My new Sambar rifle

[BadboyMelvin]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to show off my new Sambar rifle.
It's a Winchester M70 XTR fitted with a synthetic stock chambered in .338 WM.
In my eyes, this may be the perfect Sambar rifle. It has a sturdy synthetic stock for all-weather use, it isn't overly heavy for carrying long hours in the bush and it's in a thoroughly capable Sambar-stopping caliber, the .338 Winchester Magnum.
I know some people may think the caliber is too big but everyone I've spoken to who uses/used the .338 on Sambar have been glowing in it's praises for it.
I've fitted the rifle with a straight 4x scope-but the one on it now is just for looks, I picked it up in the clearance section at Miall's gunshop for $15! I'm replacing it with a Leupold 4x. I really like fixed power scopes on big game rifles for the ruggedness and I think 4x on a big game rifle is just perfect...
I did have a Howa .308 that I used as my all-round rifle, but now that I'm focusing more on Sambar rightly or wrongly, I just wanted something a bit more powerful. I wouldn't have felt undergunned with the .308 but I now feel more confident with the .338.
I know a lot of people are going to disagree, but I am very happy with my choice with the .338WM as my all-round rifle. As a handloader, I can load the 160gn TSX at 3200fps for pigs and deer at moderate to long range, up to the 300gn Woodleigh at 2400fps for buffalo and scrub bull for a close range stopper.
I'll be using it this weekend and I'm curious to see how the recoil is. I've been told that it is pretty snappy and comes back fast. I'm not particularly worried though, as I've had a fair bit of experience with the .458WM and I don't think that anything fired from a .338 will match the kick of a 500gn bullet fired at well over 2100fps!
It is indeed a very versatile caliber and I can't wait to bag my first Sambar with it! Will keep you all posted

Cheers,

Russ

[happyhunter]

Very Nice.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

Welcome to the club.

[bigpete]

I reckon your spot on with your choice

[Chronos]

.

good stuff mate, the .338WM with 250gr woodleighs goes alright

Chronos

[darwindingo]

Nice one mate

.338 is excellent for Sambar, a mate has one and Its a ripper. Funny thing is I've shot more Sambar with it than him

I've never really understood when people say that any rifle, kicks two much ? (That's not directed at you btw).. Well there was one time but I had a broken collarbone at the time so that was my own stupid fault. Even the missus didn't complain after she fired 20 odd 500 gn'ers with the .458 and she is a petite lil gal..
In fact she wanted another shot ! Not that you generally fire that many shots when hunting Sambar.

Anyhoo be sure and post some pics in the Hunt Report thread when you break her in



Jeff

[duncan61]

The recoil is manageable

[deadkitty]

Extremely good choice, it's more than enough for a Sambar rifle, like you say, buffalo and Scrub Bull too..... Good hunting

[BadboyMelvin]

Nice one mate

.338 is excellent for Sambar, a mate has one and Its a ripper. Funny thing is I've shot more Sambar with it than him

I've never really understood when people say that any rifle, kicks two much ? (That's not directed at you btw).. Well there was one time but I had a broken collarbone at the time so that was my own stupid fault. Even the missus didn't complain after she fired 20 odd 500 gn'ers with the .458 and she is a petite lil gal..
In fact she wanted another shot ! Not that you generally fire that many shots when hunting Sambar.

Anyhoo be sure and post some pics in the Hunt Report thread when you break her in



Jeff

Hi Jeff,

My wife fired 2 shots out of my .458 and they were full powered 500gn loads too. She did it like a boss!
I hear you about the recoil mate, I've had people tell me that after 2 shots with the .338 they'd had enough! Surely no rifle kicks that much - especially a medium bore, but everyone's different I suppose. I'm expecting it to give a shove but I'm certainly not worried about it - in fact I can't wait to sight it in!
Hopefully I'll be going out in the next month and will be sure to post a full write up about it... and plenty of pics!

Cheers,

Russ.

[BadboyMelvin]

Thanks for all the replies guys. You've all got me fired up to shoot it now!

[BBJ]

I reckon your spot on with your choice

.338 will certainly do it.

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

As Chronos said......
250grn .338 www.woodleighbullets.com.au Protected Point bullets at 2700fps, is what I use!

Doh!
Homer

[Rifle realist]

Nice outfit. My .338Win Mag is my favourite, I load 185 grain Barnes TSX for pigs around here and 250 grain accubonds for camels and donkeys east and north of here.
Hope you enjoy it.

[Rifle realist]

P.S I forgot to say I don't think the recoil is that bad, mine is a Sako 85 with a 3.5-10 power Léupold, it weighs 9.5 pounds, most times the scope is set at 4 power.

[Rifle realist]

Should be not that bad.

[duncan61]

cute

[darwindingo]

Thanks for all the replies guys. You've all got me fired up to shoot it now!

G'Day Russ

Run her in yet ? Fun huh



Jeff