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Hi, I'm getting a 338 hoping soon. Always wanted one, model 700 stainless. I'm a reloader, got the brass, primers, some powder but NO BULLETS. What grain would you recommend for elk? And maybe a mulie buck at times. But mainly my Elk medicine. I'm in the high Desert of Oregon. Which the shots can be far. Also which power of scope you recommend? I'm a Talley guy. Thanks very much. | ||
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I used a 280 grain Swift Aframe to take my last elk cow at 318 yards. She was slightly quartering. The bullet exited behind the off side rib cage. Impact velo was 2300ush fps. Shot one at 75 yards with a 225 Accubond from my 35 Whelen at 2700 fps. The shot was broadside on the top of the heart. She ran above 30 yards died falling over a lip into a wallow. Bullet hit w a lot of velo. It was pressing against the offside hide, and weighed 77 percent. Those are not 338 WM, but bracket bullet weight and velo of the 338 WM. I would use a 250 grain accubond, 225/250 grain Swift either Aframe or Sirocco, 225 or 250 Branes X/Tipped, or other good mono. | |||
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My bunch of Elk hunters use 240 grain Northfork, 225 grain Barnes TSX, and the old Barnes 250 blue coated bullet. We shoot the .340 WBY and .338 Lapua. These bullets have served us well for many years. Good Shooting. phurley | |||
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The one that shoots best in your rifle between 210 and 225 grains. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Never shot an Elk but shot plenty of Moose, all kinds of calibers including 330 Dakota, 338 Win Mag, 338 Lapua and 8mm Rem Mag, I would use 250gr bullets for all the 338's, used Sierra SBT, Hornady Sptz Interlock and Accubond, they all worked but I like the Accubond best for penetration and weight retention when I recovered them. But they all killed well. bb | |||
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My vote would be for the 225 TTSX. While I don’t run a 338 WM this is my elk load for a 338/06 AI which runs right on the heels of a WM. Scope wise I would be looking for something f in the 3-15x range. You have several manufacturers to choose from. DRSS Kreighoff 470 NE Valmet 412 30/06 & 9.3x74R | |||
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250 Nosler partition or 225 Nosler Accubond is excellent, I've shot a load of African PG and a buffalo with them (partition on the buffalo) plus a number of elk over the past years. Win Power points and Rem corelokts are suitable also.. I prefer 3X and 4X Leupold's on mt hunting rifles as opposed to big ugly scopes that tend to break. big power scopes do not improve one's shooting only his doubt of his shooting skills!  Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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That's the thing about a .338 - there really isn't a bad bullet. I would use whatever your rifle shoots best in the 210gr to 250gr bullet weight. I have used 210, 225 and 250gr from 70yds to a little over 400yds with the same result. | |||
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Had tremendous success with the 225 tsx on moose and elk. Hammer White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I like Ray's advice regarding scope size. I tend to mount 3x9 scopes on my rifles due to the prevalence of those models. I rarely ever adjust to higher than 3 power while hunting but 9 power is nice for sighting in off the bench. I miss the compact scopes that were once so easy to find. | |||
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The older I get, the more I am leaving it on 5 power. | |||
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I have shot a lot of elk with my 338. I have tried many different bullets and weights over the years and the one that works no matter what is the 250 grain partition. I have shot a lot of game from antelope to deer to elk and I have never even once recovered a bullet, they have all exited and left an inch diameter hole. Some of those were steep quartering shots on good bulls that went through more than 3 feet of elk. Shots have been from 20 yards to 650 yards same result. I cannot come up with any failures using them, so I see no reason to try anything else. | |||
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My notes from shooting an OR elk with the .338WM Horn. 225 SP Took cow elk approx. 200 yds, Broadside facing left slightly away, entered high left leg, no bone hit, broke rib going in, totaled both lungs, broke rib offside, broke upper leg bone offside, bullet contained within hide offside. Wt. 148.6 grains for 66% retention Dia. .594 for 1.76 expansion. She kicked off at the shot and was dead when she hit the ground. The .338 has a Leupold 1.75-6X I like it. I have a .375Ruger with a Leupold 1.5-4X with MOA. There's times I wish it had just a little more power at the top end, but I sure like the sight picture (hash marks). | |||
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I’ve taken Two bulls with my old Sendero .338 WM and 200 gr Nosler Ballistic tips. Both bulls laid down within 20 yards of impact. I’ve since sold that Sendero and moved into Sako 338’s. I used my carbine last fall on my bull moose with 225 grain partitions and they worked perfectly. 210 through 250 gr partitions will work. The 225gr Barnes triple shock will also be perfect Really can’t go wrong with a 338 and 200 to 250 grain bullets. Like everyone said whatever shoots best out of your rifle. These days that may boil down to whatever you can find. Good luck, Gary Damn right its loaded, it makes a lousy club. -JW | |||
