Thoughts....338 Win Mag w/ 300 gr Bergers?

[4ester]

I have a 338 win mag in Remy 700 sitting in the corner that is collecting dust.

I know these are not speed demons, but what would happen with a 300 grain Berger at like 2400 FPS? I ran the numbers quick, and it looks like the same energy at 1000 as my 300RUM with 210's.

Anyone try this before? Results?

Besides have to dial a few more MOA, can anyone think of any issues I may have? Any expansion issues at the low velocities with the 300 Bergers?

This is being built as a hunting rifle, light enough to pack to 10,000 ft.

I ordered an HS Precision for it that should be here next week, and will probably do a 20 MOA Rail. I figure if I dont like it, a new tube in 338 Edge would fit nicely.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Good question, I know the 338 win mag has been discussed here before. I will admit to it not being on my radar but I like hearing the responses from the more experienced guys.

My 2 cents are, well you have it so why not. But what are the numbers withe the 250g, may be a better option?

 

[benchracer]

I asked a very similar question when I first joined this site. The answer I was given was that .338WM just will not push heavy bullets fast enough to be useful. The problem is not energy, it is the fact that the bullet is dropping so much as to make it very difficult to hit your target at long range.

The general consensus was that the .338WM is not really a long range cartridge. One of the very experienced long range shooters/hunters who frequent LRH.com, LongTimeLongRanger, maintains that the .338WM is at its best as a light rifle shooting either 185g Barnes TTSX's or 225g Cutting Edge bullets. He states that the 185 TTSX's allow for much easier hits out to 700 yards or so and the 225 CE's out to closer to 1000.

If neither one of those options does it for you, then stepping up to .338RUM would probably be the way to go.

 

[FEENIX]

My 2 cents are, well you have it so why not. But what are the numbers withe the 250g, may be a better option?

I agree! For now, I load 225g on mine.

I read an article last year but cannot seem to find it, but the gist of it is "the .338 Win Mag does not have enough powder capacity to generate enough velocity to take advantage of the 300g Berger's BC".

I say go for it and lead the way! lightbulbgun)

 

[500mag_guy]

I am interested in hearing how the 250gr Bergers work out with the 338wm.. A while back i tried to get some feed back on how well this comb. would work with little to no response. I think with the 250gr and 300gr berger pills the only way to use them is to single feed. i don't believe they fit into the box mag.... if someone has the Berger loading bible if they could post the data for the 338 wm with the 250gr pills using irm 4350 ill see if i can get sometime this week to work with it.

+1 on the 300gr being a little heavy for the 338 wm.

 

[Bravo 4]

Also should check if your rifle will stabilize them. Probably will, I believe most .338 WM have the 1-10 twist required.

I say go for it.

 

[AZShooter]

I built a 14 lb rifle with a LA to shoot the 338 RCM long throated for the 300 gr ,match tactical hybrids. I chose a 1 in 9 1/2 twist 30" barrel. Bullets are lumbering along at a bit above 2500 fps using RL-17.

Have put hundreds of rounds through this rifle. It is very accurate with moderate recoil. The barrel should last a long time as it only uses 56 gr of powder.

Shot a coues wt last fall with it at around 275 yd. Bullet didn't open much and deer died a bit slower than it might have with a lighter hunting bullet. No bloodshot meat with a caliber entrance hole and a 1/2" exit hole.

I'd say it might be fun to give it a try with your 338 win mag.

 

[ZSteinle]

I tried shooting 285 amax in mine. I did shoot them great but just wasnt getting the speeds i really wanted. If I remember correctly I was seeing just under 2500 fps with a 21" barrel. Now its loaded up with 225 accubonds at 2875 fps. I might give the 285's another try tho.

 

[benchracer]

I tried shooting 285 amax in mine. I did shoot them great but just wasnt getting the speeds i really wanted. If I remember correctly I was seeing just under 2500 fps with a 21" barrel. Now its loaded up with 225 accubonds at 2875 fps. I might give the 285's another try tho.

I was able to achieve 2650 from a 26" barrel with the 285 AMAX and RL-26 in my 338 Sherman (with a case capacity around 78 grains). I had to discontinue its use in this case because of excessive powder fouling. I suspect the 338 Win Mag would have enough case capacity to use the 285/RL-26 combination to better effect. VV N560 should also give similar performance to RL-26. Either one should easily produce 2700+, in a 24" barrel or longer, with the 285's. I would expect 300 grain Bergers to be not far behind.

The 250 Berger should not be overlooked. The 338 Win Mag should be able to drive this bullet to 2850 or above. With a bc very close to that of the 30 caliber Berger 215, the 338WM/250 Berger combination is capable of drop and drift numbers very close to those of the well proven 300WM/215 Berger combination, while delivering greater smackdown on target.

 

[257Tony]

I was able to achieve 2650 from a 26" barrel with the 285 AMAX and RL-26 in my 338 Sherman (with a case capacity around 78 grains). I had to discontinue its use in this case because of excessive powder fouling. I suspect the 338 Win Mag would have enough case capacity to use the 285/RL-26 combination to better effect. VV N560 should also give similar performance to RL-26. Either one should easily produce 2700+, in a 24" barrel or longer, with the 285's. I would expect 300 grain Bergers to be not far behind.

The 250 Berger should not be overlooked. The 338 Win Mag should be able to drive this bullet to 2850 or above. With a bc very close to that of the 30 caliber Berger 215, the 338WM/250 Berger combination is capable of drop and drift numbers very close to those of the well proven 300WM/215 Berger combination, while delivering greater smackdown on target.

Yep. My thoughts also. If you have the mag space, the 250 Berger would be awesome at 2800 or better. Plenty of power for elk out to 1000.

Haven't run the numbers, but the 230 eld-x at 2900+ would also be a great long range bomber.

 

[benchracer]

Yep. My thoughts also. If you have the mag space, the 250 Berger would be awesome at 2800 or better. Plenty of power for elk out to 1000.

Haven't run the numbers, but the 230 eld-x at 2900+ would also be a great long range bomber.

Yup. With a similar bc and velocity, the 230 ELD-X will fly similarly to 260 Rem/6.5 Creedmoor with 140's, while carrying a LOT more freight. I am running these in my Sherman in the mid-2800's, with plenty of headroom below max pressure. A 338 WM should easily be able to push the 230's well in to the 2900's.

ETA: With the availability of ADG brass in 300 WM and 7mm Rem Mag (both of which can be used to form 338 WM brass), along with newer powders and bullets, the 338 WM now has increased potential to punch well above its weight class. With a good side port muzzle brake, it can do it comfortably in a carry weight rifle.

 

[ZSteinle]

Well I'll give the 285's another go. I'm shooting H4350 just because of my 21" barrel. Maybe I'll try 4831sc and see what it can do. If I can get 2600 with a 285 it'll be game over

 

[Peregrine82]

You guys are making me want to load up some of these newer .338 bullets in my .340 Weatherby. I have been using the 225 grain TTSX Barnes and they have proven very effective. It would be nice to see how it shoots out further with the higher BC bullets however.

 

[COBrad]

I once had a ultralight.338 WM. Weight was around 7 lbs scoped. With a muzzle brake and full house 250 grain bullets it was very shootable. I've been thinking I need another.300 for the past year or so, but keep hesitating. Maybe another.338 with the 250 Berger's or the eld x will scratch the itch even better.