getting the most out of 2,500

[toddc]

Originally Posted by barnesuser28

Ive got to agree with toddc, although i dont shoot nearly as many animals as him, the big 338's are awesome. Here is an example, this season i gut shot an antelope doe at 486 yards using a 338 Lapua and 280 grain Barnes LRX she either took a step when i pulled the trigger or i pulled the shot (made a perfect double lung shot on another doe just 30 seconds earlier). The shot went about 30" back from the shoulder and about 4" above the bottom of her gut, she just stood their with her stomach and intestines hanging out of the 4" hole in her side so i shot her again this time in the neck because i corrected for a wind that wasnt there. I am not proud of the shot but i feel the sheer power of the 338 Lapua and 280 grain LRX saved my butt there.

Riley

338 and 300gr SMK has saved me many a time not including the times the hit was ok because of the flight characteristics of the bullet also. And yes it can turn a gut hit into a ok result (Never lost one with a 338)(dont plan on it with any .

[WildRose]

Originally Posted by toddc

I felt the same way till I got one. You would super love a 338 with your big hogs. I think youll be surprised by the 338. I was not mentally ready for the jump from the 300s. I wasnt ready to see a round do more damage than my 50BMG did. You may not need it but it sure makes life a lot easier at any range. The best and most unspoken reason for a 338 is that it is so forgiving.
Powder charge a tenth off? No big. Wind call 20% off? No prob.Gun dirty?Send it. Animal takes a step. Big hole. I know its hedonistic but the dang things work like an atom bomb on game and are easy in every aspect cep bullet cost and blast. I eat the bullets and own damn nice muffs.

I've shot the .338's. I've shot the .375's. I've shot the .416's and I've shot the 50BMG.

I've recorded kills in excess of 1,300yds with a 300wm.

The 300wm and 300Rum are more than adequate for all of my needs as they are for 99plus percent of long range hunters.

Those that wish and have the ability to push the bounds are more than welcome to whatever calibers they feel are required but no, they are not necessary even for Elk at 1,000yds.

Even the RUM gave me a complete pass through on an 800lbs plus boar at over 800yds.

More power than that is simply not needed for all but a tiny handful of applications.

[clemens]

i realize that recoil is a issue when it comes to the .300rum, 338rum, .338LM, 338edge etc.... Some are more sensitive to it, i myself am a bit sensitive after 10 yrs of not hunting and shooting. So i have heard and read so many posts about how there .338 shoot like a .308 or even 7mm and even as low as .243, I understand that a good break for any rifle would solve this problem even if one would need to try several diff types of brakes to see which one would work for his application even if he did want a 10-12 lb rifle. For 2500$ I agree that he could find nice .338edge or even his .338lm in that weight class and still be able to shoot it well with the right break. but the extra weight will help. my .01 cents worth so maybe he should buy t rifles one for medium rang and one for long range? sound like good enough reason to me of course the best brakes in the world wont make ya a better shot so it wont make a diff if ya cant shoot the gun no matter what it is. hope all had a Merry cristmas

[toddc]

I dont know in this day and age why anyone would have a hard kicking rifle. You can look at a brake and pretty well figure its effect. I guess guys who have guns that kick havent thought about a lot of things related to LRH with a brake. My 6-284 has a brake on it. Everything in LRH calls for a brake. If you dont use one you are shooting a gun thats too small, beating yourself for no reason and slowing down your follow up.

[clemens]

I agree

[waylow]

Well its a done deal I went with a Savage 338 laupa with the hs stock and a vortex viper 6x24x50 pst ffp in moa. It all came together for the $ 2500.00 . I would like to thank you all for taking the time to share info. At times I came real close to going way over the budget with a nightforce scope but felt I need to save for a good range finder. Im going to buy 100 rounds of Laupa brass a friend will share his reloading room with me untill I get my own set up.

[toddc]

Originally Posted by waylow

Well its a done deal I went with a Savage 338 laupa with the hs stock and a vortex viper 6x24x50 pst ffp in moa. It all came together for the $ 2500.00 . I would like to thank you all for taking the time to share info. At times I came real close to going way over the budget with a nightforce scope but felt I need to save for a good range finder. Im going to buy 100 rounds of Laupa brass a friend will share his reloading room with me untill I get my own set up.

So you made it past all the "you dont NEED a 338 posts" GOOD JOB! You are gonna love it. The killing power and shootability of these guns has to be seen to be believed. I have 10 guys that hunt with me. Every one of them when they get in the truck asks what we are using that day. When I say anything but 338 they frown. And the stuff they frown about is 300 ultras, 7 stw etc.