All around 338 bullet?

17 July 2012, 19:27

Hello,

Looking for one bullet, one powder, one load for a 338. This would cover all medium game from pronghorn to grizzly to moose. I'm not wanting to try 50 different bullets and 50 different powders. Would appreciate the input of those familiar. Thanks in advance.

17 July 2012, 20:30

Stonecreek

I've settled on a 225 grain Nosler propelled by the proper charge of H4831 (in my rifle this is about 74 grains for 2900 fps, but "your mileage may vary"). I was using the excellent Nosler Partition, but recently switched to the very slick Nosler Accubond. I doubt you'd find much difference in the terminal performance of either.

I think that the 225 weight is a good balance between velocity/trajectory and weight. I made shots at 300+ yards in Africa with this combination (Partition) for one-shot kills on Zebra and Wildebeest. Some people advocate the 250 grainer in this round, and there's nothing wrong with that. But there's also nothing the 250 can do, even with the largest "thin skinned" game, that the 225 won't do with a tad less recoil and a tad better trajectory.

17 July 2012, 20:51

prof242

Stone Creek's advice is good, but I've been using the Nosler 210gr Partition for everything. Went over to Africa with a friend of mine, both using .338s. We were very happy with its performance. As to powder...4831.

17 July 2012, 21:06

hunteratheart

quote:
I've been using the Nosler 210gr Partition for everything

+1. Mine likes the 210gr Partition really well. Can't go wrong with that choice.

17 July 2012, 21:13

Pegleg

Since I began using the Northfork 225gr. in my 338 I won't use anything else.

17 July 2012, 21:57

Bear in Fairbanks

I'm with Pegleg. I switched from a 225 gr. Partition to a 225 gr. Northfork. In front of 73 grs. of Rldr-22, I get 2800 fps.
Although more expensive, I find they're slightly more accurate than Partitions and don't lose as much weight. For practice, use a less expensive bullet.
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.

17 July 2012, 21:58

505ED

Woodleigh 300 grain round nose.. not the fastest but if Griz is on the menu then by all means.

I have used the northfork 250's too. good bullet and a tad faster for ranging work--either way you got a good bullet to cover ya!

Ed

17 July 2012, 22:34

cobra

I use 250 gr. A-Frames with RL19 for everything.

17 July 2012, 22:37

jerry mcdonald

If your talking a 338 Winchester Magnum, a man could a lot worse than 70 grs H-4350 under a 225 Barnes TTSX bullet.

Stellar accuracy in four 338's that I have owned, and the number one load for an 8400 Kimber Super America that's still here.

Vel. runs 2825 fps.

JM

17 July 2012, 23:41

ar corey

185 TTSX

Easily do 400 yards.

17 July 2012, 23:58

adamhunter

Which 338? If it is a 338/06, mine does very well with a 210 NP and 61gr. of H414. I would not hesitate to take anything short of DG with that load.

18 July 2012, 00:19

MtElkHunter

For years I have been using 250 partition backed by IMR 4350. Identical trajectory as a 180 grain 30-06.

18 July 2012, 02:03

phurley5

My vote is for the Northfork 225 or 240 grain bullets. I find them by far the most accurate and always give a perfect mushroom for my .340 Wby and .338 Lapua. My son, grandson and I have all taken Elk with them and would use nothing else. RL-22 powder and Fed 215M primers round out the loads. Good shooting.

18 July 2012, 04:18

BighornBreath

Thanks for the replies so far. For a 338 Winchester.

18 July 2012, 06:33

thecanadian

I am going to have to go with the 250gr Accubond with H4350. I load this for one of my co-workers rifles, .4 MOA accuracy in his 338 win mag. 67.3gr of powder and fed match primer seems to be the magic number.

"though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."

---Thomas Jefferson

18 July 2012, 07:07

BigNate

I have been using 250gr Woodliegh Weldcore PP in mine with great results. Would not hesitate to recommend it for everything from Griz down.

I've used several powders but 4831 or 4350 have been pretty standard though the last batch I loaded was with RL22.

18 July 2012, 07:27

pagosawingnut

225 Barnes TSX

18 July 2012, 18:44

R Flowers

My favorite load for my .338 Win Mag uses a Nosler 225 grain partition over a max load of H 4350. Seems like a great all around load.

18 July 2012, 19:57

Clem

68 gns RL17, 250 gn Nosler Accubond.

18 July 2012, 21:28

Antelope Sniper

200 gr Nosler Silver Ballistic tip, or 200/225gr Accubond push with either H4831 or H4350.

19 July 2012, 07:07

Bill Brady

Hi
I loaded a 210 TTSX with 4350 at 2909mv seven head of African plains game every one dropped in it's tracks.That bullet and load gave me a touch better trajectory than my buddy's 200 grain 300 Weatherby factory and three recovered bullets were textbook expansion . Bill

19 July 2012, 10:06

338User

quote:
Originally posted by jerry mcdonald:
If your talking a 338 Winchester Magnum, a man could a lot worse than 70 grs H-4350 under a 225 Barnes TTSX bullet.

Stellar accuracy in four 338's that I have owned, and the number one load for an 8400 Kimber Super America that's still here.

Vel. runs 2825 fps.

JM

If I had to pick only one bullet for everything in my 338 Win Mag, then I would also choose the 225gn Barnes TTSX, backed by 71gn AR2209 (H4350) for about 2850fps, great accuracy and better penetration than anything else at that weigth that I have tried. Take care to work up to that load from around 67gn AR2209, as it is a maximum in my rifle.
However, having said that, all the other suggestions will also give you good results on big game.

