In this video I go over the new 338 Weatherby RPM cartridge and compare it to all the other 338 Magnums. I talk about the pro and cons of this cartridge. Hope you enjoy the video!
I like my 338 win mag. The 338-06 is also a great cartridge. I think new cartridges are not necessary but are very innovative and cool. Our technology is getting better but old school still works. We have better bullets and powder now more than ever. Lot of people argue but I just say get one of everything if you can lol
OMG! I just looked into this 338 and am floored! First it has 338 Win performance and I know what a 338 Win can do to elk and moose! A solid 400 yard cartridge. But secondly and what makes this all pop for me, is the rifle/cartridge package! An ultra modern 5lb 338 rifle and round that can take most big game! It comes in 18, 20 and 24in barrel choice and I just watched a video today, 9 months after your vid, where this 338 combo put bullets in the same hole! For me that's more than enough accuracy for hunting! Now I will admit my questioning of ultralight rifles, because I've gone down that hole years ago. They're harder to hold steady offhand and whippy barrels heat up quickly, throwing shots. I also hate brakes, but in this case might make an exception! Put a quality modern optic on it, like a Leupold VX 5 3-15 for a bit more weight and I view the 18 inch version with brake as my ultimate hunting rifle, for everything from deer to moose, in black timber to mountains, out to 400+ yards or so. I'm intrigued for sure and it just might be worth my selling 2 or 3 other rifles for? The closest rifle I have right now, is my new to me Savage Ultralight in 28 Nosler. It's lightweight, accurate and fairly powerful. I recently decided to make it my 1 do lots rifle, even though it's a compromise 7mm. Granted one with a bit more wallop than most. But in my experience 338s thump game. That's why I say Compromise 7mm. It should get the job done, but the new 338 RPM has me rethinking my choice.
The point is a 5lb rifle with a 20" barrel. If you actually hunt on foot hiking over hill and dale, that is pretty darned attractive. I don't disagree that it may end up being a flash in the pan though.
I Had a 33806AI. I took everything on North America with it. Extremely accurate, but, hand loading only. Money is about the same as the Weatherby. I would be getting the 338rpm. !! 😀👍👍
What I would like to see is Weatherby bring out two new cartridges, one in 40 caliber and one in 36 caliber, based on the 416 Rigby case, with Weatherby's radius shoulder but no belt or rebated rim.
I know that when a new cartridge comes out, everyone immediately goes "It can't do anything the 308, 30-06, 270, 300 win, 375 H&H, (insert any other 40+ year old cartridge here) can't do". Not to mention most American hunters seem to have their left ventricle formed around either 6.5mm, .284, or .308 diameter cartridges. Those two things really seem to cloud people's judgement of new cartridges. We've just been given (almost) 338 win mag performance on a 30-06 bolt face, yet most people just groan that it either isn't 30 caliber, or that it's not the new fastest 338 out there. If you're into 250gr bullets at 3,000fps out of a rum, that's fine, but you almost need a 26in+ barrel for it, and recoil without a muzzle brake is not your friend. The RPM sounds like it will be similar to the 338, making a 20 or 22 inch barrel plenty. Add a muzzle brake and you have 3,900 fpe in a rifle that is better balanced, lighter recoiling, and more maneuverable, with better case design than the 338 win. I think it hits a sweet spot in performance for a North American and African big game rifle. It'll probably fade into obscurity because it's not 6.5 or .308, and isn't half a century old, but I plan on building one before then.
The trend currently is to put high ballistic coefficient bullets into the new cartridge design. Weatherby did not do this so all you have is an expensive 338 win. If there was some performance advantage I could say, great. I see what they were doing. But in this case you have and over priced 338 win.
This is a very clever piece of cartridge design. The power of the old 338 Win Mag in a 06 bolt face rifle. Sheep hunters and here in Oz, Sambar hunters will love the round. The great thing about a 338 is it gives tremendous hitting power even with lighter bullets. I used a 338 RUM with 210 Swift Sciroccos in Namibia on 4 safaris and that extra frontal area really is a noticeable step up from a 30 calibre cartridge even with light bullets. As to it being a niche cartridge, most rounds are….. Accessibility? Weatherby should offer it in their Vanguard rifles.
The 300 PRC 212 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter ammunition has an energy of 3,489 ft/lb at 400 yards when fired from a 24-inch test barrel. My choice magnum round. Right now I shoot a 300 WinMag, but I'm stepping up to 300 PRC soon.
So no real outstanding performance above anything else. Just offering a magnum in a lightweight package sometime in the future when they get all caught up. That’s one hell of a product launch 🚀 however I’m happy they are getting caught up first and taking care of existing customers and product lines. 👍👍.
I remember when Weatherby chambered the 338 A-Square(AKA 338-06). I like the looks of this new cal but I agree with what you say. Bring back the 338-06 or 35Whelen &/or the 358 Win Mag in a cheaper Mark V lightweight package most can afford, it’ll get a following!
