7MM REM MAG OR 338 WIN MAG. WHICH WOULD YOU KEEP?

I've had a Savage 110 in 7MM mag for several years and recently ran across a Browning A-Bolt in SS in 338 Win Mag. Was wondering which one I should keep and why. Keep the cards and letters coming.

IMO, the 7 mag is more useful unless you plan on going after some big bears. The recoil is lighter, the ammo cheaper and more available, and way more than adequate to drop anything in North America. On Texas whitetail and hogs, I use 7 mag Remington Managed Recoil rounds. These sweet shooting rounds have ballistics that are almost identical to a 7mm-08. It's like having two rifles for the price of one.

I agree with Palehorse, the 7 mag will handle any North American critter fine short of grizzlies and such.

No one can answer that without knowing what your uses will be. They are totally different rounds. 7 mag is fine for most, but if I'm going hunting for big critters, I want big heavy bullets, like a .338. Which do you shoot better? What rifles feels better when shooting? Do you reload for both rounds?

338, cause bigger is better.

How well endowed are you? Alot of times that will determine how big a gun, truck, etc you need. LOL, just messing with your. My vote is for 7mm.

If you are referring to a rifle for mutable North American big game species excluding the big bears and buffalo ect. I would recommend the 7mm. Of course that is just my opinion, if you like that flat shooting, hard [censored] hitting .338 use it!

God Bless Texas

Most especially if you reload, the .338 WM will handle a much wider range of hunting situations than is generally recognized.

Loaded down a bit, it will emulate a 338 Federal or a 338-06 for whitetails etc.. At near maximum loads, bullet selection and weight can tailor the .338 WM for different needs.

Besides that, the Browning is very nice. I would prefer the Browning A-Bolt over any Savage.

My A-Bolt SS in .300 WM was a stellar performer.

^^^^^
this!

You question is analogous to asking: "should I keep my 16oz nail and framing hammer or my 3 lb sledge?" Choosing the correct tool requires knowing what job is to be done...

Why not keep both? There is no such thing as too many guns.
I have both a Ruger 7mmRM and a custom Remy 338LM. I like both and shoot both.

I do mostly hog and deer hunting up around Clay county. Yes I do reload and I was thinking the same thing. You can never have too many guns or too much ammo. I like the light weight of the Savage and the Accu Trigger, but I've always wanted a large caliber hunting rifle for that "Bucket List" everybody has. I'm really thinking about a plains game trip to Africa and I think the 338WM would be a good rifle to take along. Thanks for the cards and letters, keep them coming.

Without a doubt.

Most of the PHs Ive talked to about hunting in Africa all suggested taking at least a 300 win mag, and prefer 375 hh mag just in case you run into some big critters along the way.

I know several on here have done plains game with far less than either of the calibers you mention.

It seems like several have done quite well with a 7mm08 and other calibers in its class. Sure you could use a 338, but its not necessary.

I bought a 300 wby for that bucket list hunt. Ive shot a few hogs and deer with it, shoots great and is a nice gun, but that said if the day ever comes I may shoot my 270 anyhow.

7MM with Barnes STX bullets; got my moose and bear with that combination. 338 is overkill for North America animals IMHO but super large animals in Africa may warrant more.

What are you going to shoot
with the gun

Was going to look at the Dallas Safari Club show this year and start planning. Not interested in the Big 5, but I would like a few of the antelope species. Maybe Kudu and Sable, Hartebeast. What ever the best package deal I can find. Have to get my Nosler and Hornady books out and start looking at some handloads for both rifles.

CR your right about the Barnes STX bullets. I used to have a Ruger 454 Casull and I'd load 45LC with either 250 or 300 grs for hog and deer. Man, I should have kept that setup.