I'm thinking about trying some new bullets in my 338 and would appreciate hearing from other experienced 338 shooters about the 200 grain Nosler Accubond. I've always shot 225s in my 338 but I'm wanting to do a bit of experimenting with bullets and loads this summer for an Arizona Strip deer hunt I got drawn for this coming November.

I have used the 200 gn Nosler combined technology bullet, which is like a sold base with a black coating. and the 180gn Accubond, as well as the 225gn Accubond.They all work well with the 338 Win mag, and for deer sized game you don't really see much difference with properly placed shots. They all expand well, and all will exit most of the time.

The only 200gr bullet I've tried is the Speer 200gr Hot Cor in my 338, this was done for giggles on pigs and goats, they performed quite well.
Like you, I normally run 225gr Accubonds in my 338, I rarely switch bullets and loads once I find something that works.
I have to ask, why the switch?

Cheers.

I tried the 200 gr BT when they were still being made and they shot quite well in my 338.A liitle much for whitetails but it will certainly put then on the ground. I never recovered a bullet (passed through).

My 338 WM is loaded w/ 210g NPs. It has worked well on Elk, Nilgai and hogs. At the speeds I'm getting, it should work and expand on deer.

Just returned from a pig hunt where I used 338 mag 185 grain GMX bullets for the first time. Flat shooting, accurate, and deadly. My try them on Utah deer this year.

All of my experience with the 338 on game has been with Barnes 200 grain TSX. Accuracy is sub moa and performance on game is spectacular. I have used some Federal 225's and some Barnes 225s on paper. They shoot well but thats all the experience I have with them. I think the 200 grain TSX or TTSX are the perfect match for deer elk moose black bear or hogs. The trajectory is flat and they only penetrate a couple inches less in gelatin than the heavier bullets.

Try the barnes 185 TSX, I use them in my 338 a win 70. Work well on boars. Heres a few recovered projectile pics. Cheers Mick



projectile recovered 185 338 TSX

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by 416RigbyHunter:
The only 200gr bullet I've tried is the Speer 200gr Hot Cor in my 338, this was done for giggles on pigs and goats, they performed quite well.
Like you, I normally run 225gr Accubonds in my 338, I rarely switch bullets and loads once I find something that works.
I have to ask, why the switch?

Cheers.

That's a valid question. I guess more than anything, I'm looking at options since the likelihood of a longer shot is greater on this hunt than most others. According to the outfitter, 75% of their shots are probably from 250-400 yards, with more farther than closer. I just want to make sure that I've wrung out all the options before I head to Arizona, as this is a one time hunt and the chance for a huge buck exists every day. Heck, getting ready is half the fun, so I'll be doing a lot of loading and shooting prior to November.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by 416RigbyHunter:
The only 200gr bullet I've tried is the Speer 200gr Hot Cor in my 338, this was done for giggles on pigs and goats, they performed quite well.
Like you, I normally run 225gr Accubonds in my 338, I rarely switch bullets and loads once I find something that works.
I have to ask, why the switch?

Cheers.

That's a valid question. I guess more than anything, I'm looking at options since the likelihood of a longer shot is greater on this hunt than most others. According to the outfitter, 75% of their shots are probably from 250-400 yards, with more farther than closer. I just want to make sure that I've wrung out all the options before I head to Arizona, as this is a one time hunt and the chance for a huge buck exists every day. Heck, getting ready is half the fun, so I'll be doing a lot of loading and shooting prior to November.

Load some Barnes 185-grain Tipped TSX. Work an accurate load, and stick to it. If you don't want to take the time developing a load, try a box of Barnes factory ammo with this bullet and see how it goes.

In Alaska where I live, I hunt moose in bear country and had settled with the 225-grain TSX, but now that the tipped TSX is available I have switched to it.

Federal loaded the 180-grain NOS for the .338WM. It was a load for long shots on pronghorn and similar game. Out to 500 yards it hit the mark at nearly -2" from the same bullet/weight fired from a .300WM. But I believe that Federal no longer offers that load, perhaps because most people using .338's prefer heavier or tougher bullets. The introduction of the Barnes TSX and similar bullet designs from other companies have made the .338WM more versatile than ever. On the lightweight end the TSX is a tough bullet with excellent expansion characteristics, and on the other end softer bullets up to 300 grains can be used if that's what one wants. The heavy ones for closer ranges, and the lightweight for long range.
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264wm spitzer, that's a good-looking rifle you have.

Good to see folks are using the 338 for game smaller than Moose, Elk, and Brownies. It's really a quite versatile cartridge, and one of my favorites.

I have always thought versatility was the strong suit of a .338. Having said that, if I had a "Strip" permit I sure would not be toting a .338. Maybe, if your initials are EK.

Elmer! To him, the 338 was a "light rifle". He liked 275 and 300gr bullets in the 338, especially his 338-378 KT.

