338 RUM or 340 Weatherby or another option

[dougduey]

So, I'm considering a new big game rifle (since one can never have enough guns!) and I'm looking at a 338 RUM or 340 Weatherby, and was just throwing it out there to get some opinions. I'm doing a trophy elk hunt at the end of October in NM and this would be the weapon for that trip. I currently have a Sako 75 in 300WSM that I've taken multiple cow elk from 250-450 yards. I'm not a reloader. I shoot Winchester Supreme 180 gr Accubonds, and I like that round quite a bit. I can buy factory ammo for both the 338 Rum and 340 Weatherby, which has made me stick to them and not go with a 338 Edge
So, am I being foolish about thinking of these bigger calibers and should stick with my 300 WSM? I've got friends on both sides of this argument.
Thanks for any and all input in advance

 

[noharleyyet]

The 300 short mag is more than adequate for what you describe...Sako is fine machinery and the 180 Accubond is a hammer.

..but,,,if a 34 canon is what you fancy...well, you know.

 

[Biscuit Hunter]

Welcome to Hunt Talk.

First off, it's never really a bad day to buy a new rifle. However, October will be here before you know it. That's not a lot of time to get dialed in with something new. My advice is to hunt this season with what you have; that's a really nice set up.

 

[Bambistew]

Have you shot either one? Both kick about twice what your 300wsm will.

 

[sra61]

.338 is Elk Medicine!

I used to guide and have killed a few elk in the past. A big bull can take a lickin and keep on tickin. There are a ton of guys that will tell you that you don't need anything bigger than a .243, and that is true. .243's have killed a ton of elk. I always told the guys to bring the biggest caliber that they could shoot best. Interestingly it seemed that the bigger guys had the worst time with the felt recoil of the bigger cartridges. I think with the heavier body mass they soak up more of the recoil and it's felt more so than a smaller person that gives more with the recoil. I want two holes in that bull, one on the near side and one on the far side, if at all possible. That's why I only shoot Barnes Triple X bullets too. I have killed quite a few elk with the old .338 Win. Mag. It works good with the 225 gr. bullet. I also have been shooting the .300 RUM for the last 15 years or so, and really like it. A few years ago I bought a .338-.378 Weatherby, which I have never shot because the loaded shells run $150/ box! Even just the new brass is $75/ box. I like the .300 RUM and wish I would have gotten the .338 RUM instead of the big Weatherby. I load the .300 RUM hot, mainly because it shoots the hot load more accurately. It is flat and when it hits you can usually tell. I also do everything possible to limit the likelihood of developing a flinch when shooting the big ones by using the muzzle break, a good set of muffs, a PAST strap-on recoil pad, and a Caldwell Lead Sled. Anyone can develop the flinch, and if you can't shoot it good you might as well sell it. I love the big un-belted mags. The RUMS are great in my opinion.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Your 300 WSM is perfectly suited for the job at hand.

Having said that, I'd choose a 340 Weatherby but that's just because I have an unhealthy aversion to Remington.

 

[dougduey]

I've got 2 friends with the 340 Weatherby and they love it, but they did say to put a muzzle brake on it. One offered to loan me his rifle for the hunt instead of buying one now. I plan on going to the range with it and giving it a trial run. I know ammo is expensive as hell, but if you only shoot it a few times each year it's not that big of a deal

 

[have gun will travel]

I'm a Weatherby guy myself. I agree with everything above, Accubrake,ear muffs, recoil pad, and led sled. Or just shoot your 300...

 

[roadhunter]

if you are looking at the 338 RUM might as well throw the 338-.378 weatherby in the mix.

 

[jryoung]

I've always been attracted to the 340 WBY, but is the 9ish pound package in order to offset the recoil that has me hesitant. A 9lb elk rifle is tiresome to lug around the hills.

If you're going to put a brake on it then go for it, otherwise I'd stick with the WSM.

 

[BuzzH]

I know ammo is expensive as hell, but if you only shoot it a few times each year it's not that big of a deal

There is the problem with the "need" for a 340 or 33RUM, you just answered your own question IMO.

Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot as an opening move.

If you cant afford to shoot a rifle more than a few times a year, or they arent fun to shoot more than a few times a year...you need a different rifle.

Theres no debate that the .338's are great elk rifles, and no question some hunters shoot them well. But, they arent needed for elk and it takes a fair bit of shooting to adapt to the recoil. A few times a year isnt going to cut it.

I'd put a lot more faith in an elk hunter that has shot several hundred rounds through a 25-06, 308, or 270....long before a guy that shoots a .338 a few times a year.

Thats a given...and my money on who is going to hang tags, and be packing elk come crunch time, is the hunter who knows his rifle the best. Shot placement and bullet construction is where its at.

If I were you, I'd drop any ideas you have about the .338 RUM and 340 and use the rifle you've already shot elk with.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I'd put a lot more faith in an elk hunter that has shot several hundred rounds through a 25-06, 308, or 270....long before a guy that shoots a .338 a few times a year.

