.338 what?

[Alexandro Faria]

So, while doing research which has become routine,I came across the 8.5x63... It's effectively a 9.3x62 necked down to .338, but achieved by necking up a 7mm brenneke and adjusting the shoulder. South Africa have something almost identical called the .338 sabi. Does anyone have any information or experience on the above cartridges? I'm putting together a "I need to invest in these before anything else" list and a .338 that throws a 300gr bullet at just under 2400 ft/s is seriously attractive considering I live in the extreme north of Gauteng. Ps, not interested in a .338 win mag, never had a good experience with such.

 

[Spooksar]

I have one that I picked up in a package deal. I've shot it but never used it for hunting. Quality Cartridge makes proper head stamped brass. Seems like what Rocky Gibbs would have done if he made a 338.

 

[kudu1]

Have a good look at the 338-06 (basically the same thing as the 338 SABI) just more popular and dies are relatively easy to get.

Almost identical ballistics - great cartridges in every respect.

 

[Alexandro Faria]

I have one that I picked up in a package deal. I've shot it but never used it for hunting. Quality Cartridge makes proper head stamped brass. Seems like what Rocky Gibbs would have done if he made a 338.

Might I ask what velocities and loads you are running?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

338 Win Mag is one of my favorite. I have a Ruger Hawkeye and a Browning BAR. Both are accurate.

Since you want to throw a 300 gr @ 2400 fps, why not look at the 340 Weatherby. According to the results in this article, you could achieve that and then some. http://www.realguns.com/articles/633.htm

 

[Alexandro Faria]

338 Win Mag is one of my favorite. I have a Ruger Hawkeye and a Browning BAR. Both are accurate.

Since you want to throw a 300 gr @ 2400 fps, why not look at the 340 Weatherby. According to the results in this article, you could achieve that and then some. http://www.realguns.com/articles/633.htm

Cheers for that! I'm actually looking for a bushveld rifle at present, so 2300/2400 ft/s with the 300gr is all I will need, but it is definitely an option at a latter stage. Certain firearms just don't agree with certain people. My list runs: .223 rem, .243 win,.30-06, .338 win mag... Which is a pitty, because my life would be A LOT simpler if I liked them

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

338 RUM? Probably a better drink than a cartridge

http://www.realguns.com/loads/338remum.htm

 

[spike.t]

why dont you just get a 9.3x62 instead of all that messing around? i find it works for me, and jan @Shumba Safaris and quite a few others are hooked on it

 

[AB2506]

35 Whelen would also work.

 

[bassasdaindia]

I am a 338 fan , why don't you just down load a 338 WM 250g ?
Seems a lot simpler and easier to me ?

 

[Alexandro Faria]

@spike.t, I will eventually have a .375 H&H passed down to me by my mentor... The 9.3 mauser was indeed on the menu, but I can't justify it knowing the .375 will one day be passed onto me.

 

[bassasdaindia]

Something I have learned, and IMHO each caliber has its favorite bullet .

I recently tried to load a 350g in my .458 Lott , I eventually gave up because if I want to shoot a bullet in the 300's I would rather grab my 375 , what the 375 is made for.

So the point I am trying to make is if you want to shoot a 300g bullet at 2400 , rather use a 375 .

 

[Alexandro Faria]

Something I have learned, and IMHO each caliber has its favorite bullet .

I recently tried to load a 350g in my .458 Lott , I eventually gave up because if I want to shoot a bullet in the 300's I would rather grab my 375 , what the 375 is made for.

So the point I am trying to make is if you want to shoot a 300g bullet at 2400 , rather use a 375 .

Think that is indeed a fair point. Perhaps I need to reevaluate. Thank you!

 

[Divernhunter]

I have some 300gr 338 bullets.
After years for testing and such "I" have decided that there is no need for a bullet heavier than 225 or max 250grs in a 338 with modern better bullets such a Swift A-Frame. Even in larger cases that the 338win mag which I have friends who own them. Me? The 338win mag has done everything I have asked it to do super well with 210gr Nosler Partition or Swift Scirocco bullets or 225gr Swift A-Frame.

But that is just me.

 

[bassasdaindia]

I have some 300gr 338 bullets.
After years for testing and such "I" have decided that there is no need for a bullet heavier than 225 or max 250grs in a 338 with modern better bullets such a Swift A-Frame. Even in larger cases that the 338win mag which I have friends who own them. Me? The 338win mag has done everything I have asked it to do super well with 210gr Nosler Partition or Swift Scirocco bullets or 225gr Swift A-Frame.

But that is just me.

This I agree with 100% , the 250g in 338wm is a really hard hitting combination.

 

[bassasdaindia]

Think that is indeed a fair point. Perhaps I need to reevaluate. Thank you!

I am also in SA , I have wasted more time and money trying to make certain rifles shoot the incorrect grain bullets that I care to mention .

 

[Spooksar]

Might I ask what velocities and loads you are running?

Not sure off hand I won't be home for a week I'll check and report

 

[AZDAVE]

Well just to liven up the ideas how about a 9.3x74 double. Mine does 2350fps with a 300gr Aframe. Reloaded northfork cupped solids to the same point of impact.

 

[spike.t]

@spike.t, I will eventually have a .375 H&H passed down to me by my mentor... The 9.3 mauser was indeed on the menu, but I can't justify it knowing the .375 will one day be passed onto me.

hi if you are going to end up with a .375, then why bother with anything else as that shoots 300 grn bullets at 2400......?

 

[Mekaniks]

I am a .338 fan. So much that I have a WM and a Federal. Love the versatility and wide range of bullet selections. That said, I have the same question as Spike, if your going to shoot 300g in a .375 why mess around with a .338? You can pretty much do anything with a .375 that you can do with .338 unless you want the flexibility to shoot 165-225 grain bullets also.