PRM - I'd agree if it were apples to apples....I did alot of comparison of bullets from 185 thru 210s and MY research indicated the 200 grain bullets i.e. Federal are the all around best blend of speed/energy and drop at long range, the 185 in a mono is not what I'd want at 1800 impact.

I think the word 'open up' or 'expand' is relative....when looking at my 243/85 TSX kill, mv 3100, range 240 yds, look at the expansion (https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ger_1_International_Who_has_#Post3091822),

I feel that 2200 is a good 'threshold' for TSX/TTSX bullets. I just do not believe a Barnes rifle bullet on average will expand enough to MY liking at 1,800.

Klik - what I do know is the older Barnes bullets are perhaps inferior in consistency and/or proper hardness/softness, etc. as IIRC those were older gen bullets. Agreed, copper is harder so it's a whole other ball of wax.

The 338 Fed is on the border w/capacity to drive 210s at a good clip for longer shots. Some get 2500 or below, others 2600...my 338/06 drove 215s at 2790 fwiw.

Factory vs. handload (powder choice), bbl length, etc. etc. matter. In the 338 Fed, compare on the http://www.federalpremium.com/products/compare/rifle_compare.aspx

P338FB 338 Federal 210 Nosler� Partition� Vital-Shok� Remove
P338FC 338 Federal 185 Barnes� Triple-Shock� X Bullet� Vital-Shok� Remove
P338FTT2 338 Federal 200 Trophy Bonded� Tip Vital-Shok� Remove
338FJ 338 Federal 200 Soft Point Power-Shok� Remove


Ballistics Comparisons:
Velocity in Feet per Second
Load No Caliber Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
P338FB 338 Federal 2630 2412 2204 2007 1820 1648
P338FC 338 Federal 2750 2497 2257 2030 1818 1623
P338FTT2 338 Federal 2630 2431 2241 2060 1887 1725
338FJ 338 Federal 2700 2484 2278 2082 1895 1721

Energy in Foot Pounds

P338FB 338 Federal 3225 2712 2266 1878 1545 1266
P338FC 338 Federal 3106 2560 2092 1693 1357 1082
P338FTT2 338 Federal 3071 2625 2231 1884 1581 1321
338FJ 338 Federal 3237 2740 2304 1924 1594 1315

Drop 200 zero - 50/100/300/400/500
P338FB 338 Federal 1.1 2.3 -9.4 -27.3 -56.3
P338FC 338 Federal 0.9 2.0 -8.9 -26.2 -54.4
P338FTT2 338 Federal 1.0 2.2 -9.2 -26.3 -53.6
338FJ 338 Federal 0.9 2.1 -8.8 -25.5 -52.2

As you can see, they are pretty close in speed and drop at 400 yds, assuming accurate speeds on the street.

Again, to ME a cup/core 200 is likely a good all arounder in the Federal, at these speeds they will not vaporize like a magnum might (esp. on bone at close range) spitting fly weight bullets in Cup Core design.

Again, I'd trust the 210 PT to expand over the Barnes assuming same impact speed. The Federal round nor Barnes bullets are ideal as a combo for long range. I think a Partition and Barnes is better served in the 06 and larger rounds given the speeds the Fed is running w/simple cup/core bullets. 200 grains expanded from a .338 start is a sizable slug IMO. If one throws in Dangerous bears and ranges are close - as in 200 yds or under, the premium bullet can make sense as you might want alot of penetration obviously.

Food for thought...