I have been an avid .338 fan since its inception. I load the 210 Nosler Partition to 3010 FPS in my gun, and the 250 Nosler partition to 2800 FPS..The 210 shoots 3 inches high at 100 and the 250 shoots and inch lower, so no need to change the adjustments..All that said, the 210 Nosler partition has always been my go to for anything up to and including elk, The 300 gr. Woodleigh RN, I have used on a limitied bases for one bull elk, several buffalo, Eland, crocs, Hippo with both softs and solids. The .338 Win. has always been my favorite second rifle in Africa..I love Woodleigh and GS customs bullets in most calibers..I have shot a couple of deer, an antelope , and two cow elk with the 200 gr. Accubond, its works just like the rest of the bullets I've used in the .338..

Bottom line is every bullet I've used in the .338 has been satisfactory, even the cup and core Hornadys and Sierras..Locals here in Idaho love two Sierra boat tails on Elk.

Bullet failure in the .338 is an oxy moron. it just don't happen, I suspect that is due to the moderate velocity the caliber generates, and the great bullets in production these days.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by 416RigbyHunter:
The only 200gr bullet I've tried is the Speer 200gr Hot Cor in my 338, this was done for giggles on pigs and goats, they performed quite well.
Like you, I normally run 225gr Accubonds in my 338, I rarely switch bullets and loads once I find something that works.
I have to ask, why the switch?

Cheers.

That's a valid question. I guess more than anything, I'm looking at options since the likelihood of a longer shot is greater on this hunt than most others. According to the outfitter, 75% of their shots are probably from 250-400 yards, with more farther than closer. I just want to make sure that I've wrung out all the options before I head to Arizona, as this is a one time hunt and the chance for a huge buck exists every day. Heck, getting ready is half the fun, so I'll be doing a lot of loading and shooting prior to November.

According to Ballistics AE and Point Blank programs, the 225gr gives the longest MPBR, that's why I asked the question.
I use the 225gr Accubond exclusively, but I have tried both the 250gr and 300gr Accubonds, the 250's in the 338 are good, but not quite the equal of the 225 for range.
Both work really well in my Edge, but that's a totally different animal.
Going lighter will not give the same range to 400yrds, it will also have a fair loss of energy.
Anyway, it's not what I'd do or recommend.

Regards.

Light or lighter bullets start faster but end up losing velocity faster than the heavyweights. the only possible advantage(s) are a slightly flatter trajectory and slightly less recoil.

I'd use a .300 mag with the 200 AB (.588 BC) at around 3000fps. That will pass the 200/210 from a .338 Win Mag at around 50 yards and never look back!

True, you can use the 180 - 185s in a .338 mag, but for what purpose? Less recoil? Then use a 7 Rem Mag shooting 160 ABs at 3100 (.531 BC) if deer is the target out at 400 long paces. JMO.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

DLS, I didn't see anyone mention the Swift Scirocco in 210gr. Great bullet.

Forgive me if I channel Elmer Keith, but what size woodchucks are you after?

I'm shooting 185 GMX out of mine as well and they shoot well and penetrate well. I've got mine banging the gong to 600 yards with no problems at all.

quote:

Originally posted by .458 Only:
Light or lighter bullets start faster but end up losing velocity faster than the heavyweights. [/url]

While undoubtedly true...it's often well beyond practical hunting ranges that the heavier bullet surpasses the lighter one in velocity.

The lighter bullets are designed for exactlt your purpose and to take advantage of the great versatility of the 338. You may have greater energy with the 225 at 400, but most of those bullets are designed for larger heavier game and at reduced velocity you may not have enough material to get adequate or at least optimal expansion. The light TTSX or Accubond are built for your application. If you can get accuracy from either of those, they would be my pick.

quote:

Originally posted by .458 Only:
Light or lighter bullets start faster but end up losing velocity faster than the heavyweights. the only possible advantage(s) are a slightly flatter trajectory and slightly less recoil.

I'd use a .300 mag with the 200 AB (.588 BC) at around 3000fps. That will pass the 200/210 from a .338 Win Mag at around 50 yards and never look back!

True, you can use the 180 - 185s in a .338 mag, but for what purpose? Less recoil? Then use a 7 Rem Mag shooting 160 ABs at 3100 (.531 BC) if deer is the target out at 400 long paces. JMO.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

The idea of a lightweight bullet such as .338-caliber 185-grain TSX Tipped is for long range hunting of smaller game such as pronghorn and deer. Federal had such a load (for that purpose) using a 180-grain NOS. It was loaded nearly 100fps faster than the same bullet weight/load for the .300WM, and out to 500 yard the .338 bullet would hit the mark within 2" of the .300 bullet.

