which rifle/cartridge dilemma... - Page 2

SRH78 · August 8, 2012, 06:11 PM

The solution to your delima is sitting on your reloading bench. As a reloader, you can easily reduce the recoil with different loads.

Also, a good recoil pad makes an enormous difference.

Mac284338 · August 9, 2012, 10:23 PM

Get a 338 Federal. I bought one last winter and have been enjoying it since. I started wtih factory ammo 180gr, 185gr, 200gr and 210grain. I found taht it shoots the 200gr the best (just over an inch) and with the Leupold 3x9 LRD scope I put on it I could hit the steel at 400 every time (I know it's not a longe range performer but I'm just sayin I do it). I now load the Speer 200gr Hot-core bullet over 52gr Allian PowerPro2000MR (load is per their book!) and I'm getting 2754fps over my chrono and it shoots 1"! This will kill all the deer, black bear and elk you aim it at inside of 400yds and if you're shooting farther then you need to be on TV.

Good Luck/Good shooting/Be Safe/Have Fun

NRA Life Member

Charshooter · August 11, 2012, 06:04 AM

"30-06 pushes it about 2650 fps max
35 Whelen pushes it at about 2700
300 H&H Mag pushes it about 2980
300 Win Mag pushes it at about 2950"

Sounds about right. I heard that Hornady has a loaded 35 Whelen with a 225 grain pill that will do 2750 fps, so advertised. That seems high. I have used this weight to 2700fps and it will do more than usually advertised with the 250 grain.

I like the 300 Win Mag the best of these and it must mean something when long-range sharpshooters use it? I usually like a 180 grain, or a 200 and I get about 2850 with a fine shooting load.

Now here is what I used to like. When Remington came out with the 8 mag, I liked the full length magnum very much, and being an unusual Weatherby owner, I dislike their ammunition, too much free bore. I had one set to a .338 and it came close to the 340. Then I went the other direction, this time with a better barrel and all around better set-up, this was a great all around heavy game getter, a real 3000 fps with a 200 grain! Later Kenny Jarret built the same and now it is known as the 300 Jarret. This is one hell of a rifle, and with the new premium bullets, I do not see a need for a .338 and would rather go to a .375. I have one older .375 Winchester, mainly as a collector rifle. My day of shooting big animals have ended.

I like the Weatherby action, and the same with the Browning A bolt. Today, I am not shooting the big rifles. I am a Browning bolt action fan and a Marlin lever action fan.

I have the Browning A bolt in a 223, 260 and 308, all fine shooters. The little short action cases are easy to reload, they cost less, now powder has gone up and really, the 260 is my favorite for open range game, it is versatile and very accurate. The 308 is also a great rifle. I did replace the barrel on my 223 and it also shoots superb. I am sold on Browning!

As for scopes, I like Leopold, in the Vari X 3 at moderate power, all other than my 223, which is my long-range varmint rifle.

I have the 35 Whelen on an FN Mauser action and I have a pre-64, 30-06 and 270, but they are not what I shoot very often and are more collector rifles.

The last remaining Weatherby I have is the 300 Winchester magnum, which is a fine shooter, but now a bit hard on me to bench shoot.

My pleasure is the smaller Browning short actions. I also like all the good Marlins and have a 358, 30-30 in super pristine condition, a 35 Remington and the two pistol round rifles, .44 and .357; I like then all in my old style 'Gunsmoke' rack.

When hunting, I seem to prefer the 35 Remington, as I have plenty of bullets, having bought them up when sales began to fall. The 30-30 is just too pretty and the 358 is great when I really need that power, and the pistol Marlins, I often shoot for hunting and target; they are great in this rough hilly country.

I do like the 260 the best for open country and more so than the 270 which is a bit more powerful.

Txpitdog · October 12, 2012, 10:15 AM

I would look a little further into just leaving the 375 Ruger as is in the Hawkeye Alaskan. With a 235gr bullet, you can get 2900 fps from the 20" barrel, and although it will have more drop than a 300 Win or 338 cal, the recoil is very tolerable. My Alaskan doesn't kick much worse than my Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 with hot loads. On paper, it has about 25% more recoil, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. Sighted 3" high @ 100yds with a 260 Accubond,you're dead on at 250 and 4" low at 300 and still carrying nearly 3000 ftlbs energy...from a 20" barrel. Mine wears a Vortex Viper 2x7x32 and has taken 2 nilgai. The 375 Ruger by itself is plenty versatile, and it won't bang you up like a 340 Weatherby.

