new to the forum 338 win mag info

[sksn]

first off this is my first post here:

I live in colorado and hunt only hunt elk
I weigh 250 lbs and am 6'3" so recoil is not a problem for me.

I own a Ruger MK 77 in 338 win mag , the old style aka the safety is in the middle right behind and below the bolt. and not he model 2 ect.
and currently use Hornady's heavy mag in 225 grain

second:

I have tried to do some research on the charistics of this round and thus found out there is not that much out there.

I mainly have 3 questions to help guide me with this round. 1 what's the sweet spot for bullet weight ( every caliber has a certain bullet weight were it performs the best like the 7.62x39mm is 120-125 and 308 FMJ is 150 grain). 2. I have tried swift A frames but I don't like a soft point bullet. you see were I hunt there is a lot of steep terrain and the soft points just get chewed up when you are climbing over rocks ect. I like the idea of a Barnes type round but I don't know anything about them.
3. since I have a ruger mk 77 how was this rifle in my chambering? and how would that impact what type of handloads I should consider.


Thanks

SKSN

 

[sewwhat89]

I have the same rifle. Thus far, the 180gr Nosler Accubond and 200gr Speer HotCor bullets shoot the best. If I understand your question correctly, the best bullet for you in my opinion would be the 225gr Accubond. It has the best array of strong construction, lighter weight and BC.

 

[Preacher]

My #1 Ruger in that caliber LOVES the 200 grain Speer hotcore....
No normal Elk will ever walk away from a good hit with one of them...
The 210 Barnes TS is also a very good bullet in it, but for the price the old Speers do it up right.............

 

[sksn]

Thanks for the replys.

so if the old style bullets work well what is the point behind something like Barnes triple shocks? do you get anything out of sold copper?

and what is the best power for 338 win mag? I have about 3 diffrent powders right now. mostly Hodgedon powders with 1 IMR 7000 series
( I have some 250 grain HPBT matchkings)?

SKSN

 

[Preacher]

About the only advantage I can see with the Barnes is they will not break up like some lead core bullets will...
Any of the H-series powders from H-4350 and up will do a good job depending on the bullet weight... I like H-4350 with the 180 Ballistic tip, and H-4831SC with over 210's... and should do very well with your 250 Sierra's....

 

[Lapuatom]

I shoot a 338,in a Winchester rifle and the pet load my rifle prefers is a 225 gr.Barnes XLC,in front of 72gr. of imr4350 @ around 2870fps.It is a consistant.75" round.Have shot elk over 500yds and up close,in one end and out the other. Never had one walk away from one of these!

 

[best defense]

Thanks for the replys.

so if the old style bullets work well what is the point behind something like Barnes triple shocks? do you get anything out of sold copper?

and what is the best power for 338 win mag? I have about 3 diffrent powders right now. mostly Hodgedon powders with 1 IMR 7000 series
( I have some 250 grain HPBT matchkings)?

SKSN

The matchking bullets will not perform as well as gameking bullets on most animals. If you hit the vitals and punch a 338 caliber hole thru them, any bullet will kill, but Sierra recomends using gameking bullets for hunting.

 

[Gb300wm]

My 338wm likes IMR4350 and a 210 Barnes TTSX.

 

[Kurz]

Here is some data from Barnes bullets for their TSX and TTSX bullets:

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/338-Win-Mag.pdf

Nosler data with selectable bullet weights:

https://www.nosler.com/338-winchester-magnum

And a whole list from 160 gr. To 300 gr.:

https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/338-winchester-magnum/

Any of these will provide a reference to start with then complete your load work up.

I also suggest letting the owners do the shooting and testing since it will better simulate their abilities with various loads.

 

[SQ54]

Hello. This is my first post here as well. I have been shooting the .338 Win Mag for about 30 years. Back then the go to load was a 250 gr Nosler partition and 67 gr H4350 for about 2660 fps. I would still start with H or IMR4350 or RL17/16 for any weight between 200 to 250 grs. When you are able to obtain other powders/bullets then you can experiment.