It’s for the guys who don’t care about cost. There are plenty of guys who pay big dollars for guided hunts on scenic ranches with managed herds. Like the people who fly to high-end ski resorts, spend their first day there acclimating by going to the ski shop and getting fitted with a ski suit and all gear, ski for a week or two, and leave it all at the condo dumpster because it’s cheaper to buy new stuff every year than to store it at their condo at Central Park West.
I think Weatherby got caught up in it has to be something new thing that's going on now. For me because it's new does not mean it interest me. In .338 I'll stick with the standard ole magnum. It's cheaper and a lot more available. Don't get me wrong, I still think Weatherby is a great rifle. IMHO what they need to do is offer some standard calibers like .270, 30.06 in a premium rifle if they want to sell more. Weatherby is more than a caliber or a cartridge, it's a premium rifle, and folks would buy it in standard calibers.
My brother has a mark v in 270 Winchester, they are out there, but they are really hard to find. When I ordered my 270 wby mag 20 plus years ago I could have ordered it in a 3006, which I wished I had of. It’s been a pain to find ammo for it since I’ve owned it.
@@tomlarue654 if you woulda bought a 3006 you woulda wished you got the 270 wby mag. Because now they are rare to find. I think you made the right choice. If you want a 3006 or a 270 there's alot of basic ones out there to look at. But you my friend have a 20 year old mark v. Not alot of people have those.
I'll chime in again cause why not. If you are concerned about Grizzlies then 338 caliber anything is good. And velocity doesn't mean much if the bear out runs your accuracy 🙄. So who cares if it's fast as lighting it needs to hit smokey in the face to stop him. And while I have the attention of the Americans I would like to express the fact that a pistol is useless. Ask any British Columbia hunting guide this. We are not allowed to carry pistols here in Canada so we are proficient with rifles and not because it's the only option but becauseit's the only option that makes any realistic sense. 🤓
I have been wanting a dedicated black bear cartridge for stand hunting. I was leaning toward the 338-06 as I have had excellent results with this round on prior hunts. But this 338 RPM may just be my ticket. May also be great for a Rem 700 re-barrel.
338-06 is a dandy cartridge and a dedicated bear caliber over a bait would suit it perfectly. The 338 RPM may have the edge on it. However a wise man once told me if you are going to be a bear you might as well be a grizzly. So with that concept you might as well just go with a 340 wby. U can use 300 wby brass for that one. Good luck getting ammo or brass for an RPM. The 338-06 ai may be balistacly the same if we make some legit considerations. And then at that point you can use your old brass and get a bit more performance.
I use the 9.3x62 for black bear. Barnes 250gr mono. Great wounding, hydraulic shock, and gets two holes without the bloodshot damage that the 30 cal magnums do.
You left out the 338 RUM and the 338 Ruger Compact Magnum. Weatherby should have gone with either a 32 or 36 caliber cartridge since there are no Weatherby cartridges in these calibers.
I agree 6.5 calibers are super over rated. BC in 284 out does them in most cases. And 6.5 anything is good for deer and that's it. You can use it for larger game but at that point you know there is more ethical choices.
Weatherby used to mean hot shot smokin cartridges at the top of their caliber in velocity and power. Now it bullshit cartridges. I have 2 Weatherby rifles a 257 and 300. Would like 7mm and 340 but Weatherby neglects them.340 is the 338 Lapua from the 1950s on.
@@jamespmullin21753 I'm a business owner and being relevant is a huge part of staying in business. More and more people hunting with silencers. Efficiency is the game now. Shorter barrels are only going to be more popular as time goes on. So if Weatherby doesn't adapt and goes under how are you going to feed those rifles of yours? Plus, they recently came out with a screamer the 6.5/300 keeping the Weatherby tradition alive. Imagine if Ford didn't adapt and still painted all their cars and trucks black. The F150 wouldn't be the best selling truck of all time.....fact!
@@kylemartin832 Granted, but in fact every possible ballistic niche is already filled. Short barrels are counterproductive in that the shed velocity and waste gunpowder. Look though a good book, avaliable on Amazon, Cartridges of the World. Pick a bullet weight and velocity that you would like to buy. It is already in the book. I have a weird comparison for you about dumb gun buyers. 300 Weatherby shoots a 180 gr bullet at around 3200 ft pre second muzzle velocity, the fastest 30 caliber the 30-378 Weatherby has less than 200 fps added speed over the 300 Weatherby BUT the ammo costs twice as much. Now, put a 30-378 in s stubby 20" barrel and the 300 is just as powerful from it's 26" barrel. The customer is not always right if they restrict themselves to ballistically mediocre cartridges like 6.5 Creedmore, 350 Legend, 300 PRC and Weatherbys new 284 Winchester ripoffs. Weatherby needs to sell guns but they should educate shooters which calibers are truly superior. Ex 25-06, 270, 280, 7mm-08 7mm mags, that can do anything the newest cartridges are trying to do. Hornady seems to be the main ammo company introducing new calibers and retiring them a decade or two later.
