Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338 federal bullets

I see that several have found very accurate loads using speer’s 200 gr hot cor in 338 federal. I didn’t notice much talk about it’s performance on light game such as deer.

Does anyone have any experience with this bullet on different size game?

Thanks

Also would like to know if anyone has shot any game with the 185gr GMX in 338 federal

I have tried the 185 grain GMAX in 338f. I could not get it to shoot as well as the 160 TTSX or 185 TSX that have been performing very well for me.

Good luck and shot straight

Bob

I may end up trying the 185gr TTSX but I’d really like to find out about the 200gr hot cor. This bullet is very reasonably priced and gives excellent accuracy. I’m just worried about expansion on thin skinned game.

When discussing lighter loads in the 338WinMag here, several members have mentioned reduced loads with the 200gr HC at 2,600 +/- and said it worked nicely on deer-sized stuff. I'd not be afraid of trying it. I'm tinkering with the 185TTSX at something in the high 2,700fps range (have not chronoed it yet) and my sample of one lung shot at 160yds told me that it expands very well at moderate impact speeds. Big holes and lung soup.

Thanks for the info that’s very informative.

Just from looking at loads on here I should be able to achieve 2600-2700 FPS with the 200gr HC in 338 federal.

2600-2700 is easy. Leverevolution, TAC, 8208, 2000MR, AA2230 will all get you there. I have some VV N530 I want to try with 180s.

You need to put a lot of stock in what prm says as he has done more testing w/the 338F than anyone else on the fire. powdr

PRM what bullets have you used on game? Ever used the 200gr HC?

I have not used the Hot Cor. yet... I'd like to though. I have used 185 TTSX (Elk, Hog, Deer), 160 TTSX (Elk, Kudu, Gemsbok, Waterbuck, Impala and Blesbok) and 180 BT (Elk). Had a 180 Accubond loaded for elk this year but they didn't cooperate. I believe Mule Deer mentioned using the 200 HC at roughly 338 Fed velocities and stated it worked well (I don't want to speak for him though). I have tested the Hot Cor in wet and dry pack and it has always done well. Comes out looking like a bonded bullet actually. I would have zero reservations on using it for elk.

Just for grins, I loaded up some H4895 with the 200 Hot Cor. 47 is Hodgdon max, but it is listed as compressed and the pressure is shown as relatively low. Now, there may be other reasons why they stopped at 47, so I'm not advocating going above, but I loaded 47. 47.5 and just 48 to compare. According to QL, 48gn should be 60k at 2668 FPS at 2.81 OAL. My shots (only 1 each) resulted in:
47 - 2641
47.5 - 2670
48 - 2684

My results were a little faster than QL, so 48 would be my max. Primers still had a round edge.

Food for thought...

Thanks for the info I plan to make the 338 federal my project for next year.

I have a savage 16 bear hunter on the way. The only thing that will hurt it is the 21” barrel. Savage list it at 23” but that’s counting the brake. Hopefully the barrel length doesn’t kill the velocity to much. If it does I’ll have to give the 185 Barnes or the the 180 accubond a try.