.338 win?

[Hunter_Jed]

I'm looking at the new mossberg 4x4 bolt action rifle, I noticed that alot of guys in here shoot 338's and other Larger caliber rifles and I kinda need some opinions on a larger caliber.

Thanks in advance

[Downwindtracker]

I hunt where there grizzlies,I like those fat heavy bullets. For the moose a 30-06 good enough.

[1savagehunter]

I do have a few thinks to say about .338

- Are you able to handle recoil? You would be suprised how many folks buy a .338 and then "pray and spray". This is NOT a gun for beginners. Having said that - "fear a man that owns a .338 and knows how to use it". Remember the slap of a grizzlies paw across your face is horrific but the slap of a well placed .338 250 grain triple shock is simply life ending ... period.
- Can you afford .338 ammo? The ammo isn't cheap and to be confident at shooting you are going to need to practice. As I'm a reloader things are still expensive but less so.
- I really know nothing about the Mossberg 4x4. Looks really cool !!!!
- Every man has his own favorites but for me it is my left handed .338 Tikka (old style - not the T3) with a VX II 3-9 (Leupould). That gun consistently has been a tack driver. I've shoot game now exclusively for 3 years with it. My farest shot was 450 yrds. my closest was 70 yrds. - minimal meat damage with premium ammo (Barnes Triple Shock or Nosler -Partition). My best shot by far was my 3 shot 200 M range witnessed 1inch group.
- My suggestion is go talk to "Doug" at wholesale sports. If Doug doesn't have a .338 in Tikka go to P&D. Why Tikka - Well I obvious love mine. I have never shot or seen shot a gun with a factory barrel that is SOOOOO
accurate or easy to clean.
Is it right for you ... only you will really know. Would I trade mine - "not in a million years".
As I live in your neck of the woods PM me an I'll give you my phone number and we can chat if you'd like. Otherwise all the best and don't forget "fear a man that shoots his .338 well not the one that owns one but can't shoot it well". I agree with the previous entry 30-06 will be good unless you frequent grizzily country a place I personally find myself 6-8 weeks of the year.

[Rock Doctor]

I had a 338 in a Rem 700 and liked it very much, it shot real tight groups, was very happy with the caliber. I also had a couple 8mm Mags at the time. I found that I prefered the 8mm to the 338, although it was a tough decision. I ended up rechambering the 338 to a 340 Wby. I was not impressed with the 340, so I sold it and no longer have anything in that cal (not saying 338 is not a fine cal, I just don't have one right now ) I will fill the gap one day, but right now my collection jumps from 8mm mag up to 416rem mag with nothing in between.

I am not very familiar with the Mossberg 4x4, but it looks like a pretty light rifle. Recoil mabe a concern for some people.
my 2 bits

[ABHuntr]

I have thought about picking up a 338 or possibly a 325....not quite sure right now. I've had, and still have a rough 30-06 bush gun, and am working on my 7-08 project. I'd like to think I can do most everything with the 7-08, but would also like a nice thumper rifle as well. Possibly another 30-06 but maybe a 338/325. Maybe even a 300WSM. From all I've shot of the 338 and seen them in action on bears, moose, and goats, they are a tough round and a hell of a good killer....

[Hunter_Jed]

Originally Posted by 1savagehunter

I do have a few thinks to say about .338

- Are you able to handle recoil? You would be suprised how many folks buy a .338 and then "pray and spray". This is NOT a gun for beginners. Having said that - "fear a man that owns a .338 and knows how to use it". Remember the slap of a grizzlies paw across your face is horrific but the slap of a well placed .338 250 grain triple shock is simply life ending ... period.
- Can you afford .338 ammo? The ammo isn't cheap and to be confident at shooting you are going to need to practice. As I'm a reloader things are still expensive but less so.
- I really know nothing about the Mossberg 4x4. Looks really cool !!!!
- Every man has his own favorites but for me it is my left handed .338 Tikka (old style - not the T3) with a VX II 3-9 (Leupould). That gun consistently has been a tack driver. I've shoot game now exclusively for 3 years with it. My farest shot was 450 yrds. my closest was 70 yrds. - minimal meat damage with premium ammo (Barnes Triple Shock or Nosler -Partition). My best shot by far was my 3 shot 200 M range witnessed 1inch group.
- My suggestion is go talk to "Doug" at wholesale sports. If Doug doesn't have a .338 in Tikka go to P&D. Why Tikka - Well I obvious love mine. I have never shot or seen shot a gun with a factory barrel that is SOOOOO
accurate or easy to clean.
Is it right for you ... only you will really know. Would I trade mine - "not in a million years".
As I live in your neck of the woods PM me an I'll give you my phone number and we can chat if you'd like. Otherwise all the best and don't forget "fear a man that shoots his .338 well not the one that owns one but can't shoot it well". I agree with the previous entry 30-06 will be good unless you frequent grizzily country a place I personally find myself 6-8 weeks of the year.

