|
|
12-06-2015, 10:05 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 18
|
|
Reality about 338 Win Mag Recoil
Hello Everybody,
I am looking for buying a gun for Hunting in Alberta/ Canada especially for elk trophy size and Sheep.
I like to buy a 338 Win Mag in Sako Bavarian (7.9 Lbs), Sako Grey Wolf (8.0 Lbs) or Winchester 70 Super Grade (8.5 Lbs)
Before buying a one of these guns, I would like to check how much 338 Win Mag recoil is?
I have shot lots of slug with 12 gauge/ single barrel (light weight gun), and the recoil is very manageable for me.
I have heard lots of "for and against" about this caliber, but I do not know which is right or wrong.
I would really appreciate if you could please help me especially the hunters that they have the personal experience
Regards,
alberta.elk
|
12-06-2015, 10:26 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,798
|
|
For elk and sheep I'd rather go 7rem mag myself. 338wm recoil isn't terrible, seems to me most 300wm kick harder than 338s never did figure out why.
__________________
"I don't know about the "shooting Savages" part. I have one and I have had considerable difficulty doing well with it. Part of the reason for this is that I feel a need to put bag over my head to hide my identity when ever I am shooting it!"
Leeper
|
03-15-2017, 06:36 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robmcleod82
For elk and sheep I'd rather go 7rem mag myself. 338wm recoil isn't terrible, seems to me most 300wm kick harder than 338s never did figure out why.
|
x2, 7 mm is a more all around caliber for most hunters. No doubt .338 kicks more, but you've got to expect that, especially with the heavier bullets, which is the point anyway. Had the pleasure of trying a .340 Weatherby, just a .338 with a sales gimmick name,was rather disappointed.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
|
12-06-2015, 10:29 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cowtown, agian
Posts: 2,815
|
|
I'm a fan, and find it no worse than a the bug 300's of most sorts.
An 8lb bare rifle is hefty, and will weigh closer to 10 when scoped, strapped and loaded.
I'd suggest you don't need that much gun for either species and if you are having to ask, well....
sheep and elk are shot in direct coralation to miles and elevation so I am going to suggest you buy a lighter rifle, in a lesser but more "shootable" cartridge. 30-06, .280AI or even 300 WSM are more managable in 7 pound packages, and when you've done 50km in a week with some thousands of feet in elevation you'll appreciate good advise.
__________________
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
- Sir Winston Churchill
A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.
-Thomas Paine
|
12-06-2015, 10:37 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bonnyville
Posts: 397
|
|
After you put bases, rings and a scope on either of these guns you'll be in the 9.5-10lb range which is not a bad thing. Everybody is different but I find the recoil to be fairly sharp and the rifle recoil table lists it in the 30-35lb range if I remember correctly. A 270 or 30-06 would be under 20lbs of recoil. When shooting these rifles standing up or at an animal, the recoil isn't too bad but sitting down at the range and shooting it off a bench is a different story. Neither of these guns have great recoil pads so replace them with a limbsaver and make sure that you have a sufficient amount of eye relief when mounting your scope if you decide to go that way. If one of your friends has one, I would suggest that you try one out before making the purchase.
|
12-06-2015, 10:39 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Carstairs/Didsbury Area
Posts: 171
|
|
Love my 338wm!!! No issues with recoil.
|
12-06-2015, 11:00 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Parkland County, AB
Posts: 4,257
|
|
I understand the subject is .338 Win but I would like to offer this suggestion.
Do some research on the .338-06. I've had a couple of Win .338's and it is a great cartridge. However, if recoil is a bit of an issue, the .338-06 is considerably gentler in that area. It is also very easy to load for and is right on the heels of the .338 Win Mag in terms of overall performance. Well worth a look.