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I've shot about 10 elk. Unlike former member Idaho Sharp Shooter, none over 325" All have been shot with either my 338WM or 340Wby. ALL with the 225 TSX or TTSX. Devastating. | |||
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I have used the 250 grain Nosler Partition and the 250 grain Barnes XLC (coated). | |||
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I used the 210 Nosler for years and it was an outstanding round at 3020 fps until I tore up a couple of them at close range, so I went to the 250 partition and 225 Accubond and never looked back, even on deer and antelope, the 225 worked as well why change I shoot 225s in my Whelen and 250s for the most part..I also used the 225 and 250 Sierra on PG in Africa and on Eland and they worked perfect..IN fact every bullet Ive used except one that failed to stay together and it gave me an instant kill..Speaks well for the 338. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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In Oregon you don’t even need to load the gun because you won’t see an elk. Kidding aside 2.5-8x36 leupold and 210gr + bullet of almost any variety. However the old standby partition would be hard to beat. | |||
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Never had a need for heavy bullets in the .338 for elk or elk size game. Noslers have been accurate for me, everything from the 200 Ballistic tip to the 225 grain Partition (used the 225 Partition for the last bull I took, one shot). I'm currently using 225 grain Accubonds, but the 210 Partition "punches above its weight". I like to keep the velocity up so that when a shot at extended range presents itself you have a little flatter trajectory to work with. I took a springbock (admittedly a small target) at 400 yards in Namibia with a 200 grain Ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps -- I don't think that shot would have been as certain with a 250 grain bullet's more arched trajectory. All of that said, there's nothing wrong with the 250 Partitions if your gun shoots them well and you're shots are kept to reasonable range. Can't see the need for heavier. | |||
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Failsafe if you can find any | |||
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I’ve been hunting with a .338 Win Mag since 1985. I’m on my 2nd barrel. While I’ve had good luck with 250 grain Partitions, I’ve pretty much settled on 225 grain bullets the last 15 or so years. Partitions, TTSX and Trohpy Bonded Bearclaws have all performed excellently for me. They all shoot well in my gun and are great on game. | |||
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Well bullet construction takes precedence over weight any day and that's Barnes claim to fame, but that's another debate! Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Two of my top choices are the Barnes TAX or TTSX and the Swift A Frames. To me the A Frame is what the NP should have evolved into but never did. I know there are so a of Specialty makers out there that also make really good bullets but they can be hard to come by so I have not referenced them. One thing we haven’t really talked about is matching the bullet to the game. If we are looking at trying to use it for Mulies and whitetail I would go to a softer bullet like the Speer Hotcore, Hornaday or Sierra Gameking. Also with lighter game you can drop a little in bullet weight to flatten the trajectory slightly. DRSS Kreighoff 470 NE Valmet 412 30/06 & 9.3x74R | |||
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I haven't killed an elk with the 338 WM but have killed Sitka Blacktails, Caribou, Mountain Goat, Moose, Black Bear and Brown Bears all using Barnes 225 grain X/TTSX bullets. The load that has shot well for me in five 338 WM rifles is the 225 X/TTSX, 67.5-68.0 grains IMR 4350, Winchester/Norma cases, Fed 215 M primer. Seat the bullets .050 (fifty thousandths) from the lands and go kill stuff. As for a scope, I use Leupold 3.5 x 10s on all my bolt action centerfire rifles. Crank the power all the way down when entering the thick stuff. Back in 1994, I called Barnes to discuss which bullet weight to use for hunting all Alaskan game. I think the guy's name was Ty. He recommended the 225 grain vs the 250 grain X bullet. I asked him what I would be giving up in terms of performance by shooting the 225 vs the 250. He said, about 2 inches of penetration and 100 ft pounds of energy. The 225 has served me well. No complaints for one bullet to do it all in the 338 WM. | |||
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It like caliber, any bullet in the right spot will work, know of a guide that used the 225 gr Serria in his 35 Whelen and a number of folks that used 225 and 250 Sierras and Hornadys in heir 338s on our local elk and they worked..self included and many Brown bear have succumbed to the 180 gr 30-06.. Its no secret, proper bullet construction in the the right spot is what works, not so much caliber. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I'd of thought by now that the TSX is settled policy. I'm headed for elk in Montana this next fall and I have no interest in using anything other than Barnes bullets. | |||
