Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Minimum Impact Velocity for 338 on Big Critters

What are your thoughts on minimum impact velocity for the 338 210 Partitions on Moose and possibly Brownies? I am not thinking of any particular cartridges, just the bullet in question.

Muzzle velocity is all fine and dandy when bragging about the newest biggest kid on the block, but impact velocity is where it really counts. This being a typical hunting rifle for me, and not a backup rifle for "playing guide" when buddies come up to hunt.

With my new barrel in hand I am still on the fence as to which way to go with it, Wild and Weird, or Plain Jane. Wild and Weird will give me 150fps+ over Plain Jane, but at a cost of more recoil. I did not realize how light a #3 Hart barrel was going to be in 338.

So let's hear it, remember "impact velocities" 210 Partitions.

To get the correct answers to your question and as a suggestion, try going to the Nosler site. Click onto the bullets section (Partitions) and you`ll find what they call an "Optimum Performance Velocity" illustration that shows what the Partition bullets look like from various impact speeds ranging from 1800 fps up to and including 3200 fps.

For the moose and brownie however, try contacting them directly between 8:00am to 4:30pm PDT at 800-285-3701.

I`d probably go with 1800 to 2000 fps as the minimum impact speeds for moose and the big bears. But aside from any opinions given here on this thread, see what Nosler says too.

I will check it out, thanks.

The fellas up here in AK that follow this particular forum know the 338, and have seen real world performance. Their opinions, in my mind anyways, is very valuable.

Glenn

How much impact does it take to kill a moose or brown?

What distance?

I've never reloaded any cartridge to max.and never had a problem killing game,I would not worry about 150 FPS.

The distance is what I am trying to figger. If I know what impact velocity to stay above, I can figger out how close I need to be before pulling the trigger. For instance, would ya would use a 338WM out to say 300? If so I would feel comfortable using a smaller case, but keep distance 150 or less.

Let me rephrase. What would be your opinion for the maximum effective range with the 338 210 Partitions on moose/bear?

A: 338/06
B: 338 WinMag
C: 340 Wby
D: 338 RUM
E: 338-375Wby

I am no guru by any means but I would want 2000fps impact velocity on a brown bear as minimum. That should be 300yds maybe a little more depending on the bullet. I used hornady 225gr interlocks near full power in reloads on a caribou and at 60yds the bullet did not exit. It blew up in the vitals which is fine on a Bou or moose. It was going to fast for that range. A partition at 2000 will drive thru a moose probably end to end long ways since they open some but penetrate at the partitioned area. On moose it doesn't take much I have seen a 30-30 at 100yds with a round nose go thru on a broadside lung shot. It left the muzzle around 2000fps I think anyway no chrono on my friends ammo. It was a near max reload he says. Plain old rem corelokt. I think if you want 300yds I would pick a 338 win mag if you can handle it depending on rifle weight. A 338-06 will do fine to pretty much the same range. Heck there are only 100 or more 338 possibilities these days. I am partial to the WM and think 2000fps is where I would feel fine on a big bruin. Moose could prob be stretched further but for me as an average shooter 300yds is almost always my max range in the field. This is my personal opinion and not law by any means.

I'm only familar with the .338 win mag with 250 gr.hornady round nose at around 2600 FPS. I wouldn't attempt a 300 yd shot at a Brown Bear ,not because I don't think the .338 is not enough,but if the stars arent lined and you get a UNDER KILL,and if theres 100 yd killing radius that you haven't taking advantage of I'd be rooting him out of the alders and that's not my cup of tea.

300yds was totally hypothetical, just throwing out numbers. If I were to do a dedicated brownie hunt, I would pack the 358 Norma and try to keep shots well under 150.

I am looking for a good "just in case the opportunity arises" 338 caliber.

I killed a moose and brown bear with the 338 Rum. I used a 225gr Accubond tho.

I honestly couldn't be more happy with the performance. If I recall correctly, the brown bear was at 220 yds, and the moose was at 350.

If I could do it again, and I will, I'll pack the same gun/load. 350yds would be my max for moose, but I'd like to get within 100yds for bears, for judging purposes. Apparently I suck at judging bears beyond a 100yds....(grin) Sometimes on a tide flat on on a mountainside, I'm sure as you know, getting closer doesn't always work out the way you think it will.

I'd not hesitate to use my 338 Win either, for both.

The best advice I have ever hear about judging bear has been, "if it acts like a fat man at the buffet, its a shooter". I watched a 6'9" black bear at over 800 yards for about 15 minutes, and that is exactly how he acted. He would lay down and graze the spring grass, get up, move and lay back down. I just knew he was big.

Not directed at anyone but I don't see the point of shooting dangerous game at long range, thus I wouldn't worry about low end velocity. I can tell you a 250 gr NPt works pretty well at 20 yards and it's pretty exciting.

The low end is important to me because that is where the rifle I am building is going to be. 210's are the upper limit I am going to shoot through this rifle.

I would say between 1500 and 2000 .Animals die because of loss of blood pressure. I guess a charging yogi or bullwinkle would need to die before they got to you and then I would be concerned about energy more than shooting them at 300 yards. Neither of them are bullet proof. Last Moose I shot was with a 30-30 at 75 yards. He died right there. Last brown was with a 375 HH at 125 , he died right there too. Have shot elk and deer down south out to 1100yrds with a 338 edge and a 300rum. They died right there too. Last whitetail I shot was with a 06. Shot him at 20yrds. He ran 100 yards with no lungs and half a heart , go figure.