The Accurate Reloading Forums
.338 bullet choices

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/256103707

30 July 2007, 10:21
RemLover
.338 bullet choices
I'm looking for a good bullet to use in my .338-.378WBY mag. Right now I am using the 210gr Triple Shocks and having decent success with them, but would like to try and tighten my groups a bit. I'd like to stay in the 210gr-225gr range and need to shoot pretty solidly constructed bullets. I was wondering what bullets your rifles group well with? Thanks
30 July 2007, 13:13
Wink
North Fork makes 200 grain and I believe 225 grain bullets for the .338 caliber. I have had excellent luck with accuracy in other calibers with North Fork bullets, but I don't shoot any .338 caliber rifles.


_________________________________

AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
30 July 2007, 20:10
Heat
My 338-378 Weatherby loves the 225 grain TSXs.. Haven't handloaded any of them yet as I am collecting brass from factory Weatherby ammo... With factory ammo and no custom work done on the Accumark it shoots a bit under MOA so no complaints there... I'll see here in a couple of months or so how well I can get it to shoot with handloads....

Ken....


"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
30 July 2007, 22:13
phurley5
As Wink said, North Fork makes a 200 and 225 grain bullet as well as a 240 grain .338 caliber bullet. The 240 grainer is perfect for my .340 Wby, kicking and screaming if I try anything else through it. The North Forks are absolutely the most accurate "tough" bullet I have ever shot through my rifles. Try them and you will see what all the fuss is about. wave Good shooting.


phurley
31 July 2007, 00:11
Stonecreek
quote:
I'm looking for a good bullet to use in my .338-.378WBY mag.


For what? Ground squirrels, cape buffalo, or something in between? It makes a lot of difference what your intended target is. Why would you like to stay in the 210-225 grain range? With a little more information, you'll maybe get some answers back that are more than relavent than just "my .338 Whompstomper likes to shoot 237 grain BallistiCrats".
31 July 2007, 07:06
jjmp
theirs a lot of stought 225 grain bullets out there,i'd also advise you to include 250 grainers also,hornadys 225 inter-bond and their 225,250, inter-lock,noslers 225 & 250 partitions,225 acubonds, swifts a-frames 225,250 and their bonded 225,barnes 225 tsx 250 tsx,with all that HP you need great bullets as you already know!!!regards
31 July 2007, 11:22
NimrodRx
Think the 225 Interlock is stout enough for elk at 2800 fps?
31 July 2007, 20:23
fredj338
quote:
Originally posted by NimrodRx:
Think the 225 Interlock is stout enough for elk at 2800 fps?

That will depend on your impact vel. I have found them on the soft side for strikes above 2650fps. My wetpack test show 65caliber + expansion & 68% weight retention. SO I would worry about hitting any bone. Beyond 100yds you should be good.
Bullets for the big 338, I would try 225grNAB, 225gr Swift or the exc. NorthFork. The NF is likely to be the most accurate prem. hunting bullet. If you just want accurate paper puncher, go to the 250grSMK.


LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
31 July 2007, 21:44
Heat
quote:
Originally posted by fredj338:
quote:
Originally posted by NimrodRx:
Think the 225 Interlock is stout enough for elk at 2800 fps?

That will depend on your impact vel. I have found them on the soft side for strikes above 2650fps. My wetpack test show 65caliber + expansion & 68% weight retention. SO I would worry about hitting any bone. Beyond 100yds you should be good.
Bullets for the big 338, I would try 225grNAB, 225gr Swift or the exc. NorthFork. The NF is likely to be the most accurate prem. hunting bullet. If you just want accurate paper puncher, go to the 250grSMK.


At 200 yards with 225 grain bullets from a 338-378 you are just barely below 2800 fps... If you're shooting in that 50 to 150 yard range you will need a STOUT bullet... Northforks, Barnes, GS Custom, Partitions, etc....

Ken....


"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
01 August 2007, 07:10
NimrodRx
Sorry, I don't mean to highjack, just seems along the same lines.

I was thinking the 225gr IL with a muzzle velocity of 2800, say out of a .338 WM. They're just scary accurate out of my Sako. With the philosophy, accuracy reigns supereme, in mind... I'm considering using them on a BC elk hunt this fall. Just wondered if others had experience with the IL on game.
01 August 2007, 08:24
Kingfisher
The best luck that I've had out of my custom 338/378 has been with 210 gr. Scirocco's, 225 gr. Accubonds, and the 210 TSX's. Have yet to try the Interbonds, but I'm sure they'll shoot like the rest of the poly tipped bullets... i.e. damn good.
02 August 2007, 13:05
Bear in Fairbanks
Rem:
Another vote for the North Fork. I use the 225 gr. bullet in my .338 Mag. Got my bull moose with it last Sep. and found the bullet under the hide near the right rear quarter after penetrating behind the left front shoulder. It's a perfect mushroom & weighs 217-218 grs. What's not to like? It's accurate too.
Bear in Fairbanks


Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes.

I never thought that I'd live to see a President worse than Jimmy Carter. Well, I have.

Gun control means using two hands.

02 August 2007, 22:53
Clayman
I'd say for just plain plinking, the Hornady interlocks in all sizes (200, 225, 250) shoot really well out of my 340 Accumark. I don't know about taking elk with them out of a 338-378, but anything smaller would be vaporized. It might be worth your while to step up to something bonded for the bigger elk size game.


_____________________________________________________
No safe queens!
02 August 2007, 23:13
hammerdown
I too, vote for the North Fork bullet. I have found them to be Big Time accurate. So far I have loaded them in my 338 RUM. I loaded 225gr.at muz. velocity of 3050fps. Producing one half inch groops at one hunderd yards.

I shot a Good size Black Bear this past spring in British Columbia. I shot the Bear at the point of his shoulder, found the bullet under the skin at his rear leg.

Shot was at forty yards, retained weight 212 graines. perfect mushrooom.

What's not to like about that.
Good Hunting
03 August 2007, 00:37
buckshot
With a case capacity in excess of the Winchester round, there is no need to shoot anything lighter than the 250 grain .338" bullet. Trying to cut back on recoil, or extend your range by flattening the trajectory? Don't bother, just get some premium 250s like the partition or N/F and get on with hunting anything that walks, crawls, or slithers on this continent. A properly loaded 250 grain .338" possesses enough energy to stop a small car in its tracks, what more do you need?
03 August 2007, 12:04
nwwash
what it boils down to is what bullett the gun will shoot most accuratly. i find nosler partitions shoot the most accurate and will hold together on elk.partitions hold together so well, that i have 23 1 shot kills on elk with a 338 win mag. time and proformance tested