Good hunting bullet for a .338?

[shooter981]

I'm considering building a 338-408 extreme LR hunting rifle, but it seems everyone is using the 300 gr. Sierra Matchkings. I've used Matchkings before and they dont expand at all. I use Berger VLD's in my .30's and love there ballistics and performance on game. Any suggestions for a 300 gr, expandable, high BC, .338 bullet?

 

[Broz]

Any suggestions for a 300 gr, expandable, high BC, .338 bullet?

Yep, The 300 Gr SMK. Don't tell the 4 antelope , muley and Elk in my freezer they dont expand . I haven't used many other SMK calibers, but the .338 / 300 gr. has done me well. I would try them and see what you think.

Just My Opinion.

Jeff


From my Elk at 526 yards,

Exit hole at over 800 yards

 

[AJ Peacock]

The 300gr SMK is a completely different animal than the smaller SMK's (less than .338).

AJ

 

[Michael Eichele]

The 300gr SMK is a completely different animal than the smaller SMK's (less than .338).

AJ

I am not a big fan of SMK's for hunting either but AJP hit the nail on the head. The 338/300 grain SMK is a totally different ball game espescially at the velocities most shooters run them.

 

[jeff 300]

I use the 338/300gr in my edge 220/ 300rum 190/300wsm 168/ 308 and 30-06 69/223 and they work just fine. i have never had any reason to think the bullet didn't do its job. A big problem with these bullets is when someone make a bad shot and can't find there game they start blaming the bullets cause whats on the box. i shot a yote with a 30-06 with the 168 at 90yrd and blew half of his front shoulder and leg completely off and i mean laying on the ground off. a bullet that doesn't expand doesn't do that kind of damage on something as little as a yote. i shoot axis does all the time with my 223 and never lost one. if you do your part they will do there part. i do shoot a lot of Berger and love them as well. hopefully the 338/300gr Berger will shoot great. if they ever get here!!!!!!!

 

[Michael Eichele]

A big problem with these bullets is when someone make a bad shot and can't find there game they start blaming the bullets cause whats on the box.

I have been fortunate never to have lost any game to the SMK. However, most of the critters I have shot with them had to be shot multiple times and it was usually a shoulder shot that finally put them down. Most of the time I have had these bullets "pencil" right on through, but once you hit a shoulder bone, kiss the meat good bye as they went completly ballistic so to speak.

Granted, these were all at 425 yards and beyond as the shorter range shots worked much better. I had reliable expansion under 400 yards and was a big ????? past that. They key here is reliable and predictable expansion.

This is with smaller than the 300 grain 338 SMK in mind. I still favor the 300 grain SMK.

Not trying to start a war here. just sharing my experiances.

 

[shooter981]

So is Berger going to produce a 300 gr, .338? When is the release date?

 

[geargrinder]

So is Berger going to produce a 300 gr, .338? When is the release date?

Late next year is the latest rumor going around.

 

[camjack]

Just spoke with a Berger marketing rep, they're expecting sometime this summer to send out 300gr VLD's

 

[Rimfire]

I'm considering building a 338-408 extreme LR hunting rifle, but it seems everyone is using the 300 gr. Sierra Matchkings. I've used Matchkings before and they dont expand at all. I use Berger VLD's in my .30's and love there ballistics and performance on game. Any suggestions for a 300 gr, expandable, high BC, .338 bullet?

What cal. weight bullet and cartridge have you used them in with the results you mentioned? and how far were the shots?

 

[shooter981]

30 caliber, 168 gr. 3300 fps, 500 yards.

 

[jwp475]

I'm considering building a 338-408 extreme LR hunting rifle, but it seems everyone is using the 300 gr. Sierra Matchkings. I've used Matchkings before and they dont expand at all. I use Berger VLD's in my .30's and love there ballistics and performance on game. Any suggestions for a 300 gr, expandable, high BC, .338 bullet?

Did you not read goodgroupers post on the Elk he killed at 1410 yards and yes the SMK expanded. The Elk and 2 Deer that were taken this year with my 338 Lapua expanded.
rinfire, Shawn Carlock, Dave King, Darrle Cassel, Joel Russo, Kirby Allen and a host of others have taken game with SMK's and yes they expanded