300 Win Mag vs 338 Win Mag

In this video I compare two heavy hitting big game cartridges! I compare the most popular 30 caliber magnum vs the most popular 338 magnum. Which one is the better big game cartridge? Come find out!

[@cameroneacret7111]

This man can talk about two bullets that are almost identical for 30 minutes and still make the entire video interesting and honestly kinda peaceful haha. This guy is wild!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thank you! I'm trying to make my content a little more exciting.

[@JonRangel87]

You mean two cartridges? Bullet is the projectile

[@alberto-alsapao6891]

Both very different in Brown Bear/ Grizzly country

[@cabinetmunch]

Availability problem solved: 7mm mag brass can be necked up to make .338 brass. Anneal, size the neck only up thru a .30 cal expander, anneal again, lube, full length size on a .338 die. Optional fire form after full resize on .338 die with cream of wheat and an appropriate pistol powder. I have not found the fire forming to be necessary however, since the shoulder is being bumped back and the cartridge is head-spacing off of the belt anyhow. Super easy. Have been doing this for years. Save $$$. 7 mag brass is usually available and is less than 1/2 what .338 brass goes for, if you can find it. Mark your case heads appropriately.

[@andreisharma]

I found some 7mm and I annealed lubed and went straight up to 338 no 30 cal transition

[@Greyzonecompliant]

The cost of a primer makes avoiding fire forming more appealing. Thank you for a good explanation. 👍

[@andrewcleveland]

While a bit different scenario I have used 338 win mag brass to make 416 Taylor improved brass. The belted mag cases seem to be frowned upon today compared to new beltless brass, but when it comes to wildcatting the belted mags are hard to beat. Like you said when forming brass it’ll go back to using the belt to headspace. Then after fire forming go back to bumping the shoulder back to headspace on.

[@Tokool849]

I think 338 win vs 338 rpm would be a kool video

[@kevinberdine]

I love when the online gun channels do crossovers like this. Great job!!!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks

[@eiszeit9795]

Again a great video 😎👌 Thanks for the time you invest in this videos.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thank you for your kind words

[@darrendavis7699]

Love my 300 win....... went to 338-06 for a go to daily thumper built one 2 years ago and just bought a cooper a few months ago. I am 100-125 fps slower than a 338 win with a lot less recoil with reloads from 160-225 and easy to get 30-06 brass. Very efficient cartridge, when I need more 338 ultra although a 340 Weatherby is just fine also. With todays powders and bullets there are some nice cartridges that wallop big stuff at useful ranges and do not pummel you 338-06 or 35 Whelen are a bit too over looked for what they offer.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing!

[@orr89rocz]

Have two 338’s. Its fantastic with 160 ttsx at 3200 fps. Accurate flat and recoil isnt bad. 338 is awesome if you reload, factory ammo is hard to find and super expensive

[@andreisharma]

I’ve never went down to the 160s the 250 and 220 felt like a 30-06. The 210 and 185 started to kick like factory hornady. I haven’t seen the 160 s available tho so I can’t try ‘em yet

[@orr89rocz]

@@andreisharma its our deer load. No need for the big bullets but i have 225 hornadys and 250 round nose loads i worked up. They shoot ok but need tweaked. Recoil is alot more than the 160’s. But not terrible

[@user-eg8hb8xt3j]

My first rifle was a 338 win mag . Great cartridge .

[@frankkee8709]

Have you ever used a 35 whelen in anything ? Sledgehammer!!!!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I haven't... someday I'll get one.

[@brianneeley9455]

Yes "Poor Mans Magnum". Its a beast of a round. Getting hard to find ammo too.

[@FullWinchester]

Hey man I like your channel I enjoy the content you put out. Funny enough I am located in your neck of the woods and frequent the same range. Id love to reach out and pick your brain on this rifle I have. Its a CA mesa chambered in 6.5 PRC and have been having accuracy issues with it, It went back to CA and they put a new barrel on it and sent it back. When i took it back out to the range I cant get anything better than 1.25" group out of it. I have the supplies to reload it but in all honesty I don't know if i want to fool with it or sell it for something else. I am still pretty new at reloading and wouldn't know where to begin with working up a load with it. I would like to hear what your feedback would be on what to do with the rifle thanks.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

You can message me on Instagram. Look for reloading Weatherby

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

In the lighter bullet range the 300WM smashes the 338WM with higher BC’s and higher sectional densities. IMO choosing a 338WM or a 340WB is about prioritizing penetration. The 250gr LRX has a sectional density of 0.313 and a G1 BC of 0.602 At a MV of ~2800fps from your 340WB you are going to tear holes in the fabric of space and time you realize? Good luck recovering any bullets once they have crossed into another dimension lol. That is going to be a load for brown bear, cape buffalo, and yeti on the planet Hoth… aim for the largest bones and cut your game down like Paul Bunyan. Cheers!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

