Should I add 338 to my hunting rifles?

[Varmint Hunter]

I run 250gr Accubonds and Berger Elite Hunters at 3,000 ft/sec in a 26" bbl (RUM) without stretching things. The Bergers only shoot slightly tighter groups at 400yds. I took my moose with the Accubonds. Terminal performance was perfect.

 

[Peter K]

I'm in the same exact boat right now, but I'm leaning towards the 338 ultra mag.

 

[bdlesh]

I am too kicking this around. I am looking at the Sheman line. The problem is which one. He keeps coming out with a new one about the time I made a decision on one. I am hoping to do a bucket list elk hunt but, that might be off because of health issues.......but that doesn't mean I don't need one!

 

[bgouin]

My first rifle was a 7 mm Rem Mag purchased in 1968. Some years later I deceided to go for a larger ccaliberin anticipation of hunting in Africa. I was not keen on buying a caliber close to my 7 mm, so I skipped over 30 cal options and chose a 340 Weatherby. A fast.338 caliber will stead you very well for most species except LARGE critters, read Elephant, Cape Bull and other dangerous game where .375 or .40 cal are legal minimums. Go for it.

 

[camodave7]

Remember that the 340 is probably the best of the Weatherby line.

 

[Gater]

Getting ready to get after the bucket list over the next several years. Deposit down on what should be a high quality drop camp elk hunt next year in Colorado. Very likely MT antelope this October (party has 3 pref points). Others on the horizon may include moose and/or caribou somewhere, audad or mouflon, nilgai, (the latter three during our soon-to-be retired jaunts down south), and possibly African buff and NZ red stag if we can ever get back to international travel. Speaking of which, my wife loves to travel more than anything, thus the initial plans on Africa and NZ (but let's hope she doesn't inquire about trophy fees! ). My currently available calibers: 6.5 PRC, 30 06, 300 WinMag, and then jump up to 375 H&H (not adding the 450 BM to the list, my local whitetail and black bear gun). After adding the 6.5 PRC (initial hand loads tuned to 0.33 MOA), I told myself that will be it for the arsenal. However, a semi-retired, avid hunter and budding long range enthusiast should never make such shallow promises to himself. Soooo, I am considering adding a 338, and looking hard at the Nosler 33 M48 Long Range Carbon (spendy brass, at least currently, but I won't be shooting it a lot). I need to also outfit my son for CO elk, who I hope can make the trip with me. Any thoughts on this? I know, it seems a bit silly asking you all if I should go buy another gun, a different spin on preaching to the choir. However, I do appreciate the amount of experience on this forum, thus know I will enjoy reading your feedback either way. Thanks in advance.

I had a 7mm mag shot an elk three times and he just stood there didn't take a step shot to the spine dropped him he was dead on his feet the friend and guide was laughing he thought it was funny well when he shot his bill I found out why he was using a .300 win mag in one side of the shoulder and out the other dropped like a sack of dirt I went to have the 7mm re- barreled was going to go to .300 win mag but my guide friend and gunsmith didn't have a .300 barrel but did have a .338 with a break so now I have a .338 mag and it's a killing machine

 

[Mike Matteson]

I shot a 338 WM and getting 3230fps with at 200gr nosler Accubond. 4 for 4 in Africa the other year.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

i applaud you for wanting a do it all rifle in 338 you wont be disappointed at all! The one thing you will get is a ton of anti 338 guys on hear preaching about "its all about shot placement" or the "if you shoot em through the lungs with a 223 they'll die" the latter is one of my favorites. I will bet a lot of money those individuals have never shot a 338 of any kind .. and from all their self righteousness the one thing you wont hear is all their missed opportunities and well..... their lost game that they some how forget about,,,..!
Of the 338's the 338 Ultra is my personal mag BF favorites shooting the 225 or 250gr accubond there is physically nothing i wouldn't hunt with it on the planet!

 

[HARPERC]

As a shooter you definitely need a .338 in your line up

From a hunting standpoint you're well covered.

Have fun. Good bullets make them all shine brighter.

 

[twister]

A nice 338 SS would be a very handy addition.

 

[corsair4360]

I have a 6xc, 270wsm, 6.5x284, 7mm Magnum, 30-06 and a 338 Win Mag. For Elk hunting, I use my 338, we hunt in the High Unita south side area, shots range from 50 yards to 500 yards in open areas to heavy timber.

 

[dogz]

I shot a 338 WM and getting 3230fps with at 200gr nosler Accubond. 4 for 4 in Africa the other year.

Excuse me, but did you say 3233 fps out of a 338 Win mag with a 200 grain.......?

 

[dogz]

Remember that the 340 is probably the best of the Weatherby line.

The .340's a good one, I ran amuck with one for close to 2 decades. Shot out two Schneider barrels. One on a 700 and one on a P64/70.

Incredibly accurate, used it on a ton load of chucks, yotes, porky's and deer, lope, elk and black bear.

I enjoyed the run but in the end I decided I can do the exact same thing (kill on demand) via a round with a ton load less recoil.

Bottom line, you have a 06, a 300 and a 375 life doesn't get any better than that. I'll say it again, move on from the 338. Use the funds and the time to become more intimate with the guns you have and get to hunting.

Life's short, hunt hard!

 

[BPollard]

Getting ready to get after the bucket list over the next several years. Deposit down on what should be a high quality drop camp elk hunt next year in Colorado. Very likely MT antelope this October (party has 3 pref points). Others on the horizon may include moose and/or caribou somewhere, audad or mouflon, nilgai, (the latter three during our soon-to-be retired jaunts down south), and possibly African buff and NZ red stag if we can ever get back to international travel. Speaking of which, my wife loves to travel more than anything, thus the initial plans on Africa and NZ (but let's hope she doesn't inquire about trophy fees! ). My currently available calibers: 6.5 PRC, 30 06, 300 WinMag, and then jump up to 375 H&H (not adding the 450 BM to the list, my local whitetail and black bear gun). After adding the 6.5 PRC (initial hand loads tuned to 0.33 MOA), I told myself that will be it for the arsenal. However, a semi-retired, avid hunter and budding long range enthusiast should never make such shallow promises to himself. Soooo, I am considering adding a 338, and looking hard at the Nosler 33 M48 Long Range Carbon (spendy brass, at least currently, but I won't be shooting it a lot). I need to also outfit my son for CO elk, who I hope can make the trip with me. Any thoughts on this? I know, it seems a bit silly asking you all if I should go buy another gun, a different spin on preaching to the choir. However, I do appreciate the amount of experience on this forum, thus know I will enjoy reading your feedback either way. Thanks in advance.

absolutely!!!!!!