New Elk Cartridge

[AZ Jim]

Check this out.

Sounds awesome. Supposed to be like the .338 Win. but in a short cartridge.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAP...&type=Rifle


Should do a number on elk.

I know, I know there is already something out there that will do it, but hey there is always an excuse for a new rifle.

AZ Jim

 

[AZ Jim]

More info.......


http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=761



AZ Jim

 

[sidepass]

They have a 300 RCM also, both should do the job .338 mag performance without the recoil should appeal to plenty.
The 338 RCM is a shortened 375 ruger case necked down. I think the 375 case necked down but not shortened would have rocked.

sidepass

 

[wmidbrook]

I'd be suprised if they survive as cartridges. You've got the .325 WSM, Weatherby with it's 338-06 A-Square, and the Federal 338.

You've got other variants like the Z-hat's Z-338.

I sure think the 338-06 is the shizzle tho...just run an expander die in 30-06 brass and voila! You're in business....lot cheaper to shoot and ballistically 6's with all the other "short" 338's.

I'm still thinking of converting over a 700 .270 to a 338-06 when I find a good deal on a barrel.

 

[tmoniz]

wmidbrook.

Go for the 338/06. I've had several and am going to build another. Belch and me got a truck load of Data.
I hit an Elk in Oregon with one a few years back and he went down like he was hit by lightning.
It's a great round and easy to handload.
Cheap too.

 

[bpnclark]

If someone wants the performance of a .338, why don’t they just buy a .338? (Unless it’s just an excuse to buy a new gun)

 

[BelchFire]

I wish I could add some Elk hunting comments to this, but I can't. (Maybe one day) But as for the .338-06, I'm one of those guys that just like to have something different. And I LOVE mine. It's built on a FN K98 and has a Shaw barrel. It's not a pretty gun, but it's a stud and has slammed everything I've shot with it so far (several whitetails and a few beaver - tee hee hee).

As for brass, I prefer .35 Whelen brass. My reasoning is two fold. 1) if someone puts it in the wrong gun, it would be much safer fired in a .35 Whelen (by headstamp) than it would in an '06 (if they ever managed to close the bolt). And 2) when you size .35 Whelen down, you end up with a thicker neck than when you size '06 up. If it's too thick, you can neck turn for concentricity and have all that much better brass.

JMTC. If you just want something different, go for it! You don't need any other excuse than that. After all, it's your money. If you decide to go for a .338-06, Tmoniz and I can give you pages and pages of data.

 

[tmoniz]

bpnclark

Part of doing up a 338/06 is you get near magnum performance but from a 30/06 case.
Brass is cheaper and you use less powder.
Plus it's fun manufacturing your own cases.
Load development, etc.

I started using it about 20 years ago.
I'm gonna do another rifle in it.

 

[wmidbrook]

Belch/tm...much appreciated info. When I finally get around to building my 338-06, I'll be getting in touch with you.

Bill

 

[bpnclark]

Tmoniz – that sounds like a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.

I really never understood the necking down standard cases for short mag rounds. I just put back the new 375 Ruger for the H&H. I guess I’m still following the 2nd Golden Rule - “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there is anything cooler than making your own round. I know if when I retire or win the lottery, I will be doing the same thing. I guess it’s kind of like tying your own flies for Elk.

 

[tmoniz]

Can't go wrong with the H and H Bpn. When I lived in Alaska you could find the 375 H and H in just about every hardware store in any town. Plus it's proven.
I wouldn't turn one down.

You hunt Africa a lot I take it.

 

[bpnclark]

I try to hunt every where. I need to finish up a lot more North American hunting while I’m still young. But Africa was a blast and I can’t wait to go back.

My brother is pissed because I didn't get the new Ruger (we all “borrow” each others guns). I “roll my own” so I understand why people get into these new calibers, and it seems like there is a new one, every month. With muzzle breaks and new recoil pads, I don’t see the need for these super short mag rounds with short barrels.

How is the accuracy in these calibers at 300-400 yards? I know most of these new guns have 20 inch barrels. Personally I don’t like shooting barrels that short. I’m not the world’s greatest shot and need a long heavy barrel for longer shots. I guess if you build your own gun it’s up to you? Or do these rounds need a short barrel?

 

[BelchFire]

My Mauser is wearing 23". If you build it -- you spec it.

 

[AZ Jim]

From what I have been reading, the cartridge was designed around a 20" barrel and regularly shoots an inch at 100 yards with velocities equaling a .338 Win mag with a 24" inch barrel. Lower recoil and weighs less also.

Has possibilities .......

I am also a fan of the .338-06, have been planning on building one for years on a Springfield 03-A3 action.


AZ Jim

 

[tmoniz]

I think Bpn. It's part of the sport. It's almost like playing around with Hotrod Cars.
It's very satisfying to build a rifle based on your own personal ideas.
And when you take that project into the field and get the job done.
There's even more satisfaction.


You know.
When you think about it. There are alot of cartridges out there that have stood the test of time.
The 06, the 308, the belted magnums.
You neck them up, neck them down, you blow them out, sharpen the shoulders.

There's a new mindset out there for cartridges that are more powerfull and more compact.
They may or may not hold up as far as longevity.
But they are still interesting.
And fun.