2800 FPS? That's slow. I'm going for 3000 FPS. Barnes data is always slow and they use a 24 inch barrel.

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

@@ReloadingWeatherby😳 careful man… you might trigger the formation of a trans dimensional wormhole. 😉 I ran the numbers on applied ballistics at 2800fps MV at 3500ft DA… you will retain 2000fps all the way out to 600m. At 2900fps you will reach 2000fps at 680m. If I were you I would go with a single based powder and trade a little velocity for stability… these numbers are pretty wild. Cheers!

[@tylerwiltse2541]

For me and my experiences with both cartridges I prefer the 338 all day. In identical rifles, both Ruger M77 mark II's the 338 is far easier to shoot. For me its not recoil energy but recoil velocity. The 338 comes back as more of a push were as the 300 is more of a quick snap back. I shoot 225 TTSX's in my 338wm and my brother uses 180s to 190s in his 300wm. Thats just my experience but 338 is far more enjoyable to shoot to me over the 300. But both are excellentand and will do the job. Great comparison and keep them coming!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for your input. I've only shot a 338 Win mag once... in a very light rifle with out a brake. That was not enjoyable lol. I was shooting the 225 gr Accubond.

[@tylerwiltse2541]

@ReloadingWeatherby I would say that neither are ideal in light rifles. The two rifles that I described above are both 10lbs with optics and both have brakes so that does help for sure in recoil reduction.

[@brianstratton2522]

I have both, but definitely prefer the 300, never thought I needed much more. Africa and Alaska the 300 works great, with a little less recoil.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cdavison9491]

Ive had and reloaded both for about 25 years. They'll both kill about anything. The 338 is my favorite, but im a huge fan of both. If could only have one, its the 338. Ive only hunted deer with them so far, but 180-225 grain accubonds are my favorites in the 338. 180 grain accubonds or 190 accubond long range with the 300.

[@eskimo_airgunner2314]

Everyone knows the best of those two is the 340 Weatherby. What spread sheet are you using in your presentations? Whenever I have hunted Alaska with my cousins, Im usually the guy with the 300 win mag, and the other two are either packing a 375 HH or the 338 win mag. I like the 300 for the extra range because that is how I usually end up taking my caribou. My cousin likes his big cal because he is afraid of brown bears when we have to hike through brushy tundra. I think a near point blank the 180 grain AccuBond in my 300 would do a number on a bear, but I havent tried that theory. Bear usually make a lot of noise before they come at you so my close encounters have all resolved themselves with the bear going the other way, once I let it know what I am.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Well.. yeah!

[@TrademarkMediaTM]

The 338 win mag also has a larger surface area to push on compared to the 300, that will lead to increased velocity in similarly sized cases with the same weight bullet. That's part of the reason the 338 is rated faster with a slightly smaller case capacity. Of course twist rate, barrel length, and powder selection will impact that.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Yep

[@sladeleason4338]

I've been hunting with a 338 for 36 years 250 grain nosler partition and it thumps elk moose and deer very effectively. My dad and brother both use 300 win mag and the results are the same though i can shoot through bigger trees than they can lol

[@Gabbos]

What was that book you were using? Looked like something I could read while pooping! lol

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Nosler reloading Manual 9

[@kingy300wby]

I love my 338 win mag it’s such a beautiful thing to shoot I was using the 225gr accubond, using the 230gr eldx now

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gavinphillips5096]

I have been shooting 180 grain Accubonds out of my 300 Win since the Accubond was introduced. Average MV of 3120. I have taken game from 150-650 yards with absolutely no problems. 300 Win with a 180 Accubond is a potent pill.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I use the 200 gr Accubond in my 300 Weatherby. Accubond is a great bullet

[@8MM.PRC.HUNTER]

Interesting video, Austin. As much as I like the 338 WM I can kind of understand why many have moved away from it. The 300 WM is at least adequate if not very effective for virtually all non dangerous game on the planet. And for dangerous game there are better choices than the 338 WM, although the 338 is adequate for big bears but isn't legal in Africa for dangerous game. So you've got people stepping on up to 375's if the 300 isn't enough. I will be looking forward to your footage on the 340 WBY when you get one.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

That makes sense

[@jaybailleaux630]

I take the 7mm mag over the 300 mag. If the 7mm mag was not enough gun. I skip over the 300 mag to a 338 mag or 375 H&H.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for sharing!

