300wsm or 338rcm?

[xrangerx]

I’m looking to get a semi custom rifle put together for most of my hunting. I live in Western WA but hunt some on the eastern side of the state so need to be able to pack in the woods and shoot a decent distance (6-700yds). For Elk, deer and bear.

I’ve got most of my specs down. And it seems like I could go with a 20-22” barrel and get solid performance out of the 338rcm. Only downside is very limited factory options but I plan to reload. I think I can go a true short action with the 338 vs a med/long action with the wsm

I had a tikka 300wsm but sold it so either way I’m starting at ground zero for ammo/reloading.

Just wanted to hear thoughts before I get the ball rolling.

 

[BCsteve]

Are the rcm still even a thing? I’d be worried about brass availability. Personally, I’d go WSM.

 

[xrangerx]

Are the rcm still even a thing? I’d be worried about brass availability. Personally, I’d go WSM.

That is my main long term concern. Right now plenty of brass and factory ammo available. And it seems as if a surge of rifle sales occurred when CDNN had the Hawkeyes for cheap a year or so ago

 

[wind gypsy]

600-700 yards seems like a stretch for a short action, short barreled 338. You could do it but it doesn’t sound ideal if doing a purpose built rifle from scratch.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

Are the rcm still even a thing? I’d be worried about brass availability. Personally, I’d go WSM.

I have one and have tons of brass and have had no problem getting it.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

600-700 yards seems like a stretch for a short action, short barreled 338. You could do it but it doesn’t sound ideal if doing a purpose built rifle from scratch.

I’m shooting a 230gr ELD-X at 2735 FPS out of a 20” barrel RCM. Ringing steel out to 750. Granted, it’s a Tuebor ti action with a Helix6 carbon wrapped barrel and not a Ruger factory rifle.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

338 RCM.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

If I wasn’t looking to hunt brown bears in Alaska, as well as wanting the stubby barrel because of the thick alders up here, the WSM is probably the better choice for a reasonable person - lots of factory rifles and factory ammo to choose from. If you want to piss away a good amount of cash for a rifle no one has (for good reason?) then the rifle I posted above fits a pretty good niche.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m shooting a 230gr ELD-X at 2735 FPS out of a 20” barrel RCM. Ringing steel out to 750. Granted, it’s a Tuebor ti action with a Helix6 carbon wrapped barrel and not a Ruger factory rifle.

I didn't realize the 230 ELDx had that high of a BC. You're basically getting similar ballistics to a 6.5creedmoor with similar barrel length which isn't difficult to shoot at 6-700 yards but with a bunch more recoil to manage. At similar pressures the OP can probably get a 200 ELDx to 2800-2850ish FPS in a WSM short action. Recoil is probably pretty comparable.

So maybe disregard my previous post OP, they are pretty damn close. That said, i'd probably want a tikka or xm length action for either. I really like the idea of a short and stubby 338 but I always go back to being able to get a 30 cal bullet with a higher BC and velocity and a little less recoil in a similar case. First world problems.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

I didn't realize the 230 ELDx had that high of a BC. You're basically getting similar ballistics to a 6.5creedmoor with similar barrel length which isn't difficult to shoot at 6-700 yards but with a bunch more recoil to manage. At similar pressures the OP can probably get a 200 ELDx to 2800-2850ish FPS in a WSM short action. Recoil is probably pretty comparable.

So maybe disregard my previous post OP, they are pretty damn close. That said, i'd probably want a tikka or xm length action for either. I really like the idea of a short and stubby 338 but I always go back to being able to get a 30 cal bullet with a higher BC and velocity and a little less recoil in a similar case. First world problems.

I hear ya. I wanted a do-all AK rifle and settled on .338 cal., especially since I could stuff it in the little package that I did. I almost went 33 wsm, but at the time I wasn't as comfortable loading as I am now, so I wanted some factory options. I'd like to see what a 338 WSM would do in the same package as my RCM. But at this point I think the difference would be negligible. The RCM seems to feed well too.

