Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Elk Loads for a .338 Winchester Magnum

Does anyone have a good recipe they would like to share?
Thanks,
whelennut

whelennut,
If your interested in data for a Barnes 225 TTSX, I can have that for you tommorow night. That's what we're using in my wife's rifle, and it works real good. Although we're running them pretty hot, you may want to back of a bit and work up!! memtb

I used the 250-grain Partition with W-W cases, F-215 primers, and IMR-4350 powder.

I don't have my Nosler manual in front of me but I'd use Nosler's recommended starting charge and work up.

I have killed a couple elk with a Nosler 210 Partition, a bull with a 225 gr. Swift A-frame and a 185 Hornady GMX. I have worked up loads with the Barnes 210 TSX and Nosler 180 & 200 BT but never pulled the trigger on an elk with these bullets.

The best powders to date in my rifle has been RL 15 with 180 class bullets. H-4350 & Hunter with the 210's and IMR 4350 with the 225's.

I will be chasing elk in CO 1st rifle this fall but not sure which bullet I will use. I plan to experiment with some new powders this summer.

I like the 210 NP over one of the 4350's.

Thanks guys!
I have an uncle and cousin that both have
.338 Winchester Magnum rifles.
It will be quite a trip and I hope the rifles do the job.

70.0 gr H or IMR 4350 and the 225 gr TTSX's are absolutely perfect IMHO.

They run around 2825 fps in my 26" barreled Kimber.

Gunner

I don't hunt elk but for moose I use 225 Partitions over 76/R22.

Jim

Use a good bullet and you don't need anything over 225 grains. The 210 ttsx or even the 185 grain will also do and do all you ever can expect from a bullet, and will be faster and flatter than the heavier stuff

In my last .338 I used 210 Noslers, and Re19.. A max charge at that time.. The 210 in .338 cal. was Bob Hagel's favorite elk bullet.. I have used 250's also, but the drop at longer range was more than I wanted to fool with.. This was before range finders and turrets were very common.. But a guy doesn't always have time to use these..
I do remember Hagel mentioning if Nosler made a 225 part. it would be about perfect.. I think he passed before that happened..

For a Whelen man, who cares what a 338 WM shoots.

225 gr Partition or Accubond in a 35 Whelen with RL-15. All the elk rifle one needs.

But when stepping down the to 338 WM - 210 gr Partition.

Jeez, it would almost be easier to list ones that don't work. It's almost like finding a .30-06 load that won't work for deer.

That said, 210 NP is what I've loaded for guys with .338's. It seems to work well for them.

You guys all load your 338's like girls. 250gr is where its at or you might as well be using a fn 300 winny..

I have had great results with R-19 and 225 TSX and R-22 and 250's.

BWAHAA, I load mine with 250 SAF's too. LOL

Gunner

Yeah, what a bunch of puzzies. Real men shoot 300 grain bullets for elk.

"If you can't shoot an elk rifle, don't go elk hunting", he says in his best Log Cutter impersonation.

My old Sako loves the 250 Partition, so if I brought the rifle out of retirement I'd use them. A stiff load of either 4350 and it's ready.

Laffin'..trophy tarp pics to follow.

71 gr of H4350 gets 2800fps out of a 225gr Accubond.

I have some 225 and 250 partitions I need to test, but I'll probably use 4831 in the 250's

71 gr. imr 4831
cci 250
horn 250 sp, Noz 250 partition.
2700 fps from my m-70

Small groops, large exit holes and easy to follow blood trails, if the animal was still up and able to move. Only recovered one bullet to date with this load. Sniped a spike at 305 lazered yards as it faced me directly head on. The bullet a 250 gr horn spitzer, caught the top of the bulls brisket, destroyed the pump and lungs and lodged itself in the diaphragm like a cork. The spike stumbled backwards a step and tipped over like you just pushed him over.

A damn fine elk cartridge the .338 win mag