Sage advice right here.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I agree with Buzz. A WELL PLACED 300WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08, 308, 270 is going to kill that bull just as dead, and the chances of developing a flinch with one of those cannons is more likely than not. IMO even with a brake on you are still join got be dealing with overpressure and significant noise behind that rifle, and for many this is as likely to cause a flinch as felt recoil. Shoot what you are comfortable with, and have proven that you can kill with. 180grn Accubond out of your rifle is more than enough gun. It is not too tough to pass through any animal as long as you are patient to get a broadside shot and don't try breaking both shoulders.

There is a reason why these two calibers aren't more popular in the lower 48. They are a solution to a problem that rarely exists. IMO opinion you have about the most versatile round on the market already.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

By the time you get to 300yds the difference is pretty insignificant, but the recoil is still going to be significantly worse.

LOAD NO. CALIBER MUZZLE 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
300WSM 180GRN Trophy Bonded
300 Win. Short Magnum 3502 3070 2682 2334 2023 1745
338RUM 210 Partition
338 Rem. Ultra Magnum 4337 3683 3113 2614 2181 1805

 

[ccc23454]

I am a Weatherby guy so I say 340, but I will also add a 300 mag of any sort is plenty for anything other than great bears in North America. I have a accubrake on my ULW 300WBY and it reduces recoil to about my 30-06 that is a few pounds heavier so if recoil is any issue count it as a cost of buying the rifle and have it done. already pretty late in year for this season but great winter project, good luck and let us know what you get.

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Just use the rifle you are most comfortable with in a calibre that is more then adequate for elk and take the Sako 75. I simply see very little reason why so many guys 'need' a flash new rifle for an upcoming hunt.
On any hunt you should be so familiar with all aspects of your rifle that you can pretty much do everything with your eyes closed from loading bullets, switching power on the scope, engaging safety catches (I never use the safety) being familiar with your trigger, etc It should feel like an extension of your arm and come natural, a new rifle or borrowed rifle is probably not going to feel this familiar.

In a controlled situation where you have all the time in the world a borrowed or new rifle will not be so bad, but if your shooting at a running animal in cover, taking a quick shot in uneven terrain with a poor rest or an offhand shot then you will undoubtedly shoot the rifle your familiar with best.

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Just use the rifle you are most comfortable with in a calibre that is more then adequate for elk and take the Sako 75. I simply see very little reason why so many guys 'need' a flash new rifle for an upcoming hunt.
On any hunt you should be so familiar with all aspects of your rifle that you can pretty much do everything with your eyes closed from loading bullets, switching power on the scope, engaging safety catches (I never use the safety) being familiar with your trigger, etc It should feel like an extension of your arm and come natural, a new rifle or borrowed rifle is probably not going to feel this familiar.

In a controlled situation where you have all the time in the world a borrowed or new rifle will not be so bad, but if your shooting at a running animal in cover, taking a quick shot in uneven terrain with a poor rest or an offhand shot then you will undoubtedly shoot the rifle your familiar with best.

 

[dougduey]

I appreciate the feedback. Let me clear up a few things that may be misunderstood. I don't NEED a new rifle. I was just considering it and have kicked this idea of a bigger caliber around over the past 4 years. I'm very comfortable with my 300 WSM and wouldn't hunt with a new rifle unless I felt I could be very accurate with it. I bow hunt and firmly believe in only taking a good and ethical shot. Elk are almost magical to me and I have too much respect for them(or any of my quarry) to take a poor shot and wound them. That being said, I was talking with the outfitter and asked him what he hunts with and why. He told me he has a 340 Weatherby because he wants a bullet that can go from one end of the animal to the other. He can drop a bull at any angle with that caliber and a trophy hunt is different from a meat hunt. I thought he made a lot do sense. So, it's made me question things a little. If one uses the argument that you should hunt with the rifle you're most comfortable with, then I'd shoot my 243 because I'm just lights out accurate with that rifle, yet I think it's undersized for elk. It's my antelope rifle and Texas whitetail "fun" gun, but I'm not comfortable harvesting an elk with it. That's why I posted the question because I really want a lot of opinions

 

[jryoung]

and a trophy hunt is different from a meat hunt.

How so?

 

[deer_shooter]

If one uses the argument that you should hunt with the rifle you're most comfortable with, then I'd shoot my 243 because I'm just lights out accurate with that rifle, yet I think it's undersized for elk. It's my antelope rifle and Texas whitetail "fun" gun, but I'm not comfortable harvesting an elk with it. That's why I posted the question because I really want a lot of opinions

I'll add my 2 cents just for the hell of it. If you have a 243 as a light rifle and a 300 on the other end why not something in the middle? 7-08, 308, 270, etc. fun to shoot, not expensive to shoot either.

You'll never be undergunned with a 300 but if you want a big hammer a 338 win or a 375 H&H or 375 Ruger pack plenty of punch and probably kick less than a RUM or Weatherby.