Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

[mram10]

Hey guys. Last year I smacked a mature bull elk in the vitals 3 times with 300gr smks out of my edge. It walked another 20 yds behind some pines and died. Not the quick kill that I want. I love the accuracy, but they did not expand enough(I found one of them in the hide).

With all the new types of bullets, which is the best heavy 338 bullet to use on elk for a quick kill? My friend gave me some 285 tsxs to try, but haven't had time yet. Thanks.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mram10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys. Last year I smacked a mature bull elk in the vitals 3 times with 300gr smks out of my edge. I love the accuracy, but they did not expand enough(I found them in the hide).

With all the new types of bullets, which is the best heavy 338 bullet to use on elk for a quick kill? My friend gave me some 285 tsxs to try, but haven't had time yet. Thanks. </div></div>

I shoot the 338LM, but don't hunt. It usually says on the SMK boxes, that they're not to be used for hunting purposes, but I guess you know that by now. lol?

Nosler AccuBonds, Nosler Partitions, Sierra GameKings, Hornady SSTs, Hornady Interlocks, Lapua Naturalis, Speer Grand Slams, Speer Bonded Bear Claws, or Berger Hunting bullets?

Chris

 

[mram10]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

I have checked out all the below, but want to find a heavy (285-300gr) with as high BC as I can get without paying $2 a bullet.
My buddy that built my rifle told me he has had bad accuracy with the berger hybrids for the 338s.
Hornadys are to light.
Accubonds are only 250 or less with small BC.
Speer- same as accubond for issues
Keep the ideas coming.

 

[SavageLapua]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

What kind of BC's are you expecting out of hunting bullets? Also, what for? How far do you intend on shooting game? Seems kind of impractical to me... I think you've been watching too much "Long Range Persuit"

If you can get a hold of the new Nosler 300gr Accubonds, they have a BC of .750, pretty respectable for a hunting bullet... The Barnes TTSX 265 is .575 or a Barnes LRX 280 at .667(a redesigned TTSX) would probably do just fine.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

Having hunted elk with SMKs, they are far from ideal. Mine were 300WM rather than 338, but they do one thing very well, and that one thing isn't quick animal kills - in most instances.

I've run most of the better hunting bullets - Barnes, Nosler, Hornady - and the TTSX have been my best performers.

My guns have liked the TSX and TTSX with little loss of precision and/or accuracy at reasonable hunting ranges.

Most of the purpose-built bullets will be a dramatic improvement over energy transfer from a SMK, but the TTSX bullets hit very hard.

 

[mram10]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

I hear you about the "long range" animal stuff. I shoot a lot during the year and consistently at 1000yds. I do not shoot animals past 700, even when winds, etc are perfect. No worries

I will have to check out the ttsxs and the bigger accubonds. Those look good from what you have said. Thanks guys.

 

[SavageLapua]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

Nah, I hear ya, just buggin'. I've got a buddy who got drawn for a wild bison hunt in Northern Alberta this winter. He's planning on using his .338WM and the Barnes 225 TTSX. Should be interesting. I'm going on the trip as well, I'll let you know how they perform.

 

[JGorski]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

Ive loaded 225 Interbonds for a buddy at work, theyre very accurate and a well made bullet.

 

[mram10]

Re: Best 338 Hunting Bullet??

Well, I caved and bought a bunch of 300gr Gen1 VLDs. I will post how they shoot and how they work on animals ... if they shoot

 

[trailrider365]

250 grn accubond

Hey guys. Last year I smacked a mature bull elk in the vitals 3 times with 300gr smks out of my edge. It walked another 20 yds behind some pines and died. Not the quick kill that I want. I love the accuracy, but they did not expand enough(I found one of them in the hide).

With all the new types of bullets, which is the best heavy 338 bullet to use on elk for a quick kill? My friend gave me some 285 tsxs to try, but haven't had time yet. Thanks.

Yes just a little note I have used 250 grn accubond for over 5 years on elk and never shoot more than once it is a lot of shot placement also.I dropped a large bull at 685 yrds this year with one shot.I shoot a 340 weatherby that I have improved a little and these bullets work well for me.(trailrider365)

 

[Mod Adahy]

Is there any other bullet for the 338 other than Berger or Rocky Mountain? 2 different price points but are both great solutions.

 

[FN in MT]

I've killed three bull elk with 225 and 250 gr .338" Nosler Partitions. ALL one shot kills. One with 225's (at 220 yds) the other two with 250's. One at 330 yds (6x6 a big bodied mature bull) the other at 160 yds.

Another good bullet that worked well for me in my .338-06 in RSA on everything from waterbuck and wildebeest to a nearly one ton eland ; the 250 gr Swift A-Frames. Similar damage to a Partition but the nose holds together better...giving more retained weight.

I've not found much that drops an elk in it's tracks short of a CNS short out hit. I've killed them with the .257 Roberts, .280 Rem/.280AI,.300 H&H, .338-06, and several with my oldM-70 .375 H&H and 300 gr Sierras. No matter what you seem to OCCASIONALLY get a bull that will simply turn into a bullet sponge. Defying logic. That seems to happen with a poorly placed first shot. I have found that a good hit to the heart lung area that leaves an exit would is usually a quick show stopper.

 

[WEATHERBY460]

TTT