.338 Kimber advice

[Hunter12]

Hey guys! I was given a Kimber .338 win mag and would like some advice on what's worked for you.As far as scopes and rounds. Of course, I can get advice from the local stores. I would just prefer to hear from people who have owned one.

thanks

[ben4372]

338 win mag sorta a big gun to cut your teeth on. Most folks are gonna want to poke me in the eye for saying it, but I'd look into getting a brake too. Make sure the scope you buy is a quality unit. Recoil is gonna kill a low quality scope.

[Trout Hunter]

338 win mag sorta a big gun to cut your teeth on. Most folks are gonna want to poke me in the eye for saying it, but I'd look into getting a brake too. Make sure the scope you buy is a quality unit. Recoil is gonna kill a low quality scope.

This^^^^.
Recoil is pretty hefty with good elk loads, a good brake will make it manageable. And like he said spend the coin on quality optics or you'll be replacing the scope fairly soon.

[Hunter12]

I keep hearing mixed reviews about the breaks, (noise) i even read how one guy was sating it was because of the break that his scope busted.? I think the scope I'm gonna run with is the Viper 30mm by Votex.

[buckshotbarlow]

338RUM + Sightron S3 + DNC Reaper 1 piece high mount + muzzlebrake = problem solved.
300WM + VortexViper PST + DNC Reaper 1 piece high mount + muzzlebrake = problem solved.

[Hunter12]

I'm gonna see how long I can last w/o putting a break on it. Gonna take it out this weekend! That sightron s3 is NICE. Thanks!

[streetglideok]

You'll need good scope mounts, dual dovetail would be my preference, and a good scope. Zeiss 3-9X conquest can be had for $399, and has 4" of eye relief. Leupold VX-3 scopes have a decent amount of eye relief as well. Sightron and Vortex have had good reviews as well, but I lack experience with them. 338WM won't require a big high power scope, 3.5-10x would be the strongest, and there isn't a need for those 50mm lenses in this case IMO if you use good glass. As for brakes, I wouldnt recommend one. Had a BOSS brake on my 7mm mag. Loudest damn thing I ever shot, and sucked to shoot it while hunting. If you reload, work up reduced loads, and build your tolerance up. Make sure it has a premium recoil pad, as they can tame some big beasts. Hopefully you have handled other mags before, otherwise you're in for a shock. 338, while it wouldn't be the worst thing I've shot, won't be a walk in the park for most. If it's to the point you need a brake, then its time to step down in size until you become tolerant of it.

[buckshotbarlow]

If you gun can handle a DNC i recommend it. If not, try and go a 1 piece base with burris or NF rings, it's stronger than a 2 piece mount. Also, on the big bores you need make sure you lap your rings...Last but not least, get a 3 port at a minimum, 4 port is a tad bit better for a brake. You can google the different kind of brakes out there, each one has their +'s and -'s. Just realize that when you shoot that thing next to someone, you might get called a few names...

[Hunter12]

That is what I have been hearing from everyone who has had a brake put on. They hate it once they get it because the noise.

[Hunter12]

I had talked to few people today who had breaks on 1x (7mag) and a 3x .300)Wby. They loved the reduction in recoil. They just couldn't stand the noise. Each one said they hated it in the field and at the range. Out of the four people I was talking to, only one kept their rifle. They said: when they went to the range NO-BODY wanted to be around them (LOL) "like that's a bad thing? .
I have yet to experience this. have shot my fair amount of rifles finally being able to afford the big-bores now is going to take some getting use to. However, I would like to one day go with a
Kilimanjaro African .375H&H http://kilimanjarorifles.com/custom-...limanjaro.html. Im not doing a plug for them. It is what I would like.. I am gearing up for large/dangerous game hunts after my degree.
I just am clueless when it comes to the big-bores because most NA game (excluding brownies) doesn't require anything larger than .270 and a .30-06. Now before you guys hammer me on that.... That is with "shot placement" being key!
This comes with time, practice, and liking the gun your shooting.
I got a book today on reloading and I think that being able to control your loads is a good start too for the big-bores. From what I hear most guys go custom once they step up in these calibers.

Thanks.