Looks useful for a backcountry rifle. Lots of power in a lightweight rifle. More useful then the flood of little 6.5s and 7mms they keep coming out with.
@@bryanfox2735 Nothing wrong with a 7 mag just stating the obvious which is we have over a dozen cartridges in the 6.5- 7mm range that are very similar with the newest ones only slightly better than the old ones. 6.5 creedmoor, prc , 26 nosler 28 nosler 6.5 270, 7mm weatherbys, 280 rem, 280 ai, 6.8 western etc. They all do very simular things. The 338 rpm does something different atleast. It's a short action with almost 4000 ft pounds of energy it's a a true big game cartridge shooting 200- 250 gr bullets. Pretty close to 338 win mag in a rifle this small and light is impressive. Alot of people hunt in grizzly country and feel more comfortable with a 30 or 338 caliber incase they get charged. Would you rather be going to recover your elk that maybe a grizzly claimed with 140 gr-175 gr 6 or 7mm or a 200+ gr 30 or 338?
I'm surprised the 340 Weatherby wasn't on the table. It was my first Mark V. The recoil is stout but not unbearable. I also own a Weatherguard in 338 WinMag 😊. I would like to build a custom rifle in 338-06, because that round has always intrigued me. 😊
Me too. My 340 Accumark is my elk rifle, and has a bit more oomph, but at the cost of weight of the 9 lug action. Carrying 2# less gun in the Rockies would be nice, but I'm so used my 340 handloads and ballistics that the extra expense doesn't cut it.
The 338 RPM fits in a 06 case head and length action without going to a magnum action. So I have a switch barrel in 6.5RPM with a heavy barrel for long range work and a sporter barrel in 338 RPM. Both are incredibly accurate as well. One Defiance action and two Krieger barrels. Can’t get better.
You convinced me. I have a .300, and really don’t need it here in Texas. A .270 or, at most, a 7 mag is all you need. I have a friend from Africa whose family owns a farm with a hunting camp. We were talking guns one day, and I was surprised at their calibers of choice! Of course if they don’t get their game this week, they can always go back next week, not like if you are there on safari from the USA. His “normal” hunting rifle was a .308! I asked him “Well, what if you have to shoot a buffalo or hippopotamus?” (apparently hippos destroy crops and make a nuisance of themselves, as well are dangerous. He had talked about that) he said “We use our heavy rifle.” I asked what that was, thinking I would hear a .458, .416 or .375 at least. I was shocked that he said “.300 Win Mag.” without blinking or hesitation. He said it had proven to be all they had ever needed.
I talked with a buddy of mine about hunting in Africa. I mentioned thinking of taking a 338 WM for larger wildlife, and a 6.5 creed for smaller antelope. When I mentioned 338 WM he laughed - said it wasn't necessary. He figured a 300 WM would do just fine for most of the larger animals, and that the 6.5 creed would indeed be a good choice for the smaller antelope. Now, one could have a lengthy philosophical debate with the dude about one's choice of caliber, but the dude lives and hunts there, so he probably knows what works.
You forgot one pro for the 338 over the 300. The 338 burns the powder a little bit more efficient, so they are a better choice if you want a little bit shorter barrel to put a suppressor on. The 338 rpm is available with 18" barrel, ready for suppressor. That is a big advantage for me and my kind of hunting.
I knew it lol I told someone they needed to compare it to the 300 win mag. awesome video Ron thank you. Now let's dive into the 6.5 × 284 Norma. I'm looking at a new rifle for me snd it's in that caliber so it's time to learn all shout it so lets compare it to something new thats came out in the last couple years.
15:45 you also have to consider you shave another 200 fps off with the rifle that actually weighs 5 lbs because its only an 18 inch barrel Ron. Weatherby has the velocities just under the table you showed earlier in the 18 inch version.
My input is yes ! It brings more high power to standard action that has standard bolt face , think about it can always switch barrel's to most any smaller cartridges ,
Ron, I think this is another doomed cartridge. I had my ultimate North American rifle built and it is a 340wby that weighs 5.75 lbs with no scope. The stock fits me and with a brake the recoil is like a 270. I think when most people decide on 338 cal rifle they want the increased energy the big ones offer. I know thats why I chose it. Its very satisfying to shoot elk and they never take another step.
I'm waiting for Hornady to neck down the .375 Ruger to .338. That's a dream cartridge for me, I might even get rid of the rest of the rifles for a .338 PRC.
I’ve shot a 338-378 magnum and it’s insane my hat was knocked off by recoil I’ve never experienced anything even close to the power of that rifle. I love it
I built a Remington 700 in 338-06 back in the mid 90’s. With a 215 gr. Sierra Game King I’ve been able to take anything that falls within the cross hairs. Never understood why this caliber never took off.
People just have an aversion to things that are not .30 caliber or below at least here in the US. Same reason the .35 Whelen and the various 9.3mm cartridges never took off here despite being eminently practical and generally not bad on recoil except in very light rifles.
I have built four of them. Last one is 33806 Ackly Improved. 200 accubond is 2885fps. Nosler partition in 210, 225 fly well and are very effective. Brown bear and elk excellent.
Personally I always figured the 338-06 was one of the most useful cartridges ever made. I was on my way building one, but ended up doing a 9.3x62 instead.
just my perspective. At 13 - I bought Guns & Ammo. It was right in front of the Playboy area. And 338 Win was proper medicine for Moose. Ave weight - 1200 - large average - 1800.
It makes sense to me as someone looking to put together a single premium rifle to hunt everything from whitetails up to brown bear. Yes the 338 win mag would work the same but it is nice that to have a weatherby option tailored to their rifle action.
same. actually, I've been trying to figure out how to start a 338 WBY RPM load with lighter bullets than factory ammo, but there's no load data for such & I don't know how to safely create a brand-new load.
I have to agree with you Ron and the heavier bullet mass makes a .338 caliber a great choice for heavy game. Even up to Cape Buffalo and Elephant with proper bullets and proper placement. Like WDM Bell and his 318 Westley Richards.
What a great video. That you for sharing Ron. I had considered the rpm but as a 300 win mag, 338 win mag, and 375 h and h guy; I’ll pass. That advantage might be in the rifle weight vs sectional density. Marketing these days by weatherby, Hornady, nosler, and all the other manufacturers is crazy impressive. I actually wish the 300 h and h would make its way back. But it seems the short actions are today’s sexy ticket. Thanks for sharing Ron!
probably the best thing about their 338rpm is that it comes with a 20/22" barrel! almost all of their rifles have that 26/28" barrel which is ridiculous aside from bench shooting.
Always love the Ron Spomer videos! The .338 caliber is rather interesting. While the U.S. Army is adopting the .300 Norma as the sniper round against people. The .338 Norma is the chosen round for anti-vehicle sniping. During testing the Army determined the .50BMG was just too much, in too many ways. Hence the two Norma cartridges were determined to be just right! At least for the Army, just right. It would be interesting to see what Ron Spomer says about the Norma cartridges.
.50BMG Rawfoss is still a thing, and also .416 Barrett for long range. .338 Lapua Magnum also. .338 Norma Magnum is made for a longer bulett then standard .338 LM, but army use special custom rifles for .338LM that can load special .338LM with longer bulett and extra fast twist barells.
I wounder how the 338-06 fits in this family of calibers? The Sierra 250-gr SBT Game King is the king of accuracy and power for my Winchester. 338 rifle.
I built a 338-06 while living in Alaska. Often overlooked in favor of the magnum,. launches a quality 250 grain bullet at close to 2600 FPS is more than enough for the coastal brown bears.
@@JAKDRZR I think the 338-06 actually outperforms 35 Whelen, but not by enough that it justifies the price difference. It's a lot cheaper to buy a 35 Whelen rifle and ammo. Since A-Square went out of business nobody makes factory rifles or ammo for the 338-06. You'd have to go through a gunsmith or through a custom shop to get a rifle, then you'd have to handload or go through a custom shop to get ammo.
@@levivoyles5924 go look at 225gr bullet weight. The whelan is 200+ fps out of the muzzle 2800+ fps. Vs 338-06 2595. The whelan is more efficient and out performs the 338-06.
