338 Winchester Magnum Firearms

The 338 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958 in a version of the Winchester Model 70 called the "Alaskan." A companion introduction with the 264 Winchester Magnum (in the Model 70 "Westerner"), the 338 Winchester Magnum is based on the 458 Winchester Magnum necked down to take a .338-inch bullet. Case length is 2.5 inches, making it suitable for 30-06-length actions. Acceptance was initially slow, perhaps because of recoil and certainly because, above 30-caliber, all American cartridge sales drop off. Over time it has achieved its proper place as one of the best of all elk cartridges, adequate for the largest bears, and yet flat-shooting enough for use on smaller game if desired. It is an exceptionally good choice for the full run of African plains game. Standard velocities are a 200-grain bullet at 2960 feet per second; 225-grain bullet at 2780; and 250-grain bullet at 2660. Both rifles and ammunition are offered by most major manufacturers.