Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 338-06 elk bullets

Sierra bullets have long been known for accuracy, as far as terminal performance I haven't a clue. Doubt I'd try any at this point, maybe after I hear more.

I can't think of a .338 bullet that would not kill an elk?

Beat me too it!

I always toy with the idea of a .338/06, have dies and dummy rounds to fondle and barrels to bore out but I am very curious in the other direction........
You see, Barnes makes a 265gn LRX bullet and it sits to the 1st pressure groove for an OAL of 3.4" and cycles through a Model 70 standard '06 action. You see the dilemma?

All the loading data out there suggests that 760/H414 would likely hit around 2400fps and that would smack hard for dark timber work, prove adequate for self defense work and still shoot flat over usual hunting ranges for most people. Elk, Moose, Bear and just plain fun. What keep me from making the move is a tack driving .338 and a .340 and .338/378 background. Still, I do seem to be stepping down somewhat in carry rifles?
John

You are not the only one

The only big game rifles I have and use in Alaska are a couple of Ruger .338WMs. One is the stainless M77 MKII that I replaced the stock with a Hogue Rubber-Overmolded, and a Timney trigger. Not a supper accurate rifle, but the first three shots from a cold and clean barrel always hit the right spot +3" at 100 yards. The other is a beautiful Ruger Haweye African. This one I replace the walnut stock with a McMillan Classic stock with a Decelerator recoil pad for a LOP to 12-1/2". This rifle has a 22" barrel, and no muzzle brake. The barrel ends just but the front edge of the front sight, and has a sort of satin-black finish. The bolt has the same finish, and it is smooth as warm butter to load a round in the chamber.

What do you mean "the other direction"?

Most handloaders select lighter end bullet weights in the .338/06. I am interested in the heavier bullets as I don't see this as a long range cartridge though a rifleman could certainly learn to use it at longer range. I would use it in timber, gully's and semi open areas if, I didn't already have a good .338.
John

I see, well the .333 Jeffery with the 300 grain bullet was very popular in Africa, and considered adequate for buffalo out to 250 yards or so (J.F. Burger took over 500 of his 1000 buffalo with this combo). But I think 250 grains is about the max for the .338-06 because of the smaller case capacity. I too like the heavier bullets.

Jim Carmichael actually used the older semi-pointed Nosler 250 Partition on the cape buffalo. I remember the article. As I recall he used it on everything in the 338WM.

PS If I remember right, I think it was the same bullet that Bill Jordan shot a cape buffalo with from his 338-378 Keith-Thompson. I also have a gunsmith friend who spoke with a Nosler guy at the Shot Show one year and that guy ( whoever he was) said that no one at Nosler used anything on a regular basis on elk, in any 338 caliber, than the 210 Partition. Makes sense to me, but especially in the '06 cases/designs. I also really like "the other direction" of really heavy, Old School round nose cup n cor bullets for the woods (timber) my last venture was the 310 Woodleigh in a 35 WAI going 2400fps on a 200# Eurasian at 30yds.... Perfection. Good luck Pard.