__________________
When applied by competent people with the right intent, common sense goes a long way.
|
12-07-2015, 02:46 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,129
|
|
I think if you're able to handle the recoil on a 12 gauge slug out of a synthetic or light shotgun, you'll be quite alright with a 338 win mag in the rifles you've mentioned. I was in the same boat. I was a bit unsure about the 338 myself, but now I own two of em. Find my 300 win mag to be a bit more hefty in the recoil department (ruger m77 ).
|
12-07-2015, 03:45 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 123
|
|
A 338 won't be a lot of fun shooting off a bench. Some guys probably find it ok, but I'd bet most wouldn't (unless equipped with a muzzle break- then it will simply deafen other people at the range)
For elk, sheep or moose you simply don't need a 338 win mag. I would suggest something in the 308, 30-06, 270 class. With the great bullets available today, you will have no trouble killing anything in Alberta, and be able to spend many comfortable hours at the range.
|
12-07-2015, 05:44 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 149
|
|
338 Mag
Seeing as others are making suggestions here, let me throw this one out there. 325WSM. I find the recoil on mine to be very manageable. It dives tacks, has a shorter action and barrel, The rifle itself is very light (I am getting old and lazy). I really can't find anything to dislike.
|
12-07-2015, 07:10 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: St.Albert
Posts: 722
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salavee
I understand the subject is .338 Win but I would like to offer this suggestion.
Do some research on the .338-06. I've had a couple of Win .338's and it is a great cartridge. However, if recoil is a bit of an issue, the .338-06 is considerably gentler in that area. It is also very easy to load for and is right on the heels of the .338 Win Mag in terms of overall performance. Well worth a look.
|
Have to agree with this. I also have a 338/06 and love it.
I agree with the whole ballistics mumbo jumbo 7mm stuff.
Truth is, Figures on paper do not kill game. The 338 is a killer, no doubt or arguments there. The recoil is there but do you even feel it when shooting at game? I never have...
__________________
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DEMENTED PEOPLE PLAY WITH POWERFUL TOYS
|
12-07-2015, 08:16 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: edmonton a.b.
Posts: 116
|
|
I agree with smokinyotes, my stainless stalker was terrible in 338, once I put a muzzle break on it, its pleasant to shoot and makes tiny little clover leafs at the range
|
12-07-2015, 08:18 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lac La Biche Alberta
Posts: 201
|
|
i don't find it bad at all it will never be a 223 for punching paper but it is not that bad at all
|
12-07-2015, 06:42 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hythe
Posts: 4,354
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by V-Diddy
Love my 338wm!!! No issues with recoil.
|
Me two
|
12-07-2015, 07:22 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between the mountains and the prairies.
Posts: 1,949
|
|
For comparison sake only.
12 g with 1 oz slug at 1500 fps out of a 7 lb shotgun, around 26 lbs of recoil
338 Win mag, 225 gr bullet at 2800 fps out of a 9 lb rifle, around 30 lbs recoil
These figures can go up or down depending on loads and rifle weight but it gives you an idea.
|
12-07-2015, 07:35 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ponoka
Posts: 1,870
|
|
Bullet selection and ballistics don't favour 338 caliber. To equal ballistics of 7mm RM in 338 cal a fifteen pound rifle and muzzle brake are required.
__________________
Younger horses, faster women, older money, more whiskey!
|
12-07-2015, 07:41 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15,851
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleJ
Bullet selection and ballistics don't favour 338 caliber. To equal ballistics of 7mm RM in 338 cal a fifteen pound rifle and muzzle brake are required.
|
He's hunting sheep and Elk. Not shooting pretend steel people at 1000 yds.
__________________
“I love it when clients bring Berger bullets. It means I get to kill the bear.”
-Billy Molls
|
12-07-2015, 09:16 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 3,112
|
|
Unless you use that badass .815 bc 300 grainer from Berger. 338 is another one of those calibers that seem to have slightly better BC’s than others. My 338 is in a 20 year old Ruger weather warrior it has a used hockey puck and crushed glass recoil pad it was sort of nasty to shoot before the break. Even with a break load development gets painful. With the break it recoils less than a 30-06 but it is as noisy as a flash bang.
Since you’re talking about rounds built on the same parent case all you are really doing is trading off velocity for bullet weight , and at this point in my life I not sure I would be fond of either in a light weight mountain gun.
|
12-07-2015, 05:10 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,468
|
|
I'm gonna be honest with you. That gun is gonna kick your arse. I had a Bavarian. It was a gorgeous rifle. Beautiful set trigger. Problem is that the stock design is not recoil friendly, and the recoil pad, iirc, is a glorified hockey puck. Mine was a 270wsm and recoils was fairly brisk. The stock also didn't fit me great. I would not want that gun in a 338 mag. No way.
Ask someone to meet you at a range and see if he will let you shoot his. They can be manageable or be a monster. I had a 338 mag in a ruger 77 sitting in a HS Precision stock. I am not recoil shy, and was able to shoot two boxes of ammo out of that particular rifle off the bench. However, I wouldn't suggest that to most people.
