.338 Win Mag for long range shooting

[stiletto raggio]

I just picked up a Ruger 77 in .338 win mag. I have wanted a .338 for a long time, but the price on this gun (stainless and with a Knoxx stock and JP muzzle brake) was too good to pass up.

I know the Win Mag is not really designed as a long range rifle round like the Lapua was, but it can shoot 300 grain bullets with the twist rate (1:10") on this barrel and should have minimal recoil. The question is, do you think it will perform better than I can get with my .308 700 or my NM M1A? I have a BOSS outfitted BAR in .300 WM, but I don't think it is really cut out for paper-punching.

Any experience with long range shooting (600+ yards) and the .338 WM? I know this really isn't a target rifle, but it is my entry gun in the medium bores.

 

[tikka338win]

I am very curious about this as well. It does not have as flat of a trajectory as the 308 or lapua at long range but other than that how much different is it? how about 1000 yards (i know thats way beyond my current capability as a shooter but just curious).

 

[dakotasin]

The question is, do you think it will perform better than I can get with my .308 700 or my NM M1A?

as long as the gun is accurate, the chambering is more than up to the task.

Any experience with long range shooting (600+ yards) and the .338 WM?

yep. i do it pretty routinely.

It does not have as flat of a trajectory as the 308...

i think you are mistaken. a higher bc and a higher velocity is a flatter shooter. same velocity and a higher bc is a flatter shooter. once you get into long-ish range shooting, it becomes more and more about the bc than it does the powder charge. 338 has the best bc, 264 next, 7mm next, and then 257 and 308 are roughly the same.

i have taken my 308's and my 338 win mag to beyond 1000 yards - the 338 win mag shoots flatter.

 

[stiletto raggio]

The very high BC of the long 300s and even some of the better-designed 250 grainers is what made me think the .338 WM would do just ifne. Sure, initial velocity is a bit lower than the Lapua, but it is really those long, sleek bullets that make the difference at range.

Any load recommendations you would care to pass on?

 

[MMCSRET]

The 338 Win. and the 340 Weatherby have long been the top choices for long shots on elk(cross canyon). The newer R.U.M. have cut into that a little bit, but .338 is still great. I use 338-06 with good success.

 

[stiletto raggio]

I have laways like the .338-06 on principal, though I have never fired one. The .338 Federal seems to be rpetty close ballistically, and I might end up with one as a result. Who know. I had probably get something with the rifles I have first, but damn if I don't love innovative and efficient rounds.