Big Game rifle question
 

I am planning an Montana Elk/Black bear, or Canadian Caribou hunt. I currently have a Ruger in .338 win mag. I am considering trading the 338 for a 7mm or 300 Ultra Mag for better range. This will be my first Big Game hunt, so I'm looking for any advise on this topic.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Are you considering an Alaskan Bear hunt, Griz or Brown ever?
If so I'd keep the 338. If the is not a desire of yours, then the downgrade in caliber would allow a flatter shooting rifle.

Good Luck!


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Either a 7mm or 3oo magnum will do nicely for the game you intend to hunt.If you don't handload however I would not bother with the 300 ultramag as the facory downloads them so much that they really aren't worth the bother.If you handload though the 300 ultramag is a very good long range caliber.I use one myself for hunting elk and moose.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Like SJ, I think a 7mm or 300 win would service you well. What is it with us hunters that think BIGGER & BADDER? I was looking for more power and really thought the 300 Ultra was for me. After much research and asking questions, I decided a 7MM Mag is everything I need. I hunt mostly deer, but as well Elk and Moose. This caliber has good ballistics, energy and a range of bullet offerings. For off the shelf Ammo it or the 300 win is a better option than the 300 UM. If your going to handload, than thats different but she won't be cheap and I shot one in the summer and it boots pretty good. For me I have a roughed up shooting wing (hockey injury last winter) and honestly don't think I could handle the recoil without a flinch. But maybe for you it isn't a problem.

In any regards, get what will make you happy, confident and work for your situation.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

A 338 win mag is a heck of a round. So is the 300RUM. I would probably steer away from the 338RUM. Packs quite a punch. I have both and think you got quite the gun for the job.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

i would stay with what you got.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

.. I think you should stick with the 338, if you can shoot it accurately and consistently. If you look at the ballistics of the 225gr bullets, I think you'll be surprised at how flat it shoots. I, personally think that we (shooters in general) are not going towards "bigger and badder".... I see more posts about hunting elk with 243's and 6.5's.. and hunting deer with 223's.... I still believe in the old adage, use enough gun. Of course the 7mm and 300 Ultras will definitely be enough gun, but you already have the 338, so, why mess with it?

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Thanks everyone for your replys. I think I'm going with one of the Ultra mags, 300, or 7mm. Any thoughts on that? What one would you pick and why? I'm leaning towards the 7mm Ultra....

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Latts-Do you reload?I have both the 7mm and 300 ultra's and although both are great calibers they are only a real advantage for longer shots and neither is much of an advantage at all in factory loadings.In order to be able to take advantage of the flat trajectory these cartridges offer you must also be prepared to spend many hours at the range developing the shooting skills necessary to be competent at the 400yard plus ranges where these cartridges shine.In doing this the higher cost of factory ammunition and short barrel life that come with the ultras may be a factor in choosing a standard magnum over either of the ultramagnums.

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

300 RUM. Good luck.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

I would stick with what you got but hey whatever floats your boat. BUt you still didn't say if you handload or not. IF you don't I still wouldn't consider any ultra mag but its up to you. I love 7mm anything but the 300 ultra is awesome. SO pick what you like and practice a bunch and have fun.

Brian

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Thanks again for your replies. I don't reload, but have thought about it time and time again. A few of the replies recommended to keep the .338, it will handle my needs. Maybe thats the way to go. My original thinking was to get a rifle for Deer hunting that could also be used for Elk, Black Bear, Caribou, or maybe even Moose. Mostly the rifle will used for Deer and Black Bear in Pennsylvania. I tend not to use the .338 for Deer because it seems a little to much, and it makes a day at the range not much fun. Thats why I was leaning towards the 7mm Ultra Mag. I don't think it would be as rough at the range, but would handle all my needs. So as you can see, I'm still undecided. Any additional replys would be great.....

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Latts...if you have a 338 ruger and it shoots well go with that and don't even think twice about it. ANytime you buy a new gun you are introducing a new set of variables and it could cause you serious grief. I have done this over and over repeatedly myself and sometimes it works out and most of the time it doesn't and you would think by now I would know better by now. I have no problem using a 338 on deer just load it up with 200 grain ballistic tips.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

If you have the itch for a new rifle then switch. But your .338 will get the job done providing you enjoy shooting it and know it's trajectories. Your .338 is more than enough gun , and mated with the right bullet selection , will do anything you ask of it when you do your job. Granted, the other cartridges may get it done faster,..... but not beter (and not worse). Dead is dead.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

i know how you feel when new options come into play when hunting new areas or animals. BUT i don't really think you need a ultra mag for elk and black bear.