This cartridge peaks my interest. It only really makes sense in a Weatherby rifle though. Cause the weight doesn’t change between a true magnum and the RPM in any rifle other than the Mk V since in the Mk V they have two actions; the six lug and the nine lug. You can get the RPM cartridges in the six lug which is a pound lighter than the nine lug but you can’t put the traditional magnums in the six lug action. That’s the main reason for the RPM cartridges.
I've bought, sold and hunted with a lot of different rifle calibers over my 32 years of hunting. I have "never" seen any other caliber drop Elk, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest better than a 338 Win Mag with 225 Barnes TTSX bullets. I'll give the 338 RPM a look.
Thanks for the excellent review Ron. I really like the Weatherby Backcountry Ti chambered in the 338 WBY RPM. I hunt in Alaska and as you alluded to, this would be a great mountain rifle in bear country. For myself, I’m a little concerned with the recoil in such a light rifle- I wouldn’t be hunting with the muzzle break attached (too much noise). I guess it is not that big of an issue since it’s a hunting rifle and I wouldn’t be shooting it that often. If Weatherby made the Backcountry Ti with a stainless barrel (instead of chrome moly) it would be even better!
I say do whatever suits your needs. I've always been more partial to the bigger, heavier, slower bullet crowd like 35's, 45's, and 50's. One of my top favorite calibers is the 45-70. Depending on the ammunition, it can be a light shooter or a heavy hitter. Then again, I typically hunt area's that aren't as open so I'm always taking a shot 200 yards or less. As far as a 300WM goes, I've seen that round down some impressively large animals, mostly on film, except the one time in person I saw my dad shoot a 1,256 lb bull bison 62 yards away. That round left one helluva hole and passed threw that bison, hitting a rib on the entry and taking one out on the exit. That was just a regular 180 grain federal blue box loading too.
When in my teens and most of my 20’s I liked faster stuff. Then I went through all the mid range 6.5 mm cartridges. Now my whitetail rifles are two 9.3x62 mm’s, 416 Taylor improved, and a 416 Remington magnum. While they are overkill for whitetail I get to atleast live out my African hunting fantasies since I can prolly never afford to go there lol.
@@markwhitteck6055 Yeah this 450's are real popular, especially in states with cartridge restrictions. I know quite a few people who use that caliber and all of them have reported it being successful.
@@andrewcleveland Don't blame yeah there, I'd like to shoot at least just one large game animal with my 50 cal, even though it's an impractical weapon to use for that purpose, why the heck not at least once 🤷.
@@toddk1377 exactly lol. I mean you only leave once, so I like to try all sorts of calibers on deer. I even change up loads 2-3 times each deer season in my rifles just to see how different bullets perform. I just like to tinker. Plus I like being the guy with the oddball calibers. No one ever ask to borrow ammo, or borrow one of my big boomers either 🤣🤣
But Ron, i mentoined the .338 Blaser Magnum last time you reviewed a 338 on your channel. i am getting 2890 fps out of my standard Blaser barrel with the 225grain Nosler Accubond. Wich is actually a bit over what this 338 RPM has put down on it's package. And the Blaser magnum did not survive for more than a year. It has totally died out... Why in the world would this RPM cartridge survive instead? I love my .338 BM, it gets the job done very efficient and i dont need to hassle with the belted cases or anything. You should absolutely have had the BM on this particular lineup ;) As always, awesome videos man! keep it up
The rounds that are made from the 404 Jeffery base, modern beltless magnums, are not rebated rim cartridges. The case is just the same as the case head. Compare them to the Ackley improved series of cartridges, the most famous being the 30-06 Ackley improved, and you have the proper comparison of the beltless mags. The Remington Ultra's, SA's and Winchester short and super short are all on the 404 parent case.
No matter what cartridge other people may "need", one I would like to see in production again is the old school winchester silvertips in their whole catalogue of calibers. The only thing I've seen that is close to the old silvertips is the "deer season xp".
Watch who tee who’s video on it. The accubrake is excellent for recoil it’s not bad at all. The rifle shaves over a pound off by being able to use the 6 lug instead of the 9 lug action is why. The .338 rpm was chosen because the bigger bore diameter doesn’t lose as much velocity in an 18 inch barrel as say something smaller.
As is the norm with the caliber du jour rifles, the 338 RPM is the perfect answer to a question nobody ever asked. But, as with each years crop of caliber du jour offerings, it provides an option for those who must buy whatever they are told is the current choices. After all, it is certain to kill game much deader (as much as 15% more dead!) than anything that came last year.
Not impressed with the Coopers at all. I had one and was glad to get rid of it! Lost my ass too! I’d say that 33 Nosler in a Cooper will be a big ass loser if you sell it or want to trade when throat is shot out! Good luck!
@@MarktheSharkC Not sure what your issue is with Cooper rifles. How many rifle makers have a 1/2 MOA guarentee from the factory? I think maybe 2 and Cooper is one of them. I shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards in 33 Nosler, its a great rifle which by the way since you brought it up, has a high resale value. Ill never sell it though. Cooper makes one of the best bolt guns on the market bar none.
@@oldiron3735 I’m glad your happy! I would take a H-S Precision any day and glad I got rid of that loser I had. Hope you enjoy but if you got half back then your lucky!
@@MarktheSharkC Im not sure where your miscontrued Cooper value comes from but it has nothing to do with reality. Scroll through any online gun sale page and used Coopers are selling for almost full retail if not retail plus. They are priced just like any other premium rifle builder. So your your wrong, if I sold it Id do just fine but its not for sale.
@@oldiron3735 you must be in dreamland! I don’t really give a shit! I don’t like them and I have looked on Gunbroker and some don’t even have bids. But listen, if everyone loved the same anything then there would be only one! Enjoy your coopers but I’m not a player!
The belt on a case does control headspace, but that had little reason to use a belt, it was feeding in bolt guns for dangerous game. At the time belted cases came out double guns were popular for dangerous game guns. Two quick shots, they used rimmed cases for ease of extraction/ejection. When they tried these cartridges in bolt guns they often jammed up because of rim lock. They experimented with case design and found the belt prevented rim lock. I don't know if they tried a rimless case or not. They might have but liked the rimmed design well enough to extend it out and cut a groove for extraction was the way to go. Perhaps they thought rimless cases would be to much of a change for traditional minded hunters. Perhaps they decided on belts was it helped in bolt guns but was still easy to use in double guns. I never liked the belted cases because the extra diameter of the belt takes to much room in the magazine. Making the case rimless you could get an extra cartridge in the magazine. While hunting dangerous game that extra round might be the one you need to save your life.
Exactly. Certainly not enough to become proficient with the rifle. Stick to a smaller cartridge .308/7mm-08 .30-06/.280/.270 etc. and shoot it so much that you can practically do it in your sleep and you’ll be far better off.
If they offer the cartridge in a rifle that weighs at least 6 3/4 pounds then maybe, 7 - 7 1/2 would be better. It just seems like not a lot Gun for such a heavy caliber.
