300WSM vs. .338Win Mag??

B_Mc

I have my eye on a Tikka T3 Hunter and i am curious about these two calibers.

Accuracy[?] Range[?] Recoil[?] and availability of Ammo[?]

I need something for 250 to 350 yards.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Recoil is not a big deal for me but my girlfriend is 5'1" 110lbs and it might be for her. And i know if i buy the rifle she will want to hunt with it to from time to time. She can shoot my 30.06 but she says that it is about as much as she wants to deal with.

I mainly hunt whitetail in very large bean fields but i have ran across a few large black bears that i would not mind tagging. I just really do not feel comfortable taking a long shot with my Remington 700 30.06 with 165 grain bullets. The guy that i hunt with says that if i shoot a bear i better kill it. He dont want any pissed off wounded bears around his prized black angus cows!!! Wonder why??

Marner

Recoil as an issue.... I have a Win Classic M.70 in 300 WSM and love it. In the last 4 years I've killed 3 moose with it and the most recent a large bull at 245 yds (range finder measured) with one shot through the vitals - he moved no more than 10 ft. I find this rifle/calibre very comfortable to shoot, accurate and effective. One of my sons uses a Sako 75 in 338 and I find it uncomfortable to shoot but he has no problem with the recoil. I think many will say to buy the rifle you're most comfortable shooting. Personally I think the 300 WSM will do the job on anything in North America with the possible exception of Grizzlys. There is a substantial increase in recoil from 30.06 to .338. Tika is a great choice.

elkoholic

What will you be hunting? The 338 really shines when the bullet is heavier than about 220 gr. The 300 is best suited for the 180 gr range. IMHO, 338 is an all around better elk, moose, and bear round.

Accuracy: I've seen sub MOA from both

Range: Inside 300yds not enough trajectory difference to matter for most shooters. Longer ranges the 300 is flatter.

Recoil: From the same rifle the 338 will have a noticeably harder recoil. I've been surprised by the gentle "push" of the 300 WSM on several occasions.

Ammo: 300WSM is everywhere. .338 is very common around here but I like in the heart of elk country.

Hope this helps.

jptatum

Why not use 180 gr. bullets in the 30-06?

sandwarrior

B_Mc,

Your 30-06 will kill anything you need to. But, as I see it, this is the perfect chance to get a new gun.

The two calibers you posted for both have a lot of recoil. If I were including the girlfriend I would first see how she likes the recoil of your 30-06. If that's too much for her I would look into a 7mm-08, .260 Rem, .257 Roberts(my favorite) or a .243 Win. If hunting whitetail you definitely don't need a magnum. Bears you need a solid shot, but not a magnum.

The Tikka's are good rifles. I've shot a lot of them this past year and I have to say I'm impressed with their accuracy.

EDIT:

B_Mc,

Note how I say it can. It certainly isn't going to do it with the power that a .300 win Mag will. Using a 180 gr. Accubond(you can get this in premium ammo...same with Federal's Fusion) pushed out at 2730 you still have 1500 ft. lbs. of energy @500 yds. That's plenty of energy with an outstanding bullet to kill an elk a bear or for sure a deer @ 500 yds. You put that same bullet in a .300 Win Mag. and it's going to get there faster with more force. With proper bullet placement either will do the job. The .338 is going to add a lot more power but not a flatter trajectory. In most cases in North America that much power isn't needed.

B_Mc

I need an excuse to buy another rifle.

For the Bear you would shoot a large 350+ lb Black Bear with a .243.

And i just dont feel like the 30.06 is good at that range much over 250+ yards. Am i wrong???

Odawgp

quote:Originally posted by B_Mc
I need an excuse to buy another rifle.

For the Bear you would shoot a large 350+ lb Black Bear with a .243.

And i just dont feel like the 30.06 is good at that range much over 250+ yards. Am i wrong???


a magnum guy will say your not, an die hard '06er will say there isn't a reason for a magnum. I say get what you want and enjoy it. oh and 300 win mags rule

DENWA

30-06 not any good past 250 yds?

google "Gunny Hathcock"


SEMPER FI!

bpost

The .338 Win Mag is the most common rifle in AK.

flyfisher363

Why not the 300 win mag? I hunt MT elk, bear and deer. Ammo is sold EVERYWHERE... When you walk up to an animal is it any "deader" than those shot w/ a WSM. Don't get caught up in the WSM hype. Shooting side by side at the range my 300 was right there yard for yard w/ the WSM. I also shoot a 338 and find the recoil of the 300 to be sharp and the 388 more of a roll back. Note the stocks are not the same but both have gel recoil pads. The Tikka T3 regardless of caliber is an outstanding rifle.

zink

I shot a 338 for many years and had good results. I picked a CZ3 in 300WSM and lell in fuv. I have since sold the 338 and use the wsm for everything. One year killed two elk at 248 and 270 yds using Fed. Fusion 180 gr ammo. Stopped them where they stood and when we got there lungs we a runnin' out their noses.

Lance