schoolcraft

I'm wanting to add a larger caliber to go along with my .270 Win. to use for a possible elk trip and to STOMP the local hog population. I've been really looking at Rugers left hand stainless/laminate model. It just really seems to fit me well.
I've only shot a .300 Winny a few times over the years and have never shot the .338 Winny. I'm looking for opinions in the difference in recoil. I've heard folks go on and on about how brutal the .338 Win. is....and I've also heard many who say the .338 Win. was more pleasant to shoot than the .300 Win. because it was more of a "push" than a "jab".
Any info on the recoil between the 2 calibers (out of the same gun of course) would be appreciated.
Just FYI. I'm not what I would call "recoil sensitive". I shoot .30-06 and 7mm. Rem. Mag. quite a bit with no trouble.

Thanks in advance

bugsNbows

Chuck Hawks has a recoil page on his site. Check it out.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Game Stalker

When I read quotes like:Everyone says so & so caliber is brutal,it makes me chuckle.No disrespect to you.Your question is an honest one.I have shot a .338,but not the .300.I can honestly say the .338 kicks less than my Mossberg 500 w/3" slugs or 00/000 buckshot.The .338 for me was a joy.The load was a 230 gr. fail-safe out of a 24" model 700 Rem.

skb2706

One camp will for one...the other camp will be for the other. Personally I could make either work for me the rest of my big game hunting days.

First choice would be the .300 cause I've had a few and shot them much more.

Pygmy

Recoil has a lot to do with rifle weight, stock shape, recoil pads, and other factors..

For me neither the .300 mag or the .338 is a lot of fun to shoot from the bench...They both kick pretty hard.. However, I wouldn't describe either one as "brutal"...You don't feel recoil when you're hunting anyway.. If you have no problem with a 30-06 with heavy bullets or a 7mm Mag you shouldn't be too intimidated by either one..

If you want a real substantial increase in killing power, I'd go with the .338 and stick with heavy bullets... The effect of a heavy medium caliber bullet on game must be seen to be appreciated...

salukipv1

Change this to .300 Win.Mag vs. .340 Wby and you'll have yourself a contest!

but .300wm vs. .338wm, .300 win.mag all the way!

the .338wm is a 210/225gr bullet cartridge IMO, the .340 is a 225/250/275grainer, and if you're just gonna be shooting 210's out of a .338wm, I say just get a .300wm with 180/200 which would be heavy for caliber vs. light for caliber.

To me the .300wm, 338wm, 340wby all kick, and if you're not recoil sensitive, get yourself a .340wby! If you can shoot a .300, you can shoot a .338, IMO my .340 is more pleasant to shoot than my .300win.mag.

btw case capacities...
.300wm 90.4
.338wm 85.6
.340 wby 102.1

the .338wm has about the same as a .257wby! .338 is shorter than the .300wm.

I do love 338's though, so picking a .300wm over a .338 is hard to do, it would be hard to go wrong with any of the 3...

I believe they say the .340wby shoots as flat as a .270 but with 100grains more of bullet weight!

Btw the 7mmRM with 175gr vs. .300wm with 180grs, is not a whole lot different...I think you need a .338 caliber....then you'll have North America covered...since brown bear starts at 338cal...

.340 Wby.!!!! (1st Place)

2nd Place.....300 Win.Mag.
3rd Place......338 Win.Mag.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/amm...rtridges/40331
http://www.chuckhawks.com/340Wby.htm

robbcayman

To be honest, your .270 will be plenty for either hogs or elk. If you want a new gun though, I would go with a 300 win mag.

I own both a 270 and a 300 win mag. The 270 was given to me by my dad as a gift. I prefer the 270, because it's less recoil and has put down a lot of game. I'm keeping the 300 win mag in case I ever get to hunt really big bears.

Big Z

I'd rather 7mm

Sheridan

I would say that the .300 wm would be closer in a line-up behind your .270.

I went with a .338 wm because my line-up includes a 7MM RM, and I wanted a magnum that could take care of brown bears as well.

I hope to buy a .270 & a .300 wm someday, just to fill-in any gaps.

Good luck with your decision !

You already said the most important thing; in that, the rifle fits you well !!!

Don't make too much of OTHERS talk of "percieved" recoil !

Alsatian

I would go with the .338 Winchester myself. Not to start a flame war, but it seems that it is entirely reasonable to shoot either 225 grain or 250 grain bullets with the .338 Winchester. Those are substantial bullets. "Substantial" may be interpreted two ways -- heavier mass, which is a positive attribute when hunting heavier game, but also more than likely a more solidly built bullet than lighter bullets.