88 | SPORTING SHOOTER _ MAY 2018
PRACTICAL
RELOADINGWHEN EVERY
SHOT COUNTS adjustable comb system
Instant eye to scope alignment. Retrofit for over 90 models. Easy to mount.
My old Ruger Number One
rifle, accepted deep seating
without any real drama, but if
anyone wants to get the full
performance of which the .338
is capable, there is a solution.
Build a custom rifle, using a
full length magnum action
and have the barrel long-
throated to chamber
handloaded cartridges with
bullets seated so their bases
don't extend below the bases of
case necks - up to 90mm.
That's what I did using a
Zastava M70 magnum action
and I fully appreciate its
superior performance over
the standard action. It has the
.338 treading closely on the
heels of the .340 Weatherby
without the additional cost
of the brass.
For heavier big game like
elk, moose and Alaska brown
bears, at long range, there is
no better cartridge than the
.338 Win. Mag. I'll even stick
my neck out and say that it is
adequate for heavy African
game, even Cape buffalo, if
the right bullet is used and
the hunter can shoot it well.
The 250 to 300gn bullets of
proper construction will give
more penetration than the
same bullet weights in the
.375 H&H, and if you want
long range with a lot of punch
at on the receiving end, 210 to
225gn bullets will do as well
as any other calibre for game
up to the size of moose and
eland. Take for example
Federal's loading of the 225gn
Trophy Bonded Tip at 2800fps
a rather mild load for this
rifle. Sighted 3" high at 100yd.
the bullet is 2.45" high at 200,
drops 4" at 300 and is down
18" at 400. How many
cartridges can better this?
Remember also that this bullet
starts out with 3917 ft/lbs
of energy and hits with
2085 ft/lb at 400yds!The .3 38 is probably the most popular calibre with
Alaskans and visiting hunters. It is a good bear rifle.6