Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

The reason I ask is I have a unbelievable deal in front of me for a .338 win mag, but I dont hunt anything bigger then whitetail. My father in law hunts elk and would probally borrow it for that, but me personally only hunts for deer.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Nope, can' t kill a deer too dead. In all seriousness if you reload I understand there are some nice deer load recipies out there.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Friz is right...Dead is dead. If you can stand the recoil, then go for it!

I' m sure the guys you hunt with will know when you shoot.......


KA------BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!

LOL

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Well like these guys said, dead is dead. But, it is a heck of a lot more gun that you will ever dream about needing for whitetails. If you might go on an elk hunt with your father-in-law one day then it will actually be in it' s right place. If you' re only going to hunt whitetails for the rest of your life then I would lock away the money you would spend on the .338 for something you REALLY want. It' s your money though.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

NO!! The .338 Win. Mag. Is not to big for deer. Good shooting!!

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

This is from Chuck Hawks page:

' Recoil, of course, it the biggest drawback to the .338 Ultra Mag. A Remington Model 700BDL rifle in .338 Ultra weighs about 7.5 pounds, or approximately 8.5 pounds with a scope and mount. A rifle of weighing 8.5 pounds is going to pound the shooter with about 43.1 ft. lbs. of recoil energy. This is over twice what the average shooter can tolerate.

It seems unlikely that this new outsized .338 will challenge the established .338 Winchester Magnum' s popularity, but it might give the .340 Weatherby Magnum, which offers similar ballistics, a run for its money.'

I personally don' t own rifles that big because I won' t shoot them as much, hence I will not be as accurate with it. But you are also talking to someone who will grab a .270 and think that is enough recoil for me. But if you are getting a good deal on it...I would take it! Have fun!

-Hector

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Way too big for deer. It will kill them, though, so if you want it, get it.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

The 338 Win. Mag. is too big for a lot of animals, but dead is dead, obviously. I' d get it.:D

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

No its not to big. Niether is a 50 BMG. Could try the 4 guage double rifle as well. If you can find even a few hairs left of the deer then your not over-gunned

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

I have used one for years and I have had yet one deer to complain. I use 200 gr ballistic tips... Bill

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

I wouldn' t say it' s too big for deer, but I' ve hunted deer with a .375H&H and a .416Rigby, have designs for my .458Lott being hunted this fall...yes, it is incredibly over-powered for deer, but who cares, dead is dead, you' ll have a different breed of rifle in the safe and something that would cover you IF ANY hunt(other than large dangerous african game) should offer itself your way. I' d use hard bullets in it, like I do in my 40 bores, the hole from the bullet diameter itself and ANY energy transfer is enough to do the deed, you don' t need an ' expanding' bullet for that, you' d only be wasting meat, and mess!

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Not too big for deer hunting but maybe too big for you. I don' t " like" to shoot my big guns that often with hunting loads, but it has to be done. If you can' t handle it to get real accurate with it then buy it, and then trade it for the " deer" rifle that you want.

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RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Hey, if its incredible deal go for it. I am sure you will probably go elk hunting or bear one day. I understand your dilemma. But it sounds like you might be a little new to the high powered rifle scene. Maybe not, and the 338Win mag ain' t a learners gun. Might make you develop a flintch that you might not be able to get rid of. But you can always buy the gun and keep it around if you got another rifle to use deer hunting. Then learn to master it.

I hate letting deals go by. But I bet when you see the price of factory ammo, you might think twice on using it on deer. Last I checked it was around 45 dollars or so.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

The .338 win mags power is clearly not needed on deer. Having said that you can use any cartridge you can shoot accurately. If the deal is truely a GREAT deal go ahead and get the rifle, you might need it in future hunts for BIG game. To a degree there is no such thing as overkill.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

If it' s not too big for you, it' s not too big for deer!

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

If you can handle the recoil and shoot it accurately, then it will be fine. If you buy it and it makes you flinch then the answer will be yes.

