Hi. A couple of questions about calibers. Is there a difference between .338 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua? .338 REmingto Ultra Magnum? What is the recoil like for those round and the .300 Win Mag as compared to the .308? Appreciate the help.

Jim

-- Jimmey McLemore (steedo_jim@yahoo.com), December 23, 2003

Answers

I own a .338 Win Mag in a Ruger MK77 and a .300 Win Mag in a Winchester Model 70. Up close, the two rifles perform identically. However, when you extend the range, the .338 begins to outperform the .300. That is, when you figure in wind and drop. The .338 shoots flatter than the .300 according to what I've seen. Also, I've been told that the .338 will reach out to 1500 yards, whereas the .300 is good up to 1000. As far as recoil goes, the .338 is a more comfortable kick to me. The .300 is a much sharper kick, comparable to the .270. Personally, I prefer the .338.

-- Brandon Polander (polandey@bellsouth.net), May 07, 2004.

I own or have shot all the listed cartridges except the "Lapua".338 mag. Any full length Remington Ultra mag. is a real "kicker"- no matter what the rifle is that throws it's projectiles! I hate muzzle breaks, if you can't stand recoil than don't shoot that round! But, they are like playing "laser tag"! The .300 full length ultra mag. is the best killer I've ever put in my hands! And personally, shooting that round on Remingtons Sendero frame- I find it comfortable to shoot! But that's me! Most of my friends do not enjoy the recoil! The .338 win mag and the .300 win mag are pleasures to shoot and as always, the .300 win mag is the most accurate of the mag crowd! I've seen it outshoot the .308 (especially) at the longer yardages, many times! But if you need to ask this kind of question, then one can only assume that you are single-rifle minded! My advise would be- buy (or keep) your .308 and own a .300 win mag (preferably in a heavy barrel)you can't go wrong!

-- MIKE HINDE (mike@jrharchitecture.com), April 23, 2004.

Jim,

Have you considered 30-06? In spite of the fact that it may not have the sex appeal of all the latest greatest .30 cal+ rounds these days, it is one of the most tried and true calibres out there. I personally shoot .308, 30-06, and .300WM. They're all in what I would consider to be military/tactical configurations, and I love them all. But, if I could only take one of them with me it would be the .30-06. With the right load there is nothing you can't take down in North America, and most things in Africa. It has one of the most versatile ranges of ammunition and you'll always be able to find ammo for it. It is my humble opinion that it is one of, if not thee, greatest North American cartridge ever developed. And to adress your original question, I find my .30-06 relatively pleasant to shoot.

Sincerely,

Brad A. Best

-- Brad A. Best (ianson65@hotmail.com), April 07, 2004.

i have 338 lapua magnum, 338 win mag and 308 win, so i'll tell you what i find:

i can shoot all day with the 308 but it does give a bit of a kick if you are not careful! the 338 win mag is quite a handfull but for the odd shot when hunting is no problem for a normal sized guy. the 338 lapua magnum is the smoothest of all as it is fitted with an efficient muzzle brake, which does however produce a LOT of noise and side blast, however i could shoot it all day long (its a Sako TRG 42 if you are interested). The muzzle brake is an optional extra but i haven't yet had the courage to try it without it fitted! Hope this helps.

-- julian bottomer (julianmb@hotmail.com), December 25, 2003.