I went out for a test session with my .338 WM today. This is my leopard and small antelope rig for Africa and I used it last year with 250 grain Nosler Partitions. While they were plenty accurate for hunting, they were not very accurate from the bench. This always irked me.

So, I set out to find a better behaving bullet. Today, decided to shoot three, three shot groups with the following:

250 Grain Nosler Partitions (baseline)
210 Grain Nosler Partitions (first time down the barrel)
180 Grain Nosler Accubonds (also, first time down the pipe).

To keep it as scientific as possible, I shot the bullets in tandem rather than three of one, then three of the second, and so on. The order was:

250 grain NP: Shots 1, 4 and 7
180 Grain AB: Shots 2, 5, and 8
210 Grain NP: Shots 3, 6, and 9

Here are the results:

250 Grain NP's . . . Not too good.

180 Grain Accubonds . . . . better.

210 Grain NP's . . . I think we have a winner!



I believe I will adjust the POI for the 210 grain NP's and the 338 should be ready for Mr. Spots, bush buck and some baits come July!

I'd say that'll work....in spades!

I wish my 338 shot 210 Partitions like that!

Even the poorer groups are fully adequate for hunting.

You definitely have a winner there.

It never ceases to amaze me what a slight change in bullet, powder, primer, or seating depth will do to a group. Sometimes you are lucky and hit a good'um right off, but most of the time it takes work.

I've tried almost every 338 cal bullet out there in my 338-06 and keep coming back to the Horn 225 SP. I REALLY WISH it would shoot the NP 210 or the NP 225 or any one of several excellent partition, bonded or solid type but it won't. The Horn 225 SP gets the job done and will put 5 into one ~nickel size hole at 125yds so I don't mess with the load in any manor. It does the same with the Horn 200 gr bullet also so it must be something about the Secant ogive Hornady bullet.

The other good thing is it will shoot all the Nosler NP's, EXCEPT the 250 NP, into the same ~1.5"-1.7" hole, mixed or matched, with each one's selected load...no need for sight changes...so I can't complain there either, ... That continuous over almost 40 year bugholer groups just spoils me from using any other bullet.

Luck

For years the 250 Nosler was my goto .338 bullet, outstanding accuracy, then they changed the bullet and accuracy went out the window. Their 225's seem to shoot well but so far I have not had the opportunity to actually shoot anything with them.
C.G.B.

My Savage 116 loves the 210 NP. Shoots 5 shot 5/8" groups regularly @ 100 yds. It also shoots 200 gr. silver tips to same poi.

Fired shot #1 from clean, patched bore w/210 NP. Moved scope 1/4" rt. and 1" down and fired shot #2 (another 210 NP). Shot #3 was a 200 gr. ST w/same sight setting.



Regards,
hm

I have never used anything but 210 Noslers in my 338. I have hunted about everything I shot in the last 20 years with it. It shoots just like yours. Everything less than 1/2" at 100 yds.

The 210 Nosler will do about anything that the 250 will. For years its users have remarked on how it performs right along with the heavyweights in a .338 Winchester. The 225 Partition shoots as well as the 210 in my gun, and at virtually the same velocity, so I use it in preference. However, the 225 Accubond shows a slight edge in accuracy, and shoots to the same 100 yard POI, so I think it will replace the Partition for most of my .338 usage.

By the way, a leopard weighs about the same as a typical whitetail buck, so the slightly faster 210 Partition will likely anchor a leopard faster than a slower 250 Partition. But neither will do any better than a common cup-and-core 165 grainer out of a .30-06.

In 2009, my bags with my ammo did not arrive in camp until the morning of the fourth day of my safari. I used the PH's spare rifle in 338WM with 250gr Norma bullets to shoot all 6 of my impala for leopard bait. Then on the third day I shot a Zebra for bait on two of the bait sites. I was impressed with that 250gr Norma bullet. Most of the impala went nowhere and the Zebra only went 25yds before rolling.

Why did you test the loads at 50yds instead of 100yds? (Just asking)

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Scarboro: Why did you test the loads at 50yds instead of 100yds? (Just asking)

Because it is a leopard rig. I've shot two other leopards at 50+/- yards and expect about the same this year if I am lucky enough to get a male on bait. My goal was to simulate, as closely as possible, a leopard hunting scenario. Thus, 50 yards instead of 100.

I shoot most everything else with a 416RM and rarely take this rifle off the truck unless I'm headed to the leopard blind or I'm shooting a bait from right beside the truck.

Will,

I used the 210 NP in my 338 for almost everything when I lived in Alaska. I took Sitka blacktails, whitetails, pronghorn, caribou, moose and dall sheep with it from 50-300 yards. It just flat works. You'll find rather small entrance and exit holes but incredible internal damage. It should be just the ticket for leopard.

Mark

Will,

Prior to Federal coming out with their Federal Premium .338 Win Mags loaded with the 210 grain Nosler Partition I had been hand-loading the Nosler 210 Partitions for use in my Ruger Model 77. Since 1981 that gun has easily shot .75 MOA at 100 yards and tighter when I'm "on". With that the 210's have been a favorite of mine for a long time. Thus far I haven't had to shoot game past 225 yards but I feel confident that precise 300 yards shots would be just as sure as the rest.

Buchseman

A good all around load, for me, is 72.5 grains of Reloder 19 and a Winchester Mag primer behind a 225 Accubond.
(If you using Nickel plated brass, the primer also looks cool)
I haven't seen a rifle not shoot it accurately.