 

[wboggs]

I shot the .338 for years on elk. My go to load was IMR 4350 and 250gr Nosler partitions. It never failed but I didn't take a shot over about 350yds. You get good penetration and expansion. Also used the load on deer, moose, bear. I paid $115 for my new Win 70 Alaskan in the 50s. Bullet selection was limited but the Nosler was as good as it gets then and still is.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have shot elk with my 338wm 180gr Accubonds over H380. I found a box of 185 gmx. Going to have it for a backup rifle in Mt this year. The 225 gmx looks good also. If you can find the 225 interbond, could be an accurate tough bullet in your rifle.

 

[wboggs]

I have shot elk with my 338wm 180gr Accubonds over H380. I found a box of 185 gmx. Going to have it for a backup rifle in Mt this year. The 225 gmx looks good also. If you can find the 225 interbond, could be an accurate tough bullet in your rifle.

How did the 180 accubonds work on elk? My buddy tried them and they gave poor penetration.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I tried them figuring I could shoot thru an elk. Bullets still stop under the opposite side hide. Still a good bullet, like most put it in the heart, lungs(both) and you kill the elk. Lung shot elk may run some. Shoot thru both shoulders and drt.

 

[wboggs]

Penetration of Accubond will be less than Partition, Barnes, new Federal Bear Claw designs. Most bullets will work on the type shots you mention. Premium designs are needed for more demanding shots that require penetration. A light accubond (180) won't even completely penetrate a 180# South Carolina buck. I know because my buddy tried them for a whole season.

 

[fourpower]

I have old style ruger the first year they came out with .338. I have used it every year since to hunt elk and have gotten a elk every year. 250gr sierra 69.5grs imr-4350. Have never lost a elk and gun is still going great.

 

[FNSafari]

I think wb's comments about using a premium bullet for demanding shots is well put. On a broadside probably a cup and core is fine. But for a heavily raking or shot to the rear spine in a really acute quartering angle, the best bullet you can buy is cheap insurance. I've never had one, but I believe elk permits are not easy to come by and/or not cheap?

 

[wboggs]

I have old style ruger the first year they came out with .338. I have used it every year since to hunt elk and have gotten a elk every year. 250gr sierra 69.5grs imr-4350. Have never lost a elk and gun is still going great.

I would think that is due to your shooting and placement, not necessarily the bullet construction. Obviously, works well in your hands but not all are as skilled as you.

I have old style ruger the first year they came out with .338. I have used it every year since to hunt elk and have gotten a elk every year. 250gr sierra 69.5grs imr-4350. Have never lost a elk and gun is still going great.

 

[David Milisock]

Unfortunately medium heavies IMO tend to be more 1 or 2 trick ponies and if you're lucky you'll get 2 bullet weights that shoot well.

Also unfortunately there is no free lunch, your cartridge choice eats powder and finding what you want requires testing, that requires some bucks.

You only hunt elk, that sets one parameter. I would consider what range you expect to shoot, what accuracy suits your need.

IMO in the 338 if range is longer I'd recommend nothing heavier than 225 grains, to keep the ballistics flatter. If the range is less I'd still use the 225 because IMO having 1 load in a rifle like this that you're very familiar with makes hits within the rifle/cartridge range limitation easier. Also a bit better if you cone across an aggressive bear.

I'd stick with a quality projectile, unfortunately to know what's reall quality you'll need to research and test them at the range you expect to shoot. Again that's bucks, but one person's experience may not be yours.

Years ago I went to a medium heavy but chose the 358 Norma Magnum instead of the 338. I shot alot of 338's but it wasn't my cup of tea. Again a 1 trick pony cartridge, I use 250 grain Hornady interlock, not what one would call a premium bullett. I killed only 2 elk with it, very cleanly, I shot through 1, side to side at 400 yards, and through another at 600 yards, breaking the near shoulder exiting the far back side. As I said above my experience was nothing like my research suggested.

If I took shots with that projectile at 300 or less I would stay off the heavy bone to avoid bullett failure. Velocity 3,200 FPS and groups 1 1/16" at 300 yards.

 

[wboggs]

Am I reading you correctly, 250gr Hornady at 3200fps out of a .358 Norma?