KH_Outdoors
Well-Known Member
As the title says, we are building out a 338-300 PRC and opted for the Sheman Improved version, the "33 Sherman Magnum". I've wanted to try one of the Sherman's for a while now and this one just makes sense!
Seeking out to build a mid sized 338 cal rifle for hard use in Alaska, naturally the 338 win comes to mind. But... the first thing I found out was brass is hardly available. I could always just used factory ammo as you certainly can find it here and there, but what fun is that?
Next consideration is of course the real big boomers like 338 Norma & RUM type cartridges. However... I've already hunted with a 338 Norma and similar sized case cartridges. For me, it's more blast/recoil than I want in field hunting conditions. They will always hold a place in my heart though!
So then having been on the "too much" side of the spectrum, it's left me looking at "mid sized" 338 cartridges like 338 Win, 33 Nosler, and comparable. Both a fine choice but... then my smith mentioned this 338-300 PRC idea!
338 Campfire, 338 Demon, 338-375 Ruger, 338-300 PRC... for all intensive purposes they're not that much different. The 338-300 PRC is easily made, using 300 PRC brass. With a simple neck up from 30 cal to 338, combined with an over abundance of brass availability and I'm sold!
Then came the 33 Sherman Magnum, a 338-300 PRC with Rich Sherman's spin on it. A 40 degree shoulder and a little less case taper adds a little performance potentially and a stable case. BUT... the final decision maker for me was the fact that Dies & Reamer are on the shelf ready to ship same day. As opposed to sourcing all of that myself and hoping the best for compatability. The 33 SM just makes sense.
So, here we go! More to follow soon as I get it put together and broken in. Not alot of info out there on these so I'm excited to try something different!
Seeking out to build a mid sized 338 cal rifle for hard use in Alaska, naturally the 338 win comes to mind. But... the first thing I found out was brass is hardly available. I could always just used factory ammo as you certainly can find it here and there, but what fun is that?
Next consideration is of course the real big boomers like 338 Norma & RUM type cartridges. However... I've already hunted with a 338 Norma and similar sized case cartridges. For me, it's more blast/recoil than I want in field hunting conditions. They will always hold a place in my heart though!
So then having been on the "too much" side of the spectrum, it's left me looking at "mid sized" 338 cartridges like 338 Win, 33 Nosler, and comparable. Both a fine choice but... then my smith mentioned this 338-300 PRC idea!
338 Campfire, 338 Demon, 338-375 Ruger, 338-300 PRC... for all intensive purposes they're not that much different. The 338-300 PRC is easily made, using 300 PRC brass. With a simple neck up from 30 cal to 338, combined with an over abundance of brass availability and I'm sold!
Then came the 33 Sherman Magnum, a 338-300 PRC with Rich Sherman's spin on it. A 40 degree shoulder and a little less case taper adds a little performance potentially and a stable case. BUT... the final decision maker for me was the fact that Dies & Reamer are on the shelf ready to ship same day. As opposed to sourcing all of that myself and hoping the best for compatability. The 33 SM just makes sense.
So, here we go! More to follow soon as I get it put together and broken in. Not alot of info out there on these so I'm excited to try something different!
