338 wsm

[wal0001]

Any body loaded for 338 wsm? Thinking about building one for an elk rifle. Love my 270 wsm, but wanted to go with bigger bullets..

I somewhat figured I would be limited on 8 mm bullests for the 325 wsm, so I am going 338 wsm. I konw people have tried to tell me not much of a step up from 300 wsm, but I love to tinker..

Thanks folks for any input...

[EFBell]

I guess Shortmags.org is kaput? There used to be tons of good info on there for WSM wildcats.

That being said and knowing how people like to tinker etc. (me included) there is no elk on the planet that can stand up to a 300 WSM with a 180 grain Swift, A-Frame or Accubond etc.

[JCalhoun]

And one wildebeest has been known to fall to one. Right, Ed?

[EFBell]

And one wildebeest has been known to fall to one. Right, Ed?

Like it was hit on the head with Thor's Hammer! ;D

[358Hammer]

And if you get bored with the mundane 180 grain out of the 300WSM then maybe the 180 grain Accubond from the 338WSM or the 200grain Accubond from the 338WSM will trip your trigger as they both go faster down the 338 bore than the same bullets weights down a .308 bore.

I currently have 3 338WSM and they all shoot the 180 Accubond with 17"-19" barrels very fast!

Neal

[wal0001]

Neal ... been out of town for week.. sorry for the late response.. Where can I find the dies for a 338 wsm. I belive redding wanted $250 to make a set.

[tammons]

Why not a 338 RCM. Its a factory cartridge.
Load it with one of the new pro power powders from alliant and you should be able to get 338 WM velocities
out of say a 22" barrel..

That said a 338 WSM should have a good bit more case capacity.

I have 180 rounds of 338 RCM brass sitting here so that's my next build.
I think the 338 magnums are a big step up from the 300WM especially
loaded with Barnes bullets.

[358Hammer]

My dies are actually RCBS dies. I paid $26. for the set as a dealer here in Alaska had them on the shelf anticipating Winchester coming out with the cartridge. Winchester went under. Hornady should have them for half the $250. CH4D should have them pretty cheap as well.

For all intents I have found the 338WSM equal to the 338 Win Mag with bullets up to 200 grain. I chamber .050 deep with a WSM reamer to get the same case capacity as the 338Win Mag. With the Nitride treatment I gain another 100fps or more velocity than the Win Mag with all bullet weights.

Note_ None of the smaller cases having the same barrel length will come close to touching the 338 Edge velocity all things being equal. Easily one of the best choices I ever made.

Neal