It appears that the 338 RPM is, ( poor grammar forthcoming ) a 338-06 Ackley Improved-"Improved". Weatherby made the Ultra Light Accumark in 338-06 years ago, which was a dandy lightweight rifle. This new RPM may give nearly the 338 Win performance (actual experience and data will determine how close ) in an even lighter rifle. It will be great for hunters that want the lightest package possible due to hunting style, or like some folks that I know, have strength and mobility issues. It may not be pleasant to shoot at the range sessions, but this rifle is a hunting tool with about the best power to weight ratio available in a factory gun. When the 6.5 RPM came out, I was genuinely hoping for the 338 variant to replace the now deleted, 330--06 in Weatherby's lineup. Will the new 338 RPM supplant the 338 Winchester, no. However it is a great addition to their own lineup giving Weatherby three power levels ( for the non handloader ) and three different weights of rifles. Weatherby's "small" action is pretty trim, but being offered now in the titanium variant, it's weight is going to be hard to compete with in a standard steel action. Lastly, you could build a lightweight 338 Winchester and get the weight down. I believe Ultra Light Arms did this over 20 years ago and still offers models today. Considering the cost of a custom or semi-custom rifle in such an application and power level, would yield a price tag meeting and likely, exceeding Weatherby's listed price. It won't be for everyone, but it think Weatherby hit upon a great combination here that fills a hole in their lineup of cartridges and the rifle/cartridge combination raises the bar in the lightweight mountain rifle class. Am I giving up my 338 Win's? Nope, but I'll be awaiting one of these 338 RPM's as an addition to the stable.
Tough time to launch new calibers, 27 nosler comes to mind also. My local shop has had a 6.5rpm on the shelf for 2 seasons now. Very little brass, very little powder, and no primers are hurting sales of new stuff.
although still expensive, the Backcountry 2.0 and High Country are both less expensive than the Backcountry 2.0 Ti. 338 WBY RPM also comes in the Accumark, which is priced almost 40% below the Backcountry 2.0 Ti. as far as Niche: unlike some other brands, we can expect Weatherby to continue producing 338 WBY RPM rifles and ammo "for the duration"...I might pass due to rifle price, but I def wouldn't pass on this just because it'll be rare
If I had some other .338 (or similar), I wouldn't rush out to get this. Absent already having something comparable and if I was looking for something with heavy, hard hitting & large diameter bullets (eg for eland, zebra or grizzly as well as elk) I'd def consider this - esp in a light weight rifle with functional recoil pad & a suppressor-ready barrel (e.g., WBY Mark V Backcountry 2.0). About a year after the video launched: Rifles in 338 WBY RPM aren't quite as expensive now. This chambering is now available in several different Mark V variants. For example, as I type this, the Accumark is listed at $1,869 and the Backcountry 2.0 at $2,294. Still expensive, but not $3400+ (Finding one in stock somewhere seems to be the bigger issue.)
Paid $499 for my Ruger compact rifle in 338RCM that is an ballistic twin to the 338RPM. As a pure hunting setup my Ruger 338RCM is the perfect size and weight and handles lovely. With iron its iron sights its an mini express rifle.
338 RCM is ~150 fps slower than the RPM. 338 RCM is a twin to the 338-06 and it is a great cartridge that I wish would've caught on, but you're packlng like 10gr less powder so ballistic twin it is not.
Can 338 RPM brass be made by hydroforming 30-06 brass? Up here in Canada, getting brass for new centerfire cartridges is tough, plus with ITAR making it more difficult to import.
Wanting one of these Weatherby RPM cartridges you do well to use a Mauser 98 action or a Remington 700 action and many other actions work. Weatherby rifles are well known for very bad accuracy so doing a custom rifle is a better deal.
Weatherby rifles have been accurate for most of its customers.... or they would really struggle staying in business. Sorry to hear about your experiences with them
@@MarktheSharkC no. I understand all ballistics, have hand loaded for 30 years it’s not better. Not to mention this channel conceded this fact in a comment already.
If you're looking to rebarrel an old long action rifle with a standard bolt face and you want the most killing power you can get, this is the clear and obvious choice. Enough said.
Thanks RW, I didn't know Weatherby came out with this. I'm a fan of Weatherby rifles and cartridges, but I think I'll pass on this one. 338 is a great caliber with a vast selection of bullets. I'll stick with my 340 Wby, 338 RUM, 338 Wins. They're all set up for different hunt situations and I just don't need another 338 to confuse the works. Personally I think this cartridge will fade away fast. Your video is 5 months old and I'm just now hearing about the 338 RPM. The popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor proves that advertising works. Weatherby dropped the ball.
I was just going of what Adam Weatherby stated in this podcast where he said they based off of the .284 case head, but they had to create a completely new cartridge that couldn't be made from any pre-existing case. czcams.com/video/oOdEKpwwUE0/video.html
I'd rather they make the 340 with a 200 gr max load and a 300 gr dangerous game load. I already have 2 338 winmags 338 s are popular, try to find ammo.
I don’t get why they bothered. Weatherby ammo is very expensive and hard to get. Weatherby could have easily just used the 338 win. As I see it, this will be a failure on weatherby’s part. This round does not offer anything special and there are two many cons to owning.
