Still worth buying a 338 WinMag if I own a 375?

[HankBuck]

Bob, we agree on “most” and if you want to claim the “high ground” on ballistics as well - take it.....I’m no expert in ballistics (or much else). I’m a fan of many Non magnum calibers - in many hunting situations, in fact I generally regard Magnums as more power then average Hunters/Rifleman can handle (I’m average).. But I don’t argue the ballistics that are often/usually superior in the magnums vs. their similar standard caliber counterpart. Someday, I hope to own a nice .35 Whelen but doubt I’d want to use the loads you mention in your post - I’m looking to avoid NPR (Non Productive Recoil) - not add to it. Those are some powerful loads Bob, not what I normally associate with the .35 Whelen. Don’t you think a .35 cal bullet, (if well constructed) should be able to take “Elk type” game cleanly even if moving 100 fps slower? Lastly, I was considering a .35 Whelen in a Remington 760 Gamemaster (pump action). I own two (30-06 & .308) and looking to add one. I like the pump action for close hunting situations - fast follow up shot and being a Lefty - I don’t have to contort myself to get a 2nd shot off. Both are reasonably accurate with factory ammo (1.5” MOA 3 shots). I “think” that the pump action is strong but guessing that the .35 Whelen is near the limit of what it was designed to handle.

 

[ACM]

In a practical sense, if you are a hand loader, just stick with your 375H&H. Load some 250gr TTSXs @ ~2900fps & have both.
That’s if it is a need & don’t want situation. If you just WANT a 338WM, get it! Most of us have tons of guns that overlap. As was said previously, a fine piece of wood may be reason enough!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, we agree on “most” and if you want to claim the “high ground” on ballistics as well - take it.....I’m no expert in ballistics (or much else). I’m a fan of many Non magnum calibers - in many hunting situations, in fact I generally regard Magnums as more power then average Hunters/Rifleman can handle (I’m average).. But I don’t argue the ballistics that are often/usually superior in the magnums vs. their similar standard caliber counterpart. Someday, I hope to own a nice .35 Whelen but doubt I’d want to use the loads you mention in your post - I’m looking to avoid NPR (Non Productive Recoil) - not add to it. Those are some powerful loads Bob, not what I normally associate with the .35 Whelen. Don’t you think a .35 cal bullet, (if well constructed) should be able to take “Elk type” game cleanly even if moving 100 fps slower? Lastly, I was considering a .35 Whelen in a Remington 760 Gamemaster (pump action). I own two (30-06 & .308) and looking to add one. I like the pump action for close hunting situations - fast follow up shot and being a Lefty - I don’t have to contort myself to get a 2nd shot off. Both are reasonably accurate with factory ammo (1.5” MOA 3 shots). I “think” that the pump action is strong but guessing that the .35 Whelen is near the limit of what it was designed to handle.

@HankBuck
The standard Whelen loads have killed a truck load of game for years before I came along. It's just that I like to get cartridges to perform how the were envisioned to.
Even properly loaded the Whelen is not objectionable to use.
Factory balistics in the Whelen in the Remington pump gun will do all you ask of it.
Hornadys superformance load, federal TBBC, Barnes Vortex and even the old 250gr rem load at 2,400fps leave nothing to be desired for most. You will never regret getting a Whelen and after using it you will wonder why you didn't get tone sooner.
Bob

 

[colorado]

In a practical sense, if you are a hand loader, just stick with your 375H&H. Load some 250gr TTSXs @ ~2900fps & have both.
That’s if it is a need & don’t want situation. If you just WANT a 338WM, get it! Most of us have tons of guns that overlap. As was said previously, a fine piece of wood may be reason enough!

Exactly

 

[TheRealHorskin]

So I would agree that if you already have a 375H&H the 338WM is not really needed, however I do have both but the 338 was in the safe first. I did not think an African safari was going to be in the cards until I started doing a cost analysis of other trips in North America. Once I really boiled it down Africa became more appealing for the cost. I found a deal on a 375H&H and added it to the collection. I will be going on my first African trip June 24 and I am actually taking the 338WM as it is PG hunt. All my hunting rifles are Sako so it was not an easy task to find them reasonably priced as I am cheap but also like nice things.

 

[Dr Ray]

So I would agree that if you already have a 375H&H the 338WM is not really needed, however I do have both but the 338 was in the safe first. I did not think an African safari was going to be in the cards until I started doing a cost analysis of other trips in North America. Once I really boiled it down Africa became more appealing for the cost. I found a deal on a 375H&H and added it to the collection. I will be going on my first African trip June 24 and I am actually taking the 338WM as it is PG hunt. All my hunting rifles are Sako so it was not an easy task to find them reasonably priced as I am cheap but also like nice things.

