Thank you xausa

All very good points, except Im not sure I agree with " the hard hitting, flat shooting, no scope, oxymoron " reference.

This theory would reduce a great many of the worlds finest bolt rifles to the level of "oxymoron".

Makers such Rigby, H&H, Mauser, Griffin & Howe, to name but a few all chambered for cartridges such as the 240Apex, 350 Rigby Magnum, 350 Griffin &Howe, 280 Ross to name but a few, most built with no scope,or with one that by todays standards at least did not allow the shooter to maximise the cartridges capabilities.

These rifles are keenly sought after and many are still in active service today.

With reference to the flat shooting 338, Im of the old school and would prefer to use the heavier bullets which makes the cartridge much, much less of a " flat shooter", and therefore "practical" at normal big game ranges.

Certainly if you use the 200 gr bullets it can be easliy compared to the huge range of 300 magnums.

I, like many Hunters am not opposed to the additional challenge of using open sights, as opposed to shooting game at 300 yards, off a rest, with the scope cranked up to 24 power.

Agreed, the sights would not have been my choice, but not sure about them being primitive. My experience is some of the best sights are the simplest.
I am afraid I could not bring myself to put anything so ugly as a G&H side mount on any rifle .

Thank you very much for your comments , they are useful and provide good food for thought.

Best
Eric