Any way you cut it, a 338 mag gets your attention. You just need to be honest with yourself.
|
12-07-2015, 05:27 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
|
|
Hey, you want to play in the Big leagues, you're gonna get roughed up a little. Get over it. Not my idea of a Sheep gun though.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
|
12-07-2015, 05:39 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15,851
|
|
IMO the 250's are a noticeable step up in recoil from the 200/210's and even the 225's. When I bench the 338 I start with a past recoil shield and end with one. It helps keep things manageable.
__________________
“I love it when clients bring Berger bullets. It means I get to kill the bear.”
-Billy Molls
|
12-07-2015, 05:40 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: St Albert
Posts: 809
|
|
My boys 15 and 18 handled the recoil pretty well and that was about 10 rounds each. There would be some bench work to get your reloads right but short term pain long term gain. That thing carries some awesome energy out there with 250 gr loads. My father in laws 338 shoots some excellent groups as well with handloads but it's not something I'd shoot all day.
|
12-07-2015, 05:51 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,616
|
|
With the gun weights you are considering the recoil should be similar to a 12 gauge.
It won't "pound you" or be "brutal" or any other BS descriptions.
It likely will be more of a push than the fast sharp recoil from a 300WM.
If you can get to the to of a mountain where the sheep are, a 338 will not intimidate you.
|
12-07-2015, 05:58 PM
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,158
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Battle Rat
If you can get to the top of a mountain where the sheep are, a 338 will not intimidate you.
|
Ain't that the truth!
|
12-07-2015, 06:27 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: onoway, Ab
Posts: 6,995
|
|
I have owned 2 338wm. The first was a Sako hunter, it shot fairly well with 250gr partition hand loads and recoil was manageable. The stock cracked on it so I sold it. The next was a Browning A bolt stainless stalker. This rifle shot the 250 partitions better than the Sako but the recoil was stupid. After 20 rounds off the bench I'm sure my eyes started to cross more than they already are. Lol.
|
12-08-2015, 06:04 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 633
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sns2
I'm gonna be honest with you. That gun is gonna kick your arse. I had a Bavarian. It was a gorgeous rifle. Beautiful set trigger. Problem is that the stock design is not recoil friendly, and the recoil pad, iirc, is a glorified hockey puck.
|
My dad sold his bavarian 338 and does not miss it. It does not have a recoil pad and a gunsmith (Ron Henrickson out of Edmonton) would not attempt to put one on because of the stock shape and the chance of damaging it in the process. The gun hits hard from the bench and is not fun to shoot. I've shot magnums off the bench plenty of times, but that 338 was different LOL!!
|
12-08-2015, 06:23 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: On the border in Lloydminster
Posts: 8,369
|
|
My 7.3 lb. 338 X-bolt stalker had a nasty kick, I added a Vais quiet brake reduced recoil by 50% without much added blast. The brake works by directing the first of the blast forward slowing down the gases flowing sideways reducing blast. I let people shoot one with brake and one without it's a real eye-opener.
Shoot 50 rounds a session with no problem.
[IMG] [/IMG]
__________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
|
12-08-2015, 06:47 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lamont
Posts: 862
|
|
I've had a 338 Win Mag for over 20 years. It'll open your eyes with 250 grain handloads, but the past 10 years or so I've fed it nothing but 200 grain Accubonds and the recoil is there but not crazy. I don't sit at the range for long sessions with it, but usually put a few rounds down the pipe before heading out for Elk in the fall. By far my favourite round for Moose and Elk.
-Craig
|
12-08-2015, 07:01 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,468
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearbreath
My dad sold his bavarian 338 and does not miss it. It does not have a recoil pad and a gunsmith (Ron Henrickson out of Edmonton) would not attempt to put one on because of the stock shape and the chance of damaging it in the process. The gun hits hard from the bench and is not fun to shoot. I've shot magnums off the bench plenty of times, but that 338 was different LOL!!
|
I knew it
Rod did not want to put a Pachmayr on mine either because the hockey puck was glued on hard.
They look pretty, but kick like a mule.
|
12-08-2015, 07:18 AM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 459
|
|
the 338 win mag is tolerable off the bench. U want to scramble your brains shoot a 338-378 weatherby sans break. Lol. The ol 338 feels pretty tame after that.
Gilly
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:11 AM.
|