One loading for the 338 WM

[RSVP2RIP]

What would be the one bullet weight that would make the ideal one to cover all the bases for a 338 Winchester mag? I'm leaning towards the 225 gr Grand Slam, but the gun has a prefrence for Remington 250 gr factory. It really doesn't like the Federal 210gr Partitions. I've made some 200gr Hornady handloads for it but they shot 1.75" at 100 yards and I want something a little more multi purpose, something that could take moose on down, long (400yards max) and short shots. Asking too much maybe?

 

[browningguy]

225 gr. is the classic load for the .338 and does just about anything you would want. If you are handloading give the Sierra Game King and Hornady spire points a try, I had very good luck with those.

 

[dogrunner]

I get outstanding accuracy with Nosler's Accuabond 225's over 70.0 of IMR 4350 in my liteweight BAR. Sorta overkill on whitetails, but they are DRT when you touch 'em with that load.

 

[LeonCarr]

250 Nosler Partition. Shoot that at everything .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[257WM_CDL-SF]

I have looked and I like the 225 grain.I'm seriously considering maybe next yr trading my 257 weatherby for a 338.And having 1 rifle for everything.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Is there a definite advantage to using a boat tail bullet? I see that most of the cup & core bullets are flat base. I know there will be less drop, but how much less, for comparison only? Has anyone experienced a core separation with a heavier caliber bullet like in the 338 when using boat tails? Also, Sierra's 2009 catalog doesn't list a 225gr bullet in .338.

 

[dakotasin]

i run 225 hornadys at 2925-ish f/s exclusively in mine. seems to kill stuff w/ an adequate amount of authority.

rsvp - advantage to bt design is increased b.c.'s. however, it will take many hundreds of yards for this difference to show up in any amount significant enough to be the cause of a miss on coyote or larger game. second question, on seperation, no, never had a seperation in the 338 win mag, even when the shot was closer than 20 yards. however, i would think this would become a point to ponder in 338 rum or lapua chamberings. the 338 win mag, as great as it is, just doesn't push the bullets fast enough.