338 Magnums and grizzlies

[Outerspace]

Anyone had any luck with any of the 338 magnums and grizzlies? How would it compare with the 375 mag?

Any load recommendations? Please post, thanks.

[TheHardWay]

I don't have any loads, but the 338 paired with a quality 225-250 grain hunting bullet will put a griz down. My uncle his 338WM for grizzlies in Alaska.

[Varmint Hunter]

Here's something I noticed just the other day. I was working up loads for my 338 RUM. The 300gr SMK bullets were flying over the Oehler at about 2,650 ft/sec.

My buddy shows up with a Blaser (sp) in 375 H&H. He was sighting in the rifle with Federal Safari ammo with the 300gr TSX bullet before leaving on his Alaskan moose/bear trip. I shot his rifle & load over my chronograph to see how fast the big 300gr bullet was going. To my surprise, the 375 H&H was only going 2,515 ft/sec. The back of the box only claimed a velocity slightly faster. That's 135 ft/sec slower than I am shooting the same weight bullet from the 338 RUM.

The 338 would have more muzzle energy, flatter trajectory and (presumably) more terminal energy than the 375 H&H. I can't imagine that the 338 mags wouldn't be good grizzly medicine.

[moses42ak]

The 338 with any quality 225 or 250 will do fine for brown/grizzly. Those that shoot the 375 will say that it puts them down more solidly than the 338 and they usually have experience with both so I assume they're right. Either way, you can't go wrong.

[TheHardWay]

Originally Posted by Varmint Hunter

Here's something I noticed just the other day. I was working up loads for my 338 RUM. The 300gr SMK bullets were flying over the Oehler at about 2,650 ft/sec.

My buddy shows up with a Blaser (sp) in 375 H&H. He was sighting in the rifle with Federal Safari ammo with the 300gr TSX bullet before leaving on his Alaskan moose/bear trip. I shot his rifle & load over my chronograph to see how fast the big 300gr bullet was going. To my surprise, the 375 H&H was only going 2,515 ft/sec. The back of the box only claimed a velocity slightly faster. That's 135 ft/sec slower than I am shooting the same weight bullet from the 338 RUM.

The 338 would have more muzzle energy, flatter trajectory and (presumably) more terminal energy than the 375 H&H. I can't imagine that the 338 mags wouldn't be good grizzly medicine.

I'm guessing this has to do with different bullets, powders, primers, and possibly barrel lengths.

[Just Learnin]

I shot a brown bear several years ago with a 300 ultra. It was a one shot kill but they sure are tough animals. The other guys in the group had 375's, but they all required multiple shots, which reinforces accurate shooting above all. After having done it once though I'd much rather have a 375 with plenty of energy to inflict a larger temporary wound channel. Good luck with whatever you end up with as they'll both get the job done...

[Outerspace]

Thanks guys, good info, keep it coming.

I have a 338 Lapua in my near future, and am curious if that is a greenlight for grizzes or do I need to wait for a bigger gun.