What do you mean by magnum action when you say you need that in order to run .338 win mag? There are many standard size bolt actions chambered for those magnum case head sizes. Remington 700, etc etc etc
I'm in the market for a new rifle again and the 338 RPM is/was on my short list. Looking for a compromise do most gun. So am considering their 18 inch Backcountry 2.0. To use on everything from deer to moose, in Black Timber to mountains. Almost pulled the trigger, but have some reservations. First is the brake, which most likely must be used on a 5lb 338! So I would have to hunt with hearing protection, which is a new concept for me. I just called Weatherby today with some questions. I still am not sure if the barrel is stainless! At first the answer was no, then later changed to yes. So I really don't know. I did ask what I might expect the max range to be for elk and was told 400 yards. That's good, but was hoping a bit further, should such opportunity arise. My 300 Win is good for 400 Yards. But I believe the 338 RPM would hit harder, regardless of energy. 338 frontal difference is why. I think the 338 RPM is better than 300 Win. However, I most likely will pass on 338 RPM, regardless of how cool I find the package to be. I may sound crazy, but may go with Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 300 RUM! Why? Because it's light, short and I have several hundred rounds of factory ammo. Despite having a 22 inch barrel, I suspect it would still be an honest 500 yard elk gun combo. Again, I prefer shots under 200, but just do not want to pass on an elk or black bear opportunity at 500. Obviously practice required. There are other rifles on my list, such as the Nosler Mountain Carbon, but for the price Christensen Arms FFT seems the best value? I've also thought about building something, out of a stainless 700 or Tikka. A 30 Nosler just might fit Tikka Mags. My 375 Ruger T3 does. The timing of this vid was perfect for me and helped to scratch the 338 RPM off my list. My 700 is a 300 RUM and might really shine with a 24 inch carbon fiber barrel as a do most, come what may rifle! I have a 28 Nosler Savage Ultralight, which might serve nicely for most NA hunting- only deep down feel 30 cal is better and a Frankenstein Rem 700 300 Weatherby. I'm looking to cut my arsenal down, keeping the 375 Ruger on the top end, finding my perfect middle ground do most rifle and then something for smaller game. Would like to end up with only 4 rifles for hunting/ practice and avoid ability duplication. The cool 338 RPM is off my radar now.
Your wasting your time and powder going with a short barrel on a RUM. You will gain nothing over any other .30 with a shorter bbl accept burning more powder. You would be better off going with another 300Win Mag or a 300 PRC for that bbl length. However, the Christenson vs the Weatherby, I would go Weatherby all day long.
Those of us who have actually used both the 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag on game (including multiple elk each) know that the 338 hits noticeably harder, regardless of what the SD, BC, and KE numbers say. 35 Whelen fans say the same thing. You can’t determine effectiveness on game from ballistic tables.
33806 Ackley Improved does it all with a lot less recoil. I have taken everything including brown bear. Superb accuracy and pleasant to shoot. 200 gr. Accubond Is 2885 fps. 1/2” group.
I had a 338-06 and was happy with it. Just what did the AI buy you over the parent cartridge. Thanks and I've had a 280 AI for 30 plus years and also a 25-06 AI
@@georgeking6901 George I have had both. The A I gives about five percent more than the standard 33806. Worth it. ??? Mine shoots like a house a fire. 225gr. Is heaviest it handles well. 250’s not so good. I used 225partitions for brown bear. I think at 2765 fps. Just excellent.
I will own the RPM 338. Factory ammunition!!! Yes. !!! Weatherby is right on the money. The 185 TTSX IS ALL ONE NEEDS ON NORTH AMERICA. MIGHT GO TO A 200 for brownies, but I have done that already with my 338-06 and 225 partitions. 👍👍 the RPM HAS AS MORE EVERYTHING!!😀
I like the new weatherby RPM cartridges but honestly seeing it in 30 cal or 7mm would be nice. the 6.5 RPM the same being like 25 cal high weight (130)
The modern bullet manufacturing techniques, including various bonded and monolithic designs, has made the long held wisdom concerning sectional density less relevant. Smaller powder charge from the 338 RPM will create somewhat less recoil energy, so those very lightweight rifles from Weatherby might not rip your shoulder off, the way a very light 300 Win Mag will. It would also probably be a lot easier to load down a 338 RPM for less recoil. Personally, I would rather see it in 35 caliber, because of the options it brings to the table. It would be an alternative to the 35 Whelen.
I know a guy in his early 60ds he hunts whitetails with the 338 lapua they dont kick that hard but its a little much for deer even are western Pennsylvania farmland deer that get good body size
I guess not being much of a hunter, I just don't get 95%of new cartridges. I figure if I cant kill it cleanly with a 308, 30-06, or 7mm rem mag I probably don't need or want to hunt it.
I'm hoping Weatherby will come out with a 30 cal version.I am a big fan of the Winchester version,but I do hate the belt.I think the backcountry 2.0 would be even better in the 30 cal.,but that's just my humble opinion.
I bet they’ll get there, but competition with wsm doesn’t sound like much fun, not much new ground to cover would be my guess. A new 338 built around current bullets is pretty interesting, I bet it gets a following like the 6.5 which had a lot more competition.
That 338 def has the thump for close range out to 200yards. Bet it would be awesome whitetail round in the north woods ware I live. Shoot a real heavy 250gr That really seems like it's at its best inside of 200 energy wise. Them whitetail be shaking in there hooves
I like all my Weatherby's, rifles and shotguns, but I believe Weatherby missed on this one. Sure a light rifle is a great thing to carry. But a new expensive rifle in a cartridge that will be expensive and hard to find, just won't appeal to most hunters. Plus, let's not forget that when the 338 Win came on the seen it was shinning with 250 grain and 300 grain bullets. Big bullets for big heavy game at close and relatively close range. That is why Winchester released it in the model 70 "Alaskan", think moose, brown/grizzly and polar bears. I'll stick with my 338Win, 338RUM and 340Wby. If I need bigger one of the 375s or the 416Wby comes out. Maybe some day the 35s will be rediscovered.
35's are a good size to weight ratio. I've bagged a few deer with a 35 Remington and I was surprised how well it performed. From the numbers on the box, it didn't seem to be much of an upgrade over a 30-30, but it was definitely an upgrade from the looks of the wound channels.
For most hunters I don't see the point. But for those of us that live, hunt, and reload in Grizzy country this makes some sense to me. I'd love to see Weatherby put a .284 pill on that RPM case as well.
If you can put the time, money, and effort into making a 500 plus yard shot ethically in a big game hunting situation you are among an elite few in the hunting world. Point Blank Range should be the limiting factor for the common man with cartridges and bullets that are effective at less than 500 yards. Just the opinion of a common man who used to love hunting. I don’t claim to be an expert. I try to be ethical. My personal limit I restrict myself to what I can take with a 7mm REM Mag with a 175 grain bullet. For whitetail I normally use a 308 shooting 173 grain Hornady bullets and I have a rifle that lets me stretch PBR out to 325 yards but I have never shot anything except ground hogs and coyotes at close to that distance with the 308. I think we are going the way of Europe and soon only landowners and the very rich will be able to hunt. As a common man maybe I need to trade my hunting gear for what is more suitable to defense and range shooting sports. Actually at my age I should just let the young ones worry about it and be thankful I lived when I did.
I think the problem is going to be the price and that it is only shooting the same as the good old reliable 338 Win Mag so why waste the dollars buying something that only Weatherby is the most likely producer of, I have not seen value for money when it comes to Weatherby cartridges or cases. My two cents worth. Still great info though Ron. Cheers from the Land Down under. Terry
I've got an 300win mag. All I can say is that it's an commercial success. I've also got the obscure Ruger 338RCM compact rifle and it's the best big game hunting rifle I own. Way better package than an 300win but sadly
maybe i’m not all in the “know” but…. i don’t know anyone at all that shoots a 220 gr. bullet in a .300 winchester for hunting… i don’t even know anyone that shoots a 200 grain bullet in one for hunting.. …. all the hunters that i know either use a 150 or 180 gr. bullet with a few others using 165’s .. i may be wrong but i think this comparison should have had the .300 shooting the 180 accubond because that is the best normal option..… I would be willing to bet that is the load 90% or more of the elk and bear hunter’s use in the .300 winchester.. this comparison uses the best possible scenario for the .300 win and just what you get for the .338’s.. in my opinion this isn’t a fair comparison in any way…
Y'all got a lot of deer down there. I hunted southern Chillicothe on state land and seen a whole bunch of deer, but the coyotes chased them out so I never got one, but Ohio is what kick started my liking for dropping coyotes!
Absolutely why not. I have 2 338 win mags and I like it short light handy rifle what’s not to like. People are going to hate just because it’s Weatherby same goes for Kimber but my Kimber Montana in 280 ai would’ve one of the last to go. Innovation is good for everyone different strokes for different folks.
Isn’t it funny how people love variety in cars yet hare it in cartridges. I’ll say if the 338 rpm came out instead of the 338 win it would have been just as popular. Yet it’s a few decades late.
Truthfully, how many times in my lifetime has there been a real standout cartridge? Maybe 500 S&W, 6.8 SPC? Most others are super marginal improvements in hopes of narrow advantage in competition shooting, or tailoring to a specific gun.
