I have some results that some of the .338 Shooters here may be interested in. A friend of mine that is also a member here "Dave300" came out to my long range shooting school and purchased a 338 Lapua AI from me. While he was here we went over reloading, ballistic apps, bullets, and spent 3 days afield shooting near and far in wind and canyons. We stretched the rifle to well over 2000 yards with confirmed hits on 1 moa or less sized targets. Dave300 went home and on his first elk hunt took a good friend of his up to fill a cow tag. They had a cow at 1580 to 1600 yards. They were laser rangefinder challenged, and were fighting getting repeated reading but finally confirmed several readings at 1600 yards. Dave300 got his friend behind the rifle and set up as they dialed in the elevation and windage. Dave300 told him to send it when he was solid on the cow. With 3 or 4 different guys spotting the bullet was sent. The vapor trail was vivid as the bullet rose above and out of the spotters field of view and then came back in. The bullet landed center kill zone and it cow elk hunched up. She took a couple steps down hill and piled up. As they chambered a follow up the spotters reported she raised her head, attempted to get up and then expired and was done.
This is the farthest kill I have been able to gather data on for the New Berger 300 gr Elite Hunter. So I want to share the results, and a few pics, for those ELR hunters considering this bullet.
The bullet entered just behind the shoulder at the first rib or two. It all exited far side, at rib 3 or 4 with a nice exit hole. The vitals were mush with a good portion of the far side lung gone or unable to be identified in the jello. The heart was untouched.
Facts:
Bullet expanded well as can be seen in front edge of jacket pic. and exit hole size
We believe all lead, and 3/4 jacket exited the elk. No other fragments were found in vitals or during butcher of the elk.
Back 1/2 of jacket was found at far side exit hole just short of the hide.
Remaining jacket weight is 35.5 gr
Wound channel measured 22" and a full penetration.
Exit hole was just over 1" x 1 1/4"
Approximate impact velocity 1665 fps
Impact energy 1847 lbs
Flight time was 2.156 seconds.
Here is the pic of Dave300 and his good friend who now has a story of a lifetime to share along with elk in the freezer.
The remaining jacket.
The exit hole after hide was skinned removed during butcher.
So there is what we have. Draw your own conclusions as to whether or not these results suit you. At close to a mile, I for one am please to see the size of the exit and terminal results. I know this is only one instance, but these results work for me very well for a ELR hunting bullet.
Jeff
