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Ruger .338 magnum

TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
I am looking to buy a .338 Magnum rifle. I have an opportunity to buy a Ruger All-Weather model 77 Mk. II in this caliber that is like new with less than 20 rounds fired through it for $340 including a Simmons .44 mag. 2-10 scope. I know that this is a fair price, but I am wondering if anyone can share their experiences with this rifle in .338? I am also considering a fairly new and excellent Winchester Model 70 Supergrade, also in .338 for $695. How do these 2 rifles compare? I will mount a 3-9 Leupold scope on whichever I buy. I plan to handload 250 grain bullets for elk or bear and 200 grains for deer. I would welcome hearing of your experiences with this caliber and/or these rifles. Thanks.

"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
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Comments

  • ern98ern98 Member Posts: 1,725 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do not have but limited experience with the Ruger. Still I am aware that it is one of the stronger actions out there. The II has many of the features of the "classic" Win M70 or the pre 64 M70. ie the both control round feed and a 3 position safty on the bolt shroud. Comparing the two actions, neither has the third lug of the Mauser 98. Both are strong and good examples of current modern bolt action rifles. In either action you can't go far wrong in a 338 Mag. Where I would concil caution is in stock configuration and weight. I would want a straight "classic" stock for recoil management. The Ruger is a synthetic and the Win a wood stock, I think. The 338mag is a real kick in 250g and should not be carried in less then a 8lb or better rifle. I have a Siamese M98 in 45/70 that I have added recoil buffers to so as to get the weight up and the recoil down because it kicked like a mule with 400g slugs at 2000fps. It weighs now about 9.5lbs now and the recoil reducers have helped. Another point I would look at is barrel length. 24" is minimum, 25" or 26" would be better. If you are not going to get the velosity then why burn the powder. My personal 338 is a Mauser 98 stocked in a JRS classic black laminate with a 24" ER Shaw's barrel and it is a real handful. I don't think that I am getting the max velosity in this combo and will be looking to add some kind of recoil reducer in the not to distant future as it kicks almost as bad as my Siamese used to.
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  • chuckchuck Member Posts: 4,911
    edited November -1
    Walker, I had 2 Winchesters in 338 and the recoil was UGLY, One of them was NOT Acc. one was Acc with 250 gr. bullets only. Never tried a Ruger. Went to a Remington stainless composit stocked and Love it. Less recoil than Winchester's and a Lot more Acc with all weights of Bullets. I call my Remington the (WART HOG) it's ugly but very Acc. Your prices are about right, but that simmons will not hold up to the recoil. And the Leupold will go bad after about 100 Rounds, I lost 2 of them, went to the 4200 B&L and no more problems. GOOD LUCK.
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  • Jim RauJim Rau Member Posts: 3,550
    edited November -1
    The 338 is a good cal for here (AK) and you see alot of them. Mine is a HI-Tech Custom (COSprings, CO) built on a LH Winchester S/S M70 with a Lilja bbl and the Hi-Tech brake and it kicks like a 12 ga with heavy loads. I have worked up several loads that shot MOA. I would recommend you work up one load and hunt all your game with it. If it will shoot the 225 gr that is the best all around load. I love mine and if I had to keep just one rifle (God forbid) it would be this one.[^]

    Self defence is an ablsolute and natural right. Keep your powder dry! J. Rau, Alaska
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  • SnellstromSnellstrom Member Posts: 1,085 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 338 in a Win M70 Supergrade and love it, it's got the BOSS on it but I put the brake eliminator on it so now no muzzle brake and it is as accurate as they get. I load 210 grain Barnes bullets for Elk, and Bear and am about to work up a 185 grain load for deer. I also shoot 225 grain federals a lot and they all shoot great! Nearly all my guns are topped with Leupold and I don't think you can find a better scope. For me they've held up to the recoil of 375 h&h, 338 and a real light 30/06 that kicks worse than all of them. Ruger makes a great gun I just don't own any big caliber Rugers right now but they are good sturdy weapons. Figure out which one you like and just get it.
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,166 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    I bought a Ruger M77 338 in 1984. I installed a Leupold 3-9 scope and it has been a fine arm for years. I have used 225, 250, and 275 grain bullets. I doesn't want to shoot 200 grainers very well. I considered the recoil to be ugly so I had it Magna-Ported shortly after I got it.

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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought the Ruger last night. The difference in price between it and the Winchester made up my mind. I fired it a couple times just to see how much it kicked. It got my attention all right, but not nearly as much as my scoped Mossburg pump with 3 1/2 inch shells. More like a standard 12 guage 1 oz slug load. A long eye relief scope is definitely a requirement with this caliber for safety. I'm re-thinking the scope to use. Maybe a 1 3/4- 5 variable or a fixed 4X might be good. For, now though, my 3-9 Leupold should do fine. Thanks for all your comments and information. I think I'll be very happy with this rifle. Later today I'll see how well it shoots.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i suggest you try several bullet weights, i've had several different .338's and they seem to be picky as to what weight each rifle will shoot. my current .338 is a win 70/w syn stock and it realy likes 200 gn. nosler b.t. (3 shots=3 elk)
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  • Jim RauJim Rau Member Posts: 3,550
    edited November -1
    If you can afford it he 1 3/4 X 6 Leopold is my suggestion. (that is what I have on mine). I say again, the 225 gr are the best all around load for the 338 and the Nosler Partition or Swift A-Frames are the ones that work for me. I too have tried everything from the 185 BX through the 275GR. I do load the 275 Swift A-Frames for the BIG bears and for buff (if I could draw a tag).[^]

    Self defence is an ablsolute and natural right. Keep your powder dry! J. Rau, Alaska
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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jim, I bought some 225 grain ammo that you suggested and they shoot great, around 2 inch 3-shot groups at about 100 yards. That's really good for me. I finished off the six rounds of 250 grs. that came with the rifle as well. Those do kick more than a little. Strange thing is that both weights grouped closer together than I was expecting. I've got to say that I am very happy with this outfit. Thanks again to all who wrote.
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