Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 338 federal or 280 rem

What would you choose and what bullet for elk?

Not enough information. Where do you hunt and how? What would you consider an average range to shoot and what would be the farthest?

Hunting in montana. Hogback mountain area. Never hunted there before and not sure what to expect for range on shots.

While I like the 338 WM, I have never warmed up to the federal. So, as between your two choices, I would definitely run the 280 in a 150grn, possibly a 160grn partition.

I'd say which ever shot best.

if no difference, then which ever is lighter to carry all day.

I'd be inclined to go with the .280 with a 160 Partition as well, or maybe a 150 if you like monometals (TTSX, E-Tip, etc.). We used a 160 Partition over 59.0 grains of AA3100 in my wife's .280 for a little over 2,950 fps. It worked flawlessly on elk. If I were loading today, I would probably try 160 ABs with the same powder charge.

I used my .338 Federal Kimber Montana on last years bull. One shot,257 yards. He didn't take a step, just got wobbly kneed and tipped over. I used Federal's 185gr TSX load.

If you're shooting beyond 450-500yds then the 280 is the clear choice. Anything inside that and they'll both make them dead. You do get whatever advantages a short action offers with the 338. I have not used the 280, but I do think it would be a great choice and if I decide to get a longer range rig the 280ai is on my short list. I have used the 338 Fed on elk (185 TTSX at 2730 and 160 TTSX at 3020fps). Neither required tracking. Also shot a Kudu, Impala, Blesbok, Waterbuck and Gemsbok with the 160 TTSX. None required tracking. It works real well. I hope to be able to tell you how a 210 Partition works on elk in a couple weeks.

prm,

just out of curiosity.... if the TTSX's are working for you, why switch to the Partition?

I don't think it matters. Either will kill elk.

Just like to try different things. At the moment, if I had to settle on a go-to load it would be the 160 TTSXs. Most accurate in my rifle and they flat out kill things.

I'm taking both a 35 Whelen for timber and my 280 AI for the more open country. The 338 Fed just doesn't feel than good at longer ranges.

280 with 160 accubonds but I do have damn good load using rl 22 and the 160 accubond

Whichever one gets you in good physical shape

Both can kill game up close anywhere. The Fed can't hang with the .280 if you need to shoot some distance (as defined by how far you wish to be shooting). Do you own a light done right .280 Rem? If so, I'd work up a load with 160 AB's or Partitions and rock on.

My 280 is a model 700 mountain rifle

You are good to go brother....

30-06 in Rem TI 180 grain

Saw a bumper sticker one time that said "If you ain't go a 280, you ain't got schitt".

Just sayin'................if that helps at all.

MM

I like it. Maybe you should get some of those printed up and sell them at the 'fire. You'd probably make a few bucks.