.338 win mag for MuleDeer

[Bearcat39]

My family and I are going on our first Mule deer hunt. I have a Winchester Model 70 .338 that I love and have used on Moose and a Whitetail. This is my first ever Mule deer hunt. We are hunting late second season in GMU's 52, 53, 62, 63, 65 & 521. This is through Rugged Rack Outfitters. Would the .338 win mag be great or would it be wise to get more of a medium caliber like a 6.5 or 30.06? Also has anyone had any experience with this outfitter? I have a really good friend who has been with them and had great success and a great time with them, so they were highly reccomended. Thank you

 

[Choupique]

If you shoot it well, bring it. The beauty of having a .338 win mag is being able to go shoot just about anything in the world with what you have.

If you don't own a .30-06 this might be the perfect excuse to get one...

 

[Bearcat39]

I do shoot it well and love it as a gun. Thanks for the advice. Also, I'll use any excuse to get a new gun lol.

 

[cnelk]

I shot a MD with my 340 Wby once.
Never again.

 

[Choupique]

I've been shooting everything with my .338 since I got one. I really like that rifle a lot.

So far, 230gr norma oryx and 250gr core locks have been great. No nuclear meat destruction or anything. Lots of recoil, lots of noise, lots of America.

 

[hunterjmj]

I'd just take it. My dad used his 338 a few times on mule deer. Killed them with no more damage than anything else. I never shot it cause it kicked like a mule.

 

[MTWop]

Shot several deer with 225 grain accubonds while elk hunting. It is unnecessary, but didn’t cause excessive meat damage with well placed shots. If I’m after deer exclusively I take my 270 as I prefer the weight, reduced recoil and ammo cost. Take the smaller cartridge

 

[Bearcat39]

The whitetail I had shot had actually less damage than any I have shot with my .450 bushmaster. Thanks for the responses. I love the gun so wanted to just get some input from those who have also used then.

 

[Bearcat39]

Has anyone had any input on Rugged Rack Outfitters?

 

[gerry35]

Can't see why not as long as you don't use bullets that are too tough and don't expand well.

For those who have used the 230 gr ELD-X specifically for all around use what were your results? My young hunting partner just got a 338 WM and these factory loads are the most available.

 

[Slaptrigger]

If you shoot it well, it seems like a no brainer to take it. Use what you are proficient with. Dead is dead and I’m sure that 338 will kill a mulie.

But maybe buy another gun for a backup just Incase!!! you can never have too many rifles!

 

[Bearcat39]

If you shoot it well, it seems like a no brainer to take it. Use what you are proficient with. Dead is dead and I’m sure that 338 will kill a mulie.

But maybe buy another gun for a backup just Incase!!! you can never have too many rifles!

Exactly haha

 

[huntngolf]

.338 is way to much gun. You definitely need to go buy a new one. Sorry

 

[Bearcat39]

.338 is way to much gun. You definitely need to go buy a new one. Sorry

Good point

 

[dreamingWest]

Definitely use this hunt as an excuse to buy a new rifle.

 

[Bearcat39]

Well now that I am going to get a new rifle, lol, I am very intrigued by the 6.5 Sig Cross. Anyone have thoughts on it?

 

[LoggerDan]

before I hopped on the 35 whelen wagon, I was sincerely devoted to the 338 win mag. It’s fine for deer, and bucks wind really well

 

[Wags]

Well now that I am going to get a new rifle, lol, I am very intrigued by the 6.5 Sig Cross. Anyone have thoughts on it?

If you search Sig Cross on here you'll find a few threads on it.

I don't own one so I can't offer much.

 

[Fire power]

Haven't used it on muleys, but have on white-tails. Might be overkill, but you can't kill them too dead. As far as recoil, I would take a 338 win recoil over a 30-06 any day of the week. '06 is sharp recoil. 338 is just a slow shove, I compare it to a muzzleloader. I've had 4 '06s, and am done with them. Give me a 338 and I'm a happy man, other than the ammo cost.

 

[SDHNTR]

Can't see why not as long as you don't use bullets that are too tough and don't expand well.

For those who have used the 230 gr ELD-X specifically for all around use what were your results? My young hunting partner just got a 338 WM and these factory loads are the most available.

Do the opposite of this.

Use a frangible bullet with a .338 and you could be kissing half the meat goodbye. Personally, I would go with opposite thinking on this one. I wouldn’t want much expansion. Copper. The .338 hole is big enough.