Why not a 33 Nosler?

[IDShane]

I am kicking around a few ideas for a few gun builds and I am considering a 33 Nosler. I currently have a custom 6.5 PRC and a 300 PRC. I love both of the guns and would like to build a few more guns using the same build. Both guns were built with Lone Peak Titanium actions and proof barrels area 419 brake's they have Manners stocks with adjustable comb. The 300 has a 26" barrel with a 1-9.4 twist and the 6.5 has a 24" barrel with a 1-8 twist. The brake on the 300 really makes the recoil very manageable. I recently bought a 375 H&H and thought I would use that for my big gun but I am really not a big fan of the recoil (no brake) and the limited long range capability. My gun builder has built a few 338 Edge +P's and some other big calibers but while I like to go to the range my main focus is hunting. I am thinking a 10-12 lb gun but I am really wondering how manage able the recoil is on this gun. Also is there enough difference between my 300 PRC to the 33 to warrant a build.

 

[MCS]

I have a 33 nosler that has a longer throat and a 28" bartlein barrel. I shoot 250 grain bergers at 2920 fps running rl26. I tried the 230eldx 270eldx 250 berger and the 265 accubond. The 250 performed best with rl26 and the 230 peformed best with rl22. The 270 and 265 didn't shoot as good. Recoil is very managable but I run a big brake. The farthest I've shot it was 1500 yards and it performed very good at longer range. My 33 nosler is 14lb 3oz

 

[MCS]

Here is the difference between the 33 nosler with a 250 at 2920 fps and the 300 wim with a 215 at 2840fps

 

[MCS]

300 win

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I would just step up and go Lapua bolt face. Alex Wheeler swears by the 338 Lapua improved. His pushes a 300gr Berger 2900fps using 103gr N570 from a 26" barrel.

Wouldn't want the rifle much under 12lbs though.

 

[PNWGATOR]

What do you want the delivery system to do?

Start at the start.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

The 33 Nosler is sweet. I think of it as a modernized 338 win mag. A phenomenal hunting round. But for a 10+ lb rig, why not go 338 Rum or Lapua or Lapua improved? Those bigger and longer cases really open the territory for 265+ gr bullets. Put a brake or suppressor on it and they’ll be fine.

 

[djauofd]

Just FYI for comparison hand loads for a 338 win Mag and RL26. I have a 26” McGowen precision 1-10 twist 338 win mag. I get 2,850 fps with a 250 Berger. So it’s right there. NWP muzzle break does a good job and manages the recoil pretty well. It weighs 12 lbs.


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[9.1]

Also is there enough difference between my 300 PRC to the 33 to warrant a build.

No. It looks like a 5.62% difference to me. Spend the money on shooting or tags or hunting trips. If you want a dedicated big gun to kill African megafauna, go bigger.

 

[OSU Fisher]

Here’s another idea for ya…. I’m putting together a few new builds. Just have to finish stock work and they will be done. One was a 338 for the 250 class and down. More manageable for a lighter ish (sub 10lbs) LR setup but still be a 33. Also built a 338 lapua imp for the heavies… anyways, I wanted something a little bigger then a 338 win and the 33 nos was one of my front runners. The 338-375 ruger/demon whatever you want to call it has been around a long time. It should out run a 33 nos by a little. What we now have is a 300 prc, better brass options then just the Peterson 33 nos. And those other options will be supported for a long time as the 300 prc isn’t going anywhere. So why not a 338 PRC (necked up 300 prc) which is basically a modern twin to the 338-375. My smith has been playing around a tad with the 338 prc and has a reamer so that’s the route I went. There should be no problem running the 250’s at 2950+ For accuracy with h4350 or alike.

 

[wind gypsy]

It's kind of in no-mans land IMO. A nice improvement on 338wm, sure. What would it accomplish that a 300 prc doesn't besides punch you a little harder in the shoulder? I think a 300 PRC in most cases will actually have better #s.

