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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138 |
I recently upgraded my elk rifle from an old Sako .30-06 (built in the late 50s so a little my senior) to a Ruger 77 Mark II stainless in .338 Win Mag. The Sako (nicknamed "Rusty" after this year's elk season) has been a good performer and accounted for a number of elk but after some serious weather abuse last fall I decided to go to a stainless/synthetic rifle and took the opportunity to move up in caliber for a little more authority.
I've been very happy shooting 168 TSX and want to stick with Barnes, but I'm thinking about going with TTSX for the new Ruger and am leaning toward 225 gr. Anyone use these and what do you think compared with TSX? I've also considered the 210 gr. TTSX for a little more speed but the 225 should mimic my .30-06 ballistics pretty well. I don't expect to be shooting over 300 yards and mostly under 100 based on the terrain where I hunt.
The .338 combined with close quarters and my generally good shot placement should be much more decisive in killing elk - at least that is my hope. Gotta find 'em first! Thanks for any advice anyone may care to offer. Also any good load suggestions would be much appreciated.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
200 NBT and H4350 or R19 will do you just fine. Probably would try R17 as well.
Oops just reread and caught the Barnes part, 210 TSX then and the same powders.
Dober
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,108
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,108 |
225 Grain Hornady Interlocks have worked well on elk for me for years. My 338 Ruger shoots them very well.Like Dober said try r19 powder
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 918
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
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I shoot a SAKO L61R in 338-06 AI, I have always used one bullet, one powder, one case! Nosler 210 Part, IMR 4350, Rem. cases necked up 30'06. Don't care what the speed is, it shoots them all in the same hole! Nothing has ever walked, run, stubbled away more than 10 yards, 98%, in their tracks! Shoots flatter than you would ever think! 300 yards it like shooting at a 100 with it! I'm sure that Mag will do just as fine. The 33 calibre bullet is, to me, the perfect size hole in any game!
Semper Fi USMC/0331
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,712
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
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I don't hunt elk but do hunt moose every year. My gun prefers 225 Nos. Ptn., F215 over a top load of R22. 225 gr. Hornadys make a good practice bullet over the same powder charges.
Results on moose are very positive.
Jim
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,076
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
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210 ttsx if going mono. 225 NAB if going bonded with high bc. 225 Interlocks however are cheap, accurate, and wax schitt dead every time. I've had them exit on Texas heart shots on deer and pigs. One chest shot cow only stopped the bullet with her pelvis. Currently at 3 MKII .338's and all shoot.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 19,816
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
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I can't help with the ttsx, but in a NPt, anything from 210 to 250 don't never not work in a .338.
"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,275
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,275 |
210 NP has always been my go-to bullet in the 338 WM.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138 |
Looks like the partitions are a preferred bullet for .338 and limited interest in the TSX or TTSX. I think I'll start with the 210 TTSX as I like the larger hollow point design protected by the plastic tip, and see what kind of accuracy I get for hunting loads. Thanks for all the feedback.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,881
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
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I went that way 15 years ago thinking I too needed a bigger one! After doing nothing more than blood shooting the heck out of excellent elk meat, I use 270, 280, 308, 30-06, 338-06, and the 35 Whelen with much better results. Never saw difference in performance between any of them and the 338WM given that I did my job and put the bullet where it should go. Other than a lot less bloodshot, that is! Got tired of losing the front end of good elk.
Use good bullets and spend more time shooting! Using a bigger gun doesn't make up for that.
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
Henry Ford
If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,366
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
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The 210 grains Nosler Partition, and the 225 grains Hornady Interlock have worked perfectly for me since I bought my Ruger 77 .338 W. Magnum in 1974.
Accuracy counts. Poor shooting won't compensate for the most expensive, high tech bullet out there.
L.W.
"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." (William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830s.)
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 28
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2001
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The 210 gr NP or TSX are just magical in the 338 WM.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138 |
taz4570 you are so right that bigger doesn't mean better. However, it doesn't hurt anything especially with elk! I'll be sure to keep practicing, I already shoot only high quality bullets, I'll still take careful shots from reasonable range, and I don't worry about bloodshot shoulders since I aim to shoot through ribs to reach the heart. On top of all that, now I'll be carrying very durable stainless rifle that is lighter and more powerful than my trusty .30-06. What's not to like?
My thinking these days is I have to juggle a lot of things to hunt elk so if I shoot one I don't want it to light out on me downhill. I don't reckon that belted .338 will be a liability as long as I don't take it as an invitation to shoot too far.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 97
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 97 |
I have a 90's vintage Ruger Mark II in the Skeleton stock, shoots 250gr Noslers and 250gr Core Loks with boring accuracy, about 3" at 200 yards. Kills Elk Dead!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
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Don't own a Win Mag, but if you really wanted to get everything out of it I'd go 225 or 250. The question is do you need that? I tend to think not. I'd probably go lighter such as 185 or 200, maybe 210, and end up with a very flat shooting, and slightly less recoil, round that probably is not going to stop in an elk either way. My 338-06 has a noticeable difference in recoil between 200s and 225s. I imagine the same relative difference would apply to WM. There you go, more useless internet opinion from someone with no experience on the subject at hand. 
