I just picked up a model 700 syn SS 338 win mag. I put a burris 2-7X35 with BDC reticle on the gun. I hunt deer most of the time and some wild hog hunting.

It shoots the federal 225gr fusion load very well at less than 1 inch, and the 225gr remington corelock into 1.5-1.75" groups.

I intend to use the federal fusion load to hunt with. I was just wondering about peoples experiences with the 338 on this type game and hopefully someones experiences with the fusion load on that size animal.

I also realize it is "PLENTY of gun to use on those animals", but I just wanted a 338...LOL

thanks
224TTH

Some years ago I picked up a nice pre-64 M70 custom in .338 WM. Wasn't cheap then and I could not afford it now. Has a Krieger cut rifled barrel, NECG irons, a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40MC on Leupold QR mounts, and is fitted into a high end McMillan stock. Holds 2" at 300 yards w 225 gr Barnes Xs.

Don't get to go Elk hunting very much, but have found that it is an absolutely dandy rifle for whitetail and piggies. Just works!

You'll enjoy yours!

The 338 WM is my go to gun for nilgai, deer and hogs using 210 gr. NP's @ just under 3000 fps.
A bit more power than actually needed, but does the job very nicely.

Regards,
hm

I don't believe in overkill, I hunt deer w/ a 338-06 & want to try my 338x74K soon. The 34 bores just owrk. I would probably not go bonded heavies for deer, just about any of the std. cup/core bullets work great on deer & hogs.

I HAVE USED A 338 WIN MAG IN A RUGER #1 FOR SEVERAL YEARS. PLAINS GAME IN AFRICA ,ELK AND DEER HERE. REMINGTON SAFARI AMMO WITH SWIFT 225 GR. IS VERY HARD TO BEAT.

Pigs, Deer, many Nilgai and 2 Elk have been swiftly dispatched by my 338,
210 NP, 72g IMR 4350, 215 Fed Chron'd 2900fps
It gives me confidence to just let it loose and for some reason makes a different sound/noise when it hits from a long way off. For the lower 48, the 210 Np is more than enough gun.

It will kill them dead, but be ready for a big exit wound on the deer!!

I've taken deer and hogs as well as larger game with my .338. Long before the newest fad of everybody having 2 or more bonded core bullets available we used the excellent Nosler. There were only two of them in .338. A 210 spitzer and a 250 round nose. later on they made the 250 a spitzer. These bullets performed to perfection , at least in my humble opinion, on everything from small deer to zebra, moose, elk, bears and boars etc. Hard to beat in North America anyway. I took mine to Africa and used it on everything from 20 pound Steenbuck to zebras and kudu, 6 or 7 animals with it on that trip alone, it did a bang up job.

I shot a deer with my 338 last year. I wanted to try it on one to see what it would do before I used it in Africa. That was the first animal I shot with it. It made a good sized exit hole. I used a 225 gr Hornady Heavy Mag. I don't plan to use it on deer again. It worked great on all the plains game animals I took in Africa.

I've shot a few deer with mine, and it will mess up a lot of meat with anything but head shots. I carry mine because of the bears. I have been thinking about developing a reduced load for deer and hog hunting in places where I'm not concerned with bears. Something about the equivilent to the 338 federal would be great. The rifle is a good shooter so might as well extend its versitility.
KB

I have used mine (both of them) for deer on many occasions, although nowadays I prefer the .308.

I don't think the .338 necessarily wrecks a lot of meat. It only wrecks meat if you shoot the deer where the meat is located. try and get broadside heart shots. in one side of the ribs and out the other side. not much meat there.

On deer, any bullet would work, you could even go with the 180 grs and shoot them around 2800-3000 fps and watch them crumple.

On hogs, I haven't had much experience with the fusion, the core lokts will do the job though. If you want some impressive performance, the 225gr TSXs are amazing on the big pigs. I hit one good sized pig with a 340 wby last year, shattered both leg bones and exited out the other side, amazing.

quote:

I don't think the .338 necessarily wrecks a lot of meat. It only wrecks meat if you shoot the deer where the meat is located. try and get broadside heart shots. in one side of the ribs and out the other side. not much meat there.

As stated above, just about any bullet works well w/above placement. Shot a nilgai cow last week w/a Combined Tech. 200 gr. ST. Cow was facing about 25*; bullet in tight behind shoulder and lodged under skin about 3rd rib from rear. Hardly any damaged meat. Hit the shoulder and there would be more loss.

Regards,
hm

Thanks a lot for all the replys. I look forward to using the rifle on this years deer hunts and with luck maybe a hog or two.

thanks
224TTH

The last couple deer I shot with a 338 went right down. One with Fed 225 grain other with Nosler 210 Partition. Don't know what more you could expect from a deer rifle.

I have loaded some 225 Sierras at 2200 fps for this years deer. Shoots to the same POI as my 225 TSX load at 2850 fps at 100 yards.