RE the 300wm w/215 comparison above, even the old factory berger 215H WM ammo was almost 2900 FPS for me in 26" barrels.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

It's kind of in no-mans land IMO. A nice improvement on 338wm, sure. What would it accomplish that a 300 prc doesn't besides punch you a little harder in the shoulder? I think a 300 PRC in most cases will actually have better #s.

Just because you asked the question, I’ll suggest the 33 Nosler (and 338 WM) have an edge with frontal diameter and lots more bullet options in the 225-250 gr weight range. Game specific advantage for sure, but it is legitimate for some places like Alaska.

They also are a bit more efficient and don’t need 24 or 26” barrels. One of my favorite rifles right now is a Tikka 338 WM chopped down to 20” and threaded for a suppressor. It’s a sweet shooter and still lightweight and maneuverable through the brush. On the other hand, if elk are the biggest game around and I wanted to shoot beyond 600 yards, pass me the 30 cal magnum.

 

[wind gypsy]

Just because you asked the question, I’ll suggest the 33 Nosler (and 338 WM) have an edge with frontal diameter and lots more bullet options in the 225-250 gr weight range. Game specific advantage for sure, but it is legitimate for some places like Alaska.

They also are a bit more efficient and don’t need 24 or 26” barrels. One of my favorite rifles right now is a Tikka 338 WM chopped down to 20” and threaded for a suppressor. It’s a sweet shooter and still lightweight and maneuverable through the brush. On the other hand, if elk are the biggest game around and I wanted to shoot beyond 600 yards, pass me the 30 cal magnum.

Don’t disagree at all for folks who desire more bullet diameter for moose or brown bears. Just have a hard time seeing where a 300 mag isn’t more than adequate at least in the lower 48.

 

[MCS]

Don’t disagree at all for folks who desire more bullet diameter for moose or brown bears. Just have a hard time seeing where a 300 mag isn’t more than adequate at least in the lower 48.

I really don't like tracking animals. That's why I'm swtching to a 338 norma. It might be a little over kill for deer but for elk it works great. The energy that a 300 grain bullet has is impressive and it has a higher chance of dropping a elk.

The big 30's work great and I've used them on a lot of animals but the 338's work better with bullets that have the same or higher bc. When you run a big brake the 338's don't have a lot of recoil.

 

[Choupique]

To me if you already have a .300 and want more horsepower, .375 h&h/ruger for normal hunting or one of the big face 338's (lapua) for long range is the next logical step up. Going to a "normal" 338 from a .300, especially a 300 PRC, Isn't enough difference to warrant a separate rifle IMO.

It does not give you anything the PRC doesn't already give you besides a lighter wallet.

Tell us about this .375 that you don't like and want to sell to one of us.

 

[IDShane]

The gun is a Winchester Model 70 Control feed 375 H&H it has a Mcmillan Stock, glass bedded and floated, Mcgowan 22" barrel with a pretty low round count. Nightforce NXS 2.5 x 10 I believe.

 

[Choupique]

Well I can't afford that one.

That's what you oughta be playing with though. That's a hell of a nice rifle. Get a brake put on it or something. None of the .338's are very pleasant to sit behind either. The recoil from a 250gr bullet at 2950 isn't going to be any more pleasant than a 270gr bullet at 2850.

 

[IDShane]

It's not just about he recoil for me I just prefer something that is more suited for long range,

 

[Choupique]

Id skip the nosler and go to 338 norma or lapua.

I dont think any standard bolt face 338 except the RUM give anything you don't already have.

 

[wind gypsy]

It's not just about he recoil for me I just prefer something that is more suited for long range,

With what bullets would it be better at long range in regards to trajectory/wind than a 300 PRC? The 33 nosler case is shorter to the shoulder than the 30 nosler so its gotta be real close to the 300 PRC in overall case capacity.

The 250 bergers are basically the same BC as a 215 berger and given similar sized cases you'd think the 215 is going to have an edge in velocity.

Just doesn't seem like it would be big enough to shoot the heavy 338 pills that would be a BC improvement over the 30s with much speed.