.338 Win Mag for elk
 

I'll probably be taking my .338 to Montana this Fall to Elk hunt with. I bought a box of Fusion 225 gr. to see if my rifle likes them. Assuming they shoot well, are they any good on Elk or is there something else you'd recommend that I should see how it shoots out of my rifle?

From what I've read on many of these internet forums, the .338 Win is THE cartridge to hunt elk with, so it looks like you've made the right choice of rifles.

I've killed a lot of elk, but not with anything that big.

Here's a few quotes that I agree with from other forums:

“The 338 is WAY more than adequate in just about any bullet weight.”
“338 Win in any bullet weight or structure is more than enough firepower for elk.”

“The 338 is a classic elk caliber but is way over the top for most situations. Enjoy your hunt with peace of mind.”

There isn't a factory load for the 338 that isn't more than plenty for elk.

Unless you are in the habit of shooting them in the butt as they run away. Even then................

Don't shoot elk in the butt. They don't like it.

DanMorgan

Butt at least they won't turn around and come back like a bare is apt to do.

This is a funny thread!!!!!!!! I have a .338 I like it except it makes a lot of noise and it does like to come back at me a bit.... it has killed every elk I have pointed it at, BUT it has not killed near as many elk as my old .300 H&H which is much pleasanter to shoot any day of the week! I normally use just a plain and simple old time real Winchester silvertip in 150grns, but my supply is dwindling so I will eventually have to stop with that load!
But to answer your question the about fusion .225 will it kill an elk??? yes......... will it kill it any deader than a hit from a 30-06????? NO!!!!!

I have not been on this board for very long but all this talk about what kind of gun, ammo, bullet, weight, etc..............

I wish more people would just get one good rifle and learn how to shoot it. Shot placement makes all this other stuff not as important. Take the money you were going to spend on a new rifle, scope, ammo, sling, etc......... And get some good training on how to shoot the one you already have. It's priceless. After shooting my two antelopes with my AR-15 in 5.56 cal I really wouldn't have any problem shooting an elk under 200 yards with it. Here comes the people saying “that would be so unethical.” Well if you saw firsthand what that bullet did to the antelope you would change your mind. If an animal doesn't have lungs or heart it will die very quickly. Shot placement, it's everything with big game hunting. I have never had to trail an animal. Not once. If I can't put the bullet in the vitals I don't shoot. Have I passed on some animals that I might have been able to hit? Sure I have, but I didn't pull the trigger. Not fair for the animal, and I am lazy and don't like to look for something all night and day. Rather be hunting or skinning one out.

Get some good training, practice, with the rifle you’re hunting with, and then go down some game.

Good luck this year with your hunt.

Be very afraid of a man with one gun. He probably knows how to use it.

Couldn't have said it better Dan.

I've always used a 338 on elk (and moose) and think it's a great caliber. I started with 225 grn Failsafes and wasn't completely happy so I switched to 250 grn Nosler Partition bullets and really like how they perform. I haven't used lighter bullets in the 338 so couldn't offer firsthand experience. It looks like you've gotten a lot of good firsthand experience observations in this thread so I'd say make your decision accordingly. 338, 300 or 30-06, you really can't go wrong. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Those of you who have been on the forum for awhile will know i've used a Win 94 30-30 for elk and muleys since the 50's. I've never lost an animal. In the last few years i've switched to muzzleloaders. All game has been taken with open sights.

So, you know how I stand on magnums. However, i'm not arrogant enough to tell someone they shouldn't buy a new gun, but instead should learn to shoot.

Muley is clearly one of our senior members and I not only agree with his opinion on this topic I respect the wisdom behind it. ( I wasn't big enough to use a 94 Winchester till about 1970 ) :)

I grew up around good hunters who used 30/30s on everything and wouldn't have used magnums even if they could have afforded them.

I like my 7 Mag but the truth is that probably 95 percent of the game I've killed I could have killed with my Dad's 30/30.

I don't have any experience with the Fusion, but have shot elk with the Accubond. The Accubond is a very good bullet. I believe Winchester loads the Accubond 225 in .338 WM.

I have actually shot several elk with a .338 WM. It will do the job in all conditions. Good choice.

I had a light load for the 338 with the Hornady 200 grain that would stack them in one ragged hole. The group opened up until I got them loaded warm. It then tightened up again. The 225's wouldn't shoot until loaded warm as well. With the 250 grain Hornady, it was a hot load that shined. The 275 grain Speers also had to be loaded warm before they tightened up. I tried the fusions in the 2506 and didn't like their performance on whitetail and mule deer at all. Bullets failed. They killed them, but the bullets came apart.Trajectory wise, the 338 is like shooting a big 30 06. There is nothing on this continent that you would be under gunned for with one. Recoil can be real nasty with some of the 338's. IMO the best bullets for the 338 are the Nosler partition and the Speer grandslam. I never had a Hornady fail either, but the fusions are definately not on my like list.

Worth reading;

http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/rifle.html


Still, only one man's opinion !