer on him. For every ONE man thats truly capable of those 1000 + yard kills...there are 100 that arent...by a long shot.

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by 94browninghunt

Hey, new to this forum . I want a 338 win mag for long range. I shoot it to about 400 yards right now. Is there a custom gunsmith that i can buy a 338 win mag rifle from to make it long range? i use it specifically for big game.

What other cartridges do you recommend for long range and for big game?

Thank you!

Find the rifle you like in that caliber; have a smith put pillers in it and glass bed the action and work hard on "the right load" for it.

[SavageShtr]

The 338 win mag would make an ok medium to moderate long range caliber. You would be limited to say a 250gr pill rather than the 300gr ones due to case capacity. If you went with a rum or any of the other big 338's you would be able to shoot the bigger pills. I think if you used a 225-250 grain in what ever bullet you choose you would be good to a little over 1000 yards on deer sized game and to about 970 yards on elk. I don't think there would. E any reason for you to change the caliber you currently have. Get it tried up and shoot away!!!! Just my $.02.

[WildRose]

Originally Posted by 94browninghunt

Hey, new to this forum . I want a 338 win mag for long range. I shoot it to about 400 yards right now. Is there a custom gunsmith that i can buy a 338 win mag rifle from to make it long range? i use it specifically for big game.

What other cartridges do you recommend for long range and for big game?

Thank you!

The .338wm will get you to around 750yds with enough energy for pretty much any game in N. America.

Personally if I were going to a .338 I'd go with the .338 Rum instead though for a little more range and a little more energy.

What realistically is your maximum range? What game are you going to hunt with it?

[Scot E]

It is important to determine what you mean by wanting to shoot big game at long range. 98% of shots by long range hunters are less than 1/2 mile, 880 yards. Many guys don't have the ability to shoot even that far.

The 338 Win Mag is certainly capable out to 1/2 mile if you have an accurate gun and you select higher BC bullets. At 700-750 yards you would still have over 1800 fps, to ensure bullet expansion, with a good 225 grain bullet. With a softer target style bullet you don't even need 1800 fps to get expansion so the distance could increase further.

Not trying to talk you out of buying a new gun , but it sounds like you already have one now that may work with some tweaking!

If you are thinking of going further then a new cartridge and gun may be in order!