Which ammo in 338?

[2x4x16]

I am shooting my 338 with 250g NP. right from the begginng I have shot this specicic bullet and weight. From most accounts its a perfect match to the gun. We are going into the Spatsizi with a sheep tag and hopfully in line up a couplr more tags. I was at the range a while ago when on of the shooters told me that I need to get some 180 for that gun - