338 win mag bullet selection for whitetail

[Gjordin]

OK OK i know the 338 win mag is overkill for whitetail, but i want to get one for bison, elk, and moose and since i hunt whitetails too i wouldnt mind shooting a .338 win mag. So my question, is there any bullet in factory ammo that will expand in thin skinned animals? i was wondering about the hornady SST? any thoughts and No i dont want to change calibers i am set on the 338

 

[BADUNAME37]

When I loaded for that caliber, I used Nosler Bullets and I think they were 210 grain.

 

[Gjordin]

Which nosler bullet did you use

 

[ac6916170]

Swift A Frames and Nosler Partitions work on all the animals you mentioned.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Which nosler bullet did you use

Partition.
I never got to shoot a deer with it.
It was a Winchester Model 70 with Leupold Vari-X-III and Timney Trigger, glass-bedded and free-floating barrel. I worked those loads up and the gun shot basically one-ragged hole groups at 100 yards.

Another one of those "never should have gotten rid of it" guns!

 

[Gjordin]

yeah i jus got rid of my 17 hmr i miss it because i could put 5 touching at 50 yrds. my biggest fear is the bullet not expanding and turning into a "fmj" on the thin skin deer and jus pokin a pin hole

 

[BADUNAME37]

Since I loaded partitions many moons ago, the Barnes Triple Shock solid copper X-Bullet has come out. I think I would go for that bullet if I did it again, even though they are a bit pricey.

Once the loads are created, I would only ever shoot if it was a sure-shot, so it would not be like I am just burning up ammo all afternoon.

 

[Craigman]

Last season I used 200gn Hornady Interlock SP 200gn, on 2 MI does about 150# ea. worked great with normal bullet hole size enterance and 2" exit hole behind shoulders. 150yds. I dont have my data in front of me now but it was a medium load. Not much blood shot around holes and they both piled up after about 20yards. It def hits em hard, but "overkill" is subjective as I have learned with experience.

IMO premium bullets as used on elk and larger game are too expensive for deer. Unless you just want to test them. I would think a TSX, as awesome as they are, would hammer em pretty darn hard and may actually be too much though. the rapid expansion combined with all that energy if the 338 would prob cause alot of bloodshot meat. They'll definately get the job done though!

 

[ac6916170]

The OP wanted factory loads. I've been using Rem. Safari Grade 225 Swift A Frames. cost a bit much but the 2 elk and 3 MI whitetails I've shot with them were all DRT. As in none took even 1 step. Saw no more meat damage than when I used 165 gr. 06. The hydro shock or what ever it is from this round just stops em right there. The Barnes TSX seems like a good bullet in any calibur from what I've heard, I just purchased some to load for my 06.

 

[cougar1717]

Just about any regular hunting bullet will work, like Hornady interlock or SST, Sierra Gameking, etc. There is no need to get premium bullets for this. You could even download 338WM a little if you wanted. Dead is dead - with this caliber a whitetail will never know that your load was 200fps off the pace as long as the load groups well and you know it's trajectory.

 

[natman]

I'd use the 210 Partition or the 200 grain Power Point. It should expand nicely in a whitetail.

http://www.winchester.com/Products/rifle-ammunition/super-x/power-point/Pages/X3381.aspx

 

[wombat13]

My FIL uses Winchester Ballistic Silvertips in his .338WM for deer. They have worked great for him:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104691780;cat104532480

I use Federal Fusion in my .300WM for deer. They have also worked quite well:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104691780;cat104532480

 

[dogrunner]

It IS overkill, but it's also reassuring to know that a buck is NOT gonna move from where you hit him. My load is the accu bond 225's over 70.0 of IMR4350 in my Browning BAR...........DRT & little meat destruction as well.