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,187 |
Pard uses 210 blue X bullet in his 340 Wthby Mag.
But, that's just a little bit bigger.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312 |
taz4570 you are so right that bigger doesn't mean better. However, it doesn't hurt anything especially with elk! I'll be sure to keep practicing, I already shoot only high quality bullets, I'll still take careful shots from reasonable range, and I don't worry about bloodshot shoulders since I aim to shoot through ribs to reach the heart. On top of all that, now I'll be carrying very durable stainless rifle that is lighter and more powerful than my trusty .30-06. What's not to like?
My thinking these days is I have to juggle a lot of things to hunt elk so if I shoot one I don't want it to light out on me downhill. I don't reckon that belted .338 will be a liability as long as I don't take it as an invitation to shoot too far. If your .338 is accurate and you enjoy shooting it, don't be afraid to stretch it's legs! Run the 225-Accubond (BC .550) and you've got a 600+ yard capable rifle; at that point it's on you to establish proficiency and, of course, exercise good judgement on shots. That particular bullet really brings the .338 to life. Run that bullet at 2860 fps (easy to get) and it'll shoot as flat as a .270 running 130 or 140-gn Accubonds.... It'll hang right with a 7-mag running 160 NAB's for wind drift. In short- it's a very capable longer-range round. I have only seen firsthand two elk killed with them, but in both cases the elk was DRT and the bullet exited.
Last edited by Jeff_O; 02/28/11. Reason: Fix BC
The CENTER will hold.
Reality, Patriotism,Trump: you can only pick two
FÜCK PUTIN!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,086
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,086 |
I have been using 210gr TSX & TTSX's. Tested it on a few critters(Sambar). I'm sticking with Barnes but would like to give 225gr Accubonds a go soon. 76 grains of H4831 behind a 210gr TSX & TTSX. All have passed through, except 1 hind I took out 5+ inches of spine & a big stag broadside(bulging on other side). A friend has tested 225gn TSX's. He thought they were a little too hard for a hind & stag combo. But I guess it's how ya want em to perform & everyone ideas vary 
Taking my rifle for a walk
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,031
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,031 |
I recently upgraded my elk rifle from an old Sako .30-06 (built in the late 50s so a little my senior) to a Ruger 77 Mark II stainless in .338 Win Mag. The Sako (nicknamed "Rusty" after this year's elk season) has been a good performer and accounted for a number of elk but after some serious weather abuse last fall I decided to go to a stainless/synthetic rifle and took the opportunity to move up in caliber for a little more authority.
I've been very happy shooting 168 TSX and want to stick with Barnes, but I'm thinking about going with TTSX for the new Ruger and am leaning toward 225 gr. Anyone use these and what do you think compared with TSX? I've also considered the 210 gr. TTSX for a little more speed but the 225 should mimic my .30-06 ballistics pretty well. I don't expect to be shooting over 300 yards and mostly under 100 based on the terrain where I hunt.
The .338 combined with close quarters and my generally good shot placement should be much more decisive in killing elk - at least that is my hope. Gotta find 'em first! Thanks for any advice anyone may care to offer. Also any good load suggestions would be much appreciated. All great question. I personally love the 338 win mag, I think you did great in choosing that as your go to elk cartridge and the rifle will be excellent also. I've had about 4 338's on the ruger MK II platform and they have all been great performers. Excellent accuracy, ergonomics, and function. Nothing to worry about there. Did you get one with the laminated wood or the boat paddle or the new style synthetic stock??? The laminated wood version will be a little heavier but is actually not a bad thing with a larger caliber such as this. My (and many of my buddies) favorite elk load consists of (don't laugh ) 250 gr sierra btsp gameking and 67-70 gr of IMR 4350. If your rifle wont shoot these bullets into less than 1" at 100 yds something is wrong. These bullets really perform and they are about $20.00/50 so you can do a lot of practicing with them too to get yourself used to the extra recoil of the 338 vs your 30-06. Here's how my Ruger M77 MKII does with 67 gr of IMR 4350 and the 250gr. sierra: ![[Linked Image]](http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/Image023-1.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/003-10.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/010-3.jpg)
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
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The 210 grains Nosler Partition, and the 225 grains Hornady Interlock have worked perfectly for me since I bought my Ruger 77 .338 W. Magnum in 1974.
Accuracy counts. Poor shooting won't compensate for the most expensive, high tech bullet out there.
L.W. I guess that just means I'm a pretty damn good shot because I use the el-cheapo sierra's in my 338 and it puts them down hard
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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