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NitroX
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is the .338 Mag Dead?
#387274 - 16/10/24 09:31 PM

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?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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3DogMike
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Reged: 29/01/15
Posts: 1484
Loc: Western Slope, Colorado USA

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: NitroX]
#387278 - 17/10/24 01:49 AM

Just one man’s opinion here, and I love my .338 Win Mag Ruger No.1

Firstly, I think that in the USA, the majority hunting of Whitetail Deer and Black Bears does not require this much gun.
Second, there is the particular fascination with “AR type” platforms, the 6.5mm fad, and having to have the “newest and greatest” rifle/cartridge.
Third, seems to me that many “average” Americans are recoil intolerant and think even a common .30-06 is a huge kicker.

The .338 Win Mag is better specialized for larger game found in the Western USA and Alaska. Never going to be the “every man” choice of hunting cartridge and it is not the newest whiz bang offering from the industry.

Just my 2¢ worth…..
- Mike

--------------------
"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
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Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: 3DogMike]
#387279 - 17/10/24 02:10 AM

Mike,

I agree with your opinion with the exception that I believe the 338 WM is really not needed in the western US where the game may be elk. There are milder cartridges that are considered ideal elk cxartridges.

A friend has a 338 WM which he used for whitetail deer but retired that rifle.

--------------------
RB

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: 85lc]
#387281 - 17/10/24 02:20 AM

For hunting elk and moose in grizzly country, a ctg. is a great choice, as-are the 9.3's and .375's.
Needed? no, but those who use them, like them a LOT.
Most around here used the 200gr. Speers on up to the now-discontinued 275gr. Speer. I of 2 chaps who hoarded those heavier Speer bullets, used them only for moose hunting, but both guys also liked the 200gr. Speer.
I can "see" the use of the 160 to 185gr. "X" bullets to be more suitable for smaller game at longer ranges, but allow the use of this "old" favourite ctg. and rifle.
If you need a rifle to "do it all", the .338 Mag. is a good choice.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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mauserand9mm
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#387287 - 17/10/24 12:31 PM

Being a good cartridge doesn't necessarily guarantee long term popularity I guess - something new always come along to displace it. Maybe they need to rename it to "338 Creedmoor" to resurrect interest in it?

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: mauserand9mm]
#387288 - 17/10/24 12:48 PM

LOL - the belted mangle-ums are a thing of the past it seems, with the rimless cases taking over. Afterall, the belts are superfluous.
The .375 Ruger necked down might seal the fate of the .338 Winnie.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroX
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#387290 - 17/10/24 03:34 PM

Quote:

LOL - the belted mangle-ums are a thing of the past it seems, with the rimless cases taking over. Afterall, the belts are superfluous.
The .375 Ruger necked down might seal the fate of the .338 Winnie.

A .338/06 already exists. A 8.5x63 also exists.

The .330 Dakota is based on the .404 cartridge.

Notneed for a Crymoor.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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450_EXPRESS
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Reged: 04/01/09
Posts: 363
Loc: S.C.Montana

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: NitroX]
#387293 - 17/10/24 11:45 PM

The only thing dead about my .338 is the game it shoots. I find it excellent for putting meat in the freezer. With the load I shoot , 70gr 4831, and a .225 gr Nosler Partition or a Hornady Interlock, very little blood shot meat, just match the bullet to the game, Nosler for elk and large black bear and the Hornady for smaller. Most of the time it'll do like Ol'Elmer said and you can eat right up to the bullet hole. As far as gun writers ,met some years back most were hacks with a typewriter and their hand out for freebies, very few were really knowledgeable, they were rare they were handy for advertising that's all. These ones run off like little kids because it's new and shiny, as far as the AR I couldn't care less about them or the "platform". Here in US it's much easier to find components for the .338 than the .318, same for the metric cartridges.

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
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Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: 450_EXPRESS]
#387300 - 18/10/24 10:24 AM

While I love the traditional vintage British hunting cartridges, to the point of waiting on time to stock-up a .318 Westley Richards barreled action in my gunsafe (and waiting on affordable loading dies!), I have said many times that imho the .338 Win Mag is the cartridge the British gun-trade was trying to 'invent' all along!

.333 Jeffery, .33 BSA, even the .318 WR all fall in line behind the .338 Win Mag when it comes to ballistics and performance down-range.
Hell, the oft-criticized belt was even invented by the Brits!

