338 Win Mag

Braces Airgun Masters
NigelM

NigelM

Well-Known Member
Supporter
I know, it's too big and recoils too hard, but I have an itch to scratch and why not. I want something to stop big Keilers, for a trip to Norway and a plan I have for Plains Game. It might get a little exercise on the hill as well, but it will not be first out of the cabinet for that job. I know it will be incredibly difficult to sell on as not many need one in the UK and not many will be allowed one. But hell, you only live once.

FAO has approved it and certificate now received, so time for some xmas shopping.

Before I go looking elsewhere I thought I would see what the SD collective had at the back of their cupboards that they might want to exchange for some hard earned.

Will also be looking for brass and dies at some point as well so if you are long on them please get in touch.

Let me know if you have anything that might be of interest. PM is probably best.

Thanks for your help.
 
My FEO in Kent would not allow my using it in UK including on capable ranges but I had it on ticket for my dream Alaska trip which never happened in the end as being now 69 I am too old for the terrain there. My Winchester M70 supreme is still new still unfired in my cabinet & I have got projectiles and dies/cases too. Must get around to reloading for it.
 
You're never too old!

I have a 77 year old friend who still walks 10 miles a day on the hill for 6 days. He works hard on his fitness but also has a pretty die hard attitude. Lost the sight in his right eye last year so shot clays twice a week off his left shoulder for the whole off season and is back to making us look average on the pheasants.

Don't give up on the dream :)

However, if you are looking to move the gun and all the kit on pm me and we can talk.
 
Have you seen this one Nigel?

www.guntrader.uk

Guns For Sale | New and Used Guns | GunTrader

GunTrader the UK's No.1 marketplace for guns for sale. Buy or sell new and used guns and shooting equipment. Browse shotguns, rifles, air rifles and pistols.
www.guntrader.uk www.guntrader.uk

My FEO has declined 338 Lap for deer despite having good reason for possession and land cleared for any calibre!! Ho hum
 
I have thank you. Swilingtons have a Sako 75 as well which I have my eye on.

I was hoping someone on here might be wanting to sell one, prefer to have some provenance with it.

I didn't even ask for a 338 Lap. Not the right tool for piggies. Just join the 50 cal club. That will give you land to shoot over and tick the boxes, but still unlikely to get it conditioned for deer!
 
Agree the Lap would not be ideal for driven boar. I’m a member at Eskdalemuir which is a 50 cal approved field firing range out to 2 miles so good reason to possess has been satisfied.
 
It'll turn you inside out if you try to use it for multiple shots on driven game. That's just a prediction, bit like an exit poll. Usually very close but wrong once every quarter of a century or so!

I seem to remember you didn't like the 7mm Rem Mag's recoil so this will be an entertaining experiment. As you already know, a high quality stock and perfect fit will be everything.
 
My plan is to down load with 200AB's for driven piggies. About 3300 ftLb's at the muzzle and 2800fps. 10% more than a fully stoked 30-06 but running much lower pressures so not burning the barrel. A good stock design/recoil pad and a moderator or brake (next shooter is 250m away and you're wearing ear protection anyway) should sort out the recoil and flip issues. Not planning on playing prone, all free hand or sticks.

For the longer stuff I can load up to about 4000 ftLb's with 250's which should be plenty for anything Africa has to offer in terms of non DG. Would be a nice insurance policy as well just in case. Again, a mod or brake should make in manageable providing I'm on sticks or free hand.

The mod/brake should take off 1/3 of the recoil, so from 30 to 20 ftLb. My 280ai with bare muzzle is 22 ftLb which I'm happy with so hoping it will be bearable. The challenge is taming it, but at 11Lb moderated I think it can be done.

Big frontal area combined with good bullet construction should make it a pretty effective chambering for everything inside 400m. Not a long range gun, but I have one of those already :)
 
Good explanation! Kinda knew you'd have it worked out.

Muzzle brakes are horrible bloody things. But effective. Just remember, one mistake forgetting to wear your hearing protection, and you'll regret it for a long long time.
 
Yeah, I hate the bloody things too, especially when the guy in the lane next to you is using one, but if no one is within 250m it's not unsociable and if disciplined with the hearing protection you should get away with it.

Just trying new games. Might not work but I'm interested to see the result.
 