Don't think Ill be getting rid of my .35 Whelen and don't see the need for the new cartridge or for that matter most of the stuff they came out with to just get your money...this is getting ridiculous
on a side note: the Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 338 WBY RPM is currently out of stock. I'm wondering if that's because they're sold out (i.e., demand exceeds supply) or b/c they're just not making any (or very few, i.e., little to no demand)?
I'll take me a 338 rpm 20" barrel and a lightweight 1-6 scope for backpacking hunting over a long barrel 300 in grizzly country any day. Can't think of a better setup for that purpose. Bigger bullets typically kill better on big game which ballistic charts dont show. Most people are obsessed with bc and velocity these days which never hurts but for hunting a elk or moose at 400 yards or under bullet size and mass matter way more then bc and a couple inches trajectory difference. The bullet is the only thing that actually touches the target.
The 338 Norma or 338 Norma Ackley Improved is probably the best all around 338 made today. The 338 Lapua has the wrong throat for 300 grain bullets and with solids none will fit in a magazine and get best accuracy.
I don’t know if I buy the 300 win mag numbers being better, at least with 220gr. Either way, a cartridge shooting a 220gr round at 2800+fps out of a 5-6lb rifle sounds painful, when that same mark v 6 lug 30-06 can have some good kick.
If I weren't broke (have been for a couple years now...hoping it will get better in 2025 but not holding my breath), I'd get a backcountry 2.0 in 338 WBY RPM. PS - as far as the recoil goes...you can no longer simply plug a few numbers into an online calculator and determine the recoil. with stocks that are designed to absorb recoil, with butt pads like the one on the Peak 44 stock or the Backstop pad from Jim Harmer, and with muzzle breaks or suppressors (aka silencers aka minimizers), recoil ain't what it used to be
To make things fair, a .650 BC bullet in a 300 win is a high bc bullet, so why not compare a 338 250 gr high bc bullet with a .685 bc or step it up a little, a 300 gr Nosler Accubond has a .720 BC and a 300 gr Berger has a .818 BC. The 300 win mag is a great round, so are the 338's and sometimes the bigger hole does great things. For reference I shoot a 338 RUM and I push 225 accubonds over 3200 and 250 gr at 3050 and 300 gr at 2850. I am also loading 225 bullets in a 338 win mag at 2925. I also shoot a 300 RUM and I push 180 grs at 3350 and 215's at 3030 with a .696 BC. If we go back to hunting bullets of old like the Nosler Partion in 30 Cal, the BC will be below .500. As I get older the idea of a .338 in a lightweight rifle is appealing. I might just have to take a ride over the Big Horn Mountains and go visit Weatherby!
This is why .308 is king. Ammo cost and availability trumps overkill ft lbs of energy. I love my .338 Win Mag Bar, but I absolutely f*cking hate trying to find and afford shooting it to the point my AR308 is king. It’s a much softer shooting platform even when compared to a gas operated .338WM BAR. ALL of the new expensive ammo doesn’t matter in my opinion if I’m shooting 400yds or less. If I need to shoot farther then a .300 Win Mag is the best choice, once again ALL because of ammo cost and availability, plus it’s very easy to find a used or new rifle in .300 Win Mag. All I need is .300blk for close range up to 150yds or so, a .308 for intermediate and “long” hunting range up to 4-500yds, then ya got .300 Win Mag for hitting hard up to 800-1000yds. Anything past that you just need to get closer to your target before pulling the trigger. New cartridges are like new pricy fishing lures, they’re mainly to catch the fisherman’s wallet and not so much the fish.
What attracts me to this is I’m kinda wanting a 338, and I got a Borden action about to be delivered with a non magnum bolt face. So do I go with 30-06, 30-06ai,338-06,338-06ai, 338rpm, or 30 Gibbs…oh the possibilities
I was looking at the 325 wsm in my reloading manual’s and you know I think that the reason it’s not popular is because there’s not that many bullets in different weights available for that caliber I think that that’s the reason that the 8 mm magnum is dying off also
I hate rebated rims... I've tried a couple different cartridges with them and the brass has a horrible life span. Primer pockets get smoked and you end up bending the rims after 2 firings... at least the ones I've tried was like that.
You have to bring up .325 and how great it is in a light rifle 8.25lbs with a scope. As well as how it died because nobody really understood that the only reason to get one is to have a light rifle. You can compare it to several other cartridges and you see it shoots about the same. In Eastern WA you can expect to hike far 5-10 miles and shoot far 500 yards. These western hunts go great with western rifles. But how many people are doing that?
The Weatherby RPM cartridges are niche rounds catering to 6_lug Mark V customers demanding the lightest weight rifles possible. There is no other reason for these cartridges to exist.
Great video of an interesting chambering. I own a .340 Weatherby and I really like it. The recoil is more of a push than a smack. Everyone talks about recoil and it’s not bad at all. I like muzzle breaks. I don’t find the noise bothersome at ranges because you should have hearing protection on anyways. Hunting, my ears don’t ring any less when I shoot my non-braked rifles. I just don’t see this lightweight rifle being much different with recoil. That weight advantage of the RPM does sound nice as my .340 is dang big and heavy.
Looks useful for a backcountry rifle. Lots of power in a lightweight rifle. More useful then the flood of little 6.5s and 7mms they keep coming out with.
Sounds like you know nothing if you don’t understand what 7mag country is!
@@bryanfox2735 Nothing wrong with a 7 mag just stating the obvious which is we have over a dozen cartridges in the 6.5- 7mm range that are very similar with the newest ones only slightly better than the old ones. 6.5 creedmoor, prc , 26 nosler 28 nosler 6.5 270, 7mm weatherbys, 280 rem, 280 ai, 6.8 western etc. They all do very simular things. The 338 rpm does something different atleast. It's a short action with almost 4000 ft pounds of energy it's a a true big game cartridge shooting 200- 250 gr bullets. Pretty close to 338 win mag in a rifle this small and light is impressive. Alot of people hunt in grizzly country and feel more comfortable with a 30 or 338 caliber incase they get charged. Would you rather be going to recover your elk that maybe a grizzly claimed with 140 gr-175 gr 6 or 7mm or a 200+ gr 30 or 338?
Yes we do! 5lbs and 338 Ballistics? Hell yeah! Great job Adam Weatherby and your team!
I get that MV out of my .35 whelen, with a 225 grain barnes x.
Ditto
But not with a short barrel
Love my 338 RCM. Feel like this is just a 2.0 version. Granted, my moose this year couldn't tell.
Ya ruger had been doing this since '08
I'm surprised the 340 Weatherby wasn't on the table. It was my first Mark V. The recoil is stout but not unbearable. I also own a Weatherguard in 338 WinMag 😊. I would like to build a custom rifle in 338-06, because that round has always intrigued me. 😊
Me too. My 340 Accumark is my elk rifle, and has a bit more oomph, but at the cost of weight of the 9 lug action. Carrying 2# less gun in the Rockies would be nice, but I'm so used my 340 handloads and ballistics that the extra expense doesn't cut it.
The 338 RPM fits in a 06 case head and length action without going to a magnum action.
So I have a switch barrel in 6.5RPM with a heavy barrel for long range work and a sporter barrel in 338 RPM.
Both are incredibly accurate as well. One Defiance action and two Krieger barrels.
Can’t get better.
very cool
You convinced me. I have a .300, and really don’t need it here in Texas. A .270 or, at most, a 7 mag is all you need.
I have a friend from Africa whose family owns a farm with a hunting camp. We were talking guns one day, and I was surprised at their calibers of choice! Of course if they don’t get their game this week, they can always go back next week, not like if you are there on safari from the USA. His “normal” hunting rifle was a .308! I asked him “Well, what if you have to shoot a buffalo or hippopotamus?” (apparently hippos destroy crops and make a nuisance of themselves, as well are dangerous. He had talked about that) he said “We use our heavy rifle.” I asked what that was, thinking I would hear a .458, .416 or .375 at least. I was shocked that he said “.300 Win Mag.” without blinking or hesitation. He said it had proven to be all they had ever needed.