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: Marrakai]
#387308 - 19/10/24 04:16 AM

Yes, it was, and was needed on that little 400/.375 of 1905. After that, not so much.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Waidmannsheil
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#387313 - 19/10/24 01:29 PM

The 338WM is still a popular cartridge in Victoria for hunting Sambar, lots of guys in our club and heaps of customers have them. I have one as well, have had for 35 years and find it a superb cartridge. Easy to load, recoil is minimal, gentle on brass and very effective. I only use 250 grain projectiles. It has always had a steady following here in Vic.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#387315 - 20/10/24 02:16 AM

Quote:

LOL - the belted mangle-ums are a thing of the past it seems, with the rimless cases taking over. Afterall, the belts are superfluous.
The .375 Ruger necked down might seal the fate of the .338 Winnie.

My comments do not address the popularity of the .338 Win Mag. It is for sure, a popular ctg. here in B.C. for hunting moose and elk. Many hunters have one and are very happy with their performance on moose, elk and grizzlies.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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LTK
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Reged: 27/02/24
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Loc: Alberta Canada

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#387321 - 20/10/24 12:32 PM

IMO, as far as suppository guns go, the .338 WM made all other calibres obsolete. Best all around calibre (for North America). Doesn’t mean I don’t like/appreciate my .500BPE or 45-90 but if I had to be limited to one hunting centerfire calibre it would have to be the .338. My Ruger #1 in .338 has killed a LOT of game and everything I ever pointed it at fell over and I can only recall one instance where more than a single shot was required. Now, having said that, I no longer hunt with mine as I hunt with muzzleloaders and intend to use my .500 once I get a satisfactory load for it.

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coll416
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Reged: 19/02/12
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Loc: Central Queensland

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: LTK]
#387386 - 23/10/24 11:38 PM

Definately a great medium bore the .338W handles almost everything. I have shot water buff, scrub bulls & various other heavy hoofed ferals with this cartridge using bullets from 200-250grains. I do however prefer to use the 9.3x62 with 250-320grain bullets on the same animals, my observation of the terminal ballistics shooting both cartridges in the same conditions on the same day is both are efficient with similar deep wound channels & quick dispatch. Muzzle blast is my key negative with the .338, splitting hairs I know....
A .318 now there is a dream!

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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
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Loc: Whitetail Country

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: coll416]
#387387 - 24/10/24 12:44 AM

I love my 338 .... Its not dead ... but everything I shoot at with it ... is...

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: buckstix]
#387388 - 24/10/24 02:43 AM

The same with my 14 bore English Sporting Rifle, but they
aren't very popular these days, same as the .338, perhaps?
Of course, I'll admit there are many more .338 WMags being
used these days, than 14 bore Sporting Rifles.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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BFaucett
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Reged: 13/01/04
Posts: 463
Loc: Houston, Texas

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#388959 - 18/01/25 03:26 AM

I thought I'd post some pics of mine.

Stainless Ruger M77 Mk II in .338 Win Mag customized by Lone Star Armory in Pearland, Texas (no longer in business; the owner and my friend is deceased). A Ruger factory walnut stock has been reshaped and slimmed down. Stock refinished with 47 hand rubbed coats of oil. Checkering hand cut. Factory barrel diameter has been slightly reduced using hand draw files. Action, barrel, and bottom metal have been vapor honed. Bolt and extractor jeweled, Neidner pistol grip cap, African ebony fore end cap, Timney trigger, Mauser cross bolt. Action glass bedded. Lugs lapped. Action polished. Extractor tuned. With scope, it weighs 8.75 pounds.

I had plans to take it to South Africa for plains game in 2008 but I canceled that trip in 2007. Remember the economy back then? From Google AI: "The 2007–2008 financial crisis, also known as the Great Recession, was the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It was caused by a number of factors, including a housing bubble, risky lending, and a lack of regulation."

I just never got back to southern Africa. In fact, my last hunting trip anywhere was in 2005 (also in South Africa). A pity. Such is life...

I had a nice handload worked up for that 2008 trip. A 250 gr Woodleigh round nose at approximately 2600 fps muzzle velocity. (Chronographed ; 10 shot average) I think it would have worked well in the bushveld (northern Limpopo Province about 20 miles or so south of the Limpopo River).

