Once upon a time, not long ago, the .338 Win Mag seemed the must have cartridge chambering. Especially in North Ametica. Bullets from 200 to 250 Guns were later extended to 160 gr to 275 gr, even 300 grs.

In Australia a sporting BAR in .338 Win Mag was considered an ideal sambar rifle. Nowadays a BLR might suffice.

The .338 Win Mag had the advantage of being chamberable in a standard length action.

The wildcats .338/06 and .338/08 later followed. Later legitimised.

Hotter offerings like the .330 Dakota followed.

But the original .338 Win Mag and especially the .338/06, was really a copy of the success of the great .318 Westley Richards, a .330" calibre rifle. Bullets weights like 180 gr but especially 250 gr made it a proven successful killer of large antelope and cape buffalo. WDM Bell regarded it as his favourite elephant hunting cartridge. A 250 gr .330" FMJ penetrative an elephant's skull deeply.

While slightly different, .30:06 brass can be expanded to make .318 WR cartridges.

Today there are substantial ranges of projectiles available in the. 338 , 8.5 mm calibre.

From my armchair I regard it as the ideal North American hunting calibre. And no slouch in Africa, fulfilling the same role as the original .318 WR.

Like the 9.3x62; an excellent larger medium game rifle. And would make a useful driven game choice as well.

Why has it died out in the fickle press?