RE: Do I need a .338?
 

James how would you compare the .300 to a 30-06? assuming that there wasn't that much difference between a .300 win mag and a .338? It makes sense to say that whatever the .300 win mag can do....the 30-06 can do too. Epsecially as it books that there are even less differeneces between those two bullets than the differences between .300 win mag and .338

just curious...this is not to start an argument....its actually to see another opinion:)

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

James - Iagree completely. The huge popularity of the .300 Magnums is no small coincidence. Smaller caliberslack the "thump" of a .300 Mags; and bigger calibers provide more penetration at the expense of poorer trajectory. These new bonded bullets allow the .30 caliber bullets to penetrate and retain weight like never before, so the niche that the .338's have carved out over the years is one I would expect to be on the decline. If I can't kill it with a .300 Mag pushing a premium bonded core bullet, I'm looking for something in the .416 Rem Mag class of rifle.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

Those premium bonded bullets are also available in .338. Not saying that a .300 mag with a premium 200 gr. bullet won't punch through anything on this continent.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

Read it again. I am not comparing the 30-06 to the 375. I am saying that if the 30-06 won't do the job, I want the 375 H&H. If I couldn't have that, I would use the 300 Mag. To do something better than the 300 or the 30-06, I would move up to the 375 H&H. This is from using them all extensivly in the field. INCLUDING the 338. Move up to the 340 Weatherby and gain another 1000 lb of energy, then I might consider that caliber. However the 340 Is to expensive to own and operate. I have my Uncles old 375 H&H.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

Personally, I have been dreaming of that sluggish .700 Nitro!!!!!. Heavier I know, but it took down that Mastodon last year in the tundra...LOL. Seroius though, I have no problem taking out my .338 Lapua when I go brownie hunting, and coming back with mucho meat for the second freezer. Good luck big game hunting to everyone, and be safe darn it.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

Its just one of those thing, I tried a couple 338's and they just didn't show me anything that I didn't see in the 300 Mags. To each his own. What Roskoe said is just what I expierenced.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

I'm the one who is sorry, cause I spent too much of my time in math class. Heck I'd have sworn that 50-75 grns more bullet weight and bigger hole and deeper penetration really ment something shucks, if that durn math teacher wern't already dead I'd whoop his butt!

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

fornra, there are a few constants in the universe. One is pi, not the type you eat. Another is gravitational constant, and another is James B thinks remingtons are the greatest most accurate guns, and he thinks a 30-06 is all that is needed in North America and if you need bigger or going to africa go up to the 375, and the 300RUM's have no place in the huntering world, and nobodies going to change his mind:D. Once we all can accept this it will be fine. :D

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

This is one of those deals where paper ballisitcs clash with field experience. Similar example is the .50 caliber muzzleloader vs. the .54 caliber. You can make a convincing case for the .54 in terms of more bullet weight and diameter, but the .50 calibers just flat work and are pushing the .54 into a serious decline.

RE: Do I need a .338?
 

Hell, you don't "NEED" one but buy one anyway, when it turns up in your gun cabinet you wife will think it's allways been there, thats what I do.