338 win mag for deer

Er...whatever kind meets your accuracy requirements, and hunting-legal for your province?!

.338 Win Mag should be WAY more power than you'd need to bring down even the biggest healthiest deer you can dream of. So just check your hunting regs, pretty much guaranteed that over the counter offerings will meet hunting regulations, but double check to make sure. Then look at the brands and weight configurations, and choose between accuracy or lower expense.
 
When I used a 338 for deer 225 nosler partitions were very effective and caused little meat damage, in fact less than my current favourite the 280 Rem probably due to the 338 bullets heavier construction.
 
I have had good luck with 210gr bullets. Pretty much anything you can throw out of a .338 will knock down a deer. I go with the 210 gr to pick up just a bit more speed.
 
Years ago while going to school in Calgary a buddy and myself drew non trophy antelope tags.

I used my 257 Roberts and my buddy used my 338 with the F-C 225 TBBC's.

Killed the antelope dead ;). He also used it on a whitetail later that year, same result....dead.
 
Here's what Dave Petzal, shooting editor of Field and Stream said in his article "The 12 top Deer Cartridges"

"The true province of the .338 is elk and bear, but it's a wonderful deer cartridge as well. The .338 is loaded with bullets ranging from 200 to 250 grains, and I prefer the ones on the heavier end of the scale because they destroy so little meat. The .338 kicks, and it will tear your head off if you use it in a rifle under 8 & 1/2 pounds. But it puts deer down right now."
 
I had purchased 200gr ballistic silvertips in Winchester. And put two rounds through a moose 70yds away one double lung and one in the hump. For what most would considder a fragile bullet it did very little meat damage. That's the beauty of a big slug going 2800 fps. I would not hessitate using it for deer. I now use 210 gr Partitions and purchased 200 gr Speers Hot Core's for it.

George
 
If they'll shoot for you, 185 grainers are an awesome choice. Lots of speed and an excellent mid-long range choice plus easy on the shoulder.
 
Here's what Dave Petzal, shooting editor of Field and Stream said in his article "The 12 top Deer Cartridges"

"The true province of the .338 is elk and bear, but it's a wonderful deer cartridge as well. The .338 is loaded with bullets ranging from 200 to 250 grains, and I prefer the ones on the heavier end of the scale because they destroy so little meat. The .338 kicks, and it will tear your head off if you use it in a rifle under 8 & 1/2 pounds. But it puts deer down right now."

LOL.....I shoot a 6 3/4 pound .338....it's a pussy cat.
 
My Kimber .338 Win weighs a lot less than 8 1/2 pounds and hasn't torn my head off yet. It does make its presence known with 275 grain A-Frames, but light bullet loads aren't much different than a .300.
 
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