wishing for a 338 Ruger

[efm77]

Anyone else think Hornady and Ruger dropped the ball by not making a full size 338 Ruger? I know some people are handloading for it in wildcat form but I sure would like to see it become a factory round. I'd buy or build one in a heartbeat. Anyone know of any rumors of this happening?

[yorketransport]

I haven't heard anything about it becoming a factory round, but that sure would be coo.l ;D The 375 Ruger case is just a great looking design. I'd love to see either the 338 or a 358 Ruger. That would bee some seroius bear and elk medicine!

I have a Ruger Alaskan in 375 Ruger and I absolutely love it. But either a 338 or 358 would be even better. I love the 375 Ruger, but the reality is that it's a bit much for black bear and elk. A good medium bore round off of that case would sell well I think. A 22" stainless barrel and a laminate stock. I'd buy that right now! :D Better still, maybe I'll just build one!

Andrew

[J.Baker]

Already exists, it's called the .338 Ruger Compact Magnum. Trust me, a bear or elk isn't going to notice the 150-200fps velocity difference and you're shoulder will thank you for it.

[geargrinder]

I'd like to neck one down to 7mm and spit some 200g Wildcats out of a 30" barrel. :o :o :o

[efm77]

I'm well aware of the 338 RCM but short magnums do nothing for me. I know some guys like them and they have their place and that's fine but I'm not impressed by it. It barely matches 338 win mag ballistics, so what. What would really raise my eyebrows is if they would use the full size case because I'm sure they could approximate 340 weatherby ballistics in a 30-06 length cartridge and the ammo would be cheaper than weatherby.

[yorketransport]

My father-in-law has a 338 RCM. It's a neat round, but unless you use factory ammo it's nothing more than an expensive 338-06 with more recoil. For that matter it's not much more than the 338 Federal. Both the 338-06 and 338 Federal are great rounds, don't get me wrong. I have a 338-06 and love it. I'd be totaly happy with them for deer /bear rifle. But for a bear/elk rifle I like bullets in the 225-250gr range. With the bullets 225gr and over though, I feel like the larger case gives a usable edge.

Andrew

[Eric in NC]

I love the 375 Ruger, but the reality is that it's a bit much for black bear and elk. A good medium bore round off of that case would sell well I think.

Andrew


The 375 is a medium bore, right?

I am eager to start playing with a 416 Ruger - have to get some other projects finished though.

[yorketransport]

I suppose that 375 is still a medium-ish bore. ;) I agree that the 416 looks like an awful lot of fun. I wouldn't mid getting my hands on one.

Andrew

[Apache]

It's been necked up more than necked down......capacity is comparable to the Dakota line of cartridges.......

If you neck down to 257 and push the shoulders back just enough for a good neck you could duplicate the 257STW in a standard length action..... ;)

[efm77]

"If you neck down to 257 and push the shoulders back just enough for a good neck you could duplicate the 257STW in a standard length action..... "

My thoughts exactly except with a .338. Maybe not moving the shoulder back though. I think they could easily duplicate 340 Weatherby ballistics in a standard length action and with Hornady's light/heavy magnum powders maybe get "close" to 338 RUM ballistics. Oh if only they would do it!

[358Hammer]

It is already being done guys.

They are calling it a 338 Norma. I believe it is a new case without belt. As soon as I fined the article again I will come back on and post it. Its running with the RUM and fits in a standard action with only a bolt face modification. So far all testing that I have seen( it is inherently accurate with all bullet weights)! It won't shoot with the 338 Edge if your looking for extra horsepower but its close enough.

There is also another 338 coming that will be called a 338WSM EXT. Extended Case Capacity.

Think the Gentleman that designed it is from Texas and Norma has agreed to make the cases.
Neal

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk460/emeraldislandlover/338Norma.jpg

[tammons]

Seems like I remember reading that Ruger had no intention of building a 338 Magnum off the 375 ruger case due to enough 338 magnum competition out there already whatever that means.

[geargrinder]

It is already being done guys.

... Its running with the RUM and fits in a standard action with only a bolt face modification...

Neal



That's the problem. It need the Lapua/Big Weatherby sized bolthead.

The 375 Ruger has a regular magnum bolthead making it more Savage friendly.

[efm77]

I've heard about the 338 Norma and from what I've seen so far it's more expensive than Weatherby ammo which is also made by Norma so I'm out on that. As for enough 338 competition that's a pretty poor excuse in my opinion. Look at how many 300 magnums there are long and short ones and they made the RCM's. I think there's been enough short magnums in the last 9-10 years so I just yawned when the RCM's came out. They mimic win mag performance, big deal. I know, I know they do it in a shorter barrel and I can see the point in that but it doesn't impress me enough to use them. Now a 30 and 338 caliber in a 30-06 length cartridge that matches weatherby mag performance, that would get my attention. But, I'm probably not in the majority there to entice the ammo makers enough to develop them.