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((Short description|Rifle cartridge))
((Infobox firearm cartridge
| name = .338 Winchester Magnum
| image = 375vs338.png | image_size = 250px
| caption = [[.375 H&H Magnum]] (Left) .338 Winchester Magnum (Right) US Quarter for  scale
| origin = USA
| type = Rifle
<!-- Service history -->
| service = 
| used_by = 
| wars = 
<!-- Production history -->
| designer = 
| design_date = 
| manufacturer = [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester Repeating Arms]]
| production_date = 1958
| number = 
| variants = 
<!-- Specifications -->
| is_SI_specs = 
| parent = [[.375 H&H Magnum]]
| case_type = Belted, bottleneck
| bullet = .338
| neck = .369
| shoulder = .491
| base = .513
| rim_dia = .532
| rim_thick = .050
| case_length = 2.500
| length = 3.340
| case_capacity = 86
| max_pressure = 64,000 psi
| rifling = 1-10"
| primer = Large rifle magnum
<!-- Ballistic performance -->
| 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<ref name="accurate338win">((cite web |url=http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf |title= Western Powders Reloading and Load Guide |publisher= Accurate Powder |edition=6.0 |page=59 |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref>
))

The '''.338 Winchester Magnum''' is a ((convert|.338|in|abbr=on)) caliber, belted, rimless, bottlenecked cartridge introduced in 1958 by [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester Repeating Arms]]. It is based on the blown-out, shortened .375 H&H Magnum.<ref>((cite web|url= http://www.gmdr.com/lever/338wmtext.htm |title=338 Winchester Magnum |publisher=GMDR.com |last=Mushial |first= Gregory J |date=1998-11-09 |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref> The ((convert|.338|in|abbr=on)) is the caliber at which medium-bore cartridges are considered to begin. The .338 Winchester Magnum is the first choice among professional [[brown bear]] (specifically [[grizzly bear]]) [[guide]]s in [[Alaska]] to back up clients where a powerful stopping caliber is required on charging bears.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/firearms_defense_bears.htm |title=Firearms for Defense against Bears |last=Hawks |first=Chuck |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref> It is also the most popular medium-bore cartridge in North America<ref name=Norma338WM>((cite web|title=338 Winchester Magnum|url=http://www.norma.cc/content.asp?Typ=59&Lang=2&DocumentID=296&Submeny=4&Rubrik=Calibers&Title=338+Winchester|publisher=Norma Precision AB|access-date=2 June 2011))</ref> and has the most widely available choice in rifles among medium bore rifles. The action length is the same as a .30-06, and most major rifle manufacturers in the United States chamber rifles for the cartridge including the semi-automatic [[Browning BAR]] Mk II Safari, making it a very powerful combination against charging dangerous game.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/338WinMag.htm |title=Chuck Hawks 338 Win Mag |access-date=2014-03-25))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifles_dangerous_game.htm |title=Rifles Dangerous Game |access-date=2014-03-25))</ref> The cartridge was intended for larger North American big-game species and has found use as for the hunting of thin-skinned African plains-game species.<ref name="accurate338win" />

==Cartridge history==
The .338 Winchester Magnum traces its heritage to the experiments conducted by Charles O'Neil, Elmer Keith and Don Hopkins with cartridges firing ((convert|.333|in|mm|abbr=on)) bullets in the late 1940s. The use of ((convert|.333|in|mm|abbr=on)) bullets may seem odd today but at the time this was the standard diameter of European .33 caliber bullets which were more common than the ((convert|.338|in|mm|abbr=on)) diameter bullets used in cartridges such as the .33 Winchester. Furthermore, the ((convert|.333|in|mm|abbr=on)) were available in heavier weights than the ((convert|.338|in|mm|abbr=on)) bullets. O'Neil, Keith and Hopkins experiments led to the creation of the .333 OKH, which was based on the [[.30-06 Springfield]] case necked up to accept .33 caliber bullets and the .334 OKH which used a shortened .375 H&H Magnum necked down to accept the same bullets.((Citation needed|date=February 2022))

The .338 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958 together with the [[.264 Winchester Magnum]] and the [[.458 Winchester Magnum]], all of which used a common case design based on the .375 H&H Magnum case blown out and shortened to ((convert|2.500|in|mm|abbr=on)), much like the .334 OKH. When the cartridge was introduced, Winchester offered a ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)) at ((convert|3000|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)), a ((convert|250|gr|g|abbr=on)) at ((convert|2700|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) and a ((convert|300|gr|g|abbr=on)) at ((convert|2450|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)). Sometime later, Winchester introduced the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan chambered for the cartridge. This chambering left little doubt that the cartridge was intended for big heavy dangerous game.((Citation needed|date=February 2022))

