300 WIn mag vs 338 Win mag

[oldelkhunter]

I would imagine most 338's are loaded with other then 250 grain bullets. How much difference is there between a 300 win mag shooting 200 grain bullets vs a 338 shooting 225-230 grain bullets.

[handloader1]

According to my Nosler Reloading Guide one can push a .300 Win. Mag. 200 gr. bullet 2972 f/s, 3922 ft/lb. One can push a .338 Win. Mag. 225 gr. bullet 2882 f/s, 4149 ft/lb. Good luck.

[idahoelkinstructor]

I don't shoot a .300 Win Mag but I have 3 brother in laws that do and my father in law does as well. I know with there handloads they are shooting the 200 Grainers. at 3000 to 3050. They are very carefull watching for pressure signs, working up to this point. I like the .300 the best, I myself shoot a .300 RUM but there is nothing wrong with a .338 either.

[Alsatian]

While this is definitely outside my area of expertize, people seem to approve of the .338 Win mag for big bears. The .300 Win mag does not get the same hearty approval for big bear application that the .338 Win mag does. I think the .300 Win mag is a flatter shooting and hence longer range cartridge, which has its usefulness. The .338 Win mag just packs more power, albeit with less outstanding long range ballistics. People like the .338 Win mag for Elk and Moose, also, but the .300 Win mag is also commonly used for Elk and Moose, and the long range shot for Elk is occasionally encountered.

[USMC PMI]

OEH - If you can get BigCountry's attention he will be helpful, he is into the big boy calibers and has quite a bit of knowledge to offer.

[speedgator]

You can look at it from the academic standpoint using this: http://www.winchester.com/marketing/...?promotionid=1

It'll help you see recoil in each, trajectory, etc. I have found it quite useful, and accurate.

[oldelkhunter]

I have owned/own both 338 WIn mag/340 wthby and currently own 2 300 mags. I wanted to hear from someone that has used both and can positively tell me what difference in killing power there is on Elk Sized game between a 300 win shooting a 200 grain bullet and a 338 shooting a 210-230 grain bullet. I am talking shots in the 100-300 yard range BTW

[jcb9901]

I think people like the 338 better because it deliver more of it's energy into the target due to it being larger.Kinda like being hit with a base ball at 100mph compared a bowling ball at 50mh ,they may have the same enegy but the bowling ball is going to deliver more into the target.

[James B]

I have hunted quite a bit with both the 300 Win Mag and the 338 win mag. I might catch hell for saying this but on Elk size game and moose as well, I have not seen a nickels worth of difference. I think this is because either gun is plenty for these animals and dead is dead. I don't have the manual handy but I would think with the bullet weights you mentioned, the 300 might have a bit of an edge in trajectory. For some reason I have never been impressed with the 338. I quess they are good for their intended purpose but I would skip passed it to the 375 H&H if I needed a rifle that big.

[oldelkhunter]

have hunted quite a bit with both the 300 Win Mag and the 338 win mag. I might catch hell for saying this but on Elk size game and moose as well, I have not seen a nickels worth of difference. I think this is because either gun is plenty for these animals and dead is dead

Everytime I hunted with a 338 I had no shot opportunity therefore no point of reference between it and the 300 mags. I was sort of non-impressed with the 300 mag and even a 7 mag in that respect. Most of the shots in fact all of the shots were behind the shoulder and double lung them and maybe I should have just broken them down thru the shoulders.