Thanks Sikadog, but I can load the 338WM down to 338-06, I can't load 338-06 up to 338WM.
338 Win Mag
- Thread starter NigelM
- Start date
Thanks Sikadog, but I can load the 338WM down to 338-06, I can't load 338-06 up to 338WM.
I can never see the point of loading anything down. If you do that you should of purchased a smaller rifle.
Why buy a 338wm and load it down it makes no sense.
You might as well buy a rim fire.
Why buy a 338wm and load it down it makes no sense.
You might as well buy a rim fire.
Silly comment. Read the whole thread. Particularly post #11.
I run two rifles with down loaded cartridges for specific purposes. I run the same rifles with full power cartridges for other purposes. If that's too hard to get your head around, let me know and I'll explain further.
You are very good at making sarcastic comments, why is my comment anymore stupid than yours, if I want to shoot something with less power I use something setup with less power, that way i dont have to alter scopes i dont have to adjust loads i put the ammo in the rifle and shoot whats so difficult to understand.
Sorry to offend you @sikadog. I must remember my manners. Hope you're feeling better now.
After Nigel's comments in post #11 it got me thinking, so I consulted the books and looked at the range of loads for the .338 WM cartridge. We all know about the upper end of the cartridge's capabilities, but what about the other end? With carcass quality of medium deer in mind, there's a bunch of really good bullets and soft loads for the classic "slow and heavy" combination. This is a constant problem for Win Mag owners, the meat damage associated with high velocity impact with traditional cup & core bullets. So I'd be all over something like a 300gr Partition at 2200fps, that would be super effective for shorter range meat hunting.
There's been quite a big move over here recently amongst some of our mates back to traditional lever guns, with slow and heavy projectiles, making large holes but very minimal peripheral mate damage. Bang, flop, enjoy. It's been a real eye-opener for me.
After Nigel's comments in post #11 it got me thinking, so I consulted the books and looked at the range of loads for the .338 WM cartridge. We all know about the upper end of the cartridge's capabilities, but what about the other end? With carcass quality of medium deer in mind, there's a bunch of really good bullets and soft loads for the classic "slow and heavy" combination. This is a constant problem for Win Mag owners, the meat damage associated with high velocity impact with traditional cup & core bullets. So I'd be all over something like a 300gr Partition at 2200fps, that would be super effective for shorter range meat hunting.
There's been quite a big move over here recently amongst some of our mates back to traditional lever guns, with slow and heavy projectiles, making large holes but very minimal peripheral mate damage. Bang, flop, enjoy. It's been a real eye-opener for me.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
That`s it! Grab the .308 or the .243 or whatever instead but leave the .338 as found imo.
Thanks for the support John I start at 22.250 then 25.06 then 6.5.284 then 30.06 then 338.06 so why play with loads.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
Makes sense to me mate. I do much the same but with over a dozen different calibres. 
One huge fatal flaw in your argument fellas, I can only carry one rifle at a time!
But I can carry as many different cartridges in one chambering as I think I might need. I can encounter several different shooting scenarios over the course of one day, let alone a week in the hills, and tailored loads for each scenario is the only way to cover them all.
As for the scope adjustment part, that's daft too. It's extremely easy to adjust a scope for altered point of impact, especially with apps like Strelok which cover this requirement in each load's profile. When hunting with subs and full power, I adjust the scope maybe five times a day! What's so hard about 5 MOA up or back down again?
But I can carry as many different cartridges in one chambering as I think I might need. I can encounter several different shooting scenarios over the course of one day, let alone a week in the hills, and tailored loads for each scenario is the only way to cover them all.
As for the scope adjustment part, that's daft too. It's extremely easy to adjust a scope for altered point of impact, especially with apps like Strelok which cover this requirement in each load's profile. When hunting with subs and full power, I adjust the scope maybe five times a day! What's so hard about 5 MOA up or back down again?
booradley
Well-Known Member
Seems silly to me too.
I see it as perfectly logical. Running piggies don't need more than 3000 ftLb and a 200gr bullet shooting over 50m so load to that for that job. Makes shooting more comfortable and multiple shots pretty easy. Perfect for Reds on the hill too. Less recoil, faster back on target. Same rifle on bigger game like Eland and you can stoke it up to 4000 ftLb and shoot out to 300m plus. One rifle, multiple loads. Flexibility is a great asset in a rifle. Also interested to see how a 185 TTSX at 338 frontal area and 3100 fps deals with a stag at 200m. Probably quite well I would think.
I have always been a small calibre (6mm to 7mm) high velocity kind of guy but interested in seeing the difference frontal area makes. Life is about trying stuff and learning, this is all part of the experience. I can't learn less from it.