[@blaserlongrange7616]

For moose i use 8,5x55 blaser with a 20" barrel, 185gr ttsx is going 3070fps ,225gr ttsx at 2700fps

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Oh nice!

[@nv854]

How hot can you load 300win and 338 win? Could you push them to higher pressure safely?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Most likely

[@jasonacosta3860]

Split the difference and get the 300 Weatherby and watch the carnage it leaves behind. Both to animals and the shoulder of the shooter 😂

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I love my 300 Weatherby

[@mickeydoodle6014]

My grandfather used a Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 .338WM Alaskan with 300 grain round nose loaded to around 2350-2400 fps. Now mind you, this was for Whitetail… 😂 I have been using a Remington 700 classic 35 Whelen since I was a kid. Can you do a video comparing it to 338WM and 30-06? I have done my research. But just like hearing more experienced reloaders talk about it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jam5287]

30-06 is good. But the 338 win mag dominates it in every category. The 30 caliber that could compete with the 338 is probably something like the 300 PRC

[@mickeydoodle6014]

@@jam5287I would have to disagree with that assessment. It’s a vary linear comparison. There are many professional hunters that would take a 30-06 Springfield over a 338 Winchester Magnum. Weight, recoil, capacity. All three of these categories are in favor of the 30-06. I’m not a fan of the 30 PRC. 7mm PRC seems a more useful caliber. Plus, if we’re doing a linear comparison of a 30 caliber to a 338 Winchester magnum, the 30-378 Weatherby makes the 338 Winchester seem quite anemic. The 300 Weatherby magnum is producing more ftlbs of energy in factory loading as well. I am sure there are others I am not thinking of. I am a huge Elmer Keith fan. So, I am a fan of the 338 Winchester Magnum. However, I try to stay away from blanket statements. My 338 Lapua absolutely dominates a 338 Winchester Magnum. However, I would rather carry my 35 Whelen than either of those. I can load my rifle with five rounds of 250 grains at around 2500-2550, 225 at 2700+ if I want to stretch its legs, 200 if I am just hunting deer. 35 Whelen has less felt recoil, higher capacity rifles, lighter rifles, cheaper factory rounds, cheaper, reloading components and uses less powder. On average it has 200 to 300 less ftlbs of energy and %15-20 less B.C. both are irrelevant out to 300 yards.

[@jam5287]

@@mickeydoodle6014 your comment is kinda all over the place. The 338 win mag absolutely dominates the 30-06. Sure it’s heavier. But recoil is debatable since modern rifles have nicer stock pads and Omni directional muzzle breaks. My 338 actually has less felt recoil than my 30-06. And the rifle is only like 2 pounds heavier. It’s a pretty negligible difference for the amount of performance I get. 300 PRC is a more efficient version of the 300 win mag. It shoots heavier bullets at faster speeds. Like 200-300 feet per second faster. Giving it a strong edge over most 30 calibers. The 30-378 is a cannon. lol even then there are bigger 30 calibers because of wild cat cartridges. One I would personally invest in is the 375 mjolnir. Where they take a 500 Jeffery case and neck it down to 37 caliber. That thing would decimate any animal on the planet. 7 PRC loses to the 7 mag. Especially if you reload. The only benefit you get with the PRC is that it doesn’t have the belt. Making it marginally more reloader friendly. And I don’t have experience with the 35 Whelen. With bullets flying that slow I’d almost prefer a 30-30. I like bullets that are going around 3,000 fps and hit like a freight train. Which is why a 200 grain 338 bullet from a 338 win mag is a master class set up. Bullet is getting around 3,050 fps. Giving your target about 4,200 ft lbs of energy. That is roughly 1,000 more ft lbs of energy than a 30-06. And you get that much more performance out of a 338 using only 15 grains more powder. The 338 win mag would honestly be the ideal hunting cartridge because of its efficiency. The only problem I’ve had with mine is lack of resources. Ammo is almost never on the shelves and the powder and primers are pretty scarce.

