Do We Need the 338 RPM?

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years, I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, become an integral part of our ecosystem, and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see and survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish, or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Produced by: @red11media

[rockie]

Looks useful for a backcountry rifle. Lots of power in a lightweight rifle. More useful then the flood of little 6.5s and 7mms they keep coming out with.

[MarktheSharkC]

Yes we do! 5lbs and 338 Ballistics? Hell yeah! Great job Adam Weatherby and your team!

[WayStedYou]

15:45 you also have to consider you shave another 200 fps off with the rifle that actually weighs 5 lbs because its only an 18 inch barrel Ron.
Weatherby has the velocities just under the table you showed earlier in the 18 inch version.

[williammills]

I'm surprised the 340 Weatherby wasn't on the table. It was my first Mark V. The recoil is stout but not unbearable. I also own a Weatherguard in 338 WinMag 😊. I would like to build a custom rifle in 338-06, because that round has always intrigued me. 😊

[aldeureaux]

You convinced me. I have a .300, and really don’t need it here in Texas. A .270 or, at most, a 7 mag is all you need.
I have a friend from Africa whose family owns a farm with a hunting camp. We were talking guns one day, and I was surprised at their calibers of choice! Of course if they don’t get their game this week, they can always go back next week, not like if you are there on safari from the USA. His “normal” hunting rifle was a .308! I asked him “Well, what if you have to shoot a buffalo or hippopotamus?” (apparently hippos destroy crops and make a nuisance of themselves, as well are dangerous. He had talked about that) he said “We use our heavy rifle.” I asked what that was, thinking I would hear a .458, .416 or .375 at least. I was shocked that he said “.300 Win Mag.” without blinking or hesitation. He said it had proven to be all they had ever needed.

[justaperson]

I’ve shot a 338-378 magnum and it’s insane my hat was knocked off by recoil I’ve never experienced anything even close to the power of that rifle. I love it

[johanl]

You forgot one pro for the 338 over the 300. The 338 burns the powder a little bit more efficient, so they are a better choice if you want a little bit shorter barrel to put a suppressor on. The 338 rpm is available with 18" barrel, ready for suppressor. That is a big advantage for me and my kind of hunting.

[jimmyphelps]

I loved the 338 federal it's ashame its gone

[gizmocarr]

I wounder how the 338-06 fits in this family of calibers? The Sierra 250-gr SBT Game King is the king of accuracy and power for my Winchester. 338 rifle.

[Extra_Ordinary_Gary]

Love my 338 RCM. Feel like this is just a 2.0 version. Granted, my moose this year couldn't tell.

[msa]

I'm waiting for Hornady to neck down the .375 Ruger to .338. That's a dream cartridge for me, I might even get rid of the rest of the rifles for a .338 PRC.

[lylewalters]

I knew it lol I told someone they needed to compare it to the 300 win mag. awesome video Ron thank you. Now let's dive into the 6.5 × 284 Norma. I'm looking at a new rifle for me snd it's in that caliber so it's time to learn all shout it so lets compare it to something new thats came out in the last couple years.

[stevenm]

Ron you also forgot the most short lived 338 of them all to my knowledge the 338 Marlin express

[StevenMMan]

I get that MV out of my .35 whelen, with a 225 grain barnes x.

[HikeHuntHaul]

What a great video. That you for sharing Ron. I had considered the rpm but as a 300 win mag, 338 win mag, and 375 h and h guy; I’ll pass. That advantage might be in the rifle weight vs sectional density. Marketing these days by weatherby, Hornady, nosler, and all the other manufacturers is crazy impressive. I actually wish the 300 h and h would make its way back. But it seems the short actions are today’s sexy ticket. Thanks for sharing Ron!

[criticalbo]

Ron, I think this is another doomed cartridge. I had my ultimate North American rifle built and it is a 340wby that weighs 5.75 lbs with no scope. The stock fits me and with a brake the recoil is like a 270. I think when most people decide on 338 cal rifle they want the increased energy the big ones offer. I know thats why I chose it. Its very satisfying to shoot elk and they never take another step.

[hobbyoftheday]

It makes sense to me as someone looking to put together a single premium rifle to hunt everything from whitetails up to brown bear. Yes the 338 win mag would work the same but it is nice that to have a weatherby option tailored to their rifle action.

[mpccenturion]

just my perspective. At 13 - I bought Guns & Ammo. It was right in front of the Playboy area. And 338 Win was proper medicine for Moose. Ave weight - 1200 - large average - 1800.

[mikebohannon]

My input is yes ! It brings more high power to standard action that has standard bolt face, think about it can always switch barrel's to most any smaller cartridges ,

[jazon]

.338 Federal is so nice. Especialy you can shot this in your AR-10 style rifle!