I have always been a small calibre (6mm to 7mm) high velocity kind of guy but interested in seeing the difference frontal area makes. Life is about trying stuff and learning, this is all part of the experience. I can't learn less from it.
One of the reasons I fancy a 7 mm Rem Mag is because it can handle such a wide range of loads. You can kill plains game or load it to drop roe without blowing them apart, and it will shoot extremely well in either case.
Buying a particular calibre/chambering and always loading it down would be daft. But making use of a wide range of load options when it suits you from cartridge that offers you that choice makes perfect sense, and for many people is reason enough to have the cartridge in their cabinet in the first place.
Buying a particular calibre/chambering and always loading it down would be daft. But making use of a wide range of load options when it suits you from cartridge that offers you that choice makes perfect sense, and for many people is reason enough to have the cartridge in their cabinet in the first place.
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Cool. Logic and order has been restored.
What glass do you have in mind @NigelM?
I've found that for general hunting purposes, a quality calibrated BDC reticle is more practical than a complex "tactical" reticle. I dial for elevation far less in general hunting situations these days, though it is nice to be able to dial when the need arises.
I would have thought the something like the Zeiss Z-800 would be ideal for the .338 Win Mag as it will cover multiple loads simply by adjusting the level of magnification.
What glass do you have in mind @NigelM?
I've found that for general hunting purposes, a quality calibrated BDC reticle is more practical than a complex "tactical" reticle. I dial for elevation far less in general hunting situations these days, though it is nice to be able to dial when the need arises.
I would have thought the something like the Zeiss Z-800 would be ideal for the .338 Win Mag as it will cover multiple loads simply by adjusting the level of magnification.
For the piggies I just run a 1-6.5x24 Bushnell with a red dot and a big red illuminated circle round it. No turrets, don't need them. For longer stuff I have a Swaro Z3 4-12x50 or a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 both with BT and 4W reticules that will suit it pretty well. Dial trajectory and wind on the ret. Not sure which one yet, but one will work if not both.
On the turrets I have access to very reasonably priced custom etched turrets so I just have one for each chambering marked up in meters which makes dialling very quick and easy. Range it and dial it in meters.
On the turrets I have access to very reasonably priced custom etched turrets so I just have one for each chambering marked up in meters which makes dialling very quick and easy. Range it and dial it in meters.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
ah I`m old and dumb and when I go out hunting deer I use one of my deer rifles with deer specific ammo loaded.
Now if the yellow dog decides to offer a shot well he gets a Sambar Stag load right up his ginger or where it hits him.
Fuuuuuck that fumbling around wondering which pocket the 'other' ammo is in haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Full load or nothing for me,dogs ain`t that tasty ha ha.
Now if the yellow dog decides to offer a shot well he gets a Sambar Stag load right up his ginger or where it hits him.
Fuuuuuck that fumbling around wondering which pocket the 'other' ammo is in haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Full load or nothing for me,dogs ain`t that tasty ha ha.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
While it may not have the Sako name it will kill as many deer and boar in the right hands as any of the others...look at the price! Just over 300 quid.
booradley
Well-Known Member
We have four Vanguards in the family. I really like them.
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
Like I said earlier , I had a Smith & Wesson branded Howa ( vanguard ) in 338WM , great rifles . I'm currently trying to talk a buddy of mine out out of his Vanguard in 257 Weatherby Mag , I'm not a huge fan of Weatherby cartridges , but the 257 is a bit of a thing for me . The Vanguards are pretty much an old Sako , which is OK in my book . They really are really a good rifle for the money .
AB
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
One of the original factory loads for the 338WM was a 300 gr Silvertip , I knew a few old timers who swore by it as an all around load . It worked well on everything . It wasn't a long range load , but most of the old guys I knew didn't shoot at longer ranges , they got as close as they could .
As for the older big bores , the 45/70 , 38/55 and others are far more effective than the paper ballistic charts show . I've used them on a fair bit of game , they work really well and don't destroy a lot of edible meat ............ plus they're chambered in really cool old rifles . One friend of mine has been using an old Winchester 1886 in 40/82 for the last few years , a totally reliable , and effective , big game rifle . I'd make an offer on it , but he'd probably tell me to get bent lol .
AB
booradley
Well-Known Member
Is the .257 Weatherby Vanguard an older one with a 24” barrel or a later model with a 26” barrel?
I’m not into Weatherby cartridges either with the exception of the .257. I’d like one but it’s about fourth on my wish list. I’ve never taken a shot past circa 325 yards though the opportunity is there on my land and other family land for shots on animals way way way further than 300 yards. I don’t twist turrets either. With a .257 Weatherby Mag I’d probably stretch my maximum distance to 400 yards on deer.
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