Ya its a no for me. If i need anything bigger than a 300wm then im going for something with a lot more thump to it. Something that starts with a 4 or 5+ rigby or nitro. 300wm is no joke, so if im not feeling safe with that, then im taking something that will take a t-rex down!!! Skip all the inbetween, and go for the big stuff!
Way too niche to succeed. Only one ammunition maker selling overpriced ammunition for it, with problems as well for the handloader being availability of 338 bullets. Also the price jump from 308 to 338 bullets is nuts. Pretty much just a novelty set up for failure.
I don’t think this cartridge will be a success. It’s basically the same as a 338 win mag which lots of Alaskan hunters already use. It’s going to be double priced of a 338 win mag. If you’re a big Weatherby fan why wouldn’t you just get a 340 wby mag.
From the horses mouth... "The 6.5 WBY RPM is based on a lengthened version of the existing 284 Winchester. This cartridge has a rebated rim, making it compatible with standard 30-06 bolt faces and reloading equipment." weatherby.com/ammunition/6-5-wby-rpm/
After dealing with 5 Weatherby Mark 5 rifles in a role that had chambered off center and other serious problems then dealing the nasty disrespectful Tearesa at Weatherby warranty services never again would I buy a Weatherby rifle. The last Weatherby Mark 5 in an ultra-light in 300 Weatherby mag has the chamber off center, so the gun is worthless and is being kept for the action and stock for another day and another rifle build.
@@ReloadingWeatherby magnum is thrown around so lightly anymore I don’t really feel it Carry’s the same water as it used to. Not to mention anything weatherby produces carry’s the magnum brand.
5 lb rifle is better in the mountains. Ballistics ain't better its purpose is to be simular Ballistics in a 5 lb short barrel rifle. Made for the hardcore backcountry hunters.
@@rockie307 I have an old rem 700 in 338. Win mag that is 6 1/4 bls (the recoil is not ok lol) with the wide strap and Leopold scope that I use hunting goats and sheep that’s good enough for me, but I see the appeal.
I like my 338 win mag. The 338-06 is also a great cartridge. I think new cartridges are not necessary but are very innovative and cool. Our technology is getting better but old school still works. We have better bullets and powder now more than ever. Lot of people argue but I just say get one of everything if you can lol
Amen
OMG! I just looked into this 338 and am floored! First it has 338 Win performance and I know what a 338 Win can do to elk and moose! A solid 400 yard cartridge. But secondly and what makes this all pop for me, is the rifle/cartridge package! An ultra modern 5lb 338 rifle and round that can take most big game! It comes in 18, 20 and 24in barrel choice and I just watched a video today, 9 months after your vid, where this 338 combo put bullets in the same hole! For me that's more than enough accuracy for hunting! Now I will admit my questioning of ultralight rifles, because I've gone down that hole years ago. They're harder to hold steady offhand and whippy barrels heat up quickly, throwing shots. I also hate brakes, but in this case might make an exception! Put a quality modern optic on it, like a Leupold VX 5 3-15 for a bit more weight and I view the 18 inch version with brake as my ultimate hunting rifle, for everything from deer to moose, in black timber to mountains, out to 400+ yards or so. I'm intrigued for sure and it just might be worth my selling 2 or 3 other rifles for? The closest rifle I have right now, is my new to me Savage Ultralight in 28 Nosler. It's lightweight, accurate and fairly powerful. I recently decided to make it my 1 do lots rifle, even though it's a compromise 7mm. Granted one with a bit more wallop than most. But in my experience 338s thump game. That's why I say Compromise 7mm. It should get the job done, but the new 338 RPM has me rethinking my choice.
It's a cool cartridge
The point is a 5lb rifle with a 20" barrel. If you actually hunt on foot hiking over hill and dale, that is pretty darned attractive. I don't disagree that it may end up being a flash in the pan though.
I Had a 33806AI. I took everything on North America with it. Extremely accurate, but, hand loading only. Money is about the same as the Weatherby. I would be getting the 338rpm. !! 😀👍👍
What I would like to see is Weatherby bring out two new cartridges, one in 40 caliber and one in 36 caliber, based on the 416 Rigby case, with Weatherby's radius shoulder but no belt or rebated rim.
I know that when a new cartridge comes out, everyone immediately goes "It can't do anything the 308, 30-06, 270, 300 win, 375 H&H, (insert any other 40+ year old cartridge here) can't do". Not to mention most American hunters seem to have their left ventricle formed around either 6.5mm, .284, or .308 diameter cartridges. Those two things really seem to cloud people's judgement of new cartridges. We've just been given (almost) 338 win mag performance on a 30-06 bolt face, yet most people just groan that it either isn't 30 caliber, or that it's not the new fastest 338 out there. If you're into 250gr bullets at 3,000fps out of a rum, that's fine, but you almost need a 26in+ barrel for it, and recoil without a muzzle brake is not your friend. The RPM sounds like it will be similar to the 338, making a 20 or 22 inch barrel plenty. Add a muzzle brake and you have 3,900 fpe in a rifle that is better balanced, lighter recoiling, and more maneuverable, with better case design than the 338 win. I think it hits a sweet spot in performance for a North American and African big game rifle. It'll probably fade into obscurity because it's not 6.5 or .308, and isn't half a century old, but I plan on building one before then.
