.338 Win mag for Deer?

[C Broad Arrow]

Does anyone use .338 Win mag for deer? And if so, what bullet weight, etc do you use? For handloaders, what is your favourite recipe?

 

[tactical870]

It worked on this one.... 200 grain federal sp.

 

[caramel]

Look like you are in fire... JP.

 

[7mmlefty]

Ive heard good things about the 338 on deer sized game.

Never owned one, but is on my wish list if I ever move near the rockies.

In the western provinces where large bears may be encountered, a lot of people are comforted knowing they have a potent larger cal.

So over time they've shot deer with it and realized how little meat damage there was and how they just drop dead.

 

[Amphibious]

.338 will not work on deer. only moose, elk and giant kodiak bears. nope, won't kill a 200lb deer.

nope.

 

[Tehoke01]

I prefer 50 BMG for deer...

...Larger game calls for nothing less than a 600 or 700 Nitro Express.

 

[ontario]

.338 will not work on deer. only moose, elk and giant kodiak bears. nope, won't kill a 200lb deer.

nope.

Not once did he ask if the .338 will work on deer.


I found a 225 grain Barnes TSX (blue tip) with 73 grains of 4831sc shoots nicely in my rifle. While I have never used it on deer I think you would have no issues dropping them.

 

[blargon]

I would use a Hornady 225 SP at about 2700fps for deer. 69gr of H4350 will get you there...

 

[HeadDamage]

250gr SGK with around 69.1 grains of IMR4350 works great in my 338win Ruger M77 and has taken many deer with little meat loss.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Thanks all. I was concerned that it might be too much gun and result in a great deal of meat loss. I have never used anything bigger than a 308 with a 150 gr.. Nosler E-tip on deer, but I sold my 308 to build a custom deer rifle and it looks like it wont be ready for deer season as the barrel maker has yet to deliver the barrel. So I wa s looking through the safe and was trying to look at alternatives. I have had this 338 sitting for a number of years for an elk hunt that never materialized. And just wanted to hear what you folks had to say about using it on deer!

 

[horseman2]

Grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, black bear, deer, elk and moose all taken with a .338 Win Mag. As said earlier it is not big enough for deer!

 

[Dogleg]

Consider the 215 gr Sierra BT and IMR 4350. Getting 2900 fps out of it isn't much of a trick, and it seems to shoot well in a lot of rifles, usually right around 70 grains.

 

[brybenn]

Chest or neck shot won't loose to much meat.

 

[skhunter]

I would use a Hornady 225 SP at about 2700fps for deer. 69gr of H4350 will get you there...

Same load as I use.

 

[mbogo3]

Wrecks less meat than a .270 with same shot placement.................shot truckloads of deer with mine..................Harold

 

[tetachuck]

225 gr TSX 70 gr Reloader 19 is my standard load for everything

 

[anorden]

I used a 375 H&H for small antelope in Africa with surprisingly good results. The big bullet doesnt open up so well and caused minimal meat damage. Not so good long range trajectory though!

 

[ebrand]

Pick a load that you shoot well out of it. I have shot Deer for 20 years with mine. No meat is wasted on them. Ever.

 

[Found]

Look like you are in fire... JP.

We all look like we are on fire in Ontario during hunting season. You should see the view from a small airplane of the sea of fluorescent orange.