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? gun)

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]

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]

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? gun)

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]

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? gun)

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!

 

[94browninghunt]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I got to 425 yards this morning . And no i dont own any caliber in 338 yet.

This one guy i talked to brought up a point, i have no idea if its true or not, but he said 338 Rum might go out of sercvice. IT got me thinking, whats your take on it, im more than happy to be using the RUM.

The recoil isnt a huge problem, because i already use muzzle breaks on the one 338 RUM i shot, and a good recoil pad, wasnt bad. Im an average-big person at 6'2 and 210.

Just worried about the RUM going out of the service...so whats ur take? thats the question

Thank you!

 

[High Country]

I've been tweaking with my .338 to make it a tool I am completely comfortable with out to 500yds. I'm fine tuning my loads (225gr Accubonds) and dialing in my 200yd zero. I think it will do the job just fine for a 500yd goal. I've been debating various tweaks like adding a bubble level and messing with the mounts, but so far have left it as is. Fact is I just need to shoot it more...

 

[94browninghunt]

I've been tweaking with my .338 to make it a tool I am completely comfortable with out to 500yds. I'm fine tuning my loads (225gr Accubonds) and dialing in my 200yd zero. I think it will do the job just fine for a 500yd goal. I've been debating various tweaks like adding a bubble level and messing with the mounts, but so far have left it as is. Fact is I just need to shoot it more...

haha same i need to get out more too. is that a 338wm or 338Ultra rem?

 

[High Country]

haha same i need to get out more too. is that a 338wm or 338Ultra rem?

Its wm. KS Custom Mt Rifle. Its light weight so 500yd accuracy is a reasonable limit.

 

[FEENIX]

I've been tweaking with my .338 to make it a tool I am completely comfortable with out to 500yds. I'm fine tuning my loads (225gr Accubonds) and dialing in my 200yd zero. I think it will do the job just fine for a 500yd goal. I've been debating various tweaks like adding a bubble level and messing with the mounts, but so far have left it as is. Fact is I just need to shoot it more...

I too use .225g NABs in my .338WM and my load is 73.5g H4831SC, CCI250.

Good luck!

 

[banjo318]

I wish some of you guys would get your head out of mr faster is always betters ***. The 338 lapua is only 200 fps faster than the 338 win mag. Thats not much at all.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I would think that the 250 grain Berger Elite Hunter would be a good match up for your .338 Win Mag. Even at sea level the energy numbers look really good to 850 yards on elk using this bullet. That's assuming a muzzle velocity of around 2650fps.