Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Favorite 338 Win Mag loads

That would make a very nice long slappin' Elk load SN.

Gunner

I thought that is what my load was for, but it slaps the hell out of them close too......:

I've seen those Bulls shudder real hard and fall over at 30 yards too. that chits gotta hurt.

Gunner

Speakin of LR BSA, I ran the numbers on my old Elk thumper, it's an old semi-custom 338-378 WBY MAG. w/a 28" Shilen and a 2.5-10 Zeiss with the Rapid Z-800 reticle, the new 300 gn Accubond @3000 fps coincides perfectly with the ups in that scope.

If the bullet will hold up [and it should] that will make the finest Elk hammer I could ever hope to carry out West.

The retained numbers add up to sheer devastation.

Gunner

My last bull was stepping over a log as I pulled the trigger (he was about 80 yards away) and that's where he stayed....I played hell dragging the sob off though .....Your long range 338 sounds like the bomb man.....Pure "devistation", I'm sure.....I just ordered (250) 286 gr. nosler partitions for my 9.3x62mm mauser so I can play around with it before season and hopefully tip one over with it. My 338 has been getting all the fun lately so Its time for the new "elk" rifle to step up to the plate.....

Sounds like a perfect solution, from what I hear, that's one European that wont let ya down.

Gunner

My best load in 338w/ 210noslers is75 .2 gr of AA3100. It is discontinued but you can find it. I shoot a KS 700 and a model 70 both lefthand. Both guns shoot in the two's with this load. I use WW cases.215 M primers crimped in Cann. I have and tried Federal cases and groups open to 1".

I always shot 275gr. Speer over IMR4350 in my .338 Magnum. Never required a second shot on mulies or elk, 3 shot groups were usually nice tight cloverleafs @ 100yds. Tagged a young mulie buck just behind the ear on a jump shot @ 30yds., cranial cavity was completely devoid of any brain tissue.

I was just happy to find H4350 worked well so I didn't have to add yet another powder to the reloading bench Hunting season temps can range from +60 to -30 here, so I really like the H4350.

Smart man, I'm leaning on H more and more these days and slowly doing away with IMR 4350. Its a shame since IMR has been so loyal too........I have noticed a difference in extreme temps though......

Right at 2900 fps...I never really did a work up with H4350 because IMR4350 worked so well, but the Hodgdon's may be better yet. I just know that this load has worked in five rifles I had over the years, and the one that remains.

I wouldn't change a thing....I've made the switch to H powder in my 06's but my 338 load still uses IMR 4350...I don't shoot my 338 much in the heat or in the dead of winter, but during elk season I can generally count on it being around the same temperature during that time of the year....I don't think I'll be giving up my load of IMR 4350 and 250 gr. sierra gamekings too soon....I know it works and it works well, so why switch???? Now if I used my 338 win mag all through the year, I would probably consider switching to H4350, but that's not the case....I know guys that run the same load you do and it sure puts the elk down in these parts....However, my elk hunting partner has me hooked on the 250 gr. sierra gk ......He also runs a 6-18x40 scope but that's him......I'm pretty content with my 2.5-10x40 ...

Another vote for R15 and 200gr CT/Nosler ballistic silvertips.

75 grs. IMR4350 with a Nosler 180 BT

Why run such a light bullet in a 338?....You'd be better off in many ways with a 30 mag if you are only going to run 180's....The 338 shines with the heavies....

I don't have that particular rifle any longer and one reason was that it only shot good with 180's. Never could get anything out of 225's or 250's that were under about 2.5". The occasional group...but not consistently.

72.0 gr IMR-4350, Fed GM LR mag primer and a 225 gr Horn spire point or Barnes TSX. Groups 1/2 to 5/8 inch out of my Tikka most days.

Man, that's a shame...I see why you don't have that rifle anymore....Mine dotes on 250's...I've ran 225 hornady spire point interlocks with excellent results as well....Never had the money or need for the spendy 210 partitions though... This is the same load I pictured before with 250 gr. sierra gamekings and IMR 4350. This combo has shot very well in the last 3 338 winnys I've had:



I've had to work from 67gr. to 70 gr's to find the sweet spot for each rifle though....One rifle really liked the max load (70 gr's....). My more recent one likes 67 gr's which only runs 2,600 fps, but I know from experience that it takes the wind out of an elks sails pretty quickly.....

Got to agree with BSA. Shoot 180s in 30 cal rifles

Mine likes a stiff charge of R19 and 225 gn Hornadys

Mine likes R19 maxed out too with the 225's but it seems to kick harder than my 250 gr. load.......sure is an accurate combo in my 338 though...and that 225 interlock is a tough bullet too. That's my second choice load but it sure is a dandy...Like I said, many guys around here (my uncle included) use the 210 partition....I guess that's the real beauty of the 338, so many bullets work so well in it that you could pick just about any and get the job done...Really just depends on how much you are willing to spend..