Guess I can stop with the 338 la pua,,,,,
In savage 111 hunter
I talked with a buddy of mine about hunting in Africa. I mentioned thinking of taking a 338 WM for larger wildlife, and a 6.5 creed for smaller antelope. When I mentioned 338 WM he laughed - said it wasn't necessary. He figured a 300 WM would do just fine for most of the larger animals, and that the 6.5 creed would indeed be a good choice for the smaller antelope. Now, one could have a lengthy philosophical debate with the dude about one's choice of caliber, but the dude lives and hunts there, so he probably knows what works.
Guaranteed. It cracks me up when people talk about hunting deer sized game with the 300 wm
You forgot one pro for the 338 over the 300. The 338 burns the powder a little bit more efficient, so they are a better choice if you want a little bit shorter barrel to put a suppressor on. The 338 rpm is available with 18" barrel, ready for suppressor. That is a big advantage for me and my kind of hunting.
I knew it lol I told someone they needed to compare it to the 300 win mag. awesome video Ron thank you. Now let's dive into the 6.5 × 284 Norma. I'm looking at a new rifle for me snd it's in that caliber so it's time to learn all shout it so lets compare it to something new thats came out in the last couple years.
15:45 you also have to consider you shave another 200 fps off with the rifle that actually weighs 5 lbs because its only an 18 inch barrel Ron.
Weatherby has the velocities just under the table you showed earlier in the 18 inch version.
My input is yes ! It brings more high power to standard action that has standard bolt face , think about it can always switch barrel's to most any smaller cartridges ,
Ron, I think this is another doomed cartridge. I had my ultimate North American rifle built and it is a 340wby that weighs 5.75 lbs with no scope. The stock fits me and with a brake the recoil is like a 270. I think when most people decide on 338 cal rifle they want the increased energy the big ones offer. I know thats why I chose it. Its very satisfying to shoot elk and they never take another step.
I'm waiting for Hornady to neck down the .375 Ruger to .338. That's a dream cartridge for me, I might even get rid of the rest of the rifles for a .338 PRC.
I’ve shot a 338-378 magnum and it’s insane my hat was knocked off by recoil I’ve never experienced anything even close to the power of that rifle. I love it
I built a Remington 700 in 338-06 back in the mid 90’s. With a 215 gr. Sierra Game King I’ve been able to take anything that falls within the cross hairs. Never understood why this caliber never took off.
People just have an aversion to things that are not .30 caliber or below at least here in the US. Same reason the .35 Whelen and the various 9.3mm cartridges never took off here despite being eminently practical and generally not bad on recoil except in very light rifles.
I have built four of them. Last one is 33806 Ackly Improved. 200 accubond is 2885fps. Nosler partition in 210, 225 fly well and are very effective. Brown bear and elk excellent.
Personally I always figured the 338-06 was one of the most useful cartridges ever made. I was on my way building one, but ended up doing a 9.3x62 instead.
Because there's the 338 win mag
Mostly because A-Square went out of business. They were the only major company that actually propped the 338-06 up by producing rifles and ammo.
just my perspective. At 13 - I bought Guns & Ammo. It was right in front of the Playboy area. And 338 Win was proper medicine for Moose. Ave weight - 1200 - large average - 1800.
Ron you also forgot the most short lived 338 of them all to my knowledge the 338 Marlin express
It makes sense to me as someone looking to put together a single premium rifle to hunt everything from whitetails up to brown bear. Yes the 338 win mag would work the same but it is nice that to have a weatherby option tailored to their rifle action.
same.
actually, I've been trying to figure out how to start a 338 WBY RPM load with lighter bullets than factory ammo, but there's no load data for such & I don't know how to safely create a brand-new load.
I have to agree with you Ron and the heavier bullet mass makes a .338 caliber a great choice for heavy game. Even up to Cape Buffalo and Elephant with proper bullets and proper placement. Like WDM Bell and his 318 Westley Richards.
What a great video. That you for sharing Ron. I had considered the rpm but as a 300 win mag, 338 win mag, and 375 h and h guy; I’ll pass. That advantage might be in the rifle weight vs sectional density. Marketing these days by weatherby, Hornady, nosler, and all the other manufacturers is crazy impressive. I actually wish the 300 h and h would make its way back. But it seems the short actions are today’s sexy ticket. Thanks for sharing Ron!
probably the best thing about their 338rpm is that it comes with a 20/22" barrel! almost all of their rifles have that 26/28" barrel which is ridiculous aside from bench shooting.
Never hear about the 8 MM Remington Magnum. Friend of mine loves his
Always love the Ron Spomer videos! The .338 caliber is rather interesting. While the U.S. Army is adopting the .300 Norma as the sniper round against people. The .338 Norma is the chosen round for anti-vehicle sniping.
During testing the Army determined the .50BMG was just too much, in too many ways. Hence the two Norma cartridges were determined to be just right! At least for the Army, just right.
It would be interesting to see what Ron Spomer says about the Norma cartridges.
Love to see a comparison of the 300 Norma and 300 PRC!
I bet the 50 BMG leaves a bigger spot on the wall
.50BMG Rawfoss is still a thing, and also .416 Barrett for long range. .338 Lapua Magnum also. .338 Norma Magnum is made for a longer bulett then standard .338 LM, but army use special custom rifles for .338LM that can load special .338LM with longer bulett and extra fast twist barells.
@@ca2129norma beats it
I wounder how the 338-06 fits in this family of calibers? The Sierra 250-gr SBT Game King is the king of accuracy and power for my Winchester. 338 rifle.
At that point I think a 35 whelan is pretty awesome to
I built a 338-06 while living in Alaska. Often overlooked in favor of the magnum,. launches a quality 250 grain bullet at close to 2600 FPS is more than enough for the coastal brown bears.
@@JAKDRZR I think the 338-06 actually outperforms 35 Whelen, but not by enough that it justifies the price difference. It's a lot cheaper to buy a 35 Whelen rifle and ammo. Since A-Square went out of business nobody makes factory rifles or ammo for the 338-06. You'd have to go through a gunsmith or through a custom shop to get a rifle, then you'd have to handload or go through a custom shop to get ammo.
@@levivoyles5924 go look at 225gr bullet weight. The whelan is 200+ fps out of the muzzle 2800+ fps. Vs 338-06 2595. The whelan is more efficient and out performs the 338-06.
@@JAKDRZR Right. Amazing how a larger bullet out speeds a smaller cal(same weight) in the same case. My old 1917 Enfield is on its way to 35 Whelen
18 inch barrel for a .338 is pretty crazy. I watched reviews and many say the recoil isn’t as bad as you would think. Great video.
This cartridge peaks my interest. It only really makes sense in a Weatherby rifle though. Cause the weight doesn’t change between a true magnum and the RPM in any rifle other than the Mk V since in the Mk V they have two actions; the six lug and the nine lug. You can get the RPM cartridges in the six lug which is a pound lighter than the nine lug but you can’t put the traditional magnums in the six lug action. That’s the main reason for the RPM cartridges.
I suppose I could ream the chamber on my .338 Federal Ruger #1 if I wanted one
I've bought, sold and hunted with a lot of different rifle calibers over my 32 years of hunting. I have "never" seen any other caliber drop Elk, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest better than a 338 Win Mag with 225 Barnes TTSX bullets. I'll give the 338 RPM a look.
Almost exactly same numbers as my 338-06. No one ever reviews this cartridge but is incredible imho
I have a 338 06 well and think it's very undercooked. 225 at 2650 in mine. Should take care or anything.
Thanks for the excellent review Ron. I really like the Weatherby Backcountry Ti chambered in the 338 WBY RPM. I hunt in Alaska and as you alluded to, this would be a great mountain rifle in bear country. For myself, I’m a little concerned with the recoil in such a light rifle- I wouldn’t be hunting with the muzzle break attached (too much noise). I guess it is not that big of an issue since it’s a hunting rifle and I wouldn’t be shooting it that often. If Weatherby made the Backcountry Ti with a stainless barrel (instead of chrome moly) it would be even better!