Thanks for commenting
Well said Sir, I would be temped to try necking up the 6.5 RPM to 323/ mm.
The trend currently is to put high ballistic coefficient bullets into the new cartridge design. Weatherby did not do this so all you have is an expensive 338 win. If there was some performance advantage I could say, great. I see what they were doing. But in this case you have and over priced 338 win.
It’s a 338 win mag without a belt basically, almost identical performance standard action calibers.
@@Petro00D exactly! Couldn’t have said it any better.
.338 Win Mag power in a 5 pound rifle will definitely be appreciated by a few very serious backcountry elk hunters. Cool stuff!
This is a very clever piece of cartridge design. The power of the old 338 Win Mag in a 06 bolt face rifle. Sheep hunters and here in Oz, Sambar hunters will love the round. The great thing about a 338 is it gives tremendous hitting power even with lighter bullets. I used a 338 RUM with 210 Swift Sciroccos in Namibia on 4 safaris and that extra frontal area really is a noticeable step up from a 30 calibre cartridge even with light bullets.
As to it being a niche cartridge, most rounds are…..
Accessibility? Weatherby should offer it in their Vanguard rifles.
I watched a Weatherby podcast today and apparently it will come in a 20 inch barrel and still getting the velocities I talked about in this video
Great result. Whoa.
Like it even more
The 300 PRC 212 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter ammunition has an energy of 3,489 ft/lb at 400 yards when fired from a 24-inch test barrel.
My choice magnum round. Right now I shoot a 300 WinMag, but I'm stepping up to 300 PRC soon.
This looks interesting....still want a 460 weatherby so I can knock some fillings out.
With a brake its not bad at all
Knock some fillings out lol I love the humor.... maybe your serious though lololo
So no real outstanding performance above anything else. Just offering a magnum in a lightweight package sometime in the future when they get all caught up. That’s one hell of a product launch 🚀 however I’m happy they are getting caught up first and taking care of existing customers and product lines. 👍👍.
Yeah I agree
I don’t think they will ever get caught up
This is not a product launch tho. It’s just an announcement.
I remember when Weatherby chambered the 338 A-Square(AKA 338-06).
I like the looks of this new cal but I agree with what you say.
Bring back the 338-06 or 35Whelen &/or the 358 Win Mag in a cheaper Mark V lightweight package most can afford, it’ll get a following!
A 338/06 or a 35 Whelen would be a much more interesting option.
@@ronlowney4700
At the moment I’m running a 35Whelen & 9.3x62.
There needs to be more companies building the Whelen, it’s a incredible cal!
It’s for the guys who don’t care about cost. There are plenty of guys who pay big dollars for guided hunts on scenic ranches with managed herds.
Like the people who fly to high-end ski resorts, spend their first day there acclimating by going to the ski shop and getting fitted with a ski suit and all gear, ski for a week or two, and leave it all at the condo dumpster because it’s cheaper to buy new stuff every year than to store it at their condo at Central Park West.
I think Weatherby got caught up in it has to be something new thing that's going on now. For me because it's new does not mean it interest me. In .338 I'll stick with the standard ole magnum. It's cheaper and a lot more available. Don't get me wrong, I still think Weatherby is a great rifle. IMHO what they need to do is offer some standard calibers like .270, 30.06 in a premium rifle if they want to sell more. Weatherby is more than a caliber or a cartridge, it's a premium rifle, and folks would buy it in standard calibers.
I agree!
My brother has a mark v in 270 Winchester, they are out there, but they are really hard to find. When I ordered my 270 wby mag 20 plus years ago I could have ordered it in a 3006, which I wished I had of. It’s been a pain to find ammo for it since I’ve owned it.
@@tomlarue654 if you woulda bought a 3006 you woulda wished you got the 270 wby mag. Because now they are rare to find. I think you made the right choice. If you want a 3006 or a 270 there's alot of basic ones out there to look at. But you my friend have a 20 year old mark v. Not alot of people have those.
I'll chime in again cause why not. If you are concerned about Grizzlies then 338 caliber anything is good. And velocity doesn't mean much if the bear out runs your accuracy 🙄. So who cares if it's fast as lighting it needs to hit smokey in the face to stop him. And while I have the attention of the Americans I would like to express the fact that a pistol is useless. Ask any British Columbia hunting guide this. We are not allowed to carry pistols here in Canada so we are proficient with rifles and not because it's the only option but becauseit's the only option that makes any realistic sense. 🤓
The Weatherby Backcountry Midnight is chambered in standard cartridges. Tough to find but they’re out there.
I have been wanting a dedicated black bear cartridge for stand hunting. I was leaning toward the 338-06 as I have had excellent results with this round on prior hunts. But this 338 RPM may just be my ticket. May also be great for a Rem 700 re-barrel.
