338 RUM bullets

[Jakmart87]

I have a 338 ultra mag from Remington. I started reloading year ago because ammo was getting hard to find. The bullets I used first were Hornady 200 grain spire point with h4831 at 89 grains. I have used hornady SST bullet on 30 caliber they work great but has anyone try it on 338 caliber? or should I be look at something different? I use this gun for deer hunting and elk more for deer then elk.

 

[JBT47]

Berger Elite Hunter

 

[wboggs]

The Hornady bullets will not penetrate at 338 RUM velocities. I've had failures with the sierra and Hornady, shed jackets, etc.
Best all around are the Barnes triple shock, probably 225 gr tipped in your case. They are extremely accurate and absolutely reliable. Load them about 0.06" off rifling and you can get around 3100 fps if you load to an overall length of 3.58". My most accurate loads were with Norma mrp but you can experiment with powders in that burn rate range.
Good luck
Bill

 

[Nellej12]

My buddy and I are using 338 lapua's. We just returned from Wyoming and used Berger elite hunters 300 grain. We took 2 cow elk, one at 730 yards and the other at 745. Mine was at 730, I hit a little further back then I would like on the ribs but she only went about 100 yards.

 

[wboggs]

Any bullet that will work in the Lapua will also work in the RUM. A 300 gr Berger will have to be seated deeply in either case without a custom chamber.
I have never hunted at these ranges so you should go with their opinion if this is your goal.

 

[Preacher]

I prefer the 225 Accubonds in my 338 UM for normal hunting....

 

[Jakmart87]

so I am looking at bullets that are boned or solid cooper. As anyone shot a deer at close range with boned or solid cooper bullet in the 338 cabiler? I am talking close range like 50 to 100 yards.

 

[people]

I shot them in my 338LM for a little bit. Well 100 of them. While they shoot very well when shot very slow in my rifle they strung very bad. I did kill a few deer with them. I then switched to the 300gr SMK and never looked back. I did try the bergers and they shot well enough I had thousands of the SMK so I just use them. In my experience the 300gr SMK is the kill-in-est bullet I have ever shot.

 

[JBT47]

The 300gr Match King does work very well for hunting...up close or at distance.

 

[wboggs]

I have used the Barnes at 25-425 yds Work perfectly. These were full pressure loads. At close range exit is a minimum 4-5" on a broadside shot. Have not tried the 300 sierra or Berger for.hunting. Have used them for long range target in a Lapua and both are accurate.
Bill

 

[Kurz]

That's a lot of rifle for regular ol' deer. But whatever suits your needs and desires.

I agree with wboggs:

Best all around are the Barnes triple shock, probably 225 gr tipped in your case. They are extremely accurate and absolutely reliable. Load them about 0.06" off rifling and you can get around 3100 fps if you load to an overall length of 3.58". My most accurate loads were with Norma mrp but you can experiment with powders in that burn rate range.
Good luck
Bill

This is nearly the exact place I wound up until I started testing Re-23 and Re-26. I'm now trying these two against the MRP load I was using prior to this.

A slightly milder load can be had when you load Ramshot Magnum under the 210 or 225 Barnes TTSX. Just about 3,000 fps but with a slightly reduced pressure.

Regards.

 

[wboggs]

I tried reduced loads with Sierra 225s at 2800fps on SC whitetail. They still shed their jackets on frontal shots. Naturally the deer dropped but penetration was lacking for larger animals. The Barnes work extremely well at lower velocity and I suspect the Berger would too but with less penetration.
If you want a load for everything at different ranges, use the Barnes.
Ultra distance shots at game are another thing and very specialized, to say the least.

 

[wboggs]

My African loads were loaded with MRP and 250 gr. Barnes at 2986fps ( chrongraphed there) in a 26" Krieger custom barrel.
Let us know how R23 and R26 work out, it will be interesting.

 

[dkhunt14]

The 300 Berger is a great killing bullet. They always exit and they expand. It was shot from a RUM IMP at 2900 and change. In the last 5 years we have killed 9 bucks at ranges from 450 to 600 yards and every one drops like a rock. We were just talking about this today how the Berger 300 kills. Matt

 

[wboggs]

What overall length you running on the 300 bergers? 2900 is one hell of a load, improved case or not. Barrel length and powder?
Thanks
Bill

 

[dkhunt14]

He is running Re33. I am not sure of length but it is throated out. He went up to I believe 99 grains and was right at 3000. He backed it down a little and it shot better at 1000 and was easier on brass. The barrel is 30 inches. The guy I was hunting with today is running the same combo. He also at 2900. He had to have his throated out more to get it. That is what he told me told me this mornimg. His click chart is just a little shy of mine and I am running 2993 with my IMP Lapua. I checked it out this morning against mine. Matt

 

[wboggs]

That makes sense. The ultimate use of a .338 cal case. It's a long way from my .338 Alaskan that I purchased in 1958. Fell in love with the caliber then and still love it.