.300 WSM or .338 Win

[kstrick]

I am going on my first elk hunt in Nov. I have a .300WSM, brass, dies and 168 gr Berger bullets. All I have to do is buy a set of rings to mount my Huskmaw on the gun...a Ruger 77 Mark II.
But...I have a friend that will sell me a Ruger 77 in .338 Win with a scope (all for $500) that has been sitting in his safe for 12 years. I would have to get brass/bullets/dies and scope rings.
Will the 300 WSM work just fine on elk or should I jump on the .338?
Will I gain that much more by getting the .338??
Thanks

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I don't have any experience with the short mags but do have opinions on elk rifles. While the .30 calibers are very good for elk and very versitile for other game animals, I love the .338. It is a little big for deer sized animals, but for elk and larger it is great.

If you stay with your .300 short, I do like the 180 Nosler Partition bullet better than anything else. It does a really great job in my .300 Wby. I am sure both will be great for elk!

 

[brentc]

Your WSM is more than adequate for elk. 300's have been killing elk for a long time. Find a good heavy load that it likes and run it.

If you handload, go straight for the higher BC 200+ grainers. ie: 200 Accubond, 210 Berger VLD, etc... The jump in performance in the little magnum is quite significant. 168's and 180's work well, but the heavies will provide an extra bit of performance in BC, energy, sectional density, etc. Don't fall into the belief that the WSM doesn't have the case capacity to launch heavies. Quite contrary, the heavies are right at home in this cartridge and will open new doors of performance on game.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Your 300 wsm will kill elk. The 338 winchester will do it a lot better and at longer ranges. For $500 that is a good buy but there is no need to buy it just for the elk hunt. It is a better elk rifle by far but what you have will kill elk at distances most hunters kill elk. If the $500 isn't going to hurt you I would get it and be best prepared assuming both shoot accurately. If one is accurate and the other not so much I would go with the most accurate rifle.

 

[25 Otter]

My first 338 was a 77. If it's been sitting around for 12 years it could be a tang safety model as well. A good thing in my mind. If it's been sitting for 12 years clean, and has anything at all for a scope on it $500 is a GOOD deal. If you can see your way clear to pick it up I'd go for it. Nothing against the 300 WSM,a fine round for sure. I though am partial to he 338. It's a timeless round that has held it's own in a world of "newer is better" since 1958. If they stopped killing critters with the 338 Winchester today,I doubt the 300 WSM would live long enough to catch up to it. Seems these newer is better rounds come and go with the latest marketing craze. Will it do for Elk? Absolutely. Will you likely have more offers to buy a safe Queen Ruger for $500 ? I doubt it. Like I said. If you can afford it,get it. Everyone should have one in their life at some point. I personally just put a stainless Tikka on lay away last Sat in 338 Win Mag. I can't wait to pick it up and start load development. A time tested old sledge hammer of a cartridge. I love it.

 

[Kevin R]

My first 338 was a 77. If it's been sitting around for 12 years it could be a tang safety model as well. A good thing in my mind. If it's been sitting for 12 years clean, and has anything at all for a scope on it $500 is a GOOD deal. If you can see your way clear to pick it up I'd go for it. Nothing against the 300 WSM,a fine round for sure. I though am partial to he 338. It's a timeless round that has held it's own in a world of "newer is better" since 1958. If they stopped killing critters with the 338 Winchester today,I doubt the 300 WSM would live long enough to catch up to it. Seems these newer is better rounds come and go with the latest marketing craze. Will it do for Elk? Absolutely. Will you likely have more offers to buy a safe Queen Ruger for $500 ? I doubt it. Like I said. If you can afford it,get it. Everyone should have one in their life at some point. I personally just put a stainless Tikka on lay away last Sat in 338 Win Mag. I can't wait to pick it up and start load development. A time tested old sledge hammer of a cartridge. I love it.

Couldn't agree more!!

KR

 

[silvertip-co]

Get the .338

 

[berryreed]

Another .338 vote.

 

[Dalebow]

do you shoot the 300 wsm well?, If so stick with that, an unbraked 338 in a ruger is no fun to shoot and unless your after big bears or maybe african game you really do not need a 338

 

[MHO]

Either one is going to do the job. My 300 wsm has piled up a lot of elk. Stick with what you have.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Otter, you are very lucky to get the stainless tikka 338. It is one of the best and most accurate rifles I have ever owned. They quit selling them in the U S a couple years ago but lucky people find one on occasion. If they have another I would be interested. I found three last year at sportsman's warehouse and bought them all. I mean three total in all the sportsmans warehouses combined and had them all shipped to wyoming. It is a great lightweight, all purpose hunting rifle.

Again if you can afford it i agree go get it and carry it elk hunting.

 

[25 Otter]

Otter, you are very lucky to get the stainless tikka 338. It is one of the best and most accurate rifles I have ever owned. They quit selling them in the U S a couple years ago but lucky people find one on occasion. If they have another I would be interested. I found three last year at sportsman's warehouse and bought them all. I mean three total in all the sportsmans warehouses combined and had them all shipped to wyoming. It is a great lightweight, all purpose hunting rifle.

Again if you can afford it i agree go get it and carry it elk hunting.

I've been toying with the idea of the Tikka 338 for a year or so now. When Grice Gun Shop here in PA put their las two in clearance (one stainless and one hunter) for $549.95, I nailed it. It makes the 3rd Tikka since last Nov. A 7 Rem Mag and a 25/06 followed me home as well.

Grice Gun Shop 28th Anniversary Sale

Hope the link works for you. They told me a fella From Washington state called about the stainless. I guess I was just lucky to get it when I did,

 

[260James]

The best rifle for any elk hunt is the one you shoot the best!!!! Either one will kill elk to a long range with proper bullets. The one that consistently hits the mark from any and all postions is the one to use!

 

[kstrick]

Thanks for all of the comments/opinions. Do I really need a .338 at a great price?? Well...sure...who doesn't.
But, the .300WSM does shoot pretty good for a factory rifle. I am going to load up some Berger VLD 210s and see how it shoots.
Thanks for all the input guys!
This is a grat forum.