Author Topic: 338 win recoil (Read 1047 times)

jbadams66 · « **on:** May 14, 2006, 06:23:47 PM »

First off I am looking for a rifle that is a step up from my .30-06. There is a possibility that I could move out west within the year and that would be a perfect excuse to buy a new gun and i just dont see a reason to get another .308 cal gun.

Everything I read about the 338 win says it has stout recoil and another option that is suggested is the 35 whelen. There is only about 150 fps difference between these two and my question is if you load the 338 down to the same velocity as the whelen, will the recoil be the same? (assuming same weight and configuration rifle).

I am leaning toward the 338 due to the fact that ammo would be easier to find if I happened to forget to bring ammunition on a hunt and I would want a stainless/synthetic rifle.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2006, 12:43:35 AM »

Quote from: jbadams66

First off I am looking for a rifle that is a step up from my .30-06. There is a possibility that I could move out west within the year and that would be a perfect excuse to buy a new gun and i just dont see a reason to get another .308 cal gun.

Everything I read about the 338 win says it has stout recoil and another option that is suggested is the 35 whelen. There is only about 150 fps difference between these two and my question is if you load the 338 down to the same velocity as the whelen, will the recoil be the same? (assuming same weight and configuration rifle).

I am leaning toward the 338 due to the fact that ammo would be easier to find if I happened to forget to bring ammunition on a hunt and I would want a stainless/synthetic rifle.

I have a Browning A-bolt 338 Win Mag, in my opinion and this is just from my experience with my gun. I don't think the recoil is as bad as others think it is, but I am also far from recoil sensitive. My A-bolt is stainless with a synthetic stock and it had a muzzle brake installed on it before I bought it. I have removed the muzzle brake and shot it and it was a little sharper in the recoil, but still manageable especially in a hunting situation. I think the 338 is one of my favorite calibers.

gwindrider1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2006, 04:51:18 AM »

Of course, everyone has a different sensitivity level to recoil, but I believe you will find that a .338 with a classic, straight comb stock, that is not overly light weight, is really no big deal. My Mod. 70, at about 8.5 lbs. is quite comfortable to shoot, and I have never worried about the scope getting into my face.

It is a very popular chambering here in my area of the Rockies for Elk, although the power level is not always needed, if the bull of a lifetime is about to cross over a ridge, and gives you less than an optimum shot angle, it's nice to know that you can penetrate to the vitals, and have a relatively flat trajectory to do it!

Start off with the lighter weight bullets, maybe a 210 grainer, and work your way up in bullet weight as you get more comfortable with the rifle. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised!

youngbdv · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2006, 05:33:41 AM »

I have a model 70 winchester , with a good recoil pad it's not that bad.

longwalker · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:36:46 AM »

If you want a bigger bore try a 338-06 or the whelen. Both very good rifles.

I live in Eastern SD. I built up the 338-06 for Elk hunting. Then I began using it for deer. You will find the non-magnums easier to shoot and practice with. You will find less "meat" damage in the game you shoot. You will find it is a great conversation started where ever you take it.
You would be hard pressed to find nicer medium calibers than the 35 Whelen or a 338-06.

I wouldn't worry to much about forgetting ammunition. Yes it could happen, but you could just as easily forget your wallet. That will put a hold on your trip as well.

longwalker

jbadams66 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2006, 01:09:48 PM »

Are the 338-06 and 35 whelen really a big enough step up in power from a .30-06? Will you really see any difference in killing power between the three?

Dont get me wrong, I dont really need any excuse to by a rifle that might overlap a little but I am just wondering if there is a noticeble difference to justify those two. Also it would be hard to find a rifle in stainless for either of them. Does anyone make stainless barrels for a savage?

257 roberts · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2006, 02:28:15 PM »

Both of my 300Win Mags kicked harder than my 338Win Mag and I won't even mention my 300 Weatherby

Zachary · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2006, 03:34:02 PM »

A .338WM really is somewhat of a "niche" cartridge. Specifically, when I hear .338 Win Mag, I think "Elk Rifle."

The recoil is definately more noticeable than a .30-06.

Zachary

Mike in Ct · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:56:23 PM »

Do you belong to a rifle or hunting club??? Try to get one from a fellow member & arrange a shoot...You will know after the first few shots...In a standard model 70 338 win mag [about 9 lbs with scope & sling] I got my friends brothers to shoot well before a caribou trip..started him with the 225 gr speer bullet & 90% load of 4350...it shot very well & he used that load on caribou...That rifle gets your attention but is not overly violent...It is enough medicine to get the job done...mike in ct

nasem · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2006, 11:30:40 AM »

Here is a fact for you....

Take the recoil energy of a 30-06, add to it 50% of the recoil of that same 30-06. and that will give you a 338 win mag recoil.

In a standing position, even a 338 RUM is not that bad to shoot. But you need to remember, when your at the bench sitting, that 338 win mag will kick...... I will repeat..... It WILL kick about 50% more than a 30-06....I have seen guys coming into the range and thinking thier 30-06 "don't kick at all"..... they hold the gun lightly on thier shoulder and that sucker kicks and if they are scoped, hits them in the noise and thats it for the day. Bloody and nasty shooting bench.