I say do whatever suits your needs. I've always been more partial to the bigger, heavier, slower bullet crowd like 35's, 45's, and 50's. One of my top favorite calibers is the 45-70. Depending on the ammunition, it can be a light shooter or a heavy hitter. Then again, I typically hunt area's that aren't as open so I'm always taking a shot 200 yards or less.
As far as a 300WM goes, I've seen that round down some impressively large animals, mostly on film, except the one time in person I saw my dad shoot a 1,256 lb bull bison 62 yards away. That round left one helluva hole and passed threw that bison, hitting a rib on the entry and taking one out on the exit. That was just a regular 180 grain federal blue box loading too.
I have a 450 Bushmaster that I use in the woods, they never go far.
When in my teens and most of my 20’s I liked faster stuff. Then I went through all the mid range 6.5 mm cartridges. Now my whitetail rifles are two 9.3x62 mm’s, 416 Taylor improved, and a 416 Remington magnum. While they are overkill for whitetail I get to atleast live out my African hunting fantasies since I can prolly never afford to go there lol.
@@markwhitteck6055
Yeah this 450's are real popular, especially in states with cartridge restrictions. I know quite a few people who use that caliber and all of them have reported it being successful.
@@andrewcleveland
Don't blame yeah there, I'd like to shoot at least just one large game animal with my 50 cal, even though it's an impractical weapon to use for that purpose, why the heck not at least once 🤷.
@@toddk1377 exactly lol. I mean you only leave once, so I like to try all sorts of calibers on deer. I even change up loads 2-3 times each deer season in my rifles just to see how different bullets perform. I just like to tinker. Plus I like being the guy with the oddball calibers. No one ever ask to borrow ammo, or borrow one of my big boomers either 🤣🤣
I reload my .308 with 165gr bullets and my 300WM with 180gr bullets. These 2 are all I need.
try the 165gr bullets in the 300wm dumps the deer sized game really fast
Won't argue, bur on the other hand "varatio delectat"
Or just get a 30-06
@@llamawizard No.
But Ron, i mentoined the .338 Blaser Magnum last time you reviewed a 338 on your channel. i am getting 2890 fps out of my standard Blaser barrel with the 225grain Nosler Accubond. Wich is actually a bit over what this 338 RPM has put down on it's package. And the Blaser magnum did not survive for more than a year. It has totally died out... Why in the world would this RPM cartridge survive instead? I love my .338 BM, it gets the job done very efficient and i dont need to hassle with the belted cases or anything. You should absolutely have had the BM on this particular lineup ;) As always, awesome videos man! keep it up
The rounds that are made from the 404 Jeffery base, modern beltless magnums, are not rebated rim cartridges. The case is just the same as the case head. Compare them to the Ackley improved series of cartridges, the most famous being the 30-06 Ackley improved, and you have the proper comparison of the beltless mags. The Remington Ultra's, SA's and Winchester short and super short are all on the 404 parent case.
No matter what cartridge other people may "need", one I would like to see in production again is the old school winchester silvertips in their whole catalogue of calibers. The only thing I've seen that is close to the old silvertips is the "deer season xp".
Thanks you! I feel the same way. The 130 gr in 270 Winchester was devastating on whitetail for me, also really liked the 180 gr in 30/06
Agreed , I’ve been using Winchester 180 grain ,308 lately but I feel the 30-06 loads have gone down hill in quality
8,5x55 Blaser is a good one for short barrels and moderators..
Watch who tee who’s video on it. The accubrake is excellent for recoil it’s not bad at all. The rifle shaves over a pound off by being able to use the 6 lug instead of the 9 lug action is why. The .338 rpm was chosen because the bigger bore diameter doesn’t lose as much velocity in an 18 inch barrel as say something smaller.
That’s a good point, barrel weight vs efficiency I wouldn’t have thought of that.
As is the norm with the caliber du jour rifles, the 338 RPM is the perfect answer to a question nobody ever asked. But, as with each years crop of caliber du jour offerings, it provides an option for those who must buy whatever they are told is the current choices. After all, it is certain to kill game much deader (as much as 15% more dead!) than anything that came last year.
Good information, it'll never be very popular and expensive to shoot.
Like every Weatherby cartridge 🤣
My choice is my 33 Nosler. Mine is chambered in a 7 pound Cooper rifle and I love it.
Not impressed with the Coopers at all. I had one and was glad to get rid of it! Lost my ass too! I’d say that 33 Nosler in a Cooper will be a big ass loser if you sell it or want to trade when throat is shot out! Good luck!
@@MarktheSharkC Not sure what your issue is with Cooper rifles. How many rifle makers have a 1/2 MOA guarentee from the factory? I think maybe 2 and Cooper is one of them. I shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards in 33 Nosler, its a great rifle which by the way since you brought it up, has a high resale value. Ill never sell it though. Cooper makes one of the best bolt guns on the market bar none.
@@oldiron3735 I’m glad your happy! I would take a H-S Precision any day and glad I got rid of that loser I had. Hope you enjoy but if you got half back then your lucky!
@@MarktheSharkC Im not sure where your miscontrued Cooper value comes from but it has nothing to do with reality. Scroll through any online gun sale page and used Coopers are selling for almost full retail if not retail plus. They are priced just like any other premium rifle builder. So your your wrong, if I sold it Id do just fine but its not for sale.
@@oldiron3735 you must be in dreamland! I don’t really give a shit! I don’t like them and I have looked on Gunbroker and some don’t even have bids. But listen, if everyone loved the same anything then there would be only one! Enjoy your coopers but I’m not a player!
The belt on a case does control headspace, but that had little reason to use a belt, it was feeding in bolt guns for dangerous game.
At the time belted cases came out double guns were popular for dangerous game guns. Two quick shots, they used rimmed cases for ease of extraction/ejection. When they tried these cartridges in bolt guns they often jammed up because of rim lock. They experimented with case design and found the belt prevented rim lock.
I don't know if they tried a rimless case or not. They might have but liked the rimmed design well enough to extend it out and cut a groove for extraction was the way to go. Perhaps they thought rimless cases would be to much of a change for traditional minded hunters. Perhaps they decided on belts was it helped in bolt guns but was still easy to use in double guns.
I never liked the belted cases because the extra diameter of the belt takes to much room in the magazine. Making the case rimless you could get an extra cartridge in the magazine. While hunting dangerous game that extra round might be the one you need to save your life.
I don't think you'll want to pull the trigger much on a 5 lb rifle even with scope added I'll stick with my 338-06
Exactly. Certainly not enough to become proficient with the rifle. Stick to a smaller cartridge .308/7mm-08 .30-06/.280/.270 etc. and shoot it so much that you can practically do it in your sleep and you’ll be far better off.
I shoot my 338-06 quite a bit but it is 11 lb rifle
If they offer the cartridge in a rifle that weighs at least 6 3/4 pounds then maybe, 7 - 7 1/2 would be better. It just seems like not a lot Gun for such a heavy caliber.
How boring.
What do you mean by magnum action when you say you need that in order to run .338 win mag? There are many standard size bolt actions chambered for those magnum case head sizes. Remington 700, etc etc etc
I'm in the market for a new rifle again and the 338 RPM is/was on my short list. Looking for a compromise do most gun. So am considering their 18 inch Backcountry 2.0. To use on everything from deer to moose, in Black Timber to mountains. Almost pulled the trigger, but have some reservations. First is the brake, which most likely must be used on a 5lb 338! So I would have to hunt with hearing protection, which is a new concept for me. I just called Weatherby today with some questions. I still am not sure if the barrel is stainless! At first the answer was no, then later changed to yes. So I really don't know. I did ask what I might expect the max range to be for elk and was told 400 yards. That's good, but was hoping a bit further, should such opportunity arise. My 300 Win is good for 400 Yards. But I believe the 338 RPM would hit harder, regardless of energy. 338 frontal difference is why. I think the 338 RPM is better than 300 Win. However, I most likely will pass on 338 RPM, regardless of how cool I find the package to be. I may sound crazy, but may go with Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 300 RUM! Why? Because it's light, short and I have several hundred rounds of factory ammo. Despite having a 22 inch barrel, I suspect it would still be an honest 500 yard elk gun combo. Again, I prefer shots under 200, but just do not want to pass on an elk or black bear opportunity at 500. Obviously practice required. There are other rifles on my list, such as the Nosler Mountain Carbon, but for the price Christensen Arms FFT seems the best value? I've also thought about building something, out of a stainless 700 or Tikka. A 30 Nosler just might fit Tikka Mags. My 375 Ruger T3 does. The timing of this vid was perfect for me and helped to scratch the 338 RPM off my list. My 700 is a 300 RUM and might really shine with a 24 inch carbon fiber barrel as a do most, come what may rifle! I have a 28 Nosler Savage Ultralight, which might serve nicely for most NA hunting- only deep down feel 30 cal is better and a Frankenstein Rem 700 300 Weatherby. I'm looking to cut my arsenal down, keeping the 375 Ruger on the top end, finding my perfect middle ground do most rifle and then something for smaller game. Would like to end up with only 4 rifles for hunting/ practice and avoid ability duplication. The cool 338 RPM is off my radar now.