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Here is excaly what you need to do, Learn the trajectory of your load and never tink twice about buying a new gun, its a waste of money. It would be an honest to god waste of money. You might as well light a cigarette with 2 100 dollar bills and your money would be of the same use

propmahn
you can never have too many guns

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

If you shoot that gun well, I can,t see a reason in the world to switch. That 338 shoots plenty flat for what you need and then your set for any game in North America. Get a good reloader and some of the middle wieght bullets and go for it. Of course you can,t go wrong buying another gun for just deer and that size game. However since you already have the 338 for the big stuff, just go with a 7mm-08 or 270-280 or 30-03. Just my Idea. I cover all the bases with a 300 Win Mag, 260 Remington, 250-3000 Savage and a heavy barrel 223 bolt action Savage rifle. For the real big stuff I still have my 45-70. I load the 350 grain round nose Hornady for the 45-70. I load it at 1900-2200 fps.

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

The 338 Win Mag is known as the gun of Alaska as so many guides use the gun. Alaska has bigger animals than Montana so i would stick with the 338.

Why work when you can hunt???? Heck why work at all!!

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Robert scott-How heavy is your wifes 7mm ultramag.My own rifle is a custom with mcmillan stock and decellerator pad and weighs 7-3/4 lbs.I find recoil to be quite manageable.I also shoot a 300 ultramag and that has noticeably more recoil.

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

I'm thinking you already have a good gun that you're used to shooting so why trade it for a different one? If you can find some hot load for it with a lighter bullet it should be able to shoot fast and flat and still kill any big game you put your crosshairs on.

I don't know what bullet sizes you can get and limiting your options to factory rounds will limit that option but if you have a friend that reloads maybe buy all the gear specific to your caliber and have him/her show you how to do it and then borrow his gear to reload some shells.

Cripes, I couldn't stand it...just dug out my Nosler manual...you can load up either a 200g Balistic Tip or 210g Partition to over 3,000 fps for that rifle. I see no advantage to trading it in unless you just *need* a new rifle. I would suggest doing what you think works best for you in this situation. You know enough of the facts to decide probably now.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

if the recoil at the range is what's bothering you, why don't you just get a muzzle brake and good hearing protection, as for the rest of it, it's just as the others have said, stick with what you've got after all if you get a new rifle you don't know what kind of shooter it'l be . you could get a real lemon. but if you've decided allready, a .300 rum will fill the bill, flat shooting, useable on deer, and bullet size and weights big enough for the larger game. ( i've got one in a model 700 rocky mountain elk federation rifle, and she shoots sweet ( i've got a muzzle brake on her )
whelen36 stephen d.

TROPHY HUNTER

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Stubblejumper, I think I'm going to keep my 338, and still look into purchasing a 7mm Ultra Mag or maybe the 300 RUM. I read that you have 7mm Ultra mag, and I was woundering what your thoughts are on the caliber? I guess I'm itchy to buy a new rifle, and really like how the 7mm Ultra Mag can perform. Also, now that you own both the 300 & 7mm Ultra mags, what are your thoughts between the two? As I mentioned previously, I was leaning towards the 7mm. Again, I don't reload but interested in it. I am also considering a brake for the pratice sessions at the range. Any feedback would help in my decission making......

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Latts..how old is your ruger? I just picked up a new MKII in 338 this weekend and was wondering how yours shoots and what you have done to it.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

After just coming back from a Moose/bear hunt in Newfoundland, and packing around a 300RUM with bull barrel, next year I am going to find the lightest gun I can find. This gun was way to heavy to hump around 14 miles a day. And the guides only used 270Win and 30-06. One got a nice bull with a .243. I couldn't believe it. I don't care of the caliber, but it has to be light. Like 8lb scoped light.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Latts-In all honesty I believe the 300ultra to be the better cartridge as it is more able to benefit from the large case capacity.The 7mm bore is just not large enough to gain any real advantage over the 7mmstw with a 26" barrel.If you are primarily hunting deer with the occaisional elk or moose I would go with the 7mmstw(I have two myself and use them for all my deer,pronghorn and bighorn hunting).If this gun is primarily for elk and moose go with the 300 ultra but be warned the recoil can be too much for some people.Do not put a brake on the rifle as even one shot without ear protection will start the damage to your hearing)As far as the gun being heavier I haul my 10lb (scoped) rifles all over the mountains hunting elk and sheep and have never had a problem.I find that the extra weight lessens the recoil and aids my shooting accuracy.Again I will stress that to realize any real benefit from any of the ultramags you must reload.Factory 7mm ultras are no faster than most factory 7mm stw's and factory 300 wby loads(weatherby brand) are just as fast as factory 300 ultra loads.

Edited by - stubblejumper on 10/07/2002 19:28:21

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RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Your right on Otis. I believe this gun I have is great for truck hunting, or field stand hunting. But I like to learn the hard way. I would have never dreamed they were serious about hiking 14 miles a day. I wasn't ready physically. And a 12 or 14 lb gun didn't help.

RE: Big Game rifle question
 

Big country-While a heavier rifle certainly doesn't help the key is to be in shape when hunting where you may have to walk or climb.My own rifles weigh around 9 to 9-1/2 lbs fully equipped and I have no problems hunting sheep or backpacking.I have however seen people carrying lighter rifles that didn't put enough effort into preparing themselves physically and they came to regret it.If you think moose hunting is tough try a goat or bighorn huntwhere you must climb with a pack and also have to deal with altitude.