Best .338

[Divernhunter]

On my 2 trips for PG I took my 338win mag and shot everything from Eland/Kudu/Zebra to Springbuck and monkeys. I took a 30-06 but did not use it the 1st trip. I do not like the 270..........it is a personal thing about not wanting to chase wounded animals anymore. My 2nd trip I took my 257Weatherby and used it on the small ones like Diker/Steenbuck/Baboons/springbuck, even bushbuck and such. If you want to compare it to the 270 the 257w wins. It shoots flatter and has 1lb less recoil than the 270 if you want to talk recoil. It also kills very well using Swift A-Frames or Barnes TTSX bullets at ranges of 20 to 500 yards.
The 1st trip my daughter took her 257R with my 120gr Swift A-Frames and took quite a number of animals from 135 to 410 yards. She took everything with one shot just as I have done. She took Red Hardebeest/Kudu/Zebra/Impalas/Warthogs.

So The 338win mag is an excellent choice. Other cartridges will also work well given you are a good shot, pass bad shots and use good bullets. But "I PERSONALLY" would not hunt anywhere with a 270. Other can like and use it so long as I am not expected to spend all day chasing wounded animals.

Also consider most PH's will get you close as you need to make a good shot from the right angle. Always aim to take out a shoulder and if there is any tracking it will be much easier. So take the rifles you shoot well just as long as they are bigger than a 223/243/6mm that you plan to use on larger PG. The 223/243/6mm is fine for the small stuff like Steenbuck/monkeys/baboons. I used the outfitters 22RF for shooting a bunch of monkeys for pest control and it worked but most ran off a ways before expiring.

 

[Lbarr265]

On my 2 trips for PG I took my 338win mag and shot everything from Eland/Kudu/Zebra to Springbuck and monkeys. I took a 30-06 but did not use it the 1st trip. I do not like the 270..........it is a personal thing about not wanting to chase wounded animals anymore. My 2nd trip I took my 257Weatherby and used it on the small ones like Diker/Steenbuck/Baboons/springbuck, even bushbuck and such. If you want to compare it to the 270 the 257w wins. It shoots flatter and has 1lb less recoil than the 270 if you want to talk recoil. It also kills very well using Swift A-Frames or Barnes TTSX bullets at ranges of 20 to 500 yards.
The 1st trip my daughter took her 257R with my 120gr Swift A-Frames and took quite a number of animals from 135 to 410 yards. She took everything with one shot just as I have done. She took Red Hardebeest/Kudu/Zebra/Impalas/Warthogs.

So The 338win mag is an excellent choice. Other cartridges will also work well given you are a good shot, pass bad shots and use good bullets. But "I PERSONALLY" would not hunt anywhere with a 270. Other can like and use it so long as I am not expected to spend all day chasing wounded animals.

Also consider most PH's will get you close as you need to make a good shot from the right angle. Always aim to take out a shoulder and if there is any tracking it will be much easier. So take the rifles you shoot well just as long as they are bigger than a 223/243/6mm that you plan to use on larger PG. The 223/243/6mm is fine for the small stuff like Steenbuck/monkeys/baboons. I used the outfitters 22RF for shooting a bunch of monkeys for pest control and it worked but most ran off a ways before expiring.

How many times have you had to chase down something hit properly with a 270?

 

[dwboso]

Well Flat8,I can only speak to my own experience.If we're talking recoil,I own a Kimber Montana in 338,and a Ruger #1 in 375 Ruger. The Montana is a pussycat compared to the Rug. The #1 is heavier ,and even w a mercury reducer added it's still no fun to shoot.I've got a Lott 77 thats really no worse than the #1.By comparison,of the 4 338s i've had or still have ,the Montana is an absolute joy to shoot in comparison.As a matter of fact,it's even more lovable than my 06 Mod 70 fw. (I'm kind of a gun nut).As I said to each his own,but if your gonna have one bbg bore,I'd advocate a Lott over a 375.Not that there's anything wrong w a375,but bigger is always better to me

 

[dwboso]

Never Lbarr,Never

 

[Lbarr265]

Never Lbarr,Never

Same here. I’m curious as to what experience divernhunter had that turned him off so badly?

