What's your take on the 338 for deer or larger game ?

Kind of an over kill for a whitetail. But, great gun for elk, bear, moose. My step fathet brings one out west to hunt mule deer, but since hes gotten older he thinks the 338 is way too heavy for a mountain gun. His 338 feels like it weighs almost 12 pounds!

It would certainly handle everything in north america. Probably more then you would ever need for a whitetail, but you can never make them "too dead"

I'm in love with my .340wby, I love the idea of the .338's, long range, but also big enough game stopper, so big and fast, lethal combo IMO.

For mule deer, no need, but for elk and bigger, awesome!

I think if I could have 2 rifles, I'd get a lightweight in a .270 and a .338

Personally, I think it is overkill for most anything.

I've used a 338 Win Magon whitetail for the last 14 years and personally I like it. Lots of knockdown, plenty of internal hydrostatic dammage small exit wouds (about the size of a quarter) so you don't trash alot of meat. I tear up less meat with the 338 225gr Hornady SSTs that I ever did with my 30-06 using 165gr Noslers. Blood trails,(when you need one) have always been good. You never have to worry about not getting a pass through.

You can never kill them too dead.

I think too big for deer but I love it when I am moose hunting.

What is with everyone's fascination with hunting whitetail with these very large rounds? It's a deer, not a re-enforced concrete bunker. If your using the same rifle to hunt elk, moose,bear etc i can understand, but it's def. overkill for a deer. Some people would probably use a tank if it were legal and they could buy one[8D]

Which one?
338 winchester magnum?, 338 Federal?

i usea 338 for whitetail and mule deer when i go out to wyoming. it makes a nice blood trail if it doesnt drop the deer