225gr-250gr 338 Elk Bullet for 338 Win Mag?

[Salmonhead]

Under 500, about any will work. Your partitions certainly will. Accubonds, barnes, hammer, swift 210 scirocco, 225 a frame, 250 a frame.
I use the 210 swift through my 338 rum for elk and moose, and everything else. If you drop to a 210 class, you'll pick up launch velocity and the tougher bonded bullets can handle the velocity increase. In my experience, bullet construction matters more than actual weight.

 

[Hoss50]

Hoss50…..we're using RL 22. I know that there are some that ar e supposed to be more temperature stable …..but, we have a bunch of 22! memtb

I have a couple lbs of 22. I will look at it too.

 

[Hoss50]

Under 500, about any will work. Your partitions certainly will. Accubonds, barnes, hammer, swift 210 scirocco, 225 a frame, 250 a frame.
I use the 210 swift through my 338 rum for elk and moose, and everything else. If you drop to a 210 class, you'll pick up launch velocity and the tougher bonded bullets can handle the velocity increase. In my experience, bullet construction matters more than actual weight.

That is why I started this thread. I was hoping the ELDX was ok, but wanted some advice since they still seem to blow up in 338. I know how to place bullets, I have used Berger for years. I just want something tougher for a dedicated elk type rifle.

 

[Hoss50]

Has anyone tried the Hornady GMX or new CX 225gr? A local shop has them under $1 each rifle now.

I know it is the cheapest part, but I like to practice with what I hunt, and I like to practice. So that makes for expensive range trips if the bullets are $1.5 or more each like a Hammer.

That said I probably will try some hammer and others til I find out what my rifle like.

 

[memtb]

I have a couple lbs of 22. I will look at it too.

It will be a mildly comprehensive load! Some folks are uncomfortable with compressed loads…..I thought that I'd give you a heads-up! I don't get too excited about compressed loads until I "bulge" the case when seating the bullet! memtb

 

[Hoss50]

It will be a mildly comprehensive load! Some folks are uncomfortable with compressed loads…..I thought that I'd give you a heads-up! I don't get too excited about compressed loads until I "bulge" the case when seating the bullet! memtb

Compressed doesn't bother me. The H4350 load I am working with the ELDX will likely end up compressed. It appears that most good powders in the 338 win mag case end up compressed.

 

[memtb]

That is why I started this thread. I was hoping the ELDX was ok, but wanted some advice since they still seem to blow up in 338. I know how to place bullets, I have used Berger for years. I just want something tougher for a dedicated elk type rifle.

With your expressed range limitations…..any of the "tough" bullets will have adequate BC. I'd much rather be somewhat limited by BC…..than severely limited by shot angle. I'll take a bullet that will perform in the worst possible conditions ….ie, angles, heavy bone contact, ect. I don't want to leave game in the field, while waiting on that "perfect shot" angle! But, that's just me! memtb

 

[Window]

As the title says. I am searching for ideas about a good elk bullet for a 338 Win Mag in the 225-250gr class bullets. I was really looking for 225-230, but 250gr would be ok too. I am planning to load it to shoot no farther than 500ish yards. I have started a load with 230gr ELDX but have been reading mixed reviews on them for elk. I knew the smaller bullets were a little fragile, but thought the bigget ones might be better.

I like mono coppers, but in 338 cal they are well over $1 each.

I have a box of 250gr Nosler Partitions, but they are almost $2 each if you can find them and they are not exactly aerodynamic.

Rifle is a Ruger M77 MK2 All weather paddle stock with 24" tube. I just added a brake and Arken 4x16x44 EPL.

Thanks
Harley

I would take a serious look at the 225 grain Shock Hammer based on your intended purpose. It would give you dependable results from 0 to your max range of 500. With the bullet weights you mentioned, your MV's should be in the range of 2700 to 2900fps and at those velocities, there are a ton of options with cup and core bullets. However it it were me, I'd place my bets on the 225 Shock Hammer to anchor them from any angle at any range with your given parameters.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Has anyone tried the Hornady GMX or new CX 225gr? A local shop has them under $1 each rifle now.

I know it is the cheapest part, but I like to practice with what I hunt, and I like to practice. So that makes for expensive range trips if the bullets are $1.5 or more each like a Hammer.

That said I probably will try some hammer and others til I find out what my rifle like.

You can use a cheap bullet for practice, and use the TTSX or Hammers for hunting if the cost REALLY bothers you.
There's no reason you can't.

Or, if you shoot 100 times for practice the difference in total cost from a cheap bullet to a TTSX or Hammer is about $50 total. You'll probably spend that in gas going to the range.

 

[memtb]

Compressed doesn't bother me. The H4350 load I am working with the ELDX will likely end up compressed. It appears that most good powders in the 338 win mag case end up compressed.

As the Barnes are a long bullet and gene like to be a ways off of the lands…..there may be more compression than you're accustomed to! memtb

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Good bit of 338 pills in the classifieds right now. Maybe he'll make you a deal on a "sampler".

 

[Longshotjames]

I'm running the 270eldX in a 20" barreled 338wm. It's been nicknamed "The Club" hard to beat in thick timber!

The speed is a little slow but the BC is much higher than bullets previously discussed(G1 .757). It gives me a 700yd setup in the short barrel.

Last year my buddy hammered a big bull with The Club at 200yds. 2 shots, 1st one on a hard quarter through the toughest part of the shoulder knuckle angling all the way into the guts, lots of penetration! The 2nd shot; as the bull wheeled to leave bullet struck just above the reap hip angling forward through the spine anchoring him, bullet was near the spine by the front shoulders again giving lots of penetration. The bull was dead when he hit the ground. I recovered the 2nd bullet and it held together nicely.

Nothing wrong with EldX or any cup&core bullet as long as the impact velocity isn't higher than the design was intended. In a 338win you should be just right! I'll try to find the bullet for more pics, it's somewhere being used a paperweight
James

 

[338 dude]

Good bit of 338 pills in the classifieds right now. Maybe he'll make you a deal on a "sampler".

No Deals for me that's why I have not tried them. Don't know if I ever will.

 

[ofbandg]

I've killed big moose with Speer Grand Slams in my .338, and elk with Speer Mag tips years ago. They aren't the most aerodynamic bullets but under 500 yards it's not a big issue, and for some reason I have seen good deals on the Grand Slams lately.