 

[Felipe]

He tenido .300 wm; 338; 375; 8x68s; 338 rum. Y en grandes, 416 rm y .404 jeffery. Todos calibres y rifles buenos. El .338 rum un humilde Remington 700 bdl que en España y en África me ha hecho siempre un trabajo maravilloso. Volvería a el sin pensarlo, no pesa y retroceso aceptable. En 250 grains.

 

[416Tanzan]

To the thread starter,

The 270 works in Africa but a 338 definitely hits with more authority. I seen both in a lot of action in Africa.

As many in the thread have testified, the 338 WinMag does everything you will need.

Shots in Africa tend to be under 300 yards although in rare situations you may want to consider a shot up to 400 yards. So for a bullet, load, and cartridge choice your primary considerations are probably deep penetration and within 400 yards. A 225 grain at 2825fps, sighted in 2" high at 100 yards will only drop about -6.5" at 300 yards and -20" at 400 yards. You can do a lot of hunting with such a combination. If you are happy to use a monometal bullet like a 225gnTTSX with its .514 BC you will find exceptional penetration for whatever animal and whatever presentation comes your way. Alternative bullets with a similar recommendation would be a 225gnNosP, 225fnAFrame, as well as the Northfork, GSC, and CEB lines. Many hunters have seen its effectiveness on buffalo when needed, although it does not meet minimum standards for a buffalo license in many African countries. Still, its nice to have a plains game rifle in one's hands that penetrates penetrates penetrates. From oribi to eland. And rumor has it that it is powerful elk medicine in North America.

 

[Lbarr265]

To the thread starter,

The 270 works in Africa but a 338 definitely hits with more authority. I seen both in a lot of action in Africa.

As many in the thread have testified, the 338 WinMag does everything you will need.

Shots in Africa tend to be under 300 yards although in rare situations you may want to consider a shot up to 400 yards. So for a bullet, load, and cartridge choice your primary considerations are probably deep penetration and within 400 yards. A 225 grain at 2825fps, sighted in 2" high at 100 yards will only drop about -6.5" at 300 yards and -20" at 400 yards. You can do a lot of hunting with such a combination. If you are happy to use a monometal bullet like a 225gnTTSX with its .514 BC you will find exceptional penetration for whatever animal and whatever presentation comes your way. Alternative bullets with a similar recommendation would be a 225gnNosP, 225fnAFrame, as well as the Northfork, GSC, and CEB lines. Many hunters have seen its effectiveness on buffalo when needed, although it does not meet minimum standards for a buffalo license in many African countries. Still, its nice to have a plains game rifle in one's hands that penetrates penetrates penetrates. From oribi to eland. And rumor has it that it is powerful elk medicine in North America.

I appreciate the advice. I will say its a tab bit late. I did go with a 338 win mag, model 70 super grade. When you posted that I had just finished dialing in my hand loads at 200 yards, 250 gn nosler partition over 63gn imr 4831. Kick is nice an gentle with that thick butt pad they put on there. Relatively speaking. Beautiful stock on the super grade, overall I’m very happy and can’t wait to take it to Africa.

 

[postoak]

Very nice rifle and good caliber.

FWIW, Elmer Keith felt minimum for African plains game was a .33 caliber OR a 250 grain bullet at 2500 fps.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

It's a .338 trapped in a .308's body

It's accurate, easy to shoot, inexpensive to shoot and deadly, what's not to love!

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

Beautiful Rifle! Have fun

I appreciate the advice. I will say its a tab bit late. I did go with a 338 win mag, model 70 super grade. When you posted that I had just finished dialing in my hand loads at 200 yards, 250 gn nosler partition over 63gn imr 4831. Kick is nice an gentle with that thick butt pad they put on there. Relatively speaking. Beautiful stock on the super grade, overall I’m very happy and can’t wait to take it to Africa.

View attachment 216051 View attachment 215644

 

[frog stealer]

Lbar, I have the exact same rifle in .338. I took my first elk with it in October with plain old 250 grain Hornady soft points. It did the job well. I am currently working on developing loads with lighter bullets for flatter trajectory.

 

[Scrumbag]

Hmmm, I'd stick 338WM / 338-06 and stay away from Lapua and Weatherby for a hunting rifle you are likely to be walking with...

 

[Michael Dean]

Just picked up 50 brass for my 338 Federal. I'll be working up some loads this week. Going with 225 Hammers for bullets. Reports on the bullet have all been positive.

