Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

I was wondering if any of you have an insight on the max effective range of my Winchester M70 .338 Magnum rifle. I’m really new to long range shooting and know that some popular cartridges for long range are .308 win, .300 win mag., .338 Lapua and .50 BMG. However, I am trying to do a few things to use the one rifle that I have to establish long-range experience (i.e. getting good optics, 15 moa base, proper ammunition, etc.). And, I see that the .338 lapua gets very good ratings and I just wonder if there was a tremendous amount of differences between my .338 win. Mag. Rifle/cartridge for a long range shooting setup and the .308 win, .300 win mag, and the .338 lapua? With the right setup on my rig what do you think I can achieve in terms of maximum effective range (ignoring the factor of “beginner” human error)? I know I can probably never reach a comparable accuracy to the first-class long range and most costly rifle on the market, but I’ve heard a few good things about the new Winchester Model 70’s and thought I would get your take on my model with the .338 Win Mag for long range shooting. Your insight is appreciated.

- matt
Virginia

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

The .338 Win Mag itself is good at really long range..say 500+ with the right loads and as long as the shooter does his part.

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

338 win mag 250 grain bullet and the 30-06 180 grain have very similiar trajectories. Hope that helps

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

Effective on what? Whats effective for pronhorn may not be for moose. It is effective on most big game at any range that you can place the shot right where it has to be every time. Same for any other big game cartridge.

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

mmpoeth,
I'm with JamesB on this one. Are you asking for effective range for shooting long range targets or for taking long range shots on game? The two questions will get different answers. If I'm just shooting long range targets, I don't care how much energy the cartridge has when it arrives. Additionally it doesn't matter if I'm a little off on a paper target. When it comes to game, I want at least 1000ftlbs of energy left when it arrives, and I'm one heck of a lot more concerned about "threading the needle" and not wounding an animal. Please specify and we can answer your question much more effectively. By the way, the 338 Win is a fine cartridge.

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

mmpoeth,
Here's some info that may help:
using a 250gr cartridge the range at which the 338 win loses 1000ftlbs is 700-800yds
using a 225gr it slips below 1000ftlbs at between 500 and 600 yds
The 1000ftlb rule is only good for deer sized game, the bigger the animal, the higher that figure needs to be to kill without wounding. Keeping in mind that a rilfle is only as effective as the shooter at long range. I don't know where or how you hunt but 500yds is a heck of a long way.What I mean is this..... If you haven't been to the range and practiced, practiced, practiced, to the point that you know where that bullet is going at that range, you have no business taking a 500 yd shot at a game animal. It is imperative that you" know your limitations "as someone once said.;)

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

I guess I am looking for a round/cartridge for my .338wm that is universal for large game and small game, target shooting, long range accuracy...able to act with the precision of a needle and still able to deliver a vital blow to any animal without immorally wounding it at the longest possible range. I know that there are a selection of cartridges for this caliber for a range of differing and specific applications, however in order for me to start developing precision at long ranges I need to find a specific cartridge and practice with it (alot) in order to be able to reach the max potential ability of my rifle and cartridge if need be with great confidence.
So, with a pronghorn yes, moose yes, bear yes, groundhog yes, man-sized paper target yes. I know many may think that finding such a round for what I have described above is unreasonable, even though they may be right, I'd like to try to narrow it down to the closest possible choice.
Thanks for your insight.
-matt

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

mmpoeth,
Do you handload?

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

Swampman,
No, not yet. That is another facet of the shooting industry I'd like to learn more about. Especially if I start developing alot of practice with the round(s) we're discussing.

RE: Winchester M70 .338 Mag, Max Effective Range
 

mmpoeth,
In that case I'd recommend the Remington 250 gr PSP CL or the one I shoot when I use factory ammo is the Remington Premier 225gr Ultrabonded . I'm sure there are other good factory loads out there, but I won't comment on what I haven't used. My favorite load is 71.5 of h4831 under a 250 NP Spitzer. Good luck!