30x338 Information

[vicvanb]

I recently bought a custom rifle marked 30x338. I assume that between 1959 when Winchester introduced the 338 and 1963 when the 300 Win Mag came out, one or more wildcat versions of the 30x338 were created. If anyone knows about the history of these wildcats I'd like to learn about it. How similar were the wildcats to the 300 Win Mag? I know that if there was more than one 30x338 the only way to know what I have is to make a chamber cast.

 

[lngrng]

It might help to tell who you bought the rifle from, as well as details regarding the neck size etc. I have had two .30-338's 'smithed by the same Riflesmith. Both shoot extremely well. Brass can be made from .300 H&H mag, .300 Win mag, 7mm Rem mag, and .338 Win mag. In my opinion, the best solution is to make brass from .308 Norma............ you just have to push the shoulder back a small amount, and then trim the case to the proper length. There is much less upset to the case using this method, and it allows you to size the case with the shoulder in the proper location, without the typical "pushing the shoulder forward during fire-forming" as is common with all belted magnums since they headspace on the belt. This reduces the amount of case-stretching and makes for more concentric brass.
I can help further with specific details if you wish to contact me off-line. While I have only played with the heavier bullets, I can suggest powders and where to start.

 

[rem40xb1]

Winchester 7mm Mag brass necked up to 30
30-338
26” barrel

75.0 R19
federal 215 match primer
155 Berger VLD
1/8” groups
Outstanding load
3215 fps

72.0 R22
Federal 215 match
190 Berger VLD
3200 Fps
Accurate

 

[MarkR]

I believe that the USAMTU (Army) rifle team was the first to use the 30-338 to any great extent, especially when target shooting is concerned They used this cartridge a lot!

 

[Charles E]

75.0 R19
federal 215 match primer
155 Berger VLD
1/8” groups
Outstanding load
3215 fps

Right. A teen agg. In fact, a very low teen agg. If you could count on that, an awful lot of Benchrest shootes would be queuing up. But you can't and they don't.

72.0 R22
Federal 215 match
190 Berger VLD
3200 Fps
Accurate

Could be. I'd look at the 1,000 yard benchrest shooters who have done well with the .308 Norma Mag. Like Kerry Vinson (IBS Shooter of the year a few years back). Or Ray Lowman right now (see

http://internationalbenchrest.com/results/long_range/2010/Butner/M9.htm)

Both use 200 to 210 grain bullets. If you are shooting for score, the heavier bullet usually wins. If you are shooting for group, you take what your barrel likes (just hope it likes a heavier bullet).

 

[old roper]

I recently bought a custom rifle marked 30x338. I assume that between 1959 when Winchester introduced the 338 and 1963 when the 300 Win Mag came out, one or more wildcat versions of the 30x338 were created. If anyone knows about the history of these wildcats I'd like to learn about it. How similar were the wildcats to the 300 Win Mag? I know that if there was more than one 30x338 the only way to know what I have is to make a chamber cast.

Fred Huntington (RCBS) was the first to make the 30x338mag and Rem made a 40x 30-338mag also. I might be dating myself but alot figured Win might of used the 338mag case to 30 instead of the 300mag had it not been done by Huntington first and the 30-338mag was first followed by 308 Norma then the 300mag.

When I had my first 30-338mag build I called RCBS and spoke to Fred Jr and they still had that 30-338mag that Fred Sr build and he helped me with barrel selection etc and I think the family still has that rifle. I'm on my 3rd 30-338mag just like that caliber.