Thanks for commenting! Can't go wrong with either cartridge
338-06 is a dandy cartridge and a dedicated bear caliber over a bait would suit it perfectly. The 338 RPM may have the edge on it. However a wise man once told me if you are going to be a bear you might as well be a grizzly. So with that concept you might as well just go with a 340 wby. U can use 300 wby brass for that one. Good luck getting ammo or brass for an RPM. The 338-06 ai may be balistacly the same if we make some legit considerations. And then at that point you can use your old brass and get a bit more performance.
Try the .35 Whelen, I hunted black bears with it for years and where I lived the Coast of NC they have the largest Black Bears in the states.
I use the 9.3x62 for black bear. Barnes 250gr mono. Great wounding, hydraulic shock, and gets two holes without the bloodshot damage that the 30 cal magnums do.
@@Spruce-Bug I love the 9.3x62! I have a Mauser 98 that my dad built years ago. Drops everything!
You left out the 338 RUM and the 338 Ruger Compact Magnum. Weatherby should have gone with either a 32 or 36 caliber cartridge since there are no Weatherby cartridges in these calibers.
Just FYI for viewers: other cartridges with SAAMI spec 65,000 PSI = 𝟮𝟳𝟬 𝗪𝗜𝗡, 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 7mm PRC, 22-250, 6mm Rem, 300 WSM
Definitely more interested in the 338 over the 6.5 in the rpm case. Well, I'm guessing it's the same case lol. See you at 8 ✌
I agree 6.5 calibers are super over rated. BC in 284 out does them in most cases. And 6.5 anything is good for deer and that's it. You can use it for larger game but at that point you know there is more ethical choices.
I don't think Roy would go for this 284 Winchester rip off gimmick to make mediocre cartridges with the Weatherby name.
Weatherby used to mean hot shot smokin cartridges at the top of their caliber in velocity and power. Now it bullshit cartridges. I have 2 Weatherby rifles a 257 and 300. Would like 7mm and 340 but Weatherby neglects them.340 is the 338 Lapua from the 1950s on.
@@jamespmullin21753 I'm a business owner and being relevant is a huge part of staying in business. More and more people hunting with silencers. Efficiency is the game now. Shorter barrels are only going to be more popular as time goes on. So if Weatherby doesn't adapt and goes under how are you going to feed those rifles of yours? Plus, they recently came out with a screamer the 6.5/300 keeping the Weatherby tradition alive. Imagine if Ford didn't adapt and still painted all their cars and trucks black. The F150 wouldn't be the best selling truck of all time.....fact!
@@kylemartin832 Granted, but in fact every possible ballistic niche is already filled. Short barrels are counterproductive in that the shed velocity and waste gunpowder. Look though a good book, avaliable on Amazon, Cartridges of the World. Pick a bullet weight and velocity that you would like to buy. It is already in the book. I have a weird comparison for you about dumb gun buyers. 300 Weatherby shoots a 180 gr bullet at around 3200 ft pre second muzzle velocity, the fastest 30 caliber the 30-378 Weatherby has less than 200 fps added speed over the 300 Weatherby BUT the ammo costs twice as much. Now, put a 30-378 in s stubby 20" barrel and the 300 is just as powerful from it's 26" barrel. The customer is not always right if they restrict themselves to ballistically mediocre cartridges like 6.5 Creedmore, 350 Legend, 300 PRC and Weatherbys new 284 Winchester ripoffs. Weatherby needs to sell guns but they should educate shooters which calibers are truly superior. Ex 25-06, 270, 280, 7mm-08 7mm mags, that can do anything the newest cartridges are trying to do. Hornady seems to be the main ammo company introducing new calibers and retiring them a decade or two later.
It appears that the 338 RPM is, ( poor grammar forthcoming ) a 338-06 Ackley Improved-"Improved". Weatherby made the Ultra Light Accumark in 338-06 years ago, which was a dandy lightweight rifle. This new RPM may give nearly the 338 Win performance (actual experience and data will determine how close ) in an even lighter rifle. It will be great for hunters that want the lightest package possible due to hunting style, or like some folks that I know, have strength and mobility issues. It may not be pleasant to shoot at the range sessions, but this rifle is a hunting tool with about the best power to weight ratio available in a factory gun. When the 6.5 RPM came out, I was genuinely hoping for the 338 variant to replace the now deleted, 330--06 in Weatherby's lineup.
Will the new 338 RPM supplant the 338 Winchester, no. However it is a great addition to their own lineup giving Weatherby three power levels ( for the non handloader ) and three different weights of rifles. Weatherby's "small" action is pretty trim, but being offered now in the titanium variant, it's weight is going to be hard to compete with in a standard steel action.
Lastly, you could build a lightweight 338 Winchester and get the weight down. I believe Ultra Light Arms did this over 20 years ago and still offers models today. Considering the cost of a custom or semi-custom rifle in such an application and power level, would yield a price tag meeting and likely, exceeding Weatherby's listed price.
It won't be for everyone, but it think Weatherby hit upon a great combination here that fills a hole in their lineup of cartridges and the rifle/cartridge combination raises the bar in the lightweight mountain rifle class.
Am I giving up my 338 Win's? Nope, but I'll be awaiting one of these 338 RPM's as an addition to the stable.
