338 RCM...what's the story??

[saturno_v]

I did read a couple of articles about the 338 RCM wich promises to deliver "338 Win Mag performance in a more compact light package".

Well not quite....reading max loading specs for the cartridges (24" barrels for both) in the Hodgdon Reload Data Center, the good old 338 Win Mag keep an advantage of 150-200 fps in all bullet weight range....the heavier the bullet, the bigger the advantage...and, obviously, the 338 RCM doesn't go past 250 gr....at that bullet weight the performance already fall off dramatically (well over 200 fps slower than a 338 WM).

So my assumption is that the 338 RCM is designed for short light rifles with barrel length shorter than 24" (22" or 20" or even 18").

The shorter, fatter case probably reduces the velocity loss in short barrels compared to the traditional 338 Win Mag...so it may almost match the performance of a 338 Win Mag firing light bullets (200 gr. or less) from a very short pipe (again, 20" or even shorter) but at standard length...no way Jose....

Am I correct?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Am I correct?

Well you certainly did your homework! You are correct! Amazing what you can find, if you just look! lol hehehehe

The story goes, that dear ol' Ruger felt they were missing out on what many manufacturers thought was going to be a flurry in sales, the short(er) action rifles and their respective cartridges.

With the demise of the Winchester .325WSM no big boy short magnum caliber existed, so the .338 RCM was born, a noble idea and not a bad round the RCM just doesn't offer enough to justify it becoming a major player, not yet at least.

The 3 to 4 ounces weight loss you gain from going from long action to short action, and the 3/8" to 1/2" shorter bolt throw just doesn't do it for ANY of the short mags.

True, they do better in the shorter barrels, given all things equal, and IF you get a true lightweight rifle like the Ruger Compact or the Remington Model 7, the Short Magnums do offer a slight edge.

 

[375shooter]

I have one in the Ruger Compact Magnum rifle. It sports a 20 inch barrel. The cartridge has the case capacity of the .338-06 and gets (mine anyway) the velocity of a .338-06 (taken from loading data, not from personal experience with the cartridge) from a 24 inch barrel.

I believe the claim for the .338 RCM with a 20 inch barrel matching the .338 Win Mag with a 24 inch barrel, is with Hornady factory ammo. It's supposedly loaded with special powders, currently unavailable to reloaders. I think I read somewhere that the powders are going to become available, sometime. I hope so.

IMO it's a fine little cartridge, suitable for hunters who want something for game bigger than deer. It should be ideal for elk, moose and big black bears.

I hope the cartridge passes the test of time. I'd like it to stick around.

 

[jmr40]

I think you have just about got it. It is very similar to my 338-06, except it does it with a shorter action and barrel. At least for now I wouldn't trade my 338-06 for one only because I can always get brass. The 338 RCM is a bit better on paper, but I have concerns it may not be around in a few years. I hope it is because it is a good round.

I wouldn't let the loss of performance with heavier bullets change my opinion either. Just my opinion, but I think a 215-225 grain bullet will handle anything I would need to do with either the 338 RCM or the 338-06.