I would also like to add, that im not trying to scare you away from the 338, I have one in a Browning BAR (semi auto) and I shoot it all the time, its kinda fun. Its soooooooo loud and makes a big 'THUD'; People around me hate sitting next to me but they love the fact that its a semi auto in 338 win mag. they go
--"oh my god is that a 338 semi auto"
--"yes sir do you want to try it"
--"no thanks"

Recoil wise, I have shot both a bolt action and a semi auto in 338 win mag..... to me.... I can't really tell the difference in recoil. they both kick good. My BAR did not come with a muzzle break (I was too cheap to buy one) oh well

BUSTER51 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:32:01 PM »

.338 Win mag to me is not a hard kicker at all ,great for Elk at long range . you will NEVER be sorry you bought one .

Don Fischer · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2006, 01:09:41 PM »

As you have a 30-06, do yourself a favor and get a 25-06. The 30-06 will do everything you want out here and the 25-06 is a great 300yd deer and antelope round. It'll also do well on coyote's if you want, not to mention rockchucks. You might even concider a 243.

The 338 mag is a good cartridge but recoil can be fierce. With 200 and 225 gr bullets, it's manageable if you use it quite a bit. Use heavier bullets and you need to use it a lot. Suprizing what you can learn to live with as far as recoil goes.

BUSTER51 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2006, 01:41:38 PM »

Just how many time in a row do you intend to shoot a hunting rifle ?in my limmited experience the game won't hold still for long after that first shot .this whole recoil thing is over blown on a .338 Win mag it just don't kick that hard .now if you were a 90 pound girl that might be a problem .I'll bet if I told you it was a 3006 and you shot it and didn't check you would probably would never know or care .but tell someone it's a big bad magnum and they expect the worse . :shock:

aulrich · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2006, 04:32:35 AM »

My ruger 77 all-weather (the old style stock) was brutal to shoot at the bench. But that was to do mostly with the stock it awful even 30-06 are not fun to shoot out of that model. I still have the gun I had a muzzle break installed so now it a very noisy pussy cat.

Is it the bear factor that is getting you to upgrade you gun? I have had friends go for boo' and it strikes me that the are not that big the thing is you hunt them in open country so you need something flat shooting.

7 mag ,a 300 of some sort or even the 270wsm are the rounds that come to mind for me. But the 338 is a fine round, the 225 accubonds loaded to potential is a load to be reconed with.

Demonical · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2006, 09:45:14 AM »

Quote from: Don Fischer

As you have a 30-06, do yourself a favor and get a 25-06. The 30-06 will do everything you want out here and the 25-06 is a great 300yd deer and antelope round. It'll also do well on coyote's if you want, not to mention rockchucks. You might even concider a 243.

The 338 mag is a good cartridge but recoil can be fierce. With 200 and 225 gr bullets, it's manageable if you use it quite a bit. Use heavier bullets and you need to use it a lot. Suprizing what you can learn to live with as far as recoil goes.

A .338WM is about 35 ft/lbs recoil in a standard 8lb scoped rifle. That is hardly fierce! :roll:
I would absolutely recommend getting the .338WM to compliment your .30-06!

The .30-06 is your deer/coyote rifle and the .338WM will handle elk, bears and moose (the .30-06 will handle those as well obviously).

I hunt whitetail and mule deer every fall with the .30-06 handloaded with 165gr BTSP Hornadys and moose every other year (subject to draw success) with my .338WM. For years I have been handloading 225gr Nosler Parts for that rifle, but this year I'm going to try the 250gr Speer Grandslam, just to change things up a bit! I'm switching to the Grandslams also because I believe they offer more value then other comparable "premium" bullets.

If you decide to use the .30-06 on bears, elk, moose (which it will do nicely btw) then I would suggest handloading 180gr or 200gr Noslers Parts, Accubonds, Barnes X or the Speer Grandslams.

Ghoster · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2006, 04:50:53 PM »

If you are worried about the bench recoil, get a "Caldwell Lead Sled". It really takes the sting out of the heavier calibers (when benched). It's a $100 well spent!

poncaguy · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2006, 04:38:34 AM »

I would check out the new Federal 338...........

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2006, 06:53:09 AM »

jbadams66

I have a Tikka 338 WM laminate. The recoils is indeed more than the 30-06, but it is still quite managable. When I first got the rifle scoped and bore sighted, it took me about 6 shots to get her dialed in close. All 6 in one sitting without a benchrest - just sandbags only. Shoulder did not hurt the least bit. None. Once you're all dialled in, the majority of rounds fired will be at game where as you'll never even feel the recoil anyways.

Someone else made mention of the Lead Sled. I bought one not long ago for curiousitys sake, as well as helping my boy become a better shot (Just learning now). Anyway, if you put 100 pounds of lead bags in the tray, you can shoot anything out there, and it will supposedly feel like a .243. I have only put 25 pounds of sand on mine, and it does indeed make a big difference in felt recoil.

Here is a pic for you...

jbadams66 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2006, 01:57:52 PM »

I already know that my 06 will handle anything that I need and I doubt that I will be in big bear country during any hunting season anytime soon. I kind of wish I had gotten something smaller at first just to have a better reason for a big gun. I just want something bigger.

Right now I am in montana for a class (cant have any guns since it is a school related thing and I cant go shooting :cry: ) It might take awhile for me to respond. I only have limited access.

Demonical · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2006, 07:50:15 PM »

jbadams66 you are absolutely correct. Your .30-06 will handle any damn thing you are likely to encounter. If you handload develope some loads with 180 or 200gr Noslers (or other "premium" bullets) and use 165gr for deer.

But buy yourself a .338WM if you can afford it.

Hell every man needs to buy the things he wants. You only live once!!