Thanks for commenting!
Really good summation
Tough time to launch new calibers, 27 nosler comes to mind also. My local shop has had a 6.5rpm on the shelf for 2 seasons now. Very little brass, very little powder, and no primers are hurting sales of new stuff.
I agree
although still expensive, the Backcountry 2.0 and High Country are both less expensive than the Backcountry 2.0 Ti.
338 WBY RPM also comes in the Accumark, which is priced almost 40% below the Backcountry 2.0 Ti.
as far as Niche: unlike some other brands, we can expect Weatherby to continue producing 338 WBY RPM rifles and ammo "for the duration"...I might pass due to rifle price, but I def wouldn't pass on this just because it'll be rare
If I had some other .338 (or similar), I wouldn't rush out to get this. Absent already having something comparable and if I was looking for something with heavy, hard hitting & large diameter bullets (eg for eland, zebra or grizzly as well as elk) I'd def consider this - esp in a light weight rifle with functional recoil pad & a suppressor-ready barrel (e.g., WBY Mark V Backcountry 2.0).
About a year after the video launched:
Rifles in 338 WBY RPM aren't quite as expensive now. This chambering is now available in several different Mark V variants. For example, as I type this, the Accumark is listed at $1,869 and the Backcountry 2.0 at $2,294. Still expensive, but not $3400+
(Finding one in stock somewhere seems to be the bigger issue.)
Paid $499 for my Ruger compact rifle in 338RCM that is an ballistic twin to the 338RPM. As a pure hunting setup my Ruger 338RCM is the perfect size and weight and handles lovely. With iron its iron sights its an mini express rifle.
338 RCM is ~150 fps slower than the RPM. 338 RCM is a twin to the 338-06 and it is a great cartridge that I wish would've caught on, but you're packlng like 10gr less powder so ballistic twin it is not.
Now here is something to try an 8mm Weatherby with 340 level performance.
You'd have to be on the Weatherby board of directors to buy this rifle.
LOL
Yes its going to be expensive, but have you looked at a Cooper or any other custom build,I see some cost twice what the Backcountry costs!
True
I'll just get a 35 whelen, thanks. All these NEW cartridges doing the same thing as the old one's, just have to look a little
True
You find a 5 lb bolt action 35 whelen let me know.
I’ll stay with my 35 whelen. It runs 225 accubonds at 2800 too.
35 Whelen is underrated
Can 338 RPM brass be made by hydroforming 30-06 brass?
Up here in Canada, getting brass for new centerfire cartridges is tough, plus with ITAR making it more difficult to import.
Sadly no, the 338 RPM case is wider than a 30-06 case
If they put it in the vanguard line it’s got at least a chance. I would buy it.
Wanting one of these Weatherby RPM cartridges you do well to use a Mauser 98 action or a Remington 700 action and many other actions work.
Weatherby rifles are well known for very bad accuracy so doing a custom rifle is a better deal.
Weatherby rifles have been accurate for most of its customers.... or they would really struggle staying in business. Sorry to hear about your experiences with them
338 WsM lets goooo
I think it will be a great new round! Same ballistics or a lil better as 338 win mag in a 6 lb rifle! I can’t wait to get one!
Not better
@@Ron-Swanson if you read ballistics then yes better!
@@MarktheSharkC no. I understand all ballistics, have hand loaded for 30 years it’s not better. Not to mention this channel conceded this fact in a comment already.
@@MarktheSharkC I a
I also have factory loads for 338 win mag that exceed 338 Weatherby
@@Ron-Swanson we can argue over that for days. I know I’m right but once again, 5.5 lbs! Great!
This really looks like a 338-06AI. Although, I would def prefer a 338rpm, because I don’t want to have fire form everything.
Thanks for commenting
I’m really considering having one of these made. Have you shot any game with a 338rpm?
I haven't... sorry
If you're looking to rebarrel an old long action rifle with a standard bolt face and you want the most killing power you can get, this is the clear and obvious choice. Enough said.
I want one along with a 257 weatherby
270, 7mm and 340 Vanguards
I would rather have the .340 as well!!!
Thanks for watching!
340 weatherby magnum. Need I say more
....
I'm with you man!
Thanks RW, I didn't know Weatherby came out with this. I'm a fan of Weatherby rifles and cartridges, but I think I'll pass on this one. 338 is a great caliber with a vast selection of bullets. I'll stick with my 340 Wby, 338 RUM, 338 Wins. They're all set up for different hunt situations and I just don't need another 338 to confuse the works.
Personally I think this cartridge will fade away fast. Your video is 5 months old and I'm just now hearing about the 338 RPM. The popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor proves that advertising works. Weatherby dropped the ball.
The cartridge hasn't released yet. I assume Weatherby will do some marketing for it when it does release.
@@ReloadingWeatherby oh, ok, thanks I thought it was already out. Keep up the good work.
if they make a 257 rpm i,ll buy one
300 rpm?
Probably in the future
You forgot the 338 Remington ultra mag.
