Alaska Moose and Grizz

rsp1761

rsp1761

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Departing September 4th on a last minute cancellation hunt...trying to decide on 375 HH with 260 gr partitions or 338 Win with 225 gr Barnes Tipped TSX BT. Anybody have real world experience on large game with the Barnes?

Both rifles are zeroed and ready to roll with Form 6 etc but I have never shot game with the TSX....hoping for some last minute input to assist with the choice...
 
I've shot moose with both loads, but no grizzly, only black bear. Both performed well.
Given the fact there's grizzly involved, I'd pick the 375 with Partitions. It's the best all around bullet in my opinion, especially in big "slow" calibers.

I use Barnes a lot but something that's always left me puzzled and a bit apprehensive is the sound they make on steel plates at long range. There's no thump, more of a "ping". I always get the impression there's a lack of knockdown power, though it's probably just false perception.

Sounds like a great hunt. What make of rifle is the 338 and 375 ?
 
IMO, you are good to go with either... bring the one you are most comfortable with and confident in the accuracy.
 
I think both would be great choice. Take the rifle you feel the MOST comfortable with-handling/shooting. For me, for the added measure for the grizzly, go 375HH. The Barnes TTSX are great bullets. I use the 225gr TTSX in my 338-06AI.

HAVE FUN !!!!!
 
bearkilr said:
I've shot moose with both loads, but no grizzly, only black bear. Both performed well.
Given the fact there's grizzly involved, I'd pick the 375 with Partitions. It's the best all around bullet in my opinion, especially in big "slow" calibers.

I use Barnes a lot but something that's always left me puzzled and a bit apprehensive is the sound they make on steel plates at long range. There's no thump, more of a "ping". I always get the impression there's a lack of knockdown power, though it's probably just false perception.

Sounds like a great hunt. What make of rifle is the 338 and 375 ?
Click to expand...

It isn't a false impression.
 
I ran the 260 Partitions in my 375 Rum for years, never on a griz though. Great performance, at a variety of distances, everything died, never recovered a bullet. I had heard that Barnes does not open well below 2200 ft/sec. Not sure were that would put the 338, but probably about 200 yards.

I have run barnes in several calibers, never a complaint, never a projectile recovered. But if i was to choose between them, i would choose the 375 and 260 parts.
 
I think you are trying to decide between "6 of one and half-dozen of the other". Either load and caliber will be just fine. Let 'em have it! and good luck!
 
yeah I dunno but if either critter does much moven after either of those hit it, then I don't think its the Cartridge or Bullets problem...


WL
 
bearkilr said:
I've shot moose with both loads, but no grizzly, only black bear. Both performed well.
Given the fact there's grizzly involved, I'd pick the 375 with Partitions. It's the best all around bullet in my opinion, especially in big "slow" calibers.

I use Barnes a lot but something that's always left me puzzled and a bit apprehensive is the sound they make on steel plates at long range. There's no thump, more of a "ping". I always get the impression there's a lack of knockdown power, though it's probably just false perception.

Sounds like a great hunt. What make of rifle is the 338 and 375 ?
Click to expand...

338 is Nosler 48 guide rifle and the 375 is Sako 85 Kodiak...both have 22" barrels...
 
I used a 250gr partition out of a 358sta on my Yukon grizz. The bullet did its job very well. I'd be using the partitions if it was me. My bear got both shoulders taken out and still got up and went about 30 yards before piling up. He was dead on his feet he just didn't know it yet. I did recover the lead when I skinned him later that day and it retained about 85% iirc.
 
I am a fan of the 375 H&H and have killed many head of game with it in all size classes, I am not a fan of the 338 and have had several problems with it lacking any kind of "peel out of their hooves" power. A no brainer to me 375 H&H all the way, and it's very hard to beat a Nosler Partition as a game bullet. I have found that the 338 works best with conventional cup and core bullets and would stay away from premium bullets, it's just not a fire breathing screamer, more just an oversized, heavy bullet '06 and premium bullets tend to minimize it's effectiveness on game. One of the best bullets in the 338 WM is the old 200 gn Speer HC, a buddy of mine has had great success with this combo on all manner of big game including grizzly and big moose.
 
No SB I don't have any experience with that combo. Driven as hard as one could drive it in the 338 it might be quite effective though. After finding the 340 Wby my playing with the 338 ceased and this bullet was not yet available. Only the 210 and 250 Parts were available then and I could see no logic in using a 33 cal 210 gn bullet when already using a 30 cal 200 gn bullet. The 250 did not give any awe inspiring ballistics in the 338 and I also had a 358 Norma in them days which did, so I baled on the 338 after several dismal failures and never worked with it again, till now. With a lot of new powders in the appropriate burn range, and expanded bullet weights in the correct weight range, for the 338 it may be a decent cartridge. I'll be working with it sometime in the future for my Sako Safari, and the 225 Part will be one of my preferred test bullets.
 
A .30/06 with a 180 Partition will handle moose or grizzlies... I would have zero concern about your .338 Win Mag and 225 Partitions.
 
I have a 338 I had built, and I can drive the 210 Partition to a bit over 3000, and the 225 to 2940.
I'm thinking that will make ole griz pretty sick, pretty quick. Dave.
 
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