.338-08 and .338-wsm

BMWGS80 · November 13, 2002, 11:46 PM

Two thoughts on rechambering a couple of .308 blot guns. I've seen the .338-08 mentioned in a couple of articles but no balistic data.

Also thinking about the 300 WSM necked up to .338.

Anyone have any info on performance?

Cheers,

ts

HSMITH · November 14, 2002, 09:31 AM

I have been thinking that a short action full performance 338 Mag would be just what I need. 338-08 would be pretty slow even with the light bullets, and trajectory with 225 and 250 grain bullets would be horrible. Might be a good deep woods rifle, but I would want at least 338 win mag performance, if not better. A short light 338 would be nasty, but not shot all the time.

Elkslayer · November 14, 2002, 10:36 AM

There is a lot of information about this wildcat cartridge over at this website. Do a search on 338-08.

http://talk.shooters.com/room_67/Nov142002.cfm

I read some of the posts last night as I too am interested in a 338-08. If I correctly recall, 180gr bullets were in the 2800-2900fps range and 200gr bullets were in the 2600-2700 fps range. One thing I did note which concerned me was the difficulty in finding dies for it.

This cartridge should not be compared to the 338mag. It isn't a magnum cartridge! If you want magnum performance, then by all means get yourself a magnum and accept the recoil and weight associated with that cartridge. But if you want to shoot bullets with a bigger frontal area and not have the recoil then consider the 338-08. What the 338-08 is, is a very effecient cartridge which functions in a short action allowing for lighter overall weight and giving you the ability to have a 24" bbl if you want without having the weight of a long action with a 24" bbl.

As for its ability to anchor game, read the thread on Shooters.com where Double D used this cartridge in Africa on many plains game that would equate to our deer and elk. That should sober some of the critics of this cartridge up.

That all being said, it will never edge out an established round like the 338 win mag or even the 338-06. But often when dreaming of a wildcat cartridge the impracticality of the logic justifying it is something one accepts.

I'm more than likely going to pursue building one. Might even have to have custom dies made. Do I need it, no. will it fill a empty slot in my battery, no. But I'm going to have one built just so I can say I've got one and that it will dump deer and elk like any other rifle I already have. Sometimes the reason why isn't really a reason at all.

Marshall · November 14, 2002, 03:58 PM

Well said, Elkslayer. No one needs a reason to build a wildcat.

BMWGS80 · November 14, 2002, 09:28 PM

I'm not looking for magnum performance from the 08. Just a up to about 300 yd tac gun for town with a short barrel.

The thought on the .338-wsm is to convert a Full size 700 PSS for longer range with a short action for fast repeat shots.

I already have three good Big game rifles that suit me.

Rem 700 .270, Win 70cl 30-06, Colt LW .330 WM

Don't underrate the Colt or Diss it. Very good gun for the money.

Thanks for the replys,

Cheers,

ts

MolonLabe416 · November 15, 2002, 12:31 AM

Give the 338/06 a look. A-Square is now loading it. A lot of reloading data available. A 338 WSM will probably only hold 2 or 3 rounds, the 338/06 will hold 5. 30/06 brass is widely available and much cheaper than either 300 WSM or 8mm. Ballistics difference in the field at any reasonable range is non-existant.

November 13, 2002, 11:46 PM	#1
BMWGS80 Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 288	.338-08 and .338-wsm Two thoughts on rechambering a couple of .308 blot guns. I've seen the .338-08 mentioned in a couple of articles but no balistic data. Also thinking about the 300 WSM necked up to .338. Anyone have any info on performance? Cheers, ts

November 14, 2002, 10:36 AM	#3
Elkslayer Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2002 Location: Wyoming Posts: 132	There is a lot of information about this wildcat cartridge over at this website. Do a search on 338-08. http://talk.shooters.com/room_67/Nov142002.cfm I read some of the posts last night as I too am interested in a 338-08. If I correctly recall, 180gr bullets were in the 2800-2900fps range and 200gr bullets were in the 2600-2700 fps range. One thing I did note which concerned me was the difficulty in finding dies for it. This cartridge should not be compared to the 338mag. It isn't a magnum cartridge! If you want magnum performance, then by all means get yourself a magnum and accept the recoil and weight associated with that cartridge. But if you want to shoot bullets with a bigger frontal area and not have the recoil then consider the 338-08. What the 338-08 is, is a very effecient cartridge which functions in a short action allowing for lighter overall weight and giving you the ability to have a 24" bbl if you want without having the weight of a long action with a 24" bbl. As for its ability to anchor game, read the thread on Shooters.com where Double D used this cartridge in Africa on many plains game that would equate to our deer and elk. That should sober some of the critics of this cartridge up. That all being said, it will never edge out an established round like the 338 win mag or even the 338-06. But often when dreaming of a wildcat cartridge the impracticality of the logic justifying it is something one accepts. I'm more than likely going to pursue building one. Might even have to have custom dies made. Do I need it, no. will it fill a empty slot in my battery, no. But I'm going to have one built just so I can say I've got one and that it will dump deer and elk like any other rifle I already have. Sometimes the reason why isn't really a reason at all. Last edited by Elkslayer; November 14, 2002 at 10:58 AM.

November 14, 2002, 03:58 PM	#4
Marshall Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: I live in a small bush community in southeast Alaska called Gustavus Posts: 103	No reason needed! Well said, Elkslayer. No one needs a reason to build a wildcat.

November 14, 2002, 09:31 AM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I have been thinking that a short action full performance 338 Mag would be just what I need. 338-08 would be pretty slow even with the light bullets, and trajectory with 225 and 250 grain bullets would be horrible. Might be a good deep woods rifle, but I would want at least 338 win mag performance, if not better. A short light 338 would be nasty, but not shot all the time.

November 14, 2002, 09:28 PM	#5
BMWGS80 Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 288	I'm not looking for magnum performance from the 08. Just a up to about 300 yd tac gun for town with a short barrel. The thought on the .338-wsm is to convert a Full size 700 PSS for longer range with a short action for fast repeat shots. I already have three good Big game rifles that suit me. Rem 700 .270, Win 70cl 30-06, Colt LW .330 WM Don't underrate the Colt or Diss it. Very good gun for the money. Thanks for the replys, Cheers, ts

November 15, 2002, 12:31 AM	#6
MolonLabe416 Member Join Date: October 26, 2002 Location: Ferndale WA Posts: 66	Give the 338/06 a look. A-Square is now loading it. A lot of reloading data available. A 338 WSM will probably only hold 2 or 3 rounds, the 338/06 will hold 5. 30/06 brass is widely available and much cheaper than either 300 WSM or 8mm. Ballistics difference in the field at any reasonable range is non-existant.