[@mickeydoodle6014]

⁠​⁠@@jam5287 your argument is linear. Mine seems like it’s all over the place because I’m debating on more than one topic of what would be considered the ”dominant” cartridge. Your only reason for being dominant is its power. Again, I think the 338 Winchester magnum is an excellent cartridge. However, depending on what you want to do with it, depends on if it’s the dominant cartridge. Your scoring is very linear. You can’t compare apples to oranges. Felt recoil is felt recoil. Just because you have an improperly balanced 30-06 compared to your 338 Winchester does not mean that the 30-06 is comparable in recoil. They are not comparable, it’s basic physics. You have to compare apples to apples. For the price of 30 PRC, you can reload 338 Lapua or 338 Norma mag and get a better long range cartridge. I would take a 300 Winchester magnum over a 30 PRC any day. The 30 PRC will probably end up being a reloader cartridge. I agree that the 7 mm Remington magnum and seven PRC differences are close enough to be negligible. But if I had to own a PRC, it would be a 7mm PRC. However, I do not like any of them.

[@mickeydoodle6014]

@@jam5287 ammo availability and reloading expenses are another reason why I think the 30-06 holds its own against the 338 Winchester magnum. Again, I would rather have my 35 Whelen. 35 Whelen can be loaded to around 3900 foot pounds. I actually really enjoy shooting the 375 H&H magnum. I think it is an all-around better cartridge than the 338 Winchester magnum, especially for brown bear. I would be interested in seeing more information on the 375 Ruger. I think for the price and what you get, there are better choices than the 338 Winchester Magnum. I also think that there is nothing wrong with settling with a 338 Winchester magnum as long as it checks the boxes you were looking for. The same for a 30-06 Springfield. If you want a lighter rifle, with less recoil, that shoots with the same perceived drop, and produces enough energy to effectively kill an animal out of 400 yards, the 30-06 Springfield is a better choice than the 338 Winchester Magnum. Though, the 7mm Remington magnum is better than both of them in that regard…. Damn… I am all over the place… 😅 Either way, the 338, Winchester magnum is a great cartridge. Saying one cartridge is more dominant than the other is not as easy as the statement implies. You have to look at all aspects.

[@rosshill2565]

I have a 210 TTSX 338 win mag load with Reloader 16. First time out 2927 3 shot group .703. I was 1.5 grains below max for 210 (Alliant Web site). I will try higher. I also will load H4350 and IMR 4350 loads. This will be for ELK and back up for smaller game. My 6.5 PRC is for medium size game. But I have had good velocity and 3/4 inch accuracy right out of the gate. I will see if I can get 3000 and same or better accuracy.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Nice

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

06 and 338 are about equal down range with a 180 in 06 and 225 in 338. 300 win mag has a longer range capability with the same 180 grain bullet

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

300 Win mag your go to for Alaska?

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

@@ReloadingWeatherby it has been but now I've inherited my old mans Sako Finnbear in 30 06 hand loading 165 and 180 Noslers. I'm handing down the bigger calibers to grandsons of age

[@Steve-vx2xp]

I live in Alaska and I on both if you can’t see the difference between a 338 and a 300 keep your eyes open tremendous difference

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for commenting!

[@tacticalmattfoley]

The high BCs of 338 cal bullets are the reason we see the military using 338 Norma and 338 Lapua........they just carry. 300grain, 338 cal SMK has a BC of .768

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

338 Win mag doesn't have the case capacity to shoot the 300 gr well...

[@montanamusings]

Those are civilian missile"s

[@cw2a]

I realize its popularity is scant. I understand avalibility. But ballistics don't lie. A head ta head shouldn't consider cost or avalibility or popularity. Do we judge anything on those merits? Is a basket ball for baseball Or football team better because if popularity or because your a fan on a opposite coast??? Of course not. Consider comparing to my favorite the 358 Norma Magnum. In FPE, the same way the 338 is superior to the 300 the 358 is superior to the 338. Its called expansion ratio. Long range ability's suffer more then the 338 just as the 338 suffers to the 300. Considering much of what makes a "better" killing caliber, relies completely upon tissue disruption and destruction. The more tissue thats contacted the better tge result. This is usually only considered in depth of penetration but it needs to be diameter as well. For a 20" hole thats only .200 has FAR FAR less surface area them a .300 hole 20" deep. And .360 hole is bugger then a .340. THEN there is expansion. As always awesome well spoken video dude! GOOD JOB! CW

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I'll have to do a video on the 358 Norma

[@cw2a]

@@ReloadingWeatherby LMK is ya need some Props

[@phild9813]

I have to disagree that cost and availability shouldn’t play a role in a head to head, in addition to the cost of recoil. I think it certainly should. Ultimately I want to decide whether I want to purchase a rifle in a certain cartridge, and if I can’t find a rifle or ammo, I’m less likely to be interested in that cartridge.

[@cw2a]

@@phild9813 The availability is fluid. It is NOT at all the same across the country and world. This is called a HEAD TO HEAD CALIBER PERFORMANCE comparison. To my mind, that alone omits its importance.