Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338 cal 200 gr Hornady Spitzer

I used these in factory format in my 340 WBy and it is a tack driver!

Now, for those who have experience, is this a good elk bullet? I looked at the Midway USA reviews and all was pretty positive.

BTW I will be working up a load with the 210 partition but I want to ask about the 200 Hornady just in case the bee does not like the 210.

The .200 Hdy Spire Point is an excellent bullet. Killed several cow elk years back. Dropped like a stone with minimal meat damage from my Kimber Montana .338 Mag.

What were the ranges?

Fotis, I've loaded them in my 338 Win mag to 2900 easily enough and shot deer with them, I tend to keep my bullets in the ribs to minimalize meat damage. The same bullet in my 338-06 is loaded to 2650 or so with excellent results accuracy wise and performance on deer. The 225 SP is also a pretty fair bullet to use. good luck. Magnum Man

Thank you for the input

Fotis, In a word NO they are not elk bullets in a 340. I have shot quite a few out of mine w/max book loads and they ARE bombs. Shot a coyote once at about 80 yds and it simply removed the back 1/2 of him, but the do shoot good. I have shot a lot of the 225's which also come apart on deer, on one I found the jacket just inside the entry wound. I use Nosler Pt. or 225 gr. original "X" bullets in my 340 w/max loads of old H-4831, stuff dies and there are always 2 holes-Muddy

This is why I ask... thank you

Fotis I thought Hornady had stopped making them, unless you're talking about the SST?

Muddy not to disagree with you, but I have often found that some bullets will indeed blow a light game animal apart, but the same loading can perform well on larger game.

Shoot a fox with a 130g Interlock from a 270 Win doing about 3150fps and the fox will be in orbit, but I've used the same combo and seen them punch through a decent sized pig leaving about a 1 inch exit wound. No bombing to borrow your term.

Ever shot a rabbit with a 150g Corelokt from a 308?

I just don't think light game is a very good test medium for big game bullets and all I am saying is the Hornady might bear out some experimentation for Fotis. The wet newspaper test would be interesting at your speeds. They'll never hold together like a Barnes but they might be good enough.

Bob, Yeah I know I like to shoot gophers and rockchucks w/big guns. You should see how far you can throw a rockchuck w/a 375 HH and hot loaded 225gr. Hornady spire points! I have used the 200's in my 338-06 and they behave themselves at 2600 but my 340 makes them go faster than 3200 and the are quite soft at that speed and elk have big bones.-Muddy

Yep Muddy I must accede that I've little experience with the 338 cal - just got my first 338WM a couple months ago - and none with the big 340.

375 on Rockchucks? I can only imagine!

Bob, Am going over to Montana in a couple of weeks to shoot gophers (Richardson's ground Squirrels)and am taking my NSW marked Cadet w/a whole bunch of ammo. It is as issued except somewhere along the line it was re-chambered to 32 Win. Spcl. So I'll fling a few with it for you. The 340 has also been on that trip in the past but it is a little much after 50 or so rounds in a row. Enjoy your 338 WM, things die quick and leak a lot with the big bullets -Muddy

Fotis,
I have used both the 200gn and 225gn Hornady a lot in my old .338/378 and .340 Bee culling in Oz and I sure would not be staying home if I had 200grainers loaded.
John

Its not marked with the NSW Police Force emblem is it? They used to issue them to NSW troopers including the black trackers who were master trackers.

Nice little rifles. Been waiting for one to cross my path in good shape at the right price.

Thanks and enjoy the gopher outing.

John:

What have you shot with them?

Shot a bull elk with them in New Mexico 2009 using a 338-06. 125 yard shot. Broke two ribs and bullet was under the hide on the off side. Bullet was intact and weighed 170 grains. Moved up to the 225 gr to take a moose in BC in 2010. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. For whatever reason, my gun wouldn't shoot the 210 gr Partitions nearly as well as the Hornadys. Having a new barrel put on this rifle, as we speak. It will be interesting to see what shoots well. Plan to use it elk hunting this year in Wyoming.

I'd go with 250 grain Hornady over the lighter ones. Maybe its just me, but I don't always get a standing broadside shot.

I would give a look at the 200AB too Fotis if you have or can get any. They shoot really well in my 338's and hold up very well to from what I can see. They actually edge out the 210PT's in accuracy a little, but an elk is a big animal and I am not shooting them ultra far either.

I was reading an article years ago, in a Publication that IIRC, was from Alaska F & G, on something for the Forest Service personnel in back country, recommending 338 bullets for defense against bears....

They actually rated bullets on their penetration abilities, and rated the 200 grain Hornady as better in penetration tests, even over the 250 grain Hornady.... thought it odd, but just passing it on....

While I own a couple of 338 Mags, my 338/06 sees the most service, and in 338 bore, I use the Hornady SPs in it, the 200, the 225 and the 250 RN, and none have EVER failed or let me down...

bobnob, No its only marked C.M.F. and NSW under that w/an issue/acceptance date of 9/11-Muddy