Your wasting your time and powder going with a short barrel on a RUM. You will gain nothing over any other .30 with a shorter bbl accept burning more powder. You would be better off going with another 300Win Mag or a 300 PRC for that bbl length. However, the Christenson vs the Weatherby, I would go Weatherby all day long.
Those of us who have actually used both the 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag on game (including multiple elk each) know that the 338 hits noticeably harder, regardless of what the SD, BC, and KE numbers say. 35 Whelen fans say the same thing. You can’t determine effectiveness on game from ballistic tables.
33806 Ackley Improved does it all with a lot less recoil. I have taken everything including brown bear. Superb accuracy and pleasant to shoot. 200 gr. Accubond
Is 2885 fps. 1/2” group.
I had a 338-06 and was happy with it. Just what did the AI buy you over the parent cartridge. Thanks and I've had a 280 AI for 30 plus years and also a 25-06 AI
@@georgeking6901 George I have had both. The A I gives about five percent more than the standard 33806. Worth it. ??? Mine shoots like a house a fire. 225gr. Is heaviest it handles well. 250’s not so good. I used 225partitions for brown bear. I think at 2765 fps. Just excellent.
I will own the RPM 338. Factory ammunition!!! Yes. !!! Weatherby is right on the money. The 185 TTSX IS ALL ONE NEEDS ON NORTH AMERICA. MIGHT GO TO A 200 for brownies, but I have done that already with my 338-06 and 225 partitions. 👍👍 the RPM HAS AS MORE EVERYTHING!!😀
Yep need anything we can get ahold of
I like the new weatherby RPM cartridges but honestly seeing it in 30 cal or 7mm would be nice. the 6.5 RPM the same being like 25 cal high weight (130)
Yeah i question why they didnt make it a 300 rpm
The modern bullet manufacturing techniques, including various bonded and monolithic designs, has made the long held wisdom concerning sectional density less relevant. Smaller powder charge from the 338 RPM will create somewhat less recoil energy, so those very lightweight rifles from Weatherby might not rip your shoulder off, the way a very light 300 Win Mag will. It would also probably be a lot easier to load down a 338 RPM for less recoil. Personally, I would rather see it in 35 caliber, because of the options it brings to the table. It would be an alternative to the 35 Whelen.
I know a guy in his early 60ds he hunts whitetails with the 338 lapua they dont kick that hard but its a little much for deer even are western Pennsylvania farmland deer that get good body size
What about a 338 06 or 35 Whelen
And 9.3*62, but it's a 36cal
I guess not being much of a hunter, I just don't get 95%of new cartridges. I figure if I cant kill it cleanly with a 308, 30-06, or 7mm rem mag I probably don't need or want to hunt it.
I'm hoping Weatherby will come out with a 30 cal version.I am a big fan of the Winchester version,but I do hate the belt.I think the backcountry 2.0 would be even better in the 30 cal.,but that's just my humble opinion.
I bet they’ll get there, but competition with wsm doesn’t sound like much fun, not much new ground to cover would be my guess. A new 338 built around current bullets is pretty interesting, I bet it gets a following like the 6.5 which had a lot more competition.
I suggest you do the 8x68Smm
A non magnum with more energy than a 300 mag at short range. Ideal for grizzly and moose in the bush.
If you are referring Winchester 100 auto or 88 lever they have closing bolt system as so does the finwolf
That 338 def has the thump for close range out to 200yards. Bet it would be awesome whitetail round in the north woods ware I live. Shoot a real heavy 250gr That really seems like it's at its best inside of 200 energy wise. Them whitetail be shaking in there hooves
I like all my Weatherby's, rifles and shotguns, but I believe Weatherby missed on this one. Sure a light rifle is a great thing to carry. But a new expensive rifle in a cartridge that will be expensive and hard to find, just won't appeal to most hunters. Plus, let's not forget that when the 338 Win came on the seen it was shinning with 250 grain and 300 grain bullets. Big bullets for big heavy game at close and relatively close range. That is why Winchester released it in the model 70 "Alaskan", think moose, brown/grizzly and polar bears. I'll stick with my 338Win, 338RUM and 340Wby. If I need bigger one of the 375s or the 416Wby comes out.
Maybe some day the 35s will be rediscovered.
Just got a Sauer 9.3*62 gonna get her sighted in tomorrow. Can't wait
Exactly, get them to modernize the 35 and take a much bigger step forward.
@@sandflea2424 enjoy that rifle, it sounds sweet.
@@jcarry5214 right, a modern 35 Whelen or 358 Norma.
35's are a good size to weight ratio. I've bagged a few deer with a 35 Remington and I was surprised how well it performed. From the numbers on the box, it didn't seem to be much of an upgrade over a 30-30, but it was definitely an upgrade from the looks of the wound channels.
The most interesting .338 for a long time is the 8.6 Blackout. It should definitely be in this lineup. It’s nice to see something truly different…
The only issue is 8.6 is not hitting anything at 300 plus yards. 8.6 is just fine for 100-150, maybe 200, with a drop chart.
For most hunters I don't see the point. But for those of us that live, hunt, and reload in Grizzy country this makes some sense to me. I'd love to see Weatherby put a .284 pill on that RPM case as well.
If you can put the time, money, and effort into making a 500 plus yard shot ethically in a big game hunting situation you are among an elite few in the hunting world. Point Blank Range should be the limiting factor for the common man with cartridges and bullets that are effective at less than 500 yards. Just the opinion of a common man who used to love hunting. I don’t claim to be an expert. I try to be ethical. My personal limit I restrict myself to what I can take with a 7mm REM Mag with a 175 grain bullet. For whitetail I normally use a 308 shooting 173 grain Hornady bullets and I have a rifle that lets me stretch PBR out to 325 yards but I have never shot anything except ground hogs and coyotes at close to that distance with the 308. I think we are going the way of Europe and soon only landowners and the very rich will be able to hunt. As a common man maybe I need to trade my hunting gear for what is more suitable to defense and range shooting sports. Actually at my age I should just let the young ones worry about it and be thankful I lived when I did.
Weatherby has a fantastic muzzle brake. Iv seen women and children shoot a 30-378 Weatherby with no issue. It’s shocking how light it is.
Interesting. Is it belligerent on the ears, can it be used hunting without too much pain?
What!!! Huh??? I didn’t say season the brisket with 7 up.
I think the problem is going to be the price and that it is only shooting the same as the good old reliable 338 Win Mag so why waste the dollars buying something that only Weatherby is the most likely producer of, I have not seen value for money when it comes to Weatherby cartridges or cases. My two cents worth. Still great info though Ron.
Cheers from the Land Down under. Terry
.338 Federal is so nice. Especialy you can shot this in your AR-10 style rifle!
Nah... Just jump to .35 caliber with it. Invent some really good 250 grain high BC bullets too.