 

[Sable_338]

Glad to hear that you reload. This maybe the best cartridge to make the argument in the USA as the ultimate "all-rounder" cartridge. I will profess that I am biased to a 338 Win mag as I have hunted, loaded and shot mine for 17 yrs. and going...As a man on a budget I would suggest going to Shooters Pro shop and ordering as many 180 Accubond blemishes as you can afford and then buying a couple pounds of H 4895. Load those to 2800 fps and shoot and hunt to your hearts content. When you need to step up to elk or Africa then get a 185 TTSX or GMX and load to 3050-3100 fps and then go collect your trophies. I also use the 200 gr. Speer Hot Cor and use the H 4895 60% rule for a great practice/plinking load.


As far as the rifle goes just get a 700, model 70 or whatever your personal preference leans towards. A 270 and 338 Win Mag is an awesome battery. I personally went the .257 Roberts and .338 Win Mag route for my 2 gun battery.

 

[Sable_338]

FWIW, I plan to experiment with the 160 TTSX this summer for use on deer & hogs...

 

[Inline6]

I don't guess I understand the no love for a 338LM. 1. It's based on the beloved 416 Rigby case. 2. I was get 2915 fps out of my hand loads. That is 5k+ pounds of energy at 150 yards. If I could I would most definitely use it on a buff. I have seen it go through 5 feet of elk shot quartering. I have also hit targets out past 1500 yards no problem.

The 33 Nosler is base on the 404 case again another crowd favorite.

I play a different game then most of you but numbers don't lie. 338s have some very good BCs and have a lot of energy in the right cartridge.

 

[walk-in]

On my 2 trips for PG I took my 338win mag and shot everything from Eland/Kudu/Zebra to Springbuck and monkeys. I took a 30-06 but did not use it the 1st trip. I do not like the 270..........it is a personal thing about not wanting to chase wounded animals anymore. My 2nd trip I took my 257Weatherby and used it on the small ones like Diker/Steenbuck/Baboons/springbuck, even bushbuck and such. If you want to compare it to the 270 the 257w wins. It shoots flatter and has 1lb less recoil than the 270 if you want to talk recoil. It also kills very well using Swift A-Frames or Barnes TTSX bullets at ranges of 20 to 500 yards.
The 1st trip my daughter took her 257R with my 120gr Swift A-Frames and took quite a number of animals from 135 to 410 yards. She took everything with one shot just as I have done. She took Red Hardebeest/Kudu/Zebra/Impalas/Warthogs.

So The 338win mag is an excellent choice. Other cartridges will also work well given you are a good shot, pass bad shots and use good bullets. But "I PERSONALLY" would not hunt anywhere with a 270. Other can like and use it so long as I am not expected to spend all day chasing wounded animals.

Also consider most PH's will get you close as you need to make a good shot from the right angle. Always aim to take out a shoulder and if there is any tracking it will be much easier. So take the rifles you shoot well just as long as they are bigger than a 223/243/6mm that you plan to use on larger PG. The 223/243/6mm is fine for the small stuff like Steenbuck/monkeys/baboons. I used the outfitters 22RF for shooting a bunch of monkeys for pest control and it worked but most ran off a ways before expiring.

I've never known the 270 to be inadequate. "I PERSONALLY" consider it to be the ultimate caribou, Dall sheep, and mountain goat rifle for Alaska, and I know a few other Alaskans that agree. I have also used it with good results on moose, including one a touch over 300 yards. I haven't had to chase anything wounded yet.

 

[sestoppelman]

I don't guess I understand the no love for a 338LM. 1. It's based on the beloved 416 Rigby case. 2. I was get 2915 fps out of my hand loads. That is 5k+ pounds of energy at 150 yards. If I could I would most definitely use it on a buff. I have seen it go through 5 feet of elk shot quartering. I have also hit targets out past 1500 yards no problem.

The 33 Nosler is base on the 404 case again another crowd favorite.

I play a different game then most of you but numbers don't lie. 338s have some very good BCs and have a lot of energy in the right cartridge.

5000 lbs of energy at 150 yards!? I don't see any listed loads that give over 5K at the muzzle let alone at 150 yards. Must be some kinda shootin iron you have!

 

[Inline6]

5011.3 to be exact my good man.

That is using actual ballistic programs.