I have to agree with .458 here! A 225 TTSX has a BC of .5+. Pushed at good velocities,it'll far surpass the performance of lighter bullets at extended ranges. In my wife's .338 WM, we're getting good accuracy at 2950 fps., and the performance on moose, elk and a bear have been exceptional. We drew an antelope tag this year, so in a month or so it'll be used for that hunt as well. One rifle, one cartridge, one bullet, and one zero. It's worked real well for us! memtb

I'd love to see that recipe for a 225 ttsx @ 2950.

I'm not at home presently, but same time same station tomorrow I'll get back to you!!! I can give you everything right now except powder charge: Fed. Premium Nickel Cases, Fed. 215 Primers, RL 22 (compressed load). Those velocities are using a Chrony, and I'm assuming that they are at least close to accurate! memtb

My 338WM's have handled the 225gn TTSX at 2825-2850fps. 69-71 grains R17, depending on rifle and chamber tightness. The BC is listed at .514. If I needed a higher BC I would look at the CEB-MTH for single feeding over 500 yards. (I don't hunt over 400yards, at least so far.)

BaxterB, Getting back to you on the charge spec' s. RL 22 - 78.5 grains! memtb

The flatter shooting of the heavier bullets in any caliber is a fact, but you have to get way the hell out there around 600 or more yards to come up with a real difference, and bullet performance out yonder is up for grabs...At the ranges I shoot bullet weight in the .338 is not in question with any bullet that I know of. I limit myself to about 300 yards as a rule and even under the best of circumstances I would never shoot beyond 400 yards, too easy to break a leg IMO.

Actually I have found the 210 Nosler at 3010 FPS to penetrate better than the 250 gr. Nosler at about 2700 GPS in most instances??? The 230 gr. GS Customs bullet is an awesome all around bullet as one could wish for, It shoots flat at near 2900 FPS and hammers elk and deer, but hell so does the 300 gr Woodleigh at any reasonable range..

The .338 just works, you would have to really work at making it fail..

Thanks memtb.

quote:

Originally posted by 264wm spitzer:
Try the barnes 185 TSX, I use them in my 338 a win 70. Work well on boars. Heres a few recovered projectile pics. Cheers Mick



projectile recovered 185 338 TSX

WoW, I really thought a fast-stepping .338win 185gn monometal- would punch right through wild boars
and loose its copper petals in the process.

-recoverable bullets with intact mushrooms is not all what I would have expected.

Even the light ones work well. I have shot quite a few pigs with 160gn Barnes TTSX at 3400fps out of my 24" barrel. This is driven by 81gn Reloader 17. It is a maximum load in my rifle, so don't use it without working up from about 5gn less. It goes right through pigs, there is no lack of penetration, it is accurate, and really knocks them over, it also shoots really flat out to 250yards, Zero at 220, 1.6 high at 120, -1.3 at 250, so just aim at anything out to 250, you don't need to think about hold over.

Thanks for the opinions. I just got my tag in the mail yesterday, and Arizona gives a coupon to redeem for one box of non-lead ammunition, so I'm going to get a free box of Barnes Vortex in the 225 gr. TTSX. I've shot those before a little bit and they shoot well in my rifle.

Still not sure if I'm going to shoot Accubonds or TTSX, but Arizona does encourage everyone with a tag on the Kaibab or Arizona Strip units to shoot lead free ammunition due to the condors in the area. I'd never seen a condor when hunting 12AE or unit 9, but then on a vacation to the south rim at the end of June, we saw 4 condors at one time right in front of our hotel balcony, so perhaps I should shoot the Barnes if they shoot just as well as Accubonds.

quote:

so perhaps I should shoot the Barnes if they shoot just as well as Accubonds.

My 225 TTSX's shoot into .8 at 100. It's the only thing I plan on shooting out of that rifle.

If you are buying into the condor horseshit, you have MUCH bigger problems than which bullet you should shoot in your 338 !

quote:

If you are buying into the condor horseshit

I'd love to see the actual reports surrounding this…

There are lots of reasons to use Barnes bullets but by far the least of them is the damned condor.

Way more of them have died from eating discarded batteries from the "green" tourists than from ingesting bullet fragment.

There you have it,
Zeke

quote:

Way more of them have died from eating discarded batteries from the "green" tourists than from ingesting bullet fragment

Hit me up with the research, I'd love to read it.

The other night I watched a tv show that covered the condors pretty well. They never once mentioned bullets or lead poisoning however the biggest threat to the Condor is that they have a bad habit of eating anything shiny. One bird had been "rescued " 3 times by researchers and candy wrappers, trash of all sorts and bits of aluminum cans etc were removed from him.
Their solution was to completely limit human activity in these critical areas because, apparently humans can't avoid littering everywhere they go and 2 Condors have a compulsion to eat anything shiny.
Bullets were never mentioned in this documentary!
This leads me to believe that the entire lead free bullets ban is total bullshit. If it were real then even shiny copper bullets would not be allowed.

Trax- the three 185's recovered were from texas / length way shots. Side on shots are straight thru.
Cheers Mick