Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: 338_Thumper on June 29, 2011, 03:45:02 PM

Title: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: 338_Thumper on June 29, 2011, 03:45:02 PM: Just wondering what you guys with a .338 Win.Mag use on Elk.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Dan-o on June 29, 2011, 03:50:49 PM: A fork and a knife........... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Dan-o on June 29, 2011, 03:52:04 PM: Didn't mean to be a smart@$$.

I would think any reasonably stout bullet would work out of a 338.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: C-Money on June 29, 2011, 04:08:12 PM: My brother in law shoots 225gr core locks. They are only about $38.00 a box at Black Sheep.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Woodchuck on June 29, 2011, 04:17:57 PM: I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 :twocents:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 29, 2011, 04:20:01 PM: 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....
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 29, 2011, 04:24:52 PM: For elk, I like 250 gr Hornady Interlocks or the 210 gr Barnes TSX.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: str8meat on June 29, 2011, 06:03:40 PM: 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
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 29, 2011, 06:06:31 PM: Quote from: Woodchuck on June 29, 2011, 04:17:57 PM
I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 :twocents:
Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder ..... :dunno: :o
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Ingwe on June 29, 2011, 09:44:40 PM: 250 grain nosler partition.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on June 29, 2011, 09:46:10 PM: As far as grain. I found out the 210 works best. I shoot Federal. Nosler partician
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Hyde on June 29, 2011, 10:10:59 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 29, 2011, 10:13:02 PM: Can't go wrong with Nosler :tup: I am shooting 225g accubonds in my 338 win mag and shooting 200g accubonds in my 340wby.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: wsucowboy on June 29, 2011, 10:18:49 PM: Been shooting the Federal Nosler Partitions for years. Both me and my dad shoot the 210 grainers with our 338's.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: 338_Thumper on June 30, 2011, 08:57:20 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Woodchuck on June 30, 2011, 09:01:51 AM: Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on June 29, 2011, 06:06:31 PM
Quote from: Woodchuck on June 29, 2011, 04:17:57 PM
I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 :twocents:
Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder ..... :dunno: :o
:tup:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 30, 2011, 09:40:23 AM: 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 .... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Rob on June 30, 2011, 09:49:19 AM: 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)
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Rob on June 30, 2011, 09:53:08 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: C-Money on June 30, 2011, 11:09:25 AM: Quote from: Woodchuck on June 30, 2011, 09:01:51 AM
Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on June 29, 2011, 06:06:31 PM
Quote from: Woodchuck on June 29, 2011, 04:17:57 PM
I shoot 225 gr Hornady SST's pushed with IMR 4831 :twocents:
Hellooooooo.. glad someone finally agrees with me.... on bullets and surprisingly even the powder ..... :dunno: :o
:tup:
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!
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: elkoholic1 on June 30, 2011, 12:09:15 PM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 30, 2011, 12:23:45 PM: Quote from: Rob on June 30, 2011, 09:49:19 AM
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 ?
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 30, 2011, 12:44:10 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Rob on June 30, 2011, 04:32:06 PM: 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/ (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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Rob on June 30, 2011, 04:39:46 PM: 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 (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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: rosscrazyelk on July 01, 2011, 11:04:29 PM: I shoot 210 noslers pushed with IMR4831
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 02, 2011, 09:22:22 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: sakoshooter on July 03, 2011, 12:38:56 AM: I like 225 gr Swift A-Frames and 225 gr Bear Claws. Barnes Triple Shocks would be another good choice.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: throttlejocky20 on July 04, 2011, 09:17:33 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: 700xcr on July 04, 2011, 10:50:15 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Bullet Weight and Brand on Elk with a .338
Post by: THEBUGLER on July 06, 2011, 05:33:49 PM: 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.