Reloading a .338

[GooseHunter Jr.]

I just bought a Ruger .338. I want to start reloading my own loads. I already reload for a 30.06 and a .257 Roberts. My question is with all the different bullets out there how does a person know he is choosing the right one with having to spend alot of $$$. I am going to be primary hunting elk with this gun and I want to shoot 200 or 225 grain bullets. The more research I do the more confused and fustrated I become. When I have reloaded for my other guns I have used Speer bullets with good results but with the .338 I want a good bullet that will fly fast and accurate and still have a lot of killing power????????



Thanks,
GHJ

[oldelkhunter]

If your dealing with a 338 any bullet sold is an Elk bullet except maybe the lightest Barnes Xbullet . Nosler Partition,Nosler Ballistic tip,Nosler Accubond,Trophy Bonded, Triple Shock, FAilsafe, Hornady Interlock,Speer bullet and Sierra and some I have not included. I like Partitions in that Caliber either the 210 or 225 you can't go wrong. ANy of these bullets will do the trick if they shoot well out of your gun should be your only concern .

[HighDesertWolf]

Speer is fine, But if you want the best go with a Sierra gameking or Barnes Xbullet you cannot go wrong with those two they are the best. The sierra gameking is the best for accuracy but the barnes xbullet has good accuracy but has the best terminal performance they are a real killer on large game. But the best bullet to get a little of both worlds accuracy and terminal performance especially for elk I would have to say go with the ever trusted Nosler partition.

[handloader1]

I would go with a 225 gr. Barnes X, Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Win. Fail Safe.

My cousin has killed 5 oryx dropping them on the spot using a 225 Barnes X with his 338 Win. Mag.; all were one shot kills right through both shoulders. The furthest shot was at 300 yds. I loaded them using a Max. load of 78.grs. of RL-22 Vel: 2900 f/s. Good luck.

[HighDesertWolf]

That there would deffinately do the trick

[allcamo]

I have been working up loads for my .338 win. mag for a month or two now. RL19 seems to be the best powder so far but i'm still not happy with my groups. I'm only getting 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" groups. I started with CT ballistic tip moly coated 200 grain and absolutely could not get any accuracy at all. I have been told that a 200 grain bullet may be too light for this caliber but I have also read where people shoot these fine. I have switched to 225 nosler accubond's and have seen a great improvement. Hopefully with some fine tuning i will be shooting 1" groups, that is my goal. I just purchased some Hornady sst 225gr but have not worked up any loads for this yet. Hope this helps and keep me posted on how you make out...........