==Design and specifications==
((Unreferenced section|date=November 2023)) 
The .338 Winchester Magnum follows the modern cartridge designs in that the cartridge case features a case with minimal taper so as to maximize case capacity yet providing reliable feeding and extraction. The .338 Winchester Magnum is based on the .375 H&H Magnum, which was shortened to ((convert|2.500|in|mm|abbr=on)), blown out and necked down to hold a ((convert|.338|in|mm|abbr=on)) bullet. The case has a capacity of 86.0 grain of H<sub>2</sub>O (5.58&nbsp;cm<sup>3</sup>). The cartridge follows the design of the standard length Weatherby Magnum cartridges such as the [[.257 Weatherby Magnum]], [[.270 Weatherby Magnum]] and the [[7 mm Weatherby Magnum]] for which Winchester had supplied basic brass until 1948.

Both the [[Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives]](CIP) and the [[Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute]] (SAAMI) govern and regulate the specifications regarding the .338 Winchester Magnum.

:[[File:338WinMag01.png|500px|alt=338 Winchester Magnum Cartridge Schematic|.338 Winchester Magnum SAAMI cartridge dimensions - all dimensions in inches (mm)]]

SAAMI and the CIP recommend a 6-groove barrel with a twist rate of one revolution in ((convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on)) of barrel length with a bore Ø of ((convert|.330|in|mm|abbr=on)) and a groove diameter of Ø of ((convert|.338|in|mm|abbr=on)), with each groove having a width of ((convert|.110|in|mm|abbr=on)). The SAAMI-recommended average pressure for the cartridge is ((convert|64000|psi|bar|abbr=on)). The CIP enforces a ((convert|4300|bar|psi|adj=on)) pressure limit for the cartridge.

==Performance==
((More citations needed section|date=November 2023)) 
This cartridge is able to push a ((convert|225|gr|g|adj=on)) [[bullet]] to [[velocity|velocities]] of ((convert|2800|ft/s|abbr=on)), generating ((convert|3918|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)),<ref>((cite web|url= http://winchester.com/Products/rifle-ammunition/Advanced/expedition-big-game/Pages/S338CT.aspx |title=338 Winchester Mag. 225 gr. Expedition Big Game |publisher=Winchester Ammunition |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref> providing energy values at 200 yards that are roughly equivalent to the [[.30-06 Springfield]]'s energy values<ref>((cite web|url= http://winchester.com/Products/rifle-ammunition/Advanced/expedition-big-game/Pages/S3006CT.aspx |title= 30-06 Springfield 180 gr. Expedition Big Game |publisher=Winchester Ammunition |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref> at [[Muzzle (firearm)|muzzle]]. Bullets are available in a very wide range of designs and weights ranging from 150<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.brownells.com/ammunition/rifle-ammo/winchester-ballistic-silvertip-ammo-338-win-mag-150gr-sku105202635-43227-96373.aspx |title=WINCHESTER BALLISTIC SILVERTIP RIFLE AMMUNITION |access-date=2013-02-17))</ref> to 300 grains. [[SAAMI]] pressure level is 64,000 [[Pounds per square inch|psi]].

The .338 Winchester Magnum is capable of launching heavier bullets than the .30 caliber (7.62mm) cartridges. The most common bullets loaded for the .338 Winchester range from ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)) to ((convert|250|gr|g|abbr=on)). Typical bullet weights for factory ammunition are ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)), ((convert|210|gr|g|abbr=on)), ((convert|225|gr|g|abbr=on)) and the ((convert|250|gr|g|abbr=on)). Typical velocities for these bullet weights range from ((convert|2960|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) for the ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)) to about ((convert|2660|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) for the ((convert|250|gr|g|abbr=on)) bullet each generating approximately ((convert|3900|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) of energy. This is approximately 25% more energy generated than the 30-06 Springfield.

Winchester's ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)) Ballistic Silvertip ammunition (SBST338) retains over ((convert|1600|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) at ((convert|625|yd|m|abbr=on)) and has ((convert|1000|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) energy at ((convert|800|yd|m|abbr=on)). Winchester's Combined Technologies Accubond ammunition (S338CT) extend the range for these energy levels even further to ((convert|675|yd|m|abbr=on)) and ((convert|850|yd|m|abbr=on)) respectively.

Hornady's ((convert|200|gr|g|abbr=on)) SST Superformance load has muzzle energy of ((convert|4076|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) @ 3030fps. It maintains ((convert|1899|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) @ 2068fps @ 500 meters. Hornady's ((convert|225|gr|g|abbr=on)) SST Superformance load has muzzle energy of ((convert|4029|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) @ 2840fps. It maintains ((convert|2025|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) @ 2014fps @ 500 meters. This is from a 24" test barrel as compared to 27.5" test barrel for a 338 Lapua. Figures would be higher if shot from a 27.5" test barrel but still over 150fps slower than a 338 Lapua if tested with the same length barrel.

