Hey guys! I was given a Kimber .338 win mag and would like some advice on what's worked for you.As far as scopes and rounds. Of course, I can get advice from the local stores. I would just prefer to hear from people who have owned one.
thanks
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Hey guys! I was given a Kimber .338 win mag and would like some advice on what's worked for you.As far as scopes and rounds. Of course, I can get advice from the local stores. I would just prefer to hear from people who have owned one.
thanks
338 win mag sorta a big gun to cut your teeth on. Most folks are gonna want to poke me in the eye for saying it, but I'd look into getting a brake too. Make sure the scope you buy is a quality unit. Recoil is gonna kill a low quality scope.
This^^^^.Quote:
Originally Posted by ben4372
Recoil is pretty hefty with good elk loads, a good brake will make it manageable. And like he said spend the coin on quality optics or you'll be replacing the scope fairly soon.
I keep hearing mixed reviews about the breaks, (noise) i even read how one guy was sating it was because of the break that his scope busted.? I think the scope I'm gonna run with is the Viper 30mm by Votex.
338RUM + Sightron S3 + DNC Reaper 1 piece high mount + muzzlebrake = problem solved.
300WM + VortexViper PST + DNC Reaper 1 piece high mount + muzzlebrake = problem solved.
I'm gonna see how long I can last w/o putting a break on it. Gonna take it out this weekend! That sightron s3 is NICE. Thanks!
You'll need good scope mounts, dual dovetail would be my preference, and a good scope. Zeiss 3-9X conquest can be had for $399, and has 4" of eye relief. Leupold VX-3 scopes have a decent amount of eye relief as well. Sightron and Vortex have had good reviews as well, but I lack experience with them. 338WM won't require a big high power scope, 3.5-10x would be the strongest, and there isn't a need for those 50mm lenses in this case IMO if you use good glass. As for brakes, I wouldnt recommend one. Had a BOSS brake on my 7mm mag. Loudest damn thing I ever shot, and sucked to shoot it while hunting. If you reload, work up reduced loads, and build your tolerance up. Make sure it has a premium recoil pad, as they can tame some big beasts. Hopefully you have handled other mags before, otherwise you're in for a shock. 338, while it wouldn't be the worst thing I've shot, won't be a walk in the park for most. If it's to the point you need a brake, then its time to step down in size until you become tolerant of it.
If you gun can handle a DNC i recommend it. If not, try and go a 1 piece base with burris or NF rings, it's stronger than a 2 piece mount. Also, on the big bores you need make sure you lap your rings...Last but not least, get a 3 port at a minimum, 4 port is a tad bit better for a brake. You can google the different kind of brakes out there, each one has their +'s and -'s. Just realize that when you shoot that thing next to someone, you might get called a few names...
That is what I have been hearing from everyone who has had a brake put on. They hate it once they get it because the noise.
I had talked to few people today who had breaks on 1x (7mag) and a 3x .300)Wby. They loved the reduction in recoil. They just couldn't stand the noise. Each one said they hated it in the field and at the range. Out of the four people I was talking to, only one kept their rifle. They said: when they went to the range NO-BODY wanted to be around them (LOL) "like that's a bad thing? .
I have yet to experience this. have shot my fair amount of rifles finally being able to afford the big-bores now is going to take some getting use to. However, I would like to one day go with a
Kilimanjaro African .375H&H http://kilimanjarorifles.com/custom-...limanjaro.html. Im not doing a plug for them. It is what I would like.[M2]. I am gearing up for large/dangerous game hunts after my degree.
I just am clueless when it comes to the big-bores because most NA game (excluding brownies) doesn't require anything larger than .270 and a .30-06. Now before you guys hammer me on that.... That is with "shot placement" being key!
This comes with time, practice, and liking the gun your shooting.
I got a book today on reloading and I think that being able to control your loads is a good start too for the big-bores. From what I hear most guys go custom once they step up in these calibers.
Thanks.
While it may not help recoil much, maybe check into magna porting, it will help keep the muzzle whip down, the barrel stays more in line with the shot and recoil a bit more straight back. I have no experience with it on large magnums like a 338.
I have a 7mm rem mag(has the BOSS, but installed the CR piece to ditch the brake effect), 300WM, 300RUM, 375H&H, and a pair of 45/70 levers loaded warm. Of those, none wear brakes. The 45/70s are the worst offenders, followed closely by the RUM. The 375 despite urban legend is a pussy cat to shoot. The 338WM, though a hitter, can be mastered. If you need a brake due to recoil, and not because of a physical ailment, then its time to either learn how to manage the recoil, or move down in size. Brakes are not a real fix for recoil IMO. If you want to learn how to get accustomed to recoil, drop me a PM. I went from barely able to handle a 30/30, to shooting boxes of RUM ammo, and no sissy brakes.
Check out long range hunting also, they got some good threads on this stuff...
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/
My son purchased Ruger 77 in .338 Winchester Magnum while he was in high school and the recoil was pretty intense. We were aware of High Tech Customs, a well know quality rifle builder in Colorado Springs. We took the rifle to and had a muzzle brake installed and it was one of the best purchases we ever made. We could shoot that gun all day long without any fear of recoil. The ballistics are very impressive and it is a tremendous elk rifle. We don't shoot at ranges and the muzzle blast is very noticeable but make the gun very manageable. The trade off was clearly worth it and the gun is now one of several in our collections that wear the High Tech Customs muzzle brakes.
http://htcustoms.com/brakes/index.php
Got to shoot the .270 and the .300 wby with the muzzle break. I have to tell ya. That muzzle break is AMAZING! In a blind study I would swear I was shooting a .22 Mag. NOT a .300 wby. The recoil was half of my .270! I am still having troubles grasping this fact. I could shoot that .300 all day long. On the flip side... The muzzle bast was LOUD! I silenced a guy shooting a .54 cal musket and someone shooting a .300 short mag. I couldn't imagine shooting one without ear protection.. EVER!
So Sunday I am going to the hills and taming the .338 KIMBER... First time shooting one of those. (ha ha ha) and a .54 Remington inline. I will let you guys know how it shoots. Too bad you can't post videos. Im gonna blow some stuff up tomorrow. YEEEE HAAAAA!~