338-300 WSM for a light elk rifle?

[bigngreen]

So yesterday as I was lugging my 13ish pound rifle up to look at some elk with some of the shorter range guys and it dawned on me "this is stupid" and "what the heck am I doing". So last night I did some searching and it looks like a 338 WSM with a 200gr ish bullet would be a very capable timber/carry rifle. What do you guys think a guy could get out of a 338 WSM, I want to stay with a short action Savage, barrel length and contour not sure about, stock I was thinking the new LR stock from Stocky's Stocks. Ideally I would top it of with a Nightforce 2.5-10 but that ain't happening so that's up in the air. Any input would be good!

 

[geargrinder]

Sounds like a good idea. The 225g Accubond should come out of there very nicely.

24"-ish magnum barrel would make it carry friendly without sacrificing much velocity.

I have a long action detachable mag Savage that would be just the ticket for this round.

 

[Just Learnin]

I had a similar train of thought lightbulb this year while lugging my 300 lapua around, only I opted for an ultralight 300WSM with a 22" ABS barrel. I'm considering a 210 berger or similar for the higher bc to still take those longer shots. I "need" a more deer friendly rifle anyway... Good luck with whatever you decide. -- Don

 

[CA48]

Why wouldn't you just go with a 300 WSM shooting 200 granish bullets
unless your just wanting to try something new, shooting the 210 berger
or a max would be very similar ballistics,not to mention there might be more
case prep. Not trying to be rude just curious what advantage the
338/300 WSM has over the 300 WSM.

 

[AZShooter]

I understand your feelings on carrying a heavy rifle for elk.

Another cartridge that would work is the 338 RCM.

I just put together one this year. Stuck a 22" #2 lilja SS on an old tang safety M77 SA. Lengthened the mag box to 3.1". 225 accubond with 61 grs of RL-17 2750 fps. Have a CDS turret on a 2-7 VX-2. It shoots well to 500 m, the longest we can shoot at our range. I am very happy with this 7 1/4 lb package. Will be carrying it on my cow elk hunt in NM in just a few weeks.



pic of rifle with old barrel

 

[bigngreen]

AZShooter, that's kinda along the lines of what I was thinking!!! I dig the 300 WSM but I got a 270 WSM set up so I would like to do something more different and nothing says crushing timber like a 338!! I like the idea of dropping a 225gr Accubomb on an elk, the 140's out of the 270 WSM mows them down!!!!

 

[AZShooter]

Forgot to mention that the 338 RCM fits and feeds with no alterations to the action.

I had Pacific Tool and Gauge make the reamer which is the exact reamer Hornady uses. I had some issues resizing the brass with a redding die and ended up using the Hornady FL set.

I got my hands on a bunch of 180 nosler ballistic tips that were on sale at the pro shop. Easily found an accurate load that is under max. 2925 and very accurate. Not sure what I'll do with those bullets as the 225 accubond will be used for elk.

 

[Greywolf18]

If all you want is a light weight timber gun that will be used for 200yd max, what about a 338 marlin express? I know it's a lever-action, but it has factory ammo in 200gr and I beleive remington makes a 225 gr round as well for it. I just built a nice and heavy 7WSM for longer pokes, but am thinking for brush/timber hunting here in eastern NC/VA that this 338MX would be awesome......now if only I could find one lol Just throwing something different out there for you to think about.

 

[zuba]

The 338wsm works really nice in a savage target action




Its coming out of a 17" barrel here, I'll have to check to see the velocities, but the 200-250 grain bullets shoot nice

 

[bigngreen]

The stuff I would hunt with it is not thick for long so it needs some legs to it for when you get to the edge of the timber. It's mainly making a rifle that is packable and that handles very nice in off hand or poor rest situations in tighter stuff but that can be used in a med range application if the rest and conditions allow.
The low mag Leupold offerings in a B&C reticule may be a good option, or one of the Vortex vipers and then have a BDC turret cut for it.

 

[bigngreen]

Zuba, I would be very interested in any more technical data you have. I really want to have a SP pistol but gotta get though some rifle building first

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I am not familiar with the 338 wsm wildcat. But my Tikka T-3 light in 338 winchester weighs about 7 1/2 pounds scoped out and is an excellent light elk rifle. It shoots the 225 AB's at 2930 fps. Now I shoot the new 185 TTSX at 3220 fps and I have it deadly to 800 yards right now. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Timber338]

Bigngreen, did you ever build a 338-300 wsm? I know this is an old thread, but just came across it. I have hunted with one for a few years now and I love it!

 

[bigngreen]

Bigngreen, did you ever build a 338-300 wsm? I know this is an old thread, but just came across it. I have hunted with one for a few years now and I love it!

No, I didn't get one build and I've regretted it several times this season, I get all caught up in building long range rifles during the summer then get to hunting season and lug around Bertha which does me no good in timber. This will be my last season without a timber/general hunting rig!!! I think I have a guy at work talked into selling me a stainless long action Vanguard with a mag bolt face, I think that would be hot snot for a build.

Throw out some of the specs and performance of your 338 WSM, please