Holland & Holland invented belted cartridges for excellent reasons. Next time you are in an H&H Gun Room ask. Someone who actually knows will explain it to you. It has a lot to do with ammunition technology at the time they were invented as well as the places they were used. Period publications between the wars also explain the logic and brilliance behind their design. In our clean room world of the 21st century they would probably not be invented or rimmed cartridges either. Both designs still work as well as they did then and have stood the test of over a century. The same cannot be said for all the new cartridges on the scene, most of which will join the WSSMs in deserved obscurity.

There is nothing terrible about the 338 Winchester. It will get the job done, has a huge choice of bullets and rifles, is accurate and doesn't hurt to shoot. Pick what you like, you'll probably shoot it better.