Have any of you tried the Nosler 200 gr. ballistic tip in the .338 Win. for elk? At the Shot Show some of the Nosler folks claimed it is made to hold together on elk, but I am a little skeptical after seeing how fragile some of the smaller caliber ballistic tips are. The only ones I saw that worked well were the 180 gr. .30 cal. in a .300 Win. at 300 yards or more. Closer than that, they just came apart. I have shot several elk with the 225 and 250 partitions, and both work fine, but neither has the accuracy of the ballistic tip in my rifle (.25-.40 at 100 yds.)

Hi I have done it many times and so has my huntin buddy. Between the to of us in the last 8 years we have used that bullet in .338 on 5 elk in Colorado and 6 caribou in Alaska. It has never failed us. Many pass through shots also. MD

In all likelihood, that cartridge/bullet combo should work just fine for most hunting situations and "classic" shot angles (eg. those requiring in the order of 24"'s of penetration on an elk). If, however, you are planning on using your big .338 to shoot them up the hoop (hey, Ray ), I'd opt for a bullet with heavier construction.

JMHO, Canuck

I'd take a look at the 210 Partition. I shoot the 200 gr for deer but would be very cautious about using them for Elk. I have read very good reports here and other places on the 210's ability to take large game. Good Luck on your hunt.

Have killed both elk and black bear with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip. If anything, it may be a bit "harder" than I might like. Penetration in dry paper medium is similar to the partitions in my (admittedly amateur) comparisons. If it shoots better than the partitions in your gun, then by all means use it.

I too have used the 200 BT's with success. The only thing I might consider, is if I had a monster bull in the sights, I would hesitate at a shot that had to go through the main shoulder socket to get to the vitals. Behind the shoulder, or a smaller bodied elk, no problem. Done it. I have also used the 210 and 225 partitions with great success. Haven't found an elk large enough to stop the bullet from exiting, no matter what the angle.

Physics is physics and 200 gr = 200 gr. Hitting power = mv X weight. While there is some argument about bigger calibres = wider bullets = wider bullet channels, more damage and more bleeding, a bullet that is designed to penetrate is needed. Many bullets are frangible so as to give maximum expansion at longer ranges where velocities are lower. These bullets will often blow up on short range hits on many critters. Where the need is for penetrating bullets and they are used, bullet placement is more crucial than calibre as long as the bullet is big enough and bore is appropriate to bullet size.

Physics is physics, but I wouldn't want to try & put a 200gr BT through the quartering shoulder or offside rib cage to break a shoulder of a big bull elk. I'll stay w/ the 210gr NP.

[This message has been edited by fredj338 (edited 09-20-2001).]

While the .338-200 gr NBT slightly outpenetrated the 210 gr Partition in my testing it clearly is less robust (lost more mass and was more damaged). Elk are big animals and I would personally go with the Partition, but Maddog and his buddy have made it work and I don't doubt it will. Its a much tougher bullet than the lighter calibers.

I wouldn't use the BT on a bet so I'm probably the wrong person to ask. But let's be realistic, how much more accurate are you talking? .4 MOA as opposed to .6MOA? I think that the difference is probably not enough to worry about it from that aspect. Also, if it were me, I would not want to spend the money for an elk hunt and have any doubt in my mind as to if my bullet would hold up or not. I would go with the Partition, have no doubt and never look back. But, I'm not the one shelling out the bucks for your hunt.

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When in doubt, empty the magazine.

You know what, every post you have received in response to your question has valid points. This is a well informed bunch of shooters that you are able to access on this forum.

However, I will put in my opinion for what it is worth.

I too have shot the 200 grain Ballistic Tip in my .338 Win Mag. It is quite accurate and I have no trouble getting over 3000 fps out of my rifle which has a 24 inch barrel.

I have shot three wild hogs this summer with that bullet and have been quite happy with the performance. Now, I know a 300 pound wild boar is not the same as a 900 pound elk, but they are tough animals. I have had good luck with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip.

Having said that, I am going on an expensive elk hunt this fall in New Mexico. I am taking my .338 Win Mag and it will be loaded with the 225 grain Nosler Partition. I am confident that this is a better bullet for BIG game. I am shooting that bullet better than 2850 fps and actually have gotten better groups with it than the 200 grain Ballistic Tip.

In fact, I shot that gun today and was amazed at the accuracy of the 225 Nosler and H4350 powder. About a month ago I tested this combination and got a 3 shot group of 0.41 inches. Today I shot a 3 shot group at 100 yards that a dime covers easily, it measures 0.242 inches! Possibly you need to find a better load for the 225 grain bullets.

I am using W-W cases, Federal 215M primers, 71 grains of H 4350, and the 225 Nosler Partition. This load chronographs 2850 fps on my Oehler Model 33. I shoot it in a Remington 700 Classic with a stock 24 inch barrel and a Leupold 2.5 X 8 scope.

But, I have to say that given a broad side lung shot on an elk, the 200 grain Ballistic Tip will work just fine.

R Flowers

I like the 210 Nosler and the 250 Nosler for elk, depending on where I'm hunting...One reason is the 210 will penitrate as well as the 225 and shoots a mite flatter and definately seems to kill better..It is a wonder bullet in my estamation...I suspect I have shot as many animals with these two bullets in that caliber as anyone alive...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com