338 win mag for deer

My .338 Win Mag took Grouse, Gophers, Groundhogs, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Moose and Bear.
It was developing 2750 fps with 250 grain Noslers which produced over 4000 ft. lbs. at the muzzle and groups were under 2 inches at 200 yards.

To answer your question . . . it will take deer and anything in North America.
 
6.5x55swm said:
i know it will take deer and just about anything else, just wondering if anyone used it for deer
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I've carried a 375Mag a few times deer hunting, but haven't shot one yet with it.

I personally think a handy/lightweight, non-magnum chambering is a far better choice for deer here in NB. A 20 or 21" 308 would be about perfect given it's ammo availability.
 
I've only shot one buck with my .338. I had to go to a meeting at work, which ended early. I had the .338 along with me in case a moose showed up, but a whitetail buck came out of the bush, and I took it. Actually my longest measured shot at any game animal; 320 paces.

1 shot, minimal meat damage, very dead buck.
 
Demonical said:
I've only shot one buck with my .338. I had to go to a meeting at work, which ended early. I had the .338 along with me in case a moose showed up, but a whitetail buck came out of the bush, and I took it. Actually my longest measured shot at any game animal; 320 paces.
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Here in NB there is no other season open during our three day moose season, so no chance of legally taking a deer while after moose.
 
225gr Deepcore over 69.5gr IMR4350 or Fusion if you don't load.

Dropped a muley doe with it from 225m like I'd put a nailgun to its head last fall. No meat damage to speak of, and it doesn't spew lead all over.
 
I ain't what you're shooting,it's how well you shoot it. Be it a .223 or a .338 Win mag..............Harold
 
Gabriel S. said:
Sooooo would you recommend a 150 gr or a 180 gr out of a 300 win mag for whitetail?
1/10 twist barrel
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Depends whether you want to kill them or crush them. Light bullets can give spectacular kills, at the cost of a bigger mess. I currently stick to 180s for everything, but that's more about keeping things simple than terminal effect on deer. I'll usually just take a 7mm if I want a lighter bullet.
 
Gabriel S. said:
Sooooo would you recommend a 150 gr or a 180 gr out of a 300 win mag for whitetail?
1/10 twist barrel
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Depends you how your rifles shoots them...what bullet you are using....range you plan on shooting....if you have other chamberings available.
 
Thank you very much for your input, very helpful.
Im just starting this hunting hobby ... so far i got 8 rabbits lol
I have a Winchester M70 extreme weather conditions ss and for my first deer season i was planning to shoot hornady 150 gr gmx. ive been told that heavier bullets damage the meat and i should go with light ones. I have to say that I dont hunt for trophy, I hunt for meat so i would like to do less damage to the meat.
I was at the gun range for a few days and i noticed that 150 gr bullets are hard to group @ 100 yds. I was playing at 200 yds with ceramic plates, the ones that you through for shotguns and i missed only one out of 20ish.
I also had the change to shoot 2x remington ultra core lokt 180gr @ 200 yds and i was stunned when i shoot both of them under 1/2 MOA.
I do have to admit that a bud at the gun range, more experienced then me (at this point i think everybody is more experienced that i am lol) manged to shoot 1in grouping @ 100 yds with hornadys.
So, i wonder if 180 is a good choice for deer/whitetail without damaging the meat.

PS Sorry for hijacking your post :)
 
Gabriel S. said:
ive been told that heavier bullets damage the meat and i should go with light ones. I have to say that I dont hunt for trophy, I hunt for meat so i would like to do less damage to the meat... So, i wonder if 180 is a good choice for deer/whitetail without damaging the meat.
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Actually the opposite is true... as a general rule, lighter, faster bullets tend to be more destructive than slower, heavier ( more heavily constructed ) bullets. I would pick 180 over 150 in a .30 calibre anytime.
 
6.5x55swm said:
I just traded for a 338 and was wonder ammoing what kind of factory you would use on deer.
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Just fire a warning shot over the deer's head............that will knock him down. For me it is a little overkill...................hmmmmmmmmmm a 6.5x55 swm shooting a 140 grain accubond would be an ideal cartridge and bullet weight for deer.
 
track said:
Just fire a warning shot over the deer's head............that will knock him down. For me it is a little overkill...................hmmmmmmmmmm a 6.5x55 swm shooting a 140 grain accubond would be an ideal cartridge and bullet weight for deer.
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Bingo! The 6.5's make wonderful deer rifles, and with 160 gr. bullets, they are great on moose and bear.

I took an Island doe with a .338 Model 70 years ago using a 200 gr. Speer loaded to 2900 fps. and the bullet
sailed thru the critter into the dirt.(No supprise on a broadside heart/lung shot)

The deer flinched, walked about 30 yds up a hillside then tipped over. There was little meat damage and
the exit hole was only a tad larger than the entrance. Sure the .338 is a might potent for deer, but for
the handloader it's a dandy to taylor loads for any game found in these parts.
 
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