.300 WM vs. .338 WM

[bullelk14]

I have been toying with the idea of putting together a long range setup for several years. Went out shooting a few days ago with a friend at 500-1000 yards and now have got the bug for sure. Was able to do pretty well out to 600 with my Remington VTR topped with a Bushnell 3200 5-15 Tactical. But my buddy did much better out to much farther ranges.
Here is my situation, I have a .300 WM in a Winchester Laredo LRH and a .338 WM Sendero and am looking for opinions on which one to sell to finance some serious long range optics for the other. From what I have seen in other threads, it looks like the 30 cal is the one to keep. Just looking for opinions before I make the move.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Both are capable. Work up your best accuracy loads and shoot them head to head. Keep the best shooter.

 

[grit]

Both are capable. Work up your best accuracy loads and shoot them head to head. Keep the best shooter.

Great advice.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I am having very good success with the cutting edge bullets in those two calibers. Me and another guy on here are getting over 2900 fps with the 225 grain .64 bc out of our 338 winchesters. That bullet weight at that bc and velocity would probably give you your best long range results within the capability of the two cartridges. If I had to choose between the two that is what I would go with if it shot good out of your rifle. You said 1000 yards and that is the combo that would give you the best results on game to that distance. The 208 amax or 210 berger out of the 300 winchester is going to shoot nearly identical ballistically but the 338 cal 225 grain gives you better results on game. If you are going to do a lot of target shooting the 300 winchester would be better because those bullets are way cheaper. But accuracy is the key and I would keep the best shooter. I would also prefer to keep the remington for the action if you want to rebarrel one day.

 

[grit]

Bergers new 30 cal 230 has a listed BC of .743, a huge step up from the 210. Dyin' to shoot some and see. This'll make a real long range hammer out of the 300win.

 

[bullelk14]

Thanks for the advice. Will give them the a side by side shoot off, and see how it goes. I am a big Winchester fan, and may lean that way.
Thanks again

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

You can't make a bad choice in that situation. If you are going to shoot quite a bit at targets I would do the 300 because to match it ballistically with the 338 you would have to do expensive custom bullets. As purely a hunting rifle either will easily do what you want. Those 230's sound like a good one to try long range in the 300. The 338 barrel would last forever. The 300 has good barrel life for a magnum. the 338 winchester is like a 308 the barrel just will not wear out.

 

[brentc]

Bergers new 30 cal 230 has a listed BC of .743, a huge step up from the 210. Dyin' to shoot some and see. This'll make a real long range hammer out of the 300win.

You're absolutely correct. The other hybrid 230, the tactical OTM, is listed at .711 for a G1. The tactical version has shorter nose to aid in magazine fit and function. Both are phenomenal.

 

[bullelk14]

Sold the Sendero for $1150 on Gunbroker! Now to scope the Laredo. Looking toward the Vortex Viper in 6-20 mildot or Nikon Monarch. Never had a Vortex, but have been happy with the Monarchs I have. Any other stand out options in the sbu $600 price range? Gonna plow through old threads for info as well.

 

[kbaerg]

I have a vortex Viper PST on my 300 and so far i'm pleased. I have not been able to get out much and shoot or test but from what little shooting i have done the vortex lens seems crisp and clear and has decent low light.