How about "Uncommon"? You have to figure that at least 80% if not 90% of total production were "R" rifles. Right there any of the "RS", "ST" or "PL" guns are uncommon by definition.
How rare/uncommon depends on calber and time frame when it was built.
Certainly fewer 338s RS rifles than say 270s or 30-06 and 243s, probably the three most common. I'd have to look at the catalogs to figure out years and calibers. Chad?? Took a look at the catalogs and Burkes book.
Apparently every caliber except the Swift made prior to 1985 was offered as a RS. I didn't realize till right now that the ST was a LA only thing. What's an "S" listed twice in the Buirke book?
The 338 is a superb elk/moose/big bear rifle. If you shoot more than a few rounds each year at things/critters I'd be surprised. I hunt a lot with my 338 "S" #1. In 20+ years I've fired less than 50 rounds at animals and 5 each year before elk season just to be sure everything is still working/sighted in. I do admit you don't spend a lot of time working up loads and when you find one that works your done. ;-) Thankfully mine shoots 250 Nocler Partitions at 2800 fps in under 2 inches at 200 yards. so I quit load work. Out of 17 elk, 2 moose and 3 bears, I've recovered exactly 2 bullets.
Jimmy: You home??
Ross