You forgot about the 338 Marlin Express
I've got an 300win mag. All I can say is that it's an commercial success. I've also got the obscure Ruger 338RCM compact rifle and it's the best big game hunting rifle I own. Way better package than an 300win but sadly
maybe i’m not all in the “know” but…. i don’t know anyone at all that shoots a 220 gr. bullet in a .300 winchester for hunting… i don’t even know anyone that shoots a 200 grain bullet in one for hunting.. …. all the hunters that i know either use a 150 or 180 gr. bullet with a few others using 165’s ..
i may be wrong but i think this comparison should have had the .300 shooting the 180 accubond because that is the best normal option..… I would be willing to bet that is the load 90% or more of the elk and bear hunter’s use in the .300 winchester..
this comparison uses the best possible scenario for the .300 win and just what you get for the .338’s.. in my opinion this isn’t a fair comparison in any way…
338 RCM is an excellent cart. 338 RPM if it will stick around I think it will be excellent
All I need is my 6.5cm and my 30-06 we don’t need another .338 imo a new big straight wall cartridge I’ll like
Just compared the cases on my 6.5 rpm and 9.3*62. Interesting
I love the videos but here I am in Ohio taking most of my deer inside 30 yards with a shotgun :)
Y'all got a lot of deer down there. I hunted southern Chillicothe on state land and seen a whole bunch of deer, but the coyotes chased them out so I never got one, but Ohio is what kick started my liking for dropping coyotes!
@@toddk1377 we sure do!
Absolutely why not. I have 2 338 win mags and I like it short light handy rifle what’s not to like. People are going to hate just because it’s Weatherby same goes for Kimber but my Kimber Montana in 280 ai would’ve one of the last to go. Innovation is good for everyone different strokes for different folks.
Isn’t it funny how people love variety in cars yet hare it in cartridges. I’ll say if the 338 rpm came out instead of the 338 win it would have been just as popular. Yet it’s a few decades late.
Truthfully, how many times in my lifetime has there been a real standout cartridge?
Maybe 500 S&W, 6.8 SPC? Most others are super marginal improvements in hopes of narrow advantage in competition shooting, or tailoring to a specific gun.
Don't think Ill be getting rid of my .35 Whelen and don't see the need for the new cartridge or for that matter most of the stuff they came out with to just get your money...this is getting ridiculous
on a side note: the Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 338 WBY RPM is currently out of stock. I'm wondering if that's because they're sold out (i.e., demand exceeds supply) or b/c they're just not making any (or very few, i.e., little to no demand)?
I'll take me a 338 rpm 20" barrel and a lightweight 1-6 scope for backpacking hunting over a long barrel 300 in grizzly country any day. Can't think of a better setup for that purpose. Bigger bullets typically kill better on big game which ballistic charts dont show. Most people are obsessed with bc and velocity these days which never hurts but for hunting a elk or moose at 400 yards or under bullet size and mass matter way more then bc and a couple inches trajectory difference. The bullet is the only thing that actually touches the target.
The 338 Norma or 338 Norma Ackley Improved is probably the best all around 338 made today. The 338 Lapua has the wrong throat for 300 grain bullets and with solids none will fit in a magazine and get best accuracy.
I don’t know if I buy the 300 win mag numbers being better, at least with 220gr. Either way, a cartridge shooting a 220gr round at 2800+fps out of a 5-6lb rifle sounds painful, when that same mark v 6 lug 30-06 can have some good kick.
If I weren't broke (have been for a couple years now...hoping it will get better in 2025 but not holding my breath), I'd get a backcountry 2.0 in 338 WBY RPM.
PS - as far as the recoil goes...you can no longer simply plug a few numbers into an online calculator and determine the recoil. with stocks that are designed to absorb recoil, with butt pads like the one on the Peak 44 stock or the Backstop pad from Jim Harmer, and with muzzle breaks or suppressors (aka silencers aka minimizers), recoil ain't what it used to be
To make things fair, a .650 BC bullet in a 300 win is a high bc bullet, so why not compare a 338 250 gr high bc bullet with a .685 bc or step it up a little, a 300 gr Nosler Accubond has a .720 BC and a 300 gr Berger has a .818 BC. The 300 win mag is a great round, so are the 338's and sometimes the bigger hole does great things. For reference I shoot a 338 RUM and I push 225 accubonds over 3200 and 250 gr at 3050 and 300 gr at 2850. I am also loading 225 bullets in a 338 win mag at 2925. I also shoot a 300 RUM and I push 180 grs at 3350 and 215's at 3030 with a .696 BC. If we go back to hunting bullets of old like the Nosler Partion in 30 Cal, the BC will be below .500. As I get older the idea of a .338 in a lightweight rifle is appealing. I might just have to take a ride over the Big Horn Mountains and go visit Weatherby!
All i needed to hear was "Weatherby" and I already knew it was going to be foolish.
All ammo has gotten more expensive, but the the price of Weatherby ammo was/is insane.
Currently they are a foolish company. They could move some levers to change for the better of their shooters but they don't.
This is why .308 is king. Ammo cost and availability trumps overkill ft lbs of energy. I love my .338 Win Mag Bar, but I absolutely f*cking hate trying to find and afford shooting it to the point my AR308 is king. It’s a much softer shooting platform even when compared to a gas operated .338WM BAR. ALL of the new expensive ammo doesn’t matter in my opinion if I’m shooting 400yds or less. If I need to shoot farther then a .300 Win Mag is the best choice, once again ALL because of ammo cost and availability, plus it’s very easy to find a used or new rifle in .300 Win Mag. All I need is .300blk for close range up to 150yds or so, a .308 for intermediate and “long” hunting range up to 4-500yds, then ya got .300 Win Mag for hitting hard up to 800-1000yds. Anything past that you just need to get closer to your target before pulling the trigger. New cartridges are like new pricy fishing lures, they’re mainly to catch the fisherman’s wallet and not so much the fish.
Weatherby aficionados reload. I have enough components that’ll save me 1000s in the long run
I am thinking about building a 338 RPM on a 98 Mauser action.,but it will have a 24" barrel
What attracts me to this is I’m kinda wanting a 338, and I got a Borden action about to be delivered with a non magnum bolt face. So do I go with 30-06, 30-06ai,338-06,338-06ai, 338rpm, or 30 Gibbs…oh the possibilities
I like it! I've never owned a 33 caliber but this looks to be a good one! This could be my first one!
Funny how they all make gut piles , but we always argue how to load up the dishwasher the correct way.
325 wsm is just so far overlooked
I was looking at the 325 wsm in my reloading manual’s and you know I think that the reason it’s not popular is because there’s not that many bullets in different weights available for that caliber I think that that’s the reason that the 8 mm magnum is dying off also
would love to hear your thoughts and the numbers on the wildcat 338 wsm.
8.6 Blackout for the win
Obviously! 😀
I think Weatherby should make it in a 300 RPM,just so you could get a Backcountry 300!
I hate rebated rims... I've tried a couple different cartridges with them and the brass has a horrible life span. Primer pockets get smoked and you end up bending the rims after 2 firings... at least the ones I've tried was like that.
Not needed in North America. Plenty of choice already exists. It's just marketeers trying to get their share of the market.
.300wn mag for the win lol💪! Great episode as always rob! Cheers from Canada eh 🍻🇨🇦🤘
Its gonna go the way of the federal 338, but on a bannana peel.
Was reading about 338 06 seems perfect to me, but no rifles or cartridges mfrg, surprised me.
Have you ever made a video talking about the 340 Weatherby magnum?
You have to bring up .325 and how great it is in a light rifle 8.25lbs with a scope. As well as how it died because nobody really understood that the only reason to get one is to have a light rifle. You can compare it to several other cartridges and you see it shoots about the same. In Eastern WA you can expect to hike far 5-10 miles and shoot far 500 yards. These western hunts go great with western rifles. But how many people are doing that?
The Weatherby RPM cartridges are niche rounds catering to 6_lug Mark V customers demanding the lightest weight rifles possible. There is no other reason for these cartridges to exist.
Great video of an interesting chambering. I own a .340 Weatherby and I really like it. The recoil is more of a push than a smack. Everyone talks about recoil and it’s not bad at all. I like muzzle breaks. I don’t find the noise bothersome at ranges because you should have hearing protection on anyways. Hunting, my ears don’t ring any less when I shoot my non-braked rifles. I just don’t see this lightweight rifle being much different with recoil. That weight advantage of the RPM does sound nice as my .340 is dang big and heavy.