I had one.It shot well but actual felt recoil seemed greater than my M77 in 458 Win. mag.I'm not recoil sensitive but if you are, you might rethink the 338 choice.If you are hunting dangerous game,consider the 375 H&H.If not consider the 300 Win. mag.Good luck and happy hunting. Steve

 

Badass--I have the m-77 338 and think it is great, it has a perfect knock down kill for me on elk, as far as recoil IMHO my wife's bar-270 has more recoil, go for it you will love it. Doc

 

thanks for the info, ive aready put the gun on layaway, it isnt my first high power rifle, i have a 308,44mag carbine,and ive shot many other guns in that range including a 270 and a 30-06.i'm not recoil sensitive so i'm not worryed about recoil. it already has an alright scope on it but what would you recommend.

 

You will probably spend as much on the scope as you did for the rifle.

I would say any of the more quality brands like Leupold or Swarovski and make sure it has a warranty. I like Leupolds for sheer durability and wonderfully bright optics. I would also recommend an illuminated reticle. I swear by the things now that I have used them.

The heavy recoil of that rifle will simply destroy a lesser quality scope. Make sure you get very high quality mounts too. You can get away with less that the best optics and mounts on your .270 or 30-30 but not with something with heavy recoil. A cheap Tasco 3x9 from wal-mart that is fine for your .22 will simply drive you crazy when the recoil of that rifle big rifle starts moving the point of aim around a foot or two at 100 yards.

 

I love Leupold's, and won't get anything else. You still haven't told us what you are going to be shooting with this gun, so it really depends on your game and distance of shots too. Look for a VAR-X III. VAR-X II if money it tight.

 

I have that exact rifle. It was the first one I owned and got it at the age of 15!! At the time I dident really know what I was getting. It is an awsome rifle and I have taken many elk and mulie's with it out to around 250 yard's. It will do just about everything you'll ever need it to do. The recoil is tremendous !! About 3 year's ago I finally put a KDF Muzzlebreak on it and it now feel's like I'am shooting a .270. I would HIGHLY recomend installing a muzzlebreak, you will be able to shoot it much more effectively.

 

rugers do seem to recoil harder than other makes. i guess is the configurations of the stocks. My M77MKII stainless laminted .308 winchester recoilds MUCH HARDER than my borther in laws Savage 110 blued synthetic .300 winmag. recoil is also different between shooters......why do you think many gun rags call recoil "preceived recoil"?

good luck
cart

 

Though I have several .300 Win Mags and use them (and the .30-06s) the most, I reallly like the .338 Win Mag and mine just happens to be in the omly Ruger bolt gun I own, a Model 77 All-Weather Rifle. I have owned numerous Ruger rifles over the years and have never found them to be that accurate, but this one in .338 is a dandy.

I use 250 grain Nosler Partitions on elk in the timber and find that the 210 grain spitzer boattails shoot flat.

You will likely be happy with the rifle and certainly with the caliber. I have a KDF that I use for extended range sessions but I hunt with a thread protecter collar to avoid the noise and debris blast of the brake.

 

I own and use the Ruger M77 stainless with synthetic laminate stock chambered in 300 WinMag, .338, and 375 H&H. I have taken Moose, Caribou, and Bear from 5yds to 350yds with these guns. I shoot them regularly. They are all very excellent rifles. They stand up to the punishment and abuse I dish out and whatever the Alaska environment throws at me. I have yet to see these stainless guns rust or tarnish even after a little saltwater dunking. Can't say anything about the non-stainless versions.

I think you would be more than happy with any of these, but it is my opinion that muzzle brakes are too damn loud. If you can't shoot it accurately without a muzzle break shoot a smaller caliber gun.

I would get it. Shoot it often and handload so its not too expensive. You will pay between $20-50 for a box of factory shells so it gets expensive fast.

SJ

 

well i have the browning a- bolt with the boss in 300 win mag. the boss reduces the recoil pretty good, i dont know what it would do with the 338 win mag. but i like it. i have shot at one sitting 30 rounds with no pain.

***note*** the 7mm and 300 win mag is large enough to take any game in north america, JMO.

here is some ballistics info that i got from federalcartridge.com

7mm rem mag 160gr nosler partition bullet

average range, 0 is at 100 yrd
50yards... 100....200....300
-.2............ 0..... -3.1... -11.4"

long range, 0 is at 200 yards
50....100....200....300....400....500
0.6... 1.5.... 0 ......-6.7 ... -19.4. -39 inches

300 win mag 180gr nosler partition bullet

average range, 0 is at 100 yards
50....100....200....300
-0.2.. 0 .....-3.3.... -12.4 inches

long range, 0 is at 200 yards
50....100....200....300....400....500
0.6...1.6.... 0 .....-7.5... -22.1..-45.5 inches

338 win mag 250gr nosler patition bullet

average range, 0 is at 100 yards
50....100....200....300
-0.1.. 0 ....-4.2....-15 inches

long range, 0 is at 200 yards
50....100....200....300....400....500
1.....2.1...... 0 .....-8.8....-25.1..-50.5 inches

i didnt get the same bullet grain for each gun because the 7mm doesnt go that big, i took the average size of each round and gave you an example.
hope this helps.

terry