 

[worx53]

300wsm is here to stay... i'm 99% sure the 338rcm will be gone at some point. you can certainly stock up brass now before the show is over but the 300 will do anything the 338 will do and lots more rifle choices

 

[hodgeman]

338 RCM has a lot to recommend it, but it will vanish at some point in the future and will always be more of a hassle to feed even if it doesn't. The 300WSM has achieved the kind of critical mass to ensure its long term availability.

How does that play out in the woods? Performance on game will be so similar, there's not really any reason to go with the added hassle of the RCM unless you just want one. Either one will drop anything on this continent with margin to spare.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

338 RCM has a lot to recommend it, but it will vanish at some point in the future and will always be more of a hassle to feed even if it doesn't. The 300WSM has achieved the kind of critical mass to ensure its long term availability.

How does that play out in the woods? Performance on game will be so similar, there's not really any reason to go with the added hassle of the RCM unless you just want one. Either one will drop anything on this continent with margin to spare.

338 RCM has a lot to recommend it, but it will vanish at some point in the future and will always be more of a hassle to feed even if it doesn't. The 300WSM has achieved the kind of critical mass to ensure its long term availability.

How does that play out in the woods? Performance on game will be so similar, there's not really any reason to go with the added hassle of the RCM unless you just want one. Either one will drop anything on this continent with margin to spare.

It being a Hornady developed cartridge I doubt they’ll stop producing brass for it anytime soon. At least not soon enough for it to matter to me. But, I bought about 300 pieces of brass just in case, which should last me a long time since it’s a hunting rifle.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

300wsm is here to stay... i'm 99% sure the 338rcm will be gone at some point. you can certainly stock up brass now before the show is over but the 300 will do anything the 338 will do and lots more rifle choices

It can’t send 250-300gr bear pills downrange.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

I see both as fantastic options but would favor one over the other by the bullet weight you’re looking to use. Where I am (Alaska) I prefer over 200 gr, which would lean more to the 338 but in eastern Washington and long range like you mention, a fast 30 cal seems more ideal.

 

[xrangerx]

Thanks for all the responses gents

 

[OXN939]

It can’t send 250-300gr bear pills downrange.

Right, but is there any situation in which a 250 grain pill from an RCM would solve a problem that a 180 grain pill from a WSM wouldn't?

 

[Alaskanopolis]

Right, but is there any situation in which a 250 grain pill from an RCM would solve a problem that a 180 grain pill from a WSM wouldn't?

I don’t know anyone that is comfortable hunting large bears on kodiak with a 180gr out of a 30 cal. I’m sure they’re out there but I’m not one of them. I’m sure there are people who would take a 6.5CM to kodiak for bears but I don’t think it’s ideal. I also run into many grizzlies when I’m moose hunting and like having something I’m comfortable taking one of them with, either intentionally or out of necessity.

 

[wildwilderness]

I say 300 wsm. Very capable for anything you will hunt, very available and lots of info for it. I have shot many elk, deer, antelope, mt goat with it out to 792yds.

The only reason to go 338 is if you plan to hunt big brown bears every year.... not likely in WA

 

[worx53]

I don’t know anyone that is comfortable hunting large bears on kodiak with a 180gr out of a 30 cal. I’m sure they’re out there but I’m not one of them. I’m sure there are people who would take a 6.5CM to kodiak for bears but I don’t think it’s ideal. I also run into many grizzlies when I’m moose hunting and like having something I’m comfortable taking one of them with, either intentionally or out of necessity.

For Alaska I left my 340 wby at home and took my 300wsm with Barnes 175 grain pills...incredible penetration after going through heavy bone. It would be a great test to see both in a ballistics gel penetration& expansion test to see what outperformed...I think they'd be quite equal.
Look what Luke Moffat totes around for bears most of the time.

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