19 July 2012, 11:31

N E 450 No2

Always in the lower 48, 210 or 225 Nosler Partition which ever shoots best. Include Alaska, the 250 Nosler Partition.

19 July 2012, 15:35

buckeyeshooter

250 grain Nosler Partition and a max charge of H4831.

19 July 2012, 17:20

snowman

A max load of RL-19 under a 210 gr TTSX is the combination I would go to.

19 July 2012, 18:19

lagerboy

If you can get your hands on some Swift 210gr Scirocco's try em. Or like everyone else is saying, something in 225gr. Interbonds, Accubonds or TTSX's. Any of the above will kill, including big bears.

19 July 2012, 18:59

Labman

Another vote for the Nosler 225 Gr. Partitions backed by H-4831. This is my go to caliber for African plains game. I've shot everything from Impala to Eland with this load with great results.

19 July 2012, 19:07

D Humbarger

I have always like the 225 Nosler Partition in my 338/06. It will kill anything except maybe a T Rex but i havn't seen one of those in years.

19 July 2012, 19:11

ok hunter

+1 for Bills load

Works geat with me also

quote:
Hi
I loaded a 210 TTSX with 4350 at 2909mv seven head of African plains game every one dropped in it's tracks.That bullet and load gave me a touch better trajectory than my buddy's 200 grain 300 Weatherby factory and three recovered bullets were textbook expansion . Bill

19 July 2012, 19:44

f224

225gr Trophy Bonded Tipped or original. They will work on everything from fox to eland, and have for me. For practice, I like the 250gr Sierra BTSP, and they are cheap to.

19 July 2012, 22:23

temmi

I use the 200g Accubond... but I never run into Griz...

Snake

19 July 2012, 22:42

Ackley Improved User

I used to consider the one caliber for everything North America would be the 300 Win Mag – that is , from antelope at 600 yds. to brown bear in Alaska at 25 yds. But, with the newer and spectacular array of .338 caliber bullets now available (e.g., from the 225 gr Nosler Accubond with a BC=0.56 to the 275 gr. Swift A-frame), one could argue effectively that the .338 Win Mag or .338 RUM could not be topped as the best one caliber for everything North America. I have a .338 RUM and its performance with the 225 gr Accubond or Barnes TTSX is awesome – flat, accurate, and with massive KO powder. I’m getting 3225 fps at the muzzle with the 225 gr. Accubond. Similar with the 225 gr. TTSX.

If I could have only one caliber and one bullet for hunting NA, it would be the .338 RUM loaded with the 225 gr. Accubond.

20 July 2012, 01:47

Dead Eye

my load isnt fast but 71 gr IMR 4350 and a 225 Woodleigh at just under 2800 fps is good enough for anything i will shoot with it.

20 July 2012, 06:19

I've spent a lot time hunting brown bears with my .338. My "one bullet for everything" is the 250NP, and it works so well on everything, i see no reason to change!

DM

20 July 2012, 07:18

Pegleg

quote:
Originally posted by DM:
I've spent a lot time hunting brown bears with my .338. My "one bullet for everything" is the 250NP, and it works so well on everything, i see no reason to change!

Statemens like this make me wonder. If it works for you, fine. What I have found though is the Northforks let you obtain the desired velocity with less powder and pressure, retain more weight, and are more accurate, plus produce less fouling. But to each his own.

DM

20 July 2012, 07:41

416Tanzan

Well, I've shot alot of plains game with the 250 NosPart in 338WinM and back in the day that was the load to beat. Takes buffalo, too.

However, these days I have to go with the 225 TTSX and a MAX of 69 to 71 grains R-17, depending on the rifle. Both loads shoot around 2800 in the respective rifles. Their chamber tightness is different, the sloppy one needs 71 grains to do what the otherone does in 69.

Why this bullet and load? Because the .514 BC slips through the wind and delivers awesome energies down field. Hartebeests just get sick and keel over. Elk to pronghorn to bears are all covered.

Enjoy your hunting.

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"A well-rounded hunting battery might include:
500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" --
Conserving creation, hunting the harvest.

20 July 2012, 09:35

Antlers

Agree with the 225 Northfork or Partition. Hard to imagine what those combos couldn't do.

20 July 2012, 11:05

vapodog

quote:
Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I've settled on a 225 grain Nosler propelled by the proper charge of H4831 I was using the excellent Nosler Partition, but recently switched to the very slick Nosler Accubond.

Stonecreek is full of excellent advice....he knows his $hit!

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20 July 2012, 17:10

BNagel

Tikka Whitetail Deluxe (bro-in-law's in LH) and the Ruger 77 his dad gave me both like 250-grainers. Accuracy makes more difference to me than anything so a 250-grain Accubond does it for me. Both like 70 grains H4831SC or AA3100 and NP/Hornady SP (with Fed 215 @ 2470 fps) as well.

21 July 2012, 01:26

Divernhunter

I have always shot Nosler 210gr PAR or 200gr BT out of my 338Win mag. Now I booked a hunt for PG in SA I read I need Swift A-Frame 225gr bullets and have worked up a good max load that shoot under 1" at 100yards with it. No one hardly mentions the 225gr Swift A-Frame bullets here. Why? Wrong choice for Africa PG??