I have been shooting 35 whelen for many years so vhy change to a smaller bullet. i am not ready for changes
35 Whelen is great!
338 Sherman Short with a 40° shoulder in a short action does all this with a 230 gr bullet @ 2.900 COAL and 2800+ fps in a 22” barrel 😂😂😂
It's a proprietary case with the same case head size as the .284 Winchester, .30-06, and .308 Winchester. The .284 Winchester is not the parent case.
Please read the first sentence after "The Cartridge" weatherby.com/ammunition/6-5-wby-rpm/
@Jess Hadlock Yet it has a wider body and less case taper.
I was just going of what Adam Weatherby stated in this podcast where he said they based off of the .284 case head, but they had to create a completely new cartridge that couldn't be made from any pre-existing case. czcams.com/video/oOdEKpwwUE0/video.html
Did you change the name of your channel?? If not what is the difference???
I did
@@ReloadingWeatherby So do I have to subscribe to the new name, or does it automatically switch
You missed the 338 rum in there buddy.
Yep... It's a good one.
I'd rather they make the 340 with a 200 gr max load and a 300 gr dangerous game load. I already have 2 338 winmags
338 s are popular, try to find ammo.
Reality is with something like a sst or eld-x and a barnes ttsx this would make a do all rifle
Yes it is a do all cartridge
I don’t get why they bothered. Weatherby ammo is very expensive and hard to get. Weatherby could have easily just used the 338 win. As I see it, this will be a failure on weatherby’s part. This round does not offer anything special and there are two many cons to owning.
Loser round
Matching the 338 win mag in the same length action doesn't cut it
I don't think it's a loser round. Some people will love it. I don't have a use for it though
Ya its a no for me. If i need anything bigger than a 300wm then im going for something with a lot more thump to it. Something that starts with a 4 or 5+ rigby or nitro. 300wm is no joke, so if im not feeling safe with that, then im taking something that will take a t-rex down!!! Skip all the inbetween, and go for the big stuff!
Thanks for commenting!
Way too niche to succeed. Only one ammunition maker selling overpriced ammunition for it, with problems as well for the handloader being availability of 338 bullets. Also the price jump from 308 to 338 bullets is nuts.
Pretty much just a novelty set up for failure.
I don’t think this cartridge will be a success. It’s basically the same as a 338 win mag which lots of Alaskan hunters already use. It’s going to be double priced of a 338 win mag. If you’re a big Weatherby fan why wouldn’t you just get a 340 wby mag.
Yeah....
Got a .340 Wby. It is still one of my favorite .338 caliber/diameter buck busters.
The .340 needs the longer 9 lug action and recoils much more
It does the same thing a 338 win mag does while using a standard size bolt face. I call that a win.
It’s hard to find a 338 win mag in a 6lb rifle.
The parent case of the 6.5 RPM is definitely not the 284 Win ... try again
From the horses mouth... "The 6.5 WBY RPM is based on a lengthened version of the existing 284 Winchester. This cartridge has a rebated rim, making it compatible with standard 30-06 bolt faces and reloading equipment." weatherby.com/ammunition/6-5-wby-rpm/
After dealing with 5 Weatherby Mark 5 rifles in a role that had chambered off center and other serious problems then dealing the nasty disrespectful Tearesa at Weatherby warranty services never again would I buy a Weatherby rifle.
The last Weatherby Mark 5 in an ultra-light in 300 Weatherby mag has the chamber off center, so the gun is worthless and is being kept for the action and stock for another day and another rifle build.
That sucks, my Weatherby is very accurate
338 federal?
I wouldn't consider it a magnum cartridge.
Be a great wild boar cartridge for drives. Other than that you would need to be very acquainted with its drop for any other common hunts.
@@ReloadingWeatherby magnum is thrown around so lightly anymore I don’t really feel it Carry’s the same water as it used to. Not to mention anything weatherby produces carry’s the magnum brand.
@@dotsightpredator The 338 Federal can only shoot a 225 gr bullet 2450 FPS.... That's a big difference
Why not compare it to the 338 RUM
I forgot to put it in.... sorry.
@@ReloadingWeatherby what do you think of the caliber why aren't companies not making it anymore?
My loads 340 wby 225gns barnes ttsx --3350 f/s
Wow that's really fast. I've heard you can get 3100 FPS
Good cartridge for a 9lb rifle. Lol
Why is this better than a 338 win mag?… it’s not!
It's more about the rifle you can get it in and not so much about the cartridge
@@ReloadingWeatherby there are plenty of excellent shooting extremely accurate lightweight rifles chambered in 338 win mag.
5 lb rifle is better in the mountains. Ballistics ain't better its purpose is to be simular Ballistics in a 5 lb short barrel rifle. Made for the hardcore backcountry hunters.
@@rockie307 I have an old rem 700 in 338. Win mag that is 6 1/4 bls (the recoil is not ok lol) with the wide strap and
Leopold scope that I use hunting goats and sheep that’s good enough for me, but I see the appeal.
@@Ron-Swanson That's a nice rifle you got there good weight for a 338 win mag.
It seems the same as 338 federal and that did not stick around long
Answer to a question nobody asked. Adam should go back to hunting.
Thanks for watching and commenting!