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Ty Herring was very helpful when he was with Barnes. I definitely know a few well satisfied bear and moose shooters of the 225 TSX. I assume the TTSX version would be the same results, with a bit better bc. The long range portion of original post, is definitely out of my league. An example of one for me, but a Federal factory loaded 225 TSX drop a bull moose at ~150 yards immediately. Very slightly angling chest shot, tight behind the shoulder entrance and scapula exit. My 375 and 416 have not, and could not have been any more immediately. I think, I would add the 210 grain TSX and TTSX in same category of killing. I have quite a few of those for loading. They were mostly acquired during prior component shortages, when the 225 were not available. The 6 to 10x top end powers are more than plenty for my type hunting. | |||
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Anything in a premium bullet of between 225-250 grains in weight that shoots well in your rifle will do the job on elk. Lighter bullets will work, too, but they are not optimal for caliber. I like Barnes TSX, Winchester Fail Safe, North Fork and Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets myself. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Barnes Are good bullets or rather just another goood bullet. We have so many good bullets these days that picking the best is just a game we play Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Yes, so many good ones. It is like to choose BMW or Mercedes, Ferrari or Lamborghini. It is today more personal preference than real world performance. Jiri | |||
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Been shotting a .338 Win Mag for over 40+ years over 15 Bull Elk, 10+ moose , 2 Grizzly bears countless black bears - mule deer all using 250gr Nolser PT loaded with IMR 4350 . Totally dealy combo . | |||
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that is the exact same bullet and load I use. 250 partitions over IMR 4350. Great accurate load. | |||
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i used in a 340 wea mag with 225 grain in aframe and tsx but not for elk only moose and mountain caribou and it worked greatly ... | |||
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Noslers are the bullet by which all others are judged by, fact not fiction. This makes Barnes xers cringe!  most all of todays premium bullets work just fine....I recall a time when most bullets failed and corelokts ruled..Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I shoot several chamberings from .223 up to .416 and hunt small and big game and use the bullets that shoot best in my rifles. For hunting I have favorite loads that group best and perform best from Nosler-Barnes-Swift A-Frame-Northfork. If I am hunting the larger game I normally have Northfork in my rifle as it usually will group best and certainly perform best when it gets to the animal. The solid base will never break up and it always has that perfect mushroom. The prenmium bullets all perform well today but the Northforks seem to shine for me and my bunch of hunters. Good Shooting. phurley | |||
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A thought just occurred to me, which I’m guessing Ray Atkinson can confirm. One of the greatest elk hunters of all time was Jack Atcheson Sr. He shot a great many elk in his long hunting career. I recall him telling me once that he thought the 210 grain Nosler Partition in a .338 Win Mag. was one of the very best elk bullets ever designed. Of course, back in Jack’s day we didn’t have the selection of bullets to choose from that we enjoy today. But the point is, the .338 210 grain Nosler Partition is still an excellent bullet. | |||
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I knew Jack personally and have talked to him a lot over the years on this subject and yes he thought the 338 Nosler partition was the best. We just could not agree on what weight was the best. He liked the 210 because they had a little less recoil and I liked the 250. In the end we both concluded that either would work and what one shot the best out of your gun was the one to use. | |||
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A buddy bought me a signed copy of Jack Atcheson's Hunting Adventures Worldwide recently. I'd never heard of him but happened on a woman novelist's picture of it on an FB hunting-books forum - and she said it was quite good. Sounds like I'll have to read it  I've heard good things regarding the Nosler 210-grain bullet, too, and still have some Federal factory loads with them. Trouble is they shoot six inches higher than all the heavier bullets from my AIII Sako, so I've only shot 'roos and targets with mine, though they should be just as good for our 'Indian elk' as for your bigger wapiti. I did shoot one sambar stag with a 250-grain Nosler partition, but at 15 yards, high through the neck, just about anything should have worked. | |||
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I SHOT THE 210for years and it performed as good as any other bullet until 5 years ago I blew a couple up on 2 cow elk at 20 yards give or take,so I switched to the 250 and 225 Accubond lately, really have no gripe with any Nosler as they all killed quickly. Ive used the 225 TTSX on a couple with the same results..Im good with the 338 and about any modern 338 bullet and if II intend on using the210 again Ill load it down to 2800 to 2900 fps and be content..BTW those two 210 kills were really quick killers , just a little too fast under the circumstances. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Amen, well said. Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission. | |||
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