The [[recoil]] of this [[caliber]] is quite heavy, with about ((convert|31|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) of recoil energy in a ((convert|9|lb|abbr=on)) 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 Remington Ultra Magnum|.338 RUM]], [[.340 Weatherby Magnum|.340 Weatherby]] and [[.338 Lapua]].

==Sporting usage==
When the .338 Winchester was introduced there was a general preference for heavier bullet weights between ((convert|250|-|300|gr|g|abbr=on)). However, since that time preferred bullet weights have decreased to weights between ((convert|200|-|225|gr|g|abbr=on)). This is due in part to the bullet technology available today. Lighter bullets made today are able to hold together and penetrate deeper than heavier bullets of the past.<ref name="elkking">((cite magazine |last1=Bodinson |first1=Holt |date=November 2000 |title=The 338 Winchester Magnum: King Of The Elk Cartridges |magazine=Guns Magazine |publisher=Publishers Development Corporation |url= https://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+338+WINCHESTER+MAGNUM%3a+KING+OF+THE+ELK+CARTRIDGES.-a065574867 |access-date=2017-09-04))</ref>

In North America, the .338 Winchester Magnum is most commonly used for the hunting of larger deer species such as [[elk]] and [[moose]]. It is quite popular with elk hunters, with bullets ranging between ((convert|200|-|225|gr|g|abbr=on)) generally preferred for large class 3 game such as elk or moose.<ref name="elkking" />

Apart from the larger deer species, the .338 Winchester Magnum is often used for the hunting of and defense against dangerous class 3 game, particularly the great bears including grizzly, polar and brown bears. It is often carried by fishermen, hunters and guides in Alaska and Canada for protection as encounters with these larger bear species can be common.<ref>[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59efb1fea9db093bfb03f697/t/5e12dc8985478a3528596880/1578294425839/whitepaper_firearms_200106+FINAL.pdf ADVANCED DRAFT Whitepaper: Dangerous animal defence Greenfields Exploration Ltd January 2020]</ref><ref>[https://chuckhawks.com/grizzly_cartridges.htm Grizzly, Brown and Polar Bear Cartridges By Chuck Hawks]</ref>

The .338 Winchester Magnum can be considered a good all-round plains game hunting rifle in Africa. It has also been found to be effective against the big cats where hunting allows for the use of the cartridge.((Citation needed|date=February 2022))
((Gallery
| title = Some .338 Magnum cartridges (circle size proportional to recoil).
| width = 220
| height = 170
| align = center
|File:Game Class vs 6 inch Maximum Point Blank Range comparing various 338 Winchester cartridges.png|Game Class vs 6 inch Maximum Point Blank Range.
|File:Sectional Density vs Ballistic Coefficient comparing various 338 Winchester cartridges.png|Sectional Density vs Ballistic Coefficient.
))

==Rifles and ammunition==
Due to the cartridge's popularity all North American rifle manufacturers offer rifles chambered in the .338 Winchester Magnum. [[Ruger]], [[Browning Arms Company|Browning]], [[Kimber Manufacturing|Kimber]], [[Remington Arms|Remington]], [[Savage Arms|Savage]], [[Weatherby]], [[Mossberg]], [[Howa]] and [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] chamber the cartridge in several product lines. Almost all custom rifle makers in the United States and Canada produce .338 Winchester rifles. In European rifle makers [[Blaser]], [[Mauser]], [[SAKO|Sako]] and Tikka also manufacture rifles for this cartridge. The large number of rifle choices available in the .338 Winchester Magnum offers the rifleman a greater choice in available rifles.((Citation needed|date=February 2022))

All North American ammunition makers offer several loadings of the .338 Winchester Magnum to the public for sale. At this point in time Federal has six in their Vital-Shok and Fusion ammunition lines, Hornady has five, including four in their Superformance ammunition which is putting an end to the light magnum and heavy magnum line of ammo but adds up to ((convert|200|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) more without added recoil or muzzle blast. The 185 gr. GMX (gilding metal expanding) round has the following performance: ((convert|3080|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) at the muzzle, ((convert|2850|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on)) at 100 yards, ((convert|3896|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) of [[kinetic energy]] at the muzzle and ((convert|3337|ftlbf|J|abbr=on)) at 100 yards. 200 gr. Remington and Winchester offer four loadings each for the cartridge. Several smaller ammunition including Cor-Bon and Double Tap also manufacture loaded ammunition.((Citation needed|date=February 2022))

==See also==
* [[8 mm caliber]]
* [[List of rifle cartridges]]
* [[Sectional density]]
* [[Table of handgun and rifle cartridges]]

==References==
((reflist))

== External links ==
* ((Commons category-inline))

((Winchester Cartridges Firearms))

((DEFAULTSORT:338 Winchester Magnum))
[[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]]
[[Category:Winchester Magnum rifle cartridges]]

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