where are the 338 wm now?

[willie d n tn]

Hey folks, I'm new to the forum. For the last year have been trying to get a new 338 win mag in a left hand. Ruger has none, Remington has none, Sako has none, Winchester has none. MRC has one available, but read a lot about issues with them. Currently have a 338 ultra mag, shoots great. Muzzle break made it shootable from the bench, but can't (refuse) to hunt with ear plugs. Had a win mag 20 years ago, now looking for another. Any leads other than going full custom?

 

[hardluk1]

Tika can cover your needs, hard to find a more accurate rifle too.

Browning hunter can do it also. both in left handed models

You did not look hard enough or not wearing ear plugs has scramble to many brain cells .

Save what hearing you have left and get some custom plugs made . You can get this type done at any hearing center for less money.
http://www.earplugstore.com/custom-molded-ear-plugs-for-shooting.html

 

[willie d n tn]

Browning only had that x bolt. Something about that rifle just looks cheap, not near the gun A bolt 1 or 2 was. Tikka is only seen left hand in that plastic stock. Is the stock comparable to HS Precission or to the first generation Savage plastic? Thanx

 

[powder]

Kwitchyerbellyakin and get out the checkbook!


http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f2=338+Win+Mag &f1=002B&f4=&f3=&msrp=

 

[willie d n tn]

Ok, Powder, a fat checkbook has nothing to do with trying to find this rifle. Would love.a Sako,but not available in 338. However, did locate left-hand in Tikka with a wood stock, now if I can find one. Coming from Finland, probably scarce. The local dealers have checked their wholesalers, nothing. Internet sales, out of stock. Thanx.

 

[jmr40]

338's are no longer selling well at all and many companies have dropped them altogether. Others haven't built any new models in a while even though they still show them in the catalog and online. Folks are figuring out that a 300 mag, even a 30-06 loaded with heavy bullets will match anything the 338's will do on big stuff and offer the versatility of shooting lighter bullets with less recoil for deer sized game. If a heavy loaded 300 is too small, so is a 338. You need to go up to a 375 to make any real difference.

If you really want a 338 you'll probably not have much trouble finding one used.

 

[BruceB]

Walking around our small-town hardware store, I met a gent I know who asked , "Know anyone who wants a left-hand .338?" The price was right, and I AM a left-hander..... it was a hopeless situation!

It's a Savage 116, fluted stainless with muzzle brake, and it shoots like a varminter. 225 TSX bullets ahead of REloader 19 make 3-shot , 100-yard groups of LESS than 3/4" with boring regularity. It shoots better than most of my varmint rifles.

I took it on two trips to Alberta; two trips, two rounds fired, two dead critters..... one at 300 yards at last light.

NO Accu-trigger, NO wood stock, nothing fancy at all..... but Lordy, what a wonderful hunting rifle.

If you find one, even used, I'd stop looking right there. Nobody is likely to shoot a .338 enough to put significant wear on it.

Incidentally, electronic muffs work great in the field. They keep your ears warm, and you may even hear BETTER.

 

[hardluk1]

Well I guess you can find what you want in a custom build, maybe. You did not state a "plastic "stock was an issue or that you think the X bolt is "cheap". Guess you found the the tikka t-3 hunter in a WALNUT stock after all. Pays to look a little. -
http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/HunterLH.pdf

 

[B!ngo]

Call the folks at EuroOptic. I've bought my Tikka's from them and they have a lot of knowledge regarding those Finnish brands and seem to have access to a lot of their different models. Seem like good folks too.
B
P.S. I have no affiliation with them whatsoever other than purchasing two of their Tikka's.