.338 Win Mag - Loads for the Yukon?

Chas

Chas

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I could have posted this in a number of forums but decide ask here where the hunters hang out.

My daughter inhereted a .338 Win Mag Savage rifle from her grandfather (which he had Magna-ported). I want to load some ammo for it but have no experience with the caliber. She will be using it for caribou and moose ( but may need it to put down a bear)' so i would like to here from those of you that hunt with this cartridge what bullet weight you would suggest from your experience.

I have read my reloading manuals, just want to benefit from your knowledge. Please don't hijack the thread to " She should get a ###x caliber" as the .338 is what her grandfather gave her and that's what she is going to use.

Thanks
 
Over 35 years experience with two different .338's in northern BC on moose, caribou, elk, bear, mtn. goat, an occasional wolf and even a 4x4 mule deer. Out of many many different calibres I used the .338 was the best all around for this work. Tried factory ammo and every component bullet I could get my hands on and finally settled on the Nosler 210 Partition behind a healthy dose of Norma MRP or the equivalent Reloder 22. Excellent accuracy in both rifles, trajectory comparable to many 140 grain .270W loads and hits like the hammer of Thor without excessive recoil.
 
Excellent caliber. I picked up a used stainless laminate .338 Win. Mag. Ruger Hawkeye a while back. The factory trigger is something else but easily and inexpensively improved. Finely balanced and super accurate with the right handload.

It has a factory muzzle brake and I find with 250gr bullets at about 2700 fps MV it recoils like a .308. But is it LOUD!

As mentioned the 225gr TTSX should be an excellent performer.

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I trust most of my hunting loads to Nosler accubond bullets, they are devastating to game. For the last 7 years, it's been one shot kills, stopped dead where they are shot, on all game, every time. Black bear, moose, and goat.

I use a 270 / 300 WSM so a .338 is definitely going to do the trick.

Recently i've been experimenting with Hornady ELD-X which seem to be the same but with a better tip.
 
Slugo said:
I'd be looking at the 210 nosler partition. It wouldn't be my first choice for bear defense, but would be fine for hunting them. Ideal for moose and caribou.
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I like the 210 Partition as well. Usually quite accurate on any 338 I have tried them in.

Ashcroft said:
Over 35 years experience with two different .338's in northern BC on moose, caribou, elk, bear, mtn. goat, an occasional wolf and even a 4x4 mule deer. Out of many many different calibres I used the .338 was the best all around for this work. Tried factory ammo and every component bullet I could get my hands on and finally settled on the Nosler 210 Partition behind a healthy dose of Norma MRP or the equivalent Reloder 22. Excellent accuracy in both rifles,
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Another one, using Norma MRP...my favorite powder in the 338.

dan belisle said:
I use 210 gr Nosler Partitions over RL19 in mine. 2900 fps in a 24" barrel. - dan
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RL 19 also works well in the 338, behind the 210 Partition or the 225 AB. Eagleye.
 
hello Chas,

funny we had that conversation last Saturday at home with an eminent forum member that needed some chocolate to dig into the 338 bullets ...

very good caliber indeed and you will need a bullet that can hold even if shot at short distance (bear encounter).

caribou are not hard to put down nor the moose but shot placement is the key. (like usual)

250 grains are good but maybe a little harder on the shoulder but a 225 grains like the swift a frame, barnes or even the nosler partition or if you can find the core lockt ultra (there is a few boxes) at the LGS in Whitehorse if needed ...

even with a brake i suggest you load some moderate ones before going to the full throttle.

enjoy the discussion.
 
Factory all sorts of 225 grains.... I have some factory Federal 250 grain Nosler Partitions and many hundreds of same for reloading. Both my M70s shoot them well, so why not stick with a great bullet? Field and Stream rifle editor Petzal and Outdoor Life writer Jim Charmichael both praised the round and the projectile. Probably why I own them.
 
Slamfire said:
Excellent caliber. I picked up a used stainless laminate .338 Win. Mag. Ruger Hawkeye a while back. The factory trigger is something else but easily and inexpensively improved. Finely balanced and super accurate with the right handload.

It has a factory muzzle brake and I find with 250gr bullets at about 2700 fps MV it recoils like a .308. But is it LOUD!

As mentioned the 225gr TTSX should be an excellent performer.

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Must be your gopher gun!
 
I shoot a 210 ttsx with 67.5 grains of imr4350, it is very close to 3000 fps with my 26”barrel. I have taken coyotes to moose and almost everything in between with this load. I would say with the ttsx max range would be less than 400 yards, I have found at over 300 yards these bullets just don’t open up enough for what I like. They still killed the elk I hit at that distance and it was a quick kill but I like a bullet to mushroom a little more than what that bullet did. My first choice in 338 win mag bullets is the 225 accubonds, if I can’t get them to group good then I try the ttsx in 225 or 210 grain. A friend uses the 225 accubonds and has great results even on broadside deer at 400 yards. Another friend uses 225 ttsx with good speed and great accuracy out of his 24” barrel. Each of these bullets is more than enough to take a healthy bear, the accubond will reach out farther while being more reliable at distance.
 
210 TTSX & 71gr H4350. No need for a heavier bullet. I have put these through moose lungs at 450yds. DRT.
 
I think that a 338 Win Mag is bit much for most female shooters due to the heavy recoil. However if she wants give it a try, I would try to find a fairly light bullet that will still work for hunting and then load up a low recoil load. Hornady makes 185 grain and a 200 grain bullets which might be good options. The Nosler 210 would be excellent as well.
 
valtro12 said:
I think that a 338 Win Mag is bit much for most female shooters due to the heavy recoil. However if she wants give it a try, I would try to find a fairly light bullet that will still work for hunting and then load up a low recoil load. Hornady makes 185 grain and a 200 grain bullets which might be good options. The Nosler 210 would be excellent as well.
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You haven't met Charlie's lovely daughter. She will have no trouble at all with a 338. Certainly not a braked one.

Charlie, I would load 225gr Partitions or Accubonds for her. They will work on everything, and you will be able to sleep well at night knowing she is toting them loaded at close to 2800 fps.

Looking forward to seeing you again when you come back up to see her.
Ted
 
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