Anybody used the Hornady 338 cal 250 gr BTHP match on deer/elk?
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orangeride
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Anybody? I've also got a box sitting on my loading bench. The meplet apears larger than the SMK, I would guess they should open up a little easier than the SMK. I guess it depends on the jacket thickness. With a 250 gr 338 I wouldn't worry about over expansion.
Yes,
Hornady have upgraded the match jacket thickness and quality in the new type. They don't work as good on game as the old type.
This is how the old type works on game. I have about 8 left and am hanging onto them just for big stuff.
Hornady have upgraded the match jacket thickness and quality in the new type. They don't work as good on game as the old type.
This is how the old type works on game. I have about 8 left and am hanging onto them just for big stuff.
Franklin
Well-Known Member
Topshot, Do you know this for fact or are you assuming because the jacket is thicker, they won't perform on game? I'd like to try these bullets, but don't want to waste my time if they don't perform. Wish berger would get their 250vld's out.
300saum,
I was using the old type with devistating results on large deer. I then ran out. So I got a box of the new type.
The next Stag I shot at, it went down but got back up and was lost. Afterwards, I did some testing on them at long range into soft medium and they were definately harder than the old type.
I found a box of the old type on the shelf of a gun shop and bought it and have been using these again with great results as can be seen from the photo above.
The Hornady web site says that they have upgraded the jacket thickness and uniformity compared to the old type.
Going from my experience on game and low velocity testing, I would be careful with using the new type on game at low velocity. They should be a OK at high velocity maybe? I hope this helps.
Franklin
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Good info, thanks a bunch.
orangeride
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That's some great info. What chambering where you using them in? And what kind of impact velocitys where you getting the bad terminal ballistics?
The bad result I got with the new type was at about 1900 fps at impact.
I have used the old type with great results out of .338 Win Mag, .338 RUM and .338 Edge at a variety of impact velocities down to about 1600 fps.
orangeride
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That's actually not to bad. With typical conditions 1900fps will get a 338 rum out to almost 1000 yards . Would you say you could get reliable expansion at 2000 FPS?
I am not too sure what the lower expansion velocity of the new type would be. I lost interest in them after the failure and went looking for an alternative.
What I found was the Hornady 225 grain interbond bullet. Although it is a lighter bullet. It still has a very good form factor and can be driven at quite high velocity out of my .338 RUM.
This bullet expands at low velocity very well and is ideal for shots out to 800 yards. If I expect to shoot further than this I will carry my .338 Edge loaded with 300 grain SMK's.
I did a low velocity test on the Interbond bullets here.... http://www.austargets.com/lowvel.htm
I've been very impressed with the Hornady 250 BTHP (latest verision) in terms of accuracy. Currently shooting a hotter load with this bullet with sub 1/2 moa accuracy out of my 338 win mag. Definately the most accurate 250 grain bullet shot out of my 338 so far. I have tried accubonds (225 and 250's), matchkings, cutting edge solids, barnes ttsx, ect.....
Unfortunately, I have not had an opprtunity to use this bullet on game and cannot comment on actual big game performance. IMO, on thin skinned game like deer and antelope the 250 bthp is easily capable of humanely taking deer sized game. I plan on using this bullet on an antelope and deer hunt this fall. However, I do not feel comfortable testing this bullet on elk until more data is available.
I believe Berger is releasing a 250 grain hybrid bullet for the 338. Is the hybrid advertised as a hunting bullet or target bullet ? Forgive my ignorance, I was under the impression the vld was the only hunting type bullet. I'm sure it would perform well on deer sized game, but what about the big stuff ?
Jimmy
Unfortunately, I have not had an opprtunity to use this bullet on game and cannot comment on actual big game performance. IMO, on thin skinned game like deer and antelope the 250 bthp is easily capable of humanely taking deer sized game. I plan on using this bullet on an antelope and deer hunt this fall. However, I do not feel comfortable testing this bullet on elk until more data is available.
I believe Berger is releasing a 250 grain hybrid bullet for the 338. Is the hybrid advertised as a hunting bullet or target bullet ? Forgive my ignorance, I was under the impression the vld was the only hunting type bullet. I'm sure it would perform well on deer sized game, but what about the big stuff ?
Jimmy