Thanks for your input, and yup I can handle the recoil thats not a problem. I guess the reason I asked for advice is that I am a self proclaimed gun nut. I can't seem to go to wholesale with out coming home with something new. But I have never ventured into bigger cals before. Just seems to be a spot in the safe just crying out for a shoulder busting elephant stopper.

[1savagehunter]

Sounds like the .338 is the gun for you. What type of scope are you going to put on it?

[Hunter_Jed]

haven't put much thought into a scope yet, I have a 3200 elite on my 270WSM and I love it! The optics are almost as good as the price!! It's a well built scope and I'm sure it'll hold up to the recoil of a big mag. BUT that said, I'll take advice from anyone on anything!!

[338winmag]

I have a 3200 elite on my 338 and have not had any problems with it. It has been on the gun for 3 years now and always holds its zero. You will be ok with that scope selection.

[Downwindtracker]

The 338 shoots 225s as flat as the 30-06 shoots 180s. But with 50% more recoil. So for power range,think 30-06,but get one with more eye relief. I have VariX-III 2.5x8 on mine.

[tripleshocker]

I Have Used A 338 Win Mag Browning A Bolt Almost Exclusively For Years Now. While It Is Not A Gun For Beginners It Is Also Not That Difficult To Master. Just Use A Quality Scope With Plenty Of Eye Releif And A Good Recoil Pad. With The 338 It Is Important To Know That Not All Bullets Are Created Equally. Stay Away From 200 Grain Conventional Soft Points They Lack The Sectional Density And Strength That Smaller Cal 200's Have. The Whole Reason For Using A Big Gun Is To Take Advantage Of Big Bullets. You Can't Go Wrong With A 225 Or 250 Tsx Of Np. This Is An Inherantly Accurate Cal And Is Easy To Develop Loads For. If You're Not A Handloader There Are Plenty Of Good Factory Loads That Utilize These Bullets.if The 338 Isn't Manageable For You, Select A Smaller Calibre As An Animal Shot Through The Vitals With A 243 Is A Lot Deader Than One Hit In The Rear With A 500 Nitro Express. Good Luck And Good Shooting.

[1savagehunter]

Well I would have to agree ... after hunting with Tripleshocker now going on 8 yrs. I'd have to say his advice is dead on target. He shoots his .338 more accurately than most would dream of shooting a .243. Well buddy - get ready 3 1/2 weeks til the trip. Just remember who's got first shoot !!!

[cmfic1]

"fear a man that owns a .338 and knows how to use it". Remember the slap of a grizzlies paw across your face is horrific but the slap of a well placed .338 250 grain triple shock is simply life ending ... period.

1savagehunter....I would like to use the above in my sig line, would you mind? Thats a great way of putting things into perspective!

I have used my .338 Win. Mag. almost exclusively for the last 12 years. I have others in the safe (.280 Rem., 7mmSTW, 30/06 .300 Win. Mag. a couple .416 Rem. Mags & others) but the .338 usually gets the nod. When my supply of 225gr. X bullets is gone, I will then start shooting TSX's. Mine was built by Mark Bansner on a Sako action. Leupold Vari XIII 2.5-8 on it. It is very accurate, and just the right weight @ just over 8lbs. field ready.

If I had to choose only one chambering to hunt the World over....it would be a .338 Win. Mag. Load some 185gr. for LR Sheep/Deer/Elk, or some 250 for when the critters can bite back, you'd have it all covered.

Although it does have more recoil than the typical .270-30/06 shooter is used to, it is usually manageable to most with a pile of Range time.

My only gripe would possible be your Rifle selection.

What ever you do, I am sure you will enjoy the .338 and what it can do for you. keep us posted........

[1savagehunter]

It all yours my friend ... nice to know that I'm not the only who liked it.

[Dogbite]

I've owned three 300WM at one time or another, and I have owned a couple of 338WM and I would have to say that I think the recoil of the 338 is less than the 300.
One of the things that make a rifle less punishing is to make sure that the fit is good. The first things to look at is the length of pull. Most rifles off the shelf have a length of pull that exceeds 14" and that is too long for a person under 6'. If scope eye relief is a problem, then length of pull might be the cause. I'm 5'9" and I like a length of pull at 13 1/8" to 13 1/4".