The 338WM is an impressive round , I've owned a couple over the years . One in particular was an amazingly accurate rifle , an old Smith & Wesson marked Howa that was built in the 70's . That being said , they aren't for everyone . If you need that level of power in a rifle though , it's a great choice . I used mine when I was guiding and it was an insurance policy against things that were close and nasty . Contrary to popular opinion in the UK , the 338WM is far from common here . Apart from rifle freaks like me , I've only seen a handful of 338's while out hunting in over 40 years . Personally , I didn't find much difference between a 300WM and the 338WM recoil wise . I mostly used 200 gr Partitions in the 300WM and 225 gr Partitions in the 338WM ( a great "do everything" load ) One thing I do agree with you on is the fact that I hate brakes , you're better getting a rifle that fits you properly . Since you're allowed to use moderators , that would be a definite option , but it would probably make for a heavy , and less "pointy" , rifle .
If Africa , or here , is in your future , the 338WM will do the job . If I were going to be hunting strictly larger game , like Boar , in the EU/UK , I'd take a look at the 338 Federal , 338/06 , 358W , 35 Whelen , 9.3x62 class of cartridges . They are definitely up to the task and might be easier to get by your local FO for use in the UK , and there isn't much that would walk away from a well placed from the above in my part of the world either lol .
Then again , what the hell do I know . I used to shoot Snow Shoe hares with my 458WM loaded with round balls ( they work great by the way ) . I've never let fear or common sense get in the way of a new rifle personally . I say fill your boots , keep us posted .

The Enabler
 
My preference in .338 WM would be a current iteration M70(CRF). A Tikka would be too light for my taste. Second choice would be a Sako.
 
NigelM said:
I know, it's too big and recoils too hard, but I have an itch to scratch and why not. I want something to stop big Keilers, for a trip to Norway and a plan I have for Plains Game. It might get a little exercise on the hill as well, but it will not be first out of the cabinet for that job. I know it will be incredibly difficult to sell on as not many need one in the UK and not many will be allowed one. But hell, you only live once.

FAO has approved it and certificate now received, so time for some xmas shopping.

Before I go looking elsewhere I thought I would see what the SD collective had at the back of their cupboards that they might want to exchange for some hard earned.

Will also be looking for brass and dies at some point as well so if you are long on them please get in touch.

Let me know if you have anything that might be of interest. PM is probably best.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

stick a mod on it and it shoots like a dream, lovely Calibre.
My friend I’m Germany has one and used it on a drive hunts last year.
 
Nigel imo its full loads only or get another lesser calibre.
You get the calibre and you want the bang to go with it I reckon.
Its a bit more HD than the run of the mill smaller calibres.
I replaced my recently sold .338 with another,it has open sights and I have been saying that I need "to get off my arse and take it wandering"
A lot of years have passed since I iron sighted something.
There are Norma Oryx,Woodleigh Hydros and some Winchester crackers here to choose from....the hydros will go through hell btw.
There are a lot of .sambar deer hunters in Vic equipped with .338 Win Mags.
Go for it,will give you bragging rights around the bar too lol.
 
Last edited:
srvet said:
Have you seen this one Nigel?

www.guntrader.uk

Guns For Sale | New and Used Guns | GunTrader

GunTrader the UK's No.1 marketplace for guns for sale. Buy or sell new and used guns and shooting equipment. Browse shotguns, rifles, air rifles and pistols.
www.guntrader.uk www.guntrader.uk

My FEO has declined 338 Lap for deer despite having good reason for possession and land cleared for any calibre!! Ho hum
Click to expand...
A mate has one just like that. It was quite a spiteful kicker until he shot it out and had it rebarreled with a 28" medium rather than sporter weight. It is vastly nicer to shoot now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

7mm PRC first impressions
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
Penyard
Penyard
Svemko ultra 1.0 vs fryer & devik 338 UTS
2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
6x47 lap
6
Deer legal 44 mag under lever
Replies
14
Views
685
reiver
reiver
BA13 TAKEDOWN 243
Replies
5
Views
555
North Cornwall Deer
North Cornwall Deer
Appraisals…
Replies
2
Views
273
rocketdogbert
rocketdogbert
Shooting Supplies : Ammo - Reloading - Firearms - Optics - Accessories
Back
Top