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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
338 LM improved, 338/300 RUM, 338/416
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<blockquote data-quote="lesterak" data-source="post: 137377" data-attributes="member: 4480"><p>I have some experience with the .338/300 Win Mag., plus the .338RUM. If there is a cartridge that comes close to that mythical perfection, it is the .338/300.</p><p></p><p>The big case ctgs have minimal flexibility compared to the .300 WinMag case. I reamed my own .338 sporter barrel and then worked up loads from extrapolation. I was shooting 65 gr of XMR 4350 in both 300Win and .338 Win with 200 &amp; 250 gr Sierra bullets respectively, so taking that as my floor, the .338/300 with 250 gr bullet is like a kitten with 65 gr. I don't really know what the "max" load is in my rifle. I extrapolated data by comparing the .300 &amp; .330 Dakota and .300 &amp; .340 Wby ctgs. The Dakota cases have the same capcity, the Wby cases have the same dimensions. Basically, the .338/300 will duplicate the .340 Weatherby and be just under the RUM.</p><p></p><p>Benefits: </p><p>Cheaper &amp; better brass is available for .300Win</p><p>Burns less powder = longer barrel life</p><p>Better magazine capacity</p><p>More efficient case, not greatly overbore</p><p></p><p>Using XMR4350 which likely is not the most effective powder, but I have a lot of it, I estimate I'm getting about 2700 fps with a 250 gr bullet.</p><p></p><p>With a Near Mfg base and a Leupold Mk4 M3 scope this is a longrange performer in a 12 pound rifle. I am using a basic Sendero barrel profile and H-S Precision stock. With a #3 contour sporter barrel mounted, the rifle is under 10 lbs.</p><p></p><p>One other nice thing about the .338/300 is the ability to use standard reloading dies with minimal alteration. A Redding .300WM Competition type S Neck Die die will work without alteration, aside from necessitating a reaming a Redding bushing or having one custom made. Similar work enables use of Redding's Comp bullet seater, or adjust a .338 Win seater to fit.</p><p></p><p>The Flexibility of the .338/300 is what makes it the Real Winner. Unless all you are concerned with is Pure Horsepower, (in which case as has been previously mentioned Go With The .338-378 or Lazzeroni if you want beltless), the .338/300 can work over a wider loading range. I have seen great response from 65-76 gr using 250gr bullets. The 160-300gr range of the .338 makes it Superb for almost any application except plinking; for that try cast bullets!</p><p></p><p>With power ranking right there with the 340 Weatherby, but greater flexibility, the .338-300 is an All-Around Proven Performer. Likely, barrel life is a lot better than the big-burners. Don't forget, you are burning barrel when you are burning Big Charges Of Powder.</p><p></p><p>If you are into lugging a 30lb rifle out to the canyon's edge and shooting off a tripod than, hopefully you are buying your barrels half a dozen at a time and enjoying those couple hundred rounds you get from each one after "dialing in your load". But, if you're like me, and enjoy hiking down the trail with a backpack and Need a fast handling relatively light rifle that can do it all; give a looksee to the .338/300 Win Mag.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="lesterak, post: 137377, member: 4480"] I have some experience with the .338/300 Win Mag., plus the .338RUM. If there is a cartridge that comes close to that mythical perfection, it is the .338/300. The big case ctgs have minimal flexibility compared to the .300 WinMag case. I reamed my own .338 sporter barrel and then worked up loads from extrapolation. I was shooting 65 gr of XMR 4350 in both 300Win and .338 Win with 200 & 250 gr Sierra bullets respectively, so taking that as my floor, the .338/300 with 250 gr bullet is like a kitten with 65 gr. I don't really know what the "max" load is in my rifle. I extrapolated data by comparing the .300 & .330 Dakota and .300 & .340 Wby ctgs. The Dakota cases have the same capcity, the Wby cases have the same dimensions. Basically, the .338/300 will duplicate the .340 Weatherby and be just under the RUM. Benefits: Cheaper & better brass is available for .300Win Burns less powder = longer barrel life Better magazine capacity More efficient case, not greatly overbore Using XMR4350 which likely is not the most effective powder, but I have a lot of it, I estimate I'm getting about 2700 fps with a 250 gr bullet. With a Near Mfg base and a Leupold Mk4 M3 scope this is a longrange performer in a 12 pound rifle. I am using a basic Sendero barrel profile and H-S Precision stock. With a #3 contour sporter barrel mounted, the rifle is under 10 lbs. One other nice thing about the .338/300 is the ability to use standard reloading dies with minimal alteration. A Redding .300WM Competition type S Neck Die die will work without alteration, aside from necessitating a reaming a Redding bushing or having one custom made. Similar work enables use of Redding's Comp bullet seater, or adjust a .338 Win seater to fit. The Flexibility of the .338/300 is what makes it the Real Winner. Unless all you are concerned with is Pure Horsepower, (in which case as has been previously mentioned Go With The .338-378 or Lazzeroni if you want beltless), the .338/300 can work over a wider loading range. I have seen great response from 65-76 gr using 250gr bullets. The 160-300gr range of the .338 makes it Superb for almost any application except plinking; for that try cast bullets! With power ranking right there with the 340 Weatherby, but greater flexibility, the .338-300 is an All-Around Proven Performer. Likely, barrel life is a lot better than the big-burners. Don't forget, you are burning barrel when you are burning Big Charges Of Powder. If you are into lugging a 30lb rifle out to the canyon's edge and shooting off a tripod than, hopefully you are buying your barrels half a dozen at a time and enjoying those couple hundred rounds you get from each one after "dialing in your load". But, if you're like me, and enjoy hiking down the trail with a backpack and Need a fast handling relatively light rifle that can do it all; give a looksee to the .338/300 Win Mag. [/QUOTE]
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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
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338 LM improved, 338/300 RUM, 338/416
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