338 bullets for meat hunting

[284stak]

Seems like the 300 SMK is the favored bullet for antelope to elk sized animals when using the big 338's. A lot of the posts with pics show gigantic wound channels and bloodshot areas when using the 300 SMK. I am building a 338 impLM primarily for cow elk, doe antelope/deer for meat purposes.

Will bullets like the lapua scenar and GS Customs SP that do not expand, get the job done with lung shots in the 200 - 1200 yd range? I recall goodgrouper phone book tested the scenar and found that it gave sporadic results on tumbling, but always penetrated --- wouldn't that type of energy put them down quickly enough with a lung or shoulder shot so that at most a short trail would need to be followed.

To this point I have used accubonds in a fast 7mm wildcat and have really enjoyed the results as far as effectiveness in killing and very low meat damage even when hitting the shoulder, but want to use the higher BC bullets in the 338.

Thanks for any input.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I like the mono metal bullets because the meat damage is far less. On that note I use the mono metal bullets that are designed for expansion. I have used the GS hv's and the Nosler E-tips with very good results. The killing ability of the GS hv's is quite remarkable, with very little meat damage.

The only thing I can say is find what YOU like, and run w/ it.

Steve

 

[geargrinder]

I use 225g Accubonds in my 338RUM. Great results. I may try the 250's when I run out of 225's.

 

[J E Custom]

I use 225g Accubonds in my 338RUM. Great results. I may try the 250's when I run out of 225's.

+1

The 250gr accubonds would be my choice (I use both) depending on terrain and distance.

J E CUSTOM

 

[geargrinder]

+1

The 250gr accubonds would be my choice (I use both) depending on terrain and distance.

J E CUSTOM

Mine shoots into the same hole with the 225's. That's the only reason I haven't gone to the 250's.

 

[Rimfire]

Seems like the 300 SMK is the favored bullet for antelope to elk sized animals when using the big 338's. A lot of the posts with pics show gigantic wound channels and bloodshot areas when using the 300 SMK. I am building a 338 impLM primarily for cow elk, doe antelope/deer for meat purposes.

Will bullets like the lapua scenar and GS Customs SP that do not expand, get the job done with lung shots in the 200 - 1200 yd range? I recall goodgrouper phone book tested the scenar and found that it gave sporadic results on tumbling, but always penetrated --- wouldn't that type of energy put them down quickly enough with a lung or shoulder shot so that at most a short trail would need to be followed.

To this point I have used accubonds in a fast 7mm wildcat and have really enjoyed the results as far as effectiveness in killing and very low meat damage even when hitting the shoulder, but want to use the higher BC bullets in the 338.

Thanks for any input.

If you are serious about going out to 1200 yards then my vote goes to the 300 SMK and forget about damage, You're going to want as much meat damage as you can get at those ranges. And a well placed shot. At closer range I'd go for the neck or back off the shoulder at long range where things can go wrong fast high shoulder and destroy as much as possible.

 

[Pdvdh]

You should really consider using two different bullets. One for shots closer than ~600yds.

The other for the longer shots which will maximize impact velocity at those long ranges in order to maximize the odds of low velocity bullet expansion.

You might consider the Barnes TSX or Nosler E-tips for closer range. The 300 SMK or maybe one of the Berger VLDs should they become available later this year.

I use Nosler Accubonds from 500-600 yards and closer. Berger VLDs for all shots attempted at longer ranges. This in 7mm RM and 300 Win Mags. In my 338 Edge, I will do the same thing when the Berger VLDs become available. Until then it'll be the Nosler 225 or 250 AB up close and the 300 SMK for the long shots.

I'm surprised there aren't more LRHs that do likewise. The bullet requirements for higher velocity impacts is so much different than for lower velocity impacts. It only makes sense.

 

[284stak]

If I were to use two bullets for different ranges - ie the accubond and the smk - how close is their ogive to one another when it comes to setting up the throat? My 338 impLM is a single shot and I was planning on setting it up for the smk, but??? my original concern still gives me concern that I picked the wrong bullet to set up my throat. My smith tells me that I need to decide asap, as he is ready to cut the throat.
I love the accubonds,for under 800 yds, but their bc is certainly lacking as is the GS Customs HV bullet, and that was why I was interested in the GS Customs SP and lapua scenar for hunting.

 

[284stak]

Phorwath:
I have heard that switching bullets back and forth without cleaning the barrel can cause POI descrepancies that would not occur if using only one bullet --- have you experienced any problems as such. I agree, that logically what you are describing makes sense - but practically how do things work out?

 

[J E Custom]

If I were to use two bullets for different ranges - ie the accubond and the smk - how close is their ogive to one another when it comes to setting up the throat? My 338 impLM is a single shot and I was planning on setting it up for the smk, but??? my original concern still gives me concern that I picked the wrong bullet to set up my throat. My smith tells me that I need to decide asap, as he is ready to cut the throat.
I love the accubonds,for under 800 yds, but their bc is certainly lacking as is the GS Customs HV bullet, and that was why I was interested in the GS Customs SP and lapua scenar for hunting.

If you are loading single rounds you wan't have any problems with different bullets because
you can set the COL different for each bullet/load combination and best accuracy.

As to the throat, set it up where it will work with the VLD type bullets at there longest seating
debth that will have one calibre of neck engagement and the accubonds and smks will reach
buy seating deeper.

Setting up a rifle as a single shot it makes it much more flexible with different loads and bullet
types.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Pdvdh]

Phorwath:
I have heard that switching bullets back and forth without cleaning the barrel can cause POI descrepancies that would not occur if using only one bullet --- have you experienced any problems as such. I agree, that logically what you are describing makes sense - but practically how do things work out?

Sounds like VooDoo to me.

I put 80% of my time into developing my long range loads. Those are the critical ones that require utmost accuracy and low extreme spreads. I load these cartridges single-shot style only, and never place them in my magazine. I don't want the tips being dinged under recoil, or any other surprises.

I put 20% of my time developing the shorter range loads. These bullets are seated to fit the magazine, and are the shells I carry in the magazine. They're a stout bullet of some sort that still shoots well enough to hit and kill game out to 5-600 yds. These are my carry in the chamber and magazine loads. Camp loads also. If a bear comes into camp or charges while I'm walking about, these are the bullets/shells intended to stop a black, grizzly or brown bear. But they're also the loads I'll shoot sheep, caribou, moose, deer, goat, etc., if the shot is less than 500 yds, because they will likely cause less unecessary meat damage than my long range loads would at those closer ranges.

I've never experimented to see if alternating loads would cause POI changes. Maybe others will sound in and identify that as a problem - I haven't seen it and remain skeptical that it's a problem. As a last resort - say that it is a valid concern. It still wouldn't keep me from continuing loading and carrying two separate loads. On the majority of my hunts, the animal is dead after one exhange of gunfire. Then that trip is over and the barrel can be cleaned before the next hunt.

 

[338 bruce]

i have used the 275 swift a-frame with good results out to 713 yds, beyond that i use the 300 smk 338 rum. the hornady 250 sp works good out to 900 yds and they are $33 per 100. i tryed the 250 accubond and there 800 yd accuracy wasnt any better than than the much cheaper hornady.