Cheers! Bob F.

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DarylS
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: BFaucett]
#388962 - 18/01/25 05:16 AM

Good to "see you, Bob. It's been a while.

There are a LOT of Ruger .338 Win Mags here in B.C.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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BFaucett
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: DarylS]
#388966 - 18/01/25 06:04 AM

Quote:

Good to "see you, Bob. It's been a while.

There are a LOT of Ruger .338 Win Mags here in B.C.

Thanks! Over the years, I'd stop by occasionally and browse the forums but I just never posted very much. I just kind of faded away from hunting and shooting. I haven't pulled a trigger in years.

Cheers! Bob

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BFaucett
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: Marrakai]
#388968 - 18/01/25 07:02 AM

Quote:

While I love the traditional vintage British hunting cartridges, to the point of waiting on time to stock-up a .318 Westley Richards barreled action in my gunsafe (and waiting on affordable loading dies!), I have said many times that imho the .338 Win Mag is the cartridge the British gun-trade was trying to 'invent' all along!

.333 Jeffery, .33 BSA, even the .318 WR all fall in line behind the .338 Win Mag when it comes to ballistics and performance down-range.
Hell, the oft-criticized belt was even invented by the Brits!

They almost did it with the .33 BSA. They just never loaded it with heavier bullets for some odd reason. It even has the belt and the bullet diameter is .338 inches!

.33 BSA
"The .33 BSA or .33 Belted Rimless Nitro Express, was developed by necking-down and shortening the .40 BSA. It was introduced in 1921 for the P-14 Enfield Sporting Rifle, catalogued as the BSA "High Power" rifle at the time. The projectile was only 165 gr over 60 gr cordite, and was a bit light for caliber which limited popularity in the hunting field. Factory loads were still listed by ICI up until 1955.
According to the dimensions in Fleming's book, the rim is very slightly rebated."
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=368164

".33 BSA, 26" barrel, no S/N. Blued finish, checkered walnut pistol-gripped stock with checkered forend. Two barrel mounted Express sight-leaves for 150 & 300 yards and two receiver-mounted aperture leaves for 150 & 300 yards, ramp front sight. Rubber butt pad, sling swivels. A sporterized version of the Pattern-14 British service rifle as modified by BSA."

Source of the previous three images: https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/cowans/bsa-33-1923-sporting-rifle-918205

Cheers! Bob F.

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BFaucett
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: BFaucett]
#388971 - 18/01/25 07:28 AM

Speaking of the .338 Win Mag...

Here's a couple of pics of my good friend Kate on our first trip to South Africa (northern Limpopo Province) way back in 2000.

She used a Ruger M77 Mk II in .338 Win Mag with 250 gr Nosler Partitions (handload: 2651 fps muzzle velocity; chronographed, 10 shot average). Her rifle was also customized by Lone Star Armory. In fact, she was the one that introduced me to the owner. I think you can see that my Ruger in .338 was patterned after her rifle.

Cheers! Bob F.

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Rule303
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: BFaucett]
#388974 - 18/01/25 09:16 AM

Some very fine rifles pictured in this thread. I don't own a 338 and probably never will as I am a 358 fan. The 338 is a bloody good cartridge. I wonder if the sales have actually dropped significantly or it's just the shooting publications are just pumping out articles on the new chamberings and black rifle as that what sells for them. Either way the excellent results of the 338 cannot be denied.

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Claydog
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: Rule303]
#388977 - 18/01/25 10:23 AM

I am not much into ballistics and bullet types etc but have killed a lot of animals with a 338. If I had to use one rifle for the rest of my life that is probably what it would be. Anecdotally the best killer of buffalo with chest shots of anything I have used.

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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: Claydog]
#388984 - 18/01/25 09:32 PM

Quote:

I am not much into ballistics and bullet types etc but have killed a lot of animals with a 338. If I had to use one rifle for the rest of my life that is probably what it would be. Anecdotally the best killer of buffalo with chest shots of anything I have used.

What bullet and bullet weight do you use?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Ahmed577
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Loc: Western Australia

Re: is the .338 Mag Dead? [Re: NitroX]
#388985 - 18/01/25 10:47 PM

338 woodleigh 300gn soft nose looking through a Leupold my choice. Boss are about to fit a Leupold on a rifle nearing completion. Never thought I would do such a thing.

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