I am a huge fan of the Nosler Accubond, but they haven't made one of a size I am crazy about for a lion. Nosler has just introduced a 300 grain Accubond in .338. With the good controlled expansion of the accubond, but definite expansion, and the bullet's inherent accuracy, seems like a really good choice since one would be expecting to shoot at relatively short distances.

What do you guys think as I know there a lot more ballistically inclined than me, and pretty much anyone has more lion experience than me. I thought it would be nice to take that load/rifle for lion and PG and then my .458 for buff.

I would not hesitate for one second to use a .338 win mag to hunt lion, nor would I hesitate to use a 225 or 250 grain nosler, either partition or accubond. I'd be a bit concerned about velocity with that heavier bullet, what kind of velo do you expect to get?

Not sure yet, but I am guessing somewhere around 2300fps.

I think the 250 grain Accubond would be better. A little more velocity is nice for cats, and you'd have a flatter trajectory for plains game. Also, the penetration of a 250 grain .338 is nothing to sneeze at.

I agree with Sandy Hunter. I shot one with a 225 grain Triple Shock and was satisfied with bullet performance.

I'd be more concerned about that low of a velocity in 338 than I would in using a lighter bullet. Think of it like this, what game (thick skinned game excluded) would you feel uncomfortable using a 250 nosler on in the 338 win mag? I do think that sandyhunter has it right.

My guess is that 300 grainer would be more suited to a 300 Lapua or Ultramag, but I wouldn't really want to carry either of them for the majority of hunting. I do carry my 338 win mag for most of my hunting, regardless of the game sought. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a buffalo, but would stick to 250 grain bullets rather than the 225s I normally shoot in it.

Tim - Go with the 250gr AB, that will be just fine.

Hello Tim. How's it going?

I would opt for more velocity rather than the heavier bullet for cats.

Cheers

Thanks guys. I was originally thinking of taking my .375 single shot for an initial shot from blind, and then if we had to follow, my .458 bolt, but thought this might be a good alternative. I will see how the 250's shoot out of my gun.

What do you think minimum velocity should be? I think 250's are about 2600.

I like a .338 for lion. Just had a client take two good lion using one with 225grn TTSX's.

Lion - even big ones only weigh around 500lbs Unless they are angry and incomming there is actually precious little to them. Have seen some of the bigger Barnes whistle straight through with out opening at all-

As with all carnivours the heart is further back than on antelope so you shoot behind the shoulder rather than through the shoulder which is typical for African (real) Antelope.

Try your load on whitetail. If they don't open on them, they probably won't open on lion unless he is wounded and charging - and if you do a halfway decent job on the first shot you won't need to worry about such a scenario...

I can guarantee you that the Lions in Africa do not read the ballistic tables of ammunition.

What is the difference between a 250gr and 225gr bullet to a Lion. That 25gr is NOT going to be the difference between a wound or a kill.

Bullet placement is a 1000 times more important. My old man shot plenty of Lion with a poor 30-06 and he always shot them well.

A 338Win Mag is very good for Lion from any angle IF you do your part and shoot well.

I will never hunt lion....but.... I was not aware of a 338 bullet in 300 gr! That would be a very long bullet! Even a 320gr bullet in 9.3X62 is considered by some to be less than ideal. I would be surprised if the 300 gr bullet would do 2300 fps in a 338 Win Mag.

When the 338 Win was introduced one of the options was a 300 gr @ 2450 .But after that I never heard much about it. Today I seem to hear about many hunters using a 225 Nosler or other premium for everything.

Tim,

I've used the 338 a lot and I just can't imagine that at 338 velocities you'll see any meaningful advantage to using a 300 ACB over the 250 ACB. I do think the ACB because of the fragible nature of the forward portion of the bullet is a great choice for cats and thin skinned game.

Mark

Tim

STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have found the Holy Grail, a virgin in America and three wise men in Africa,

A 300 GR bullet in .338 IS THE ALL TIME BEST, in my humble and absolutely non expert opinion

The fact that I have been shooting 300gr bullets in my 338 Win Mag, might help me being biased of course



So let them couch potatoes rip boys

Oh, I forgot to mention a couple of guys on here have used that Ruger 338 Win Mag to absolutely great affect on their hunts,

With................Wait..................300gr bullets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!