.338 Shooters: Whats your bullet?

[angus-5024]

So that's the question. What bullet do you use, goin' how fast and for what application?
I've been using 300SMK's for long shots goin' 2750-2780 (elevation, tempature dependant), and 210 Barnes TTSX's goin' 3390fps. I think I may step the 210's up to 225's or go to a 250 grain NAB or GK so that Im not messing with two loads. Ohh I shoot a .338 RUM with a 1-10 twist and a 26" tube+2" brake.
Thanks for lookin.

 

[wvcountryboy]

So that's the question. What bullet do you use, goin' how fast and for what application?
I've been using 300SMK's for long shots goin' 2750-2780 (elevation, tempature dependant), and 210 Barnes TTSX's goin' 3390fps. I think I may step the 210's up to 225's or go to a 250 grain NAB or GK so that Im not messing with two loads. Ohh I shoot a .338 RUM with a 1-10 twist and a 26" tube+2" brake.
Thanks for lookin.

Shot 5 deer with the 250 SMK at 3175-3200 in a 338 RUM. Unfortunately, the farthest shot was 525. No exit hole was smaller than baseball size. I shot one at 450 that you could put a foot ball through. It is a 30" 12 twist lilja.

 

[royinidaho]

Used to shoot 300 SMKs exclusively. Switched to Berger 300 Hybrids at the velocity range you state. I see no reason to ever deviate from the Bergers.

 

[Topshot]

I have used the "Old" Hornady 250 grain BTHP Match bullet with good success but recently they upgraded their match bullet jackets and now they appear too thick to be reliable on game at lower velocity.

I have used the 300 grain SMK with good results but am suspect on there performance on large game past 800 yards out of my .338 Edge. The Bergers are not available here.

I have also used Hornady 225 grain Soft points with great success out of a .338WM, a very reliable game getter.

Looking to use 225 Hornady SST's out of my .338 RUM once my supply of "Old" style Hornady 250 grain match bullets is used up.

Very disapointed that the 285 grain Hornady A-Max bullet did not come out with a plastic tip.

What we need is a plastic tipped 250 grain bullet that has a better B.C. than the 250 grain Nosler Accubond.

 

[jlamb]

i shoot a .338 Lapua Mag and use 250 grn Sierra Game Kings for elk and 250 Match Kings for every thing else.

 

[snake]

Im breaking in my .338 Edge and using 300gr SMKs only so far on a 9.3 twist. might be too fast for the 250gr SMKs but for short range im gonna consider a lighter 250gr pill. Im a Sierra fan but would like to try the 300gr Barnes but it has the lack of BC.

 

[specweldtom]

250gr Nosler Partitions at 2850 in a .340 with a 26" Lawton barrel. 300gr Smkhps at 2780 in a .338 x .378 with a 27.25" Shilen barrel. Both are 10 twist and both have brakes adding to overall length. The .340 is hard loaded and the .338 x .378 is lightly loaded. Still bumping it up. Expect to top out around 2850.

Tom

 

[wvcountryboy]

i shoot a .338 Lapua Mag and use 250 grn Sierra Game Kings for elk and 250 Match Kings for every thing else.

Just wondering, I have never tried the game kings. Do you have to work up a different load when switching bullets or can you use the same one? If you use the same load how close is the velocity of the 2?

 

[338 bruce]

338 win mag 225 accubond, 338 rum 250 hornady out to 800 yds 300 smk beyond that, 338 fed 200 speer max range 700 yds.

 

[angus-5024]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I was wondering if the Hornandy 250gr BTHP would open up on game, I guess I might give em a try. They have a pretty killer B.C for a 250, I think its .675 G1. i think there a bit cheaper too. does anyone know if they will fit in the mag without compressing too much powder?

I have looked at the 300 bergers too (how can you not with a .891 G1b.c), but the SMK's will usually shoot around 1/2 MOA at 200 yards in my gun and I wonder if I should go with "if it aint broke, dont fix it". I am tempted though.

I've also been looking at the 225gr Swift Scirrocco II's. they have a pretty good b.c for a 225 grain bullet, they're pretty pricey though. I gusee no worse than barnes.

 

[XMC]

I run barnes 225gr TTSX in my Lapua; testing several combos of bullets/powders last year to work on a load for elk hunting this past Nov… only had a cow tag to fill but the 225 TTSX dropped her like a wet sock at 787 yrds.

 

[sambo3006]

I've been shooting the 225 gr Accubond out of my 338 RUM for several years. Haven't tried the 250 gr Accubond since it came out as my RUM is extremely accurate with the 225, 1/2 to 2/3 moa out to 500 yards. Longest kill with it is a bull elk at 320 yards. The bullet hit the far shoulder bone and fragmented, shattering the shoulder in the process.

 

[RDM416]

Angus,

With the 338RUM, I would suggest 250 grain bullets as a minimum. While BC is not the only factor in a long range bullet it is very important. When you shoot a lighter weight (lower bc) bullet it will shed it's velocity and energy faster than the heavier higher BC bullet. It is tempting to look at how fast I can push that 210 verses a 250 or 300, but get your ballistics calculator out and start looking at the drop, velocity and energy at long ranges.

In long range shooting vertical drop is the "easy" variable. Wind drift is your real enemy (and yes it can effect vertical but it is still "wind drift"). The heavier the bullet / the higher the BC the less wind drift........

I have had great results with the 250 SMK, 300 SMK and my favorite bullet right now is the 300 grain Berger. I agree with the earlier post that basically said to go with the Berger and forget the rest.

 

[angus-5024]

RDM416,
I agree 100% that B.C wins most of the time over speed. I shoot the 300SMK's most of the time for longer shots but they dont feed in my magazine. I think that Im gonna stay with 300's (probably gonna give the Bergers a try) but I will be loading up something shorter too. I'm thinking the 225 TTSX's or possibly the SST's just cuz' there alot cheaper. I'm not capable beyond 800 yards yet and hunt in mountainous terrian 99.9% of the time, so I think that having the lighter option aint a bad idea.
Thanks guys,
jordan