Has anyone used hornadys 225gr sst in any 338 cal on game? I've had good results with them in smaller calibers. It seems like an ideal bullet for the 338 federal for moose and black bear under 300 yards. Any experiences I'd love to hear good or bad
338 225gr sst on game
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
Punched one through a white tail not long ago from a 338 Win Mag. Deer died, left a good sized hole. I can't ask for more. - dan
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I am guessing this
And that is all I would use them in. They're not the stoutest bullet in the world so I wouldn't want to drive them too fast into animals that are close. I suppose if you stretch it out a little they would be fine but I tend to prefer tougher bullets in case you have to count on deep penetration or you have to break bone.
The caliber I'm interested in is the 338 federal. Hence the softer bullet choice due to lower velocity. I still can't decide between 338 federal and 358 Winchester. I'm leaning towards the federal. Lots of time before next year's bear season to decide. Moose will be on the menu for next year as well so I'd like a new rifle for that
It was too early... didn't read accurately and missed that you intended the Fed... still missed platform? But I have Ruger MKII Hawkeyes in both .338 Fed and .358 Win... if you have a .30 cal option, then I would move straight on to the .358 Win... if it's nearest little brother is a 7mm or under then the Fed would fit right in... as for the bullets... I have taken to shooting SST's at paper and IB's on game in most cartidges... but in the .358 I could not deny the accuracy of the 200 FTX (go figure)... and the bullet is a better deer choice which is where I use it.
I'd prolly re barrel a savage if I couldn't find a ruger. I'm looking at a shorter thicker barrel. Deer wouldn't be on the menu. Mostly black bear and wolf and the odd moose hunt if I decide gun over bow. I like the savage actions and Boyds stocks.
The 358 offers cheap cup and core and slightly more weight but the 338 sticks in my mind with sst and partitions. Both will do what I want. I want a mid bore non magnum short action basically
The 358 offers cheap cup and core and slightly more weight but the 338 sticks in my mind with sst and partitions. Both will do what I want. I want a mid bore non magnum short action basically
My wife shot her second biggest whitetail with my 338-06 with a 225gr SST loaded over 4064. They run mid 2600s or there abouts. I dont recall exactly. Buck was broadside at ranged distance of 286 yards. She put one thru both lungs, buck ran about 30 yards. Nice entry, but hit a rib going out making a 4-5" exit. Needless to say, the buck was bled out! Cant say much more than that. Bullet made a hole, killed the deer, did not recover bullet.
Ive also shot a nice timberwolf with the 225 interbond. Quit a long shot so velocity had dropped substantially but it sure didnt hurt the pelt too much. Nothing a needle and thread couldnt fix anyways.
Ive also shot a nice timberwolf with the 225 interbond. Quit a long shot so velocity had dropped substantially but it sure didnt hurt the pelt too much. Nothing a needle and thread couldnt fix anyways.
fltengalan
New member
- Location
- Campbell River BC
I shot three deer this fall with my 338wm and 225 grain sst's ranging from 50 ft to 185 yds. All three had the same outcome a fist sized hole at the entrance and a lot of meat damage and then a half dozen smashed ribs with double fist sized exit wounds. I did not hit any bones heavier than a rib and in all cases the bullet expanded extremely violently (exploded) destroying all the rib meat on both sides. The accuracy was very good with this load, when I did my part I would see 3/4 inch at 100yds but terminal performance is not what I want to see, too much wasted meat. I am going to switch to a tsx, partition or perhaps try the Hawk 230gr and see how that works out.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I have a buddy who is a decades long fan of heavy bullets in his .338 win mag.
He decided to try something a little different and shot a moose with 225gr SST's at around 2800, and he was so impressed with the quick kill that he permanently switched over to them.
I shoot them in my current .338 win mag, but I haven't taken any game with them yet. They are accurate and easy to reload for though.
He decided to try something a little different and shot a moose with 225gr SST's at around 2800, and he was so impressed with the quick kill that he permanently switched over to them.
I shoot them in my current .338 win mag, but I haven't taken any game with them yet. They are accurate and easy to reload for though.