August 9, 2012, 10:23 PM	#27
Mac284338 Member Join Date: August 7, 2012 Location: north Idaho Posts: 22	If you like 338 then here is the answer.... Get a 338 Federal. I bought one last winter and have been enjoying it since. I started wtih factory ammo 180gr, 185gr, 200gr and 210grain. I found taht it shoots the 200gr the best (just over an inch) and with the Leupold 3x9 LRD scope I put on it I could hit the steel at 400 every time (I know it's not a longe range performer but I'm just sayin I do it). I now load the Speer 200gr Hot-core bullet over 52gr Allian PowerPro2000MR (load is per their book!) and I'm getting 2754fps over my chrono and it shoots 1"! This will kill all the deer, black bear and elk you aim it at inside of 400yds and if you're shooting farther then you need to be on TV. Good Luck/Good shooting/Be Safe/Have Fun NRA Life Member

August 11, 2012, 06:04 AM	#28
Charshooter Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2007 Location: Ozarks Posts: 216	"30-06 pushes it about 2650 fps max 35 Whelen pushes it at about 2700 300 H&H Mag pushes it about 2980 300 Win Mag pushes it at about 2950" Sounds about right. I heard that Hornady has a loaded 35 Whelen with a 225 grain pill that will do 2750 fps, so advertised. That seems high. I have used this weight to 2700fps and it will do more than usually advertised with the 250 grain. I like the 300 Win Mag the best of these and it must mean something when long-range sharpshooters use it? I usually like a 180 grain, or a 200 and I get about 2850 with a fine shooting load. Now here is what I used to like. When Remington came out with the 8 mag, I liked the full length magnum very much, and being an unusual Weatherby owner, I dislike their ammunition, too much free bore. I had one set to a .338 and it came close to the 340. Then I went the other direction, this time with a better barrel and all around better set-up, this was a great all around heavy game getter, a real 3000 fps with a 200 grain! Later Kenny Jarret built the same and now it is known as the 300 Jarret. This is one hell of a rifle, and with the new premium bullets, I do not see a need for a .338 and would rather go to a .375. I have one older .375 Winchester, mainly as a collector rifle. My day of shooting big animals have ended. I like the Weatherby action, and the same with the Browning A bolt. Today, I am not shooting the big rifles. I am a Browning bolt action fan and a Marlin lever action fan. I have the Browning A bolt in a 223, 260 and 308, all fine shooters. The little short action cases are easy to reload, they cost less, now powder has gone up and really, the 260 is my favorite for open range game, it is versatile and very accurate. The 308 is also a great rifle. I did replace the barrel on my 223 and it also shoots superb. I am sold on Browning! As for scopes, I like Leopold, in the Vari X 3 at moderate power, all other than my 223, which is my long-range varmint rifle. I have the 35 Whelen on an FN Mauser action and I have a pre-64, 30-06 and 270, but they are not what I shoot very often and are more collector rifles. The last remaining Weatherby I have is the 300 Winchester magnum, which is a fine shooter, but now a bit hard on me to bench shoot. My pleasure is the smaller Browning short actions. I also like all the good Marlins and have a 358, 30-30 in super pristine condition, a 35 Remington and the two pistol round rifles, .44 and .357; I like then all in my old style 'Gunsmoke' rack. When hunting, I seem to prefer the 35 Remington, as I have plenty of bullets, having bought them up when sales began to fall. The 30-30 is just too pretty and the 358 is great when I really need that power, and the pistol Marlins, I often shoot for hunting and target; they are great in this rough hilly country. I do like the 260 the best for open country and more so than the 270 which is a bit more powerful. __________________ Born pre-war and proud of it!

August 8, 2012, 06:11 PM	#26
SRH78 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 517	The solution to your delima is sitting on your reloading bench. As a reloader, you can easily reduce the recoil with different loads. Also, a good recoil pad makes an enormous difference.

October 12, 2012, 10:15 AM	#29
Txpitdog Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 8	I would look a little further into just leaving the 375 Ruger as is in the Hawkeye Alaskan. With a 235gr bullet, you can get 2900 fps from the 20" barrel, and although it will have more drop than a 300 Win or 338 cal, the recoil is very tolerable. My Alaskan doesn't kick much worse than my Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 with hot loads. On paper, it has about 25% more recoil, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. Sighted 3" high @ 100yds with a 260 Accubond,you're dead on at 250 and 4" low at 300 and still carrying nearly 3000 ftlbs energy...from a 20" barrel. Mine wears a Vortex Viper 2x7x32 and has taken 2 nilgai. The 375 Ruger by itself is plenty versatile, and it won't bang you up like a 340 Weatherby.