Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338

[338_Thumper]

Just wondering what you guys with a .338 Win.Mag use on Elk.

[Dan-o]

A fork and a knife...........   

[Dan-o]

Didn't mean to be a smart@$$.

I would think any reasonably stout bullet would work out of a 338.

[C-Money]

My brother in law shoots 225gr core locks. They are only about $38.00 a box at Black Sheep.

[Woodchuck]

I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 

[257 Wby Mag]

Bout anything will work in a 338. I always had good luch with 225 interlocks, and 225 partitions. Guy might ponder a 210 SSII or a 225 Accubomb. Pretty tough to beat a 338 for killin bulls....

[JimmyHoffa]

For elk, I like 250 gr Hornady Interlocks or the 210 gr Barnes TSX.

[str8meat]

mine loves rl 19 73 gr. with 230 failsafes or 210 swift scirrocco. in my win mag. my ultra mag prefers 7828 225 gr. accubonds or 230 failsafes. stought robusts bullets are needed

[BOWHUNTER45]

I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 

Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder .....

[Ingwe]

250 grain nosler partition.

[RightPlace-RightTime]

As far as grain.  I found out the 210 works best.  I shoot Federal.  Nosler partician

[Hyde]

I started using Nosler Partitions in the Fed Premium line years ago before all the hype about bullets started.  In my 24 inch barreled 338 WM, I was partial to the 210 grainers.  In my area, shots out to 400 yards were a real possibility.  I liked the slight advantage the 210's gave over the 250's.  Keep in mind that back then, unless you reloaded (I didn't), the Fed Premiums were the only real choice if you wanted a premium bullet.  My pops didn't believe in all that premium bullet crap, and killed more elk with his 338 WM & Core-lokts than I ever will. 

I believe that you should consider what ranges you expect to shoot, and then go with the biggest bullet that you can.  Then find the one that your rifle likes the best.  If you don't reload, then take a good look at the Fed Premium line. 

[carpsniperg2]

Can't go wrong with Nosler I am shooting 225g accubonds in my 338 win mag and shooting 200g accubonds in my 340wby.

[wsucowboy]

Been shooting the Federal Nosler Partitions for years. Both me and my dad shoot the 210 grainers with our 338's.

[338_Thumper]

Good Info Guys - Thanks ! I shoot the .225 trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets from federal. Last year I couldn't find them anywhere - I know they went to the plastic tip on the .338 wsm and i am thinking they are in the process of doing the same in .338 Win. Mag. I don't reload anymore but am thinking of getting back into it. It is going to be hard to change because I get 3 shot groups the size of a dime at 100 yards - I still got 3 boxes left but a I like to shot a couple of boxes each summer but now I got to look and try another brand and see how they shoot.

[Woodchuck]

I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 

Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder .....

[BOWHUNTER45]

Cant stress the fact their is no better bullet made ... well now I am wondering about those Berger bullets .. I might need to load a few for my 300 WSM... The only thing I know about hornaday is they shoot good - they drop some sheet and I can eat whatever I shoot ....

[Rob]

250 grain Barnes TSX for me.

If your shots are expected to be 300 yards  or less, get the heaviest bullet you can to take advantage of sectional density (which translates to enhanced momentum and penetration)

I have killed about 12 animals with that bullet from my 338 including a turkey, small white tail, large mule deer, Kudu, zebra and eland.  Penetration is amazing and expansion and weight retention is excellent.


Here are some photos of recovered bullets.  (note on the eland, my dad shot it with a 375 HH and I finished it with the 338 WM)

[Rob]

Oh yeah, one of those two Eland bullets was recovered embedded in the spine.  I think it was the 338 bullet, but I can't remember for sure.

[C-Money]

I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 

Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder .....

I thought he was looking for all ready made ammo. If you reload, SST's or Accubonds with a can of IMR 4831 should be ideal!

[elkoholic1]

cant beat the federal prem. .225 accubond they have really good ballistics and have used in my .338 win and my .338 ultra they hold together really well and do a fantastic job.

[BOWHUNTER45]

250 grain Barnes TSX for me.

If your shots are expected to be 300 yards  or less, get the heaviest bullet you can to take advantage of sectional density (which translates to enhanced momentum and penetration)

I have killed about 12 animals with that bullet from my 338 including a turkey, small white tail, large mule deer, Kudu, zebra and eland.  Penetration is amazing and expansion and weight retention is excellent.


Here are some photos of recovered bullets.  (note on the eland, my dad shot it with a 375 HH and I finished it with the 338 WM)

wow.. I would say they held up good !! hit any bone or lung shots ?

[JimmyHoffa]

Nice Rob, I was under the impression that the TSX only went to 210.  After I saw this I went to their site and they have one at 285 gr.  They designate it with 'Lapua', but I may have to see if it will work.  Also looking into the 300 gr Bergers.

[Rob]

Just went to the barnes web site, they make the TSX from 185-250 grain.  The 285 says lapua, might have chambering issues-they tend to be longer and pointier.
http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/rifle/tsx-bullet/


One of those two Eland bullets was picked out of the spinal cord.  I think it was my 338 as the animal dropped hard when I shot, but it might have been Dad's 375 HH.

Never had poor expansion on one, never had evidence that one broke up.  They are devistating bullets.  There are flatter shooting bullets out there, but I think it is hard to find anything that expands as well with vull weight retention.


Here are all three bullets side by side.  The long one is the 375 HH.

[Rob]

On a side note, I pulled this photo off the Accurate reloading site.  (Check this thread out, it is AMAZING)
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4711043/m/2861098911/p/1

The guy who started the thread has done a lot of testing in wet newspaper at his private in-house range.  It is mostly big bore stuff, but the principles are the same

He loaded these such that they have different impact velocities at the same range.  it is very interesting to see what an impact velocity has on expansion.  we all know it does, but seeing the bullets after the shot is pretty cool. 

These are 300 grain tipped TSX bullets.  I think they are .458 caliber.

[rosscrazyelk]

I shoot 210 noslers pushed with IMR4831

[Three_Oh_Eight]

I really like the 338 Winchester Magnum.  I believe it is the top end for truly versatile cartridges for North America.  There isn't anything I wouldn't chase with a 338 loaded with a 210gr Barnes Tipped TSX.

[sakoshooter]

I like 225 gr Swift A-Frames and 225 gr Bear Claws. Barnes Triple Shocks would be another good choice.

[throttlejocky20]

Right now I shoot 225 grain accubonds through my 338. But after seeing the acuracy and the hole I got from a 95 grain hornedy SST out of my 243 i may try them in all my guns.

[700xcr]

When I was using the 338win. mag several years ago I loaded a Hornady 250gr. rounds nose. Worked good on a cow elk at 100yds. behind the front shoulder.

[THEBUGLER]

Ive shot the Federal Premium 210 gr partitions since 1989 and had great luck. Core-loc bullets are garbage and should only be used for plinking IMO. They dont hold together very well.