I think the 375 H&H is for big game like buffalo whereas the 338 is for large deer /antelope and big plains game.
I just had my 338 muzzle braked for long distance target shooting using 225 grain Speer bullets.
The 375 - I used 300 grain bullets - sold as I have a 416 using Woodleigh 400 grain bullets and Swift A Frames.
My 338 is a Sako and I had it bead blasted to rejuvenate it.
In Australia the 338 doesn’t appear to be popular at least in the far north.
I tried to buy factory rounds this morning - none available!!
I think the 338 is popular down south for Sambar deer hunting. Sambar are big deer and usually in high forested country requiring a heavy fast bullet to nail them!
I might add that Sambar are bigger than elk.

 

[Tanks]

Hmmm, intriguing. I just noticed that .338WM barrels are available for Blaser R8. If I ever do any brown bear hunting, I might have to consider it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I think the 375 H&H is for big game like buffalo whereas the 338 is for large deer /antelope and big plains game.
I just had my 338 muzzle braked for long distance target shooting using 225 grain Speer bullets.
The 375 - I used 300 grain bullets - sold as I have a 416 using Woodleigh 400 grain bullets and Swift A Frames.
My 338 is a Sako and I had it bead blasted to rejuvenate it.
In Australia the 338 doesn’t appear to be popular at least in the far north.
I tried to buy factory rounds this morning - none available!!
I think the 338 is popular down south for Sambar deer hunting. Sambar are big deer and usually in high forested country requiring a heavy fast bullet to nail them!
I might add that Sambar are bigger than elk.

@Dr Ray
Sambar are big critters but they aren't armour plated.
The 444 marlin with hand loaded Woodleigh 280gn RNSP was more tan ample.
The last on I shot was with the dinky little 270 and that was more than enough.
If it was legal I would happily belt one with my 25 and 100gn TTSX or 110gn Atomic 29s.
Bob

 

[Dr Ray]

@Dr Ray
Sambar are big critters but they aren't armour plated.
The 444 marlin with hand loaded Woodleigh 280gn RNSP was more tan ample.
The last on I shot was with the dinky little 270 and that was more than enough.
If it was legal I would happily belt one with my 25 and 100gn TTSX or 110gn Atomic 29s.
Bob

270 is probably my favorite cartridge.
Nice talking w you today, Bob!
Always stirring things up - great!!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

270 is probably my favorite cartridge.
Nice talking w you today, Bob!
Always stirring things up - great!!

@Dr Ray
The 270 to me rates only just a bit higher than the 243. Both over rated in my book
The 25 nieder aka 25-06 was doing what the 270 was before it came along. Give me a fast 35 over a 270 any day.
Bob

 

[Dr Ray]

@Dr Ray
The 270 to me rates only just a bit higher than the 243. Both over rated in my book
The 25 nieder aka 25-06 was doing what the 270 was before it came along. Give me a fast 35 over a 270 any day.
Bob

Hey now Bob
The 270 is great !!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Hey now Bob
The 270 is great !!

Along with the .22-250 and .338WM.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Along with the .22-250 and .338WM.

@CoElkHunter
The 22-250 yes the 338WM name uh uh no way.
Bob

 

[Dr Ray]

Along with the .22-250 and .338WM.

I agree if used in their class
Many Australians use 223/22/250 for pig hunting
I used Bob Nelson’s favorite 243

 

[CoElkHunter]

I agree if used in their class
Many Australians use 223/22/250 for pig hunting
I used Bob Nelson’s favorite 243

I'm surprised 'ol Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen let you borrow his prized .243? I guess miracles can happen?

 

[Dr Ray]

I'm surprised 'ol Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen let you borrow his prized .243? I guess miracles can happen?

It was a struggle

 

[CoElkHunter]

It was a struggle

I never thought he'd let someone borrow his Hi wall .243 rifle? Maybe he was on the Bundy when he agreed to let you borrow it? LOL

 

[Dr Ray]

I never thought he'd let someone borrow his Hi wall .243 rifle? Maybe he was on the Bundy when he agreed to let you borrow it? LOL

Lol
Yep that’s it

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I agree if used in their class
Many Australians use 223/22/250 for pig hunting
I used Bob Nelson’s favorite 243

@Dr Ray
A 22-250 loaded with speers dumpy little 70gn semi spitzer is dynamite with behind te shoulder shots on pigs. I've killed 100s with that load when I had my old rem 788.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm surprised 'ol Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen let you borrow his prized .243? I guess miracles can happen?

@CoElkHunter
Mate,mate,mate. I have never owned and will never have a 243 anywhere near me. I think you may be on the magic mushroom or wacky backy again.
Bob