There are light bullets available for the .338 Win Mag. If you get into handloading or have a buddy that doesn, you could load a 180g Ballistic Tip down to about 2800 fps. That wouldn' t kick too much more than a .30-06.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

If you only plan to hunt deer I think its too much. I mean it will kill deer dead but you are talking about a gun that generates about 32 foot pounds of recoil. Thats almost twice as hard as a 30-06 kicks. That much recoil will make a lot of people flinch and that hurts accuracy. Also unless you reload most factory rounds are going to have a 200 grain or larger bullet. I personally don' t think that a deer is large enough for these big bullets to even fully expand on. Like a BB through tissue paper in other words. Its also hard to see where you hit a deer when you are staggering aroung for 30 seconds after the shot waiting for your vision to clear up. :D

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

More info from another website I saw:


The .338 Magnum is indeed an Elk gun. Besides the moose the .338 isn' t much good for other game that lives in the lower 48.
Bullet weights for the .338 start with a 200-grain bullet and go up to a 300-grain bullet, and is thought by many to have more power than is needed to kill an Elk.
It is a popular caliber amoung the serious Elk hunter, especially those who make a hunting trip for game animals that also hunt back, like bear.
There are some good reasons for choosing the .338 Winchester Magnum though. It' s knock down power at extreme ranges cannot be denied.
Even with a less than perfect shot on a Bull Elk at 400 yards with the .338 Winchester it will still drop him fast. The velosity of the 250-grain bullet will not drop off as quickly as that of lighter bullets traveling at the same speed. And the heavier bullet is not as susceptible to wind drift.
At 400 yards the the 250-grain bullet is still traveling along at some 2,000 fps. And the energy is around 2,000 ft/lbs at that same distance.
It does have a kick though. Some say that the recoil of the .338 Winchester Magnum is as much as three times that of the .270 Winchester.
And they are indeed heavy, usually 8 - 10 pounds. That is a lot of gun to carry all day.
You may wish to consider hunting on horse if you are planning on using the .338 Winchester Magnum. Believe me I know. I have a Ruger #1 .338 and I love it, but it is a heavy rifle to carry on an all day hunt.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Here' s how I look at it. It' s kind of like saying " I came across a super deal on an F350 powerstroke dually" ....but all I ever haul is groceries. Yep, it will haul the groceries just fine, but another vehicle would be better suited for the job.

It really is up to you. Like GTBuzz said, if you can handle the recoil, and shoot it confidently, sure it' s fine. IMO, it' s overkill, but it will definitely do the job.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

how does the .338 compare in recoil to a 12 gauge slug or turkey load?

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

I cannot speak for a 12 guage slug load, but a 12guage 3 1/2" turkey load kicks FAR worse than a .338 Magnum. Not even close.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

12ga 3" slugs beats the crap out of a man. 338Win Mag is a ***** cat compared to it. I shoot a 300RUM every week or so with no problems, but still dread that week before I go on this shotgun hunt on the eastern shore of MD and have to get some practice with the sluggun. But things have changed. I recently got one those semi autos golds and recoil has shot down with it.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Just because it' s a 338 don' t think you still can make errors in aiming....i have seen a couple of small mule deer run off after being wacked with 338' s and 340 weatherbys and have them run 100 yards or more.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

GtBuzz you are correct ..a 3 1/2" mag is much worse recoilwise than any 338

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Yea on second thought still too much gun. Not needed, you will suffer.

I would never tell you to pick up a great deal on a 10ga pump if you only hunt pheasants and shoot trap. Like I said before buy it - Trade it. If it' s that great of a deal.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

according to the chart in my reloading book a 12 gauge and a 338 are the same in the kick department. i was pondering the same question. you can make some very specific loads for it. just dont ask me if i shoot my 338 in the summer time.

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Is that a 12ga, or a 12ga 1oz slug 3.5" or what?

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Forestore,

I like going for the Ford F350 Super Duty, but that' s just me...... here' s a few things for you to weigh;

Let' s see here. Sounds like you don' t know if you really want it and sounds like you haven' t asked your father-in-law if he is interested. You might want to ask. If he' s not interested then it' s down to what you want. Given that you have to ask and in the same breath allude that you have no use for it, then it may not be right for you. However, in response to your question " Is it too big for deer?" .......

Nope, puts them down like they were hit by lightening -- and if you are a perfect shot like everyone here appears to be, then the " deer shot of choice" i.e. the old hit ' em right behind the shoulder will leave all your meat intact. PS -- You can also hit them less than perfect and still have them hit by lightening.

Here' s a few " notes" (observations) to weigh as you sort out what to do about that 338 WinMag that is tempting you.

Note: Don' t be confused by the reference to 338 RUM, Winnie Mag is easier going.

Note: I' m betting most of those whose rack or experience don' t go over 30-06 are the ones saying " it' s too big" AND I' m betting most of those whose rack or experience does go up to 338 WinMag or bigger are the ones saying it works just fine for deer. One group has experience with it and the other group for the most part is just theorizing. Ask yourself which group (experience or theory) you listen to in other areas of your life.

