300 RUM or 338 RUM

[Booney]

My friend is just starting out and he wants to know if he should buy a 338 RUM or a 300 RUM. I would normally tell him to go with the 338 but the problem is he is not going to b able to do much with the gun so mag size will be a issue with the longer bullets with both gun but I believe it is more of a issue with the 338. Than the 300. He will be buying a 700 xcr and using mostly for elk out to 1200 when he gets able to. So the 338 would be nice for that I have ran the numbers and a 338 shooting 250 SMK about 2900 to 3000 and a 300RUM shooting 200AB at 3150 to 3200 are pretty much the same so what round do you think he should go with and why. One ? I had is how do the 250 smk open up at long rang 800 to 1200.

 

[Camshaft]

Get the .300rum and run the 210gr Berger VLD's at 3150fps and never look back.....

 

[Booney]

I dont think i have enough mag lenght to shoot the 210 in a standered 700 do I? What is your over all lenght?

 

[Camshaft]

3.715"

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Just single round load them. I have to do it with the 185g VLDs. Or get and extended magbox and your worries are over. You can put it in yourself with a little work. I would also get the 338

 

[new shooter]

Get the 338 the barrel will last waaaaaaaaaaay longer.

 

[angus-5024]

I have that exact rifle in .338 RUM.. My brother in law has my old 300RUM and he loves it. heres a couple of thoughts to ponder.

my .338 RUM can spit out a 210 ttsx at 3400 fps with a b.c of .415 (i think). That round has 13.1 inches or 3.1 MOA of drop at 400 yards with only 4" of driflt in a 10 mph wind. It fits the mag and feeds great.
When I decied to strech it out a bit I use 300SMK's goin' 2775fps (i have pushed them as fast as 2810) with a b.c of .768. That load hits with 3000ft/lbs of energy at 700 yards. the barrel life is longer than the 300 RUM and the barrel heats up slower (still pretty quick).

The 300 RUM on the other hand is almost as flat with 180's (goin a bit slower than the 210's), but doesnt have the kenetic energy. the only upper hand that the 300 really has over the 338 is that It can still do a good job (OK awsome job) in the energy department while giving one load for everything and less recoil. In fact my bro's 300RUM isnt braked and wieghs under 9 lbs.

For me, I obviously find the .338 more versitile. That being said I think that the only production chamberings that hang in with these two are the 7STW, and the .264WIN (of course less KE) and the other .338's. Your buddy wont be disapointed with either of these chamberings garanteed!

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Both are great rifles and I shoot both regularly. If it is one rifle to last a while I would get the 338 RUM because the barrel will last way longer. Plus the larger the caliber, the better on large big game.