Author Topic: 338 mag vs. 338 ultra (Read 868 times)

yankees1 · « **on:** January 14, 2004, 03:19:06 AM »

Which would you prefer for brown bear and elk ? What are down range [over 300 yards] of the Ultra over the mag if any? Other considerations?

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2004, 04:19:08 AM »

I don't own a .338 Ultra, but I do own a .338 Win. Mag. I can tell you that the .338 WM is plenty powerful. It has killed everything up to and beyond the animals you mentioned.

Considerations for shots over 300 yards? Why ask? Don't get too bogged down with these numbers for the game you are intending to hunt. Based on my information from various guides, you will rarely shoot a brown bear or moose past 200 yards - if that.

Keep in mind that, to the degree that you consider the "numbers" important - that being the published energy and velocity numbers in ammo catalogs, although the Ultra is faster than the WM, if you get a more areodynamic bullet in the WM, then it will, say past 100 yards or so, be almost as quick as a less areodynamic bullet in the Ultra (like the Swift A-Frame).

Also keep in mind that .338 WM ammo, at least in the areas you intend to hunt, will more than likely be available than Ultra ammo - in case something happens and you need it.

Zachary

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2004, 04:20:45 AM »

The Ultra's are too much of a good thing---if you value your shoulder and your wallet----stay away from the Ultra's.

The old .338 has been getting the job done for years now------if Remington wanted to improve things and make a more sensable cartridge----they should have just taken the .338 Win and removed the belt.

ms · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2004, 09:19:51 AM »

I would get 338 win forget the ultra mag . I believe the ultra and wsm will be dead just like the 284win. :wink:

blewis · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2004, 05:28:06 AM »

A friend of mine bought the 338 ultra. It's a nice gun, blows big holes in stuff. I opted for the 338 Win, also a nice gun that blows big holes in stuff. The big difference is when we need ammo. I can find some just about anywhere....he has to really plan ahead.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2004, 05:42:05 AM »

Also, the ammo for the Ultra is more expensive, especially with the Swift-A-Frame ammo!

Zachary

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2004, 01:07:18 PM »

I second everything that Zachary had to say. Ammo for the .338 Winchester can be found almost everywhere. Ammo for the .340 Weatherby is harder to find and the .338 RUM is scarce as hens teeth when getting into the back country. I have looked in many Mom & Pop sporting goods stores and no such luck. Keep in mind that Remington has, for the last two years, dropped models that they had chambered the .338 RUM in. I too don't believe that the .338 RUM and most of the other RUM(if not the whole line) line is going to survive the test of time. I feel the same for the RSAUM line as Winchester just flat out beat Remington to the punch there with their WSM line. Lawdog

Barstooler · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2004, 01:07:51 PM »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the .338 RUM. I bought one this year. Accuracy is great and recoil is about the same. If you handload, it has more versatility than the .338 Win. You can always load it down to those velocities and ammo & bullet selection is obviouly the same. When loaded to "less-than-max" you get more reloads per case, without having to buy a special collet sizing die for belted mags. Also because it head spaces on the shoulder, many gun pundits claim it is more accurate (on average) than a belted case. That is why serious long range shooters (bench or sniper) go for the .338 Lapua which almost a twin of the .338 RUM. Losing the belt also eliminates potential feeding problems.

I notice in many forums that the folks bad mouthing the RUM are current 338 Win advocates. Talk to those who own and shoot the RUM before making up your own mind.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2004, 03:34:57 PM »

I agree with Barstooler on this, also I have yet to ever lose or run out of ammo anywhere I was hunting and have to go look to purchase more. I am not saying it couldnt happen, just never has. I handload all my ammo and always bring plenty :wink:

redial · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2004, 05:26:36 PM »

I'd agree with the handloading / versatility bit and I'll throw another variable in the mix. I'm lefthanded.

Lefty 700's in Ultra calibers are far more available than lefty .338 Win's of any stripe, in my earnest searching. Rem prices are comparable or better than the others as well.

Ya pays yer money an' ya takes yer choice, I guess.

Cheers!

Redial

lgm270 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2004, 06:21:31 AM »

I bought a .338 win mag M-70 controlled feed with the intention of rechambering to .340 WEatherby for more power. I long throated the .338 and am getting 2800 fps with 250 grain Nosler partitions.

I am also getting all the punishment at the butt end that I care to endure. I would rather foregoe an additional 100 fps of velocity than have more recoil. And I have alot of experience with big bore rifles (inc. .375 H&H, 458 Win). Most really "big bore" rifles have larger stocks and heavier barrels. Most 338's, however, have the same barrel contour and stock designs that are used with .270's, 30--06's etc. and for that reason a .338 so set up kicks like HELL! The more powerful .375 H&H actually is easier and less punishing to shoot in my experience.

Shooting hard kicking rifles requires a measure of skill that is not necessary with the .270/30-06 class of rifles. Skill is the result of training, which is the result of practice. You did not mention your experience or skill level.

Therefore, my vote goes to the standard .338 Win Magnum which has more than enough power for anything you're going to encounter and more than enough punishment.