Note: How many rounds a year (dozens??? hundreds??? thousands???) do you have to shoot through a high powered scoped rifle (EITHER standard cartridges OR magnums) to be " accurate with it?" Personally, I don' t think very many -- scoped highpowered rifles are really a " simpleton' s" tool -- they don' t take much talent to use. (Maybe that is why they are my favorite!) :D:D

We practice mostly with .223 and .308 and just " sprinkle in" the magnums from time to time. The guns work the same, and are all sighted in at 200 yards. Even the NFL doesn' t practice in full gear and full contact scrimmage all the time. Think about it.

Archery okay, I can see it -- lots and lots of reps.
Sharps distance shooting with iron sites, okay I can see it -- lots and lots of reps.
Blue rock shooting, I can see it -- lots and lots of reps.

But a scoped highpower rifle?.... sighted in?...... at reasonable distances?..... especially with a rest? Cooooome on --- it ain' t that hard --- put the little x on the " kill spot" and squeeze the trigger --- small wonder bowhunters generally have so little respect for the supposed " challenges" of rifle hunting.[:@]

Note: Recoil? Could it be that turkey hunters are " iron men" of American Hunting and the majority of " high power" rifle hunters are the (ahemm) " lesser iron men" of the lot? I hate to think so but you gotta admit this thread kind of leans a bit that way.[X(]

Go talk to the father-in-law, if the two of you end up getting it you could end up liking real power a lot. :)

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

The distances you shoot a shotgun as opposed to a .338 are more forgiving. I dont know anybody who shoots a shotgun 300 + yards. When shooting that far accuracy is very important for an ethical hunter. I personally don' t want to be off 8 inches due to recoil at 350 yards. Like my earlier suggestion, have it if you must..but you will shoot more often with a smaller, less expensive cartridge...hence becoming a more accurate marksman. Just my $.02

-Hector

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

Note: Recoil? Could it be that turkey hunters are " iron men" of American Hunting and the majority of " high power" rifle hunters are the (ahemm) " lesser iron men" of the lot? I hate to think so but you gotta admit this thread kind of leans a bit that way.

I like that. I will have to say yes, we are mannly men. :D

RE: Is a .338 win mag too big for deer?
 

I agree, one doesn' t see folks reaching out to 300 yards with shotguns. If it was possible though I' m betting you' d start seeing some serious glass on shotguns in place of the old " bead and barrel" .

I' m not sure however that a " bead and barrel" shot for taking on a tom turkey at 40 yards is actually an easier shot than taking a deer with a braced 3X to 9X high power cartridge at 200 yards. Our thread starter did not indicate his " standard shooting distances" hence folks are starting to interject their own standards. I personally feel I' ve failed a bit as a " hunter" and that things are starting to nudge " unethical" over 250 yards in common hunting (no-benchrest) situations.

I agree, shoot the smaller, less expensive stuff to sharpen up with -- last heard mastering both small bore and larger bore rifles were not mutually exclusive of each other -- fundamentals are mostly the same aside from some prudent techniques to manage recoil and maintain accuracy with the bigger boys -- not rocket science though.

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM

Going to try 160gr. barnes this fall.

RWK,

Never got to go on my elk hunt, but still enjoy shooting my 338 win mag.

I shoot 160 grain barnes ttsx and a mid range load of H4350. Only got to shoot one white tail with it, but exit hole was about 2" on a rib shot quartering away. Even though the doe was spooked during a 20 yard shot the death run was 50 yards, or less...

Nothin' wrong with the .338 Win Mag !!!

You will never be "under gunned" hunting in North America......................

If it's all you have to hunt deer with, then by all means use it.

As far as recoil goes, I stilll consider the .338 Win the heaviest recoiler in my battery. But it's quite a bit lighter than the .375 H&H next to it. Rifle weight makes a difference. I don't shoot 3-1\2"slugs so can't speak to that, but 3" slugs don't earn my attention like a .338 with 250-gr bullets will.

I much prefer something lighter for deer. But, being one of those who's hunted elk with a .243 because it was all I had, that works the other way, too. I consider it far too heavy for deer, but if it's all you have, use it.

Y'all realize this thread is more than 11 years old don't ya? Until yesterday, the last post on it was 6/25/2003. Why dig up old posts and re-hash everything again, and again, and again?

Like the consensus said - dead is dead. It is way more gun then you need. But for an elk cartridge you can't get too much better. If you can handle it then by all means get it. As a plus if you ever get a real long shot at a big buck your bullet will have plenty of energy when it gets there.

So, 11 years later. I wonder if the OP bought it?

He just did.......................Due to last few comments.

Finally !!!