.338 Winchester Magnum

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .338 Winchester Magnum


caption= .375 H&H Magnum (Left) .338 Winchester Magnum (Right) US Quarter for scale
origin= USA
type= Rifle
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Winchester
production_date=1958
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=.458 Winchester Magnum
case_type=Belted, bottleneck
bullet=.339
neck=.369
shoulder=.491
base=.513
rim_dia=.532
rim_thick=
case_length=2.50
length=3.340
rifling=1-10"
primer=Large rifle magnum
is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=200
btype1=SP
vel1=2950
en1=3866
bw2=225
btype2=SP
vel2=2800
en2=3918
bw3=250
btype3=SP
vel3=2655
en3=3914
bw4=275
btype4=SP
vel4=2489
en4=3784
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=24
balsrc= Accurate Powder [http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/338cal(8.59mm)/338%20Winchester%20Magnum%20pages%20299%20to%20300.pdf .338 Win Mag online data at Accurate Powder] ] The .338 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958 by Winchester. It is based on the .458 Winchester Magnum and is suited for all kinds of large game in North America. It is also a useful round for thin-skinned African game.

Performance

This cartridge is able to push a 225 grain (14.58g) bullet to velocities of 2,800 ft/s (853.44 m/s), generating 3,918 ft·lbf (5258J), providing energy values at 100 yards that are roughly equivalent to the .30-06 Springfield's energy values at muzzle. Bullets are available in a very wide range of designs and weights ranging from 180 to 250 grains. SAAMI pressure level is 64,000 p.s.i.

The recoil of this caliber is quite heavy, with about 31 ft·lbf (4.16 m*kg) of force in a 9 lb (4.08 kg) rifle. This is about twice as much as the recoil from an average .308 Winchester. Strong recoil like this can be mitigated with the use of properly designed stocks and recoil pads. By comparison, this cartridge has less recoil than other more powerful .338-caliber rifles such as the .338 RUM, .340 Weatherby and .338 Lapua.

Uses

In practice this cartridge is frequently used for hunting the larger North American members of the deer family, namely moose, elk, and caribou. It is sufficient for stopping polar bear and grizzly bear, both of which are often encountered while hunting in Canada and Alaska, though some think that a slightly more powerful cartridge such as the .375 H&H provides a better margin of error for taking this dangerous North American game. Comfort with a particular rifle is probably more important.

The .338 Win Mag is one of the most popular cartridges with big game hunters in Alaska.fact|date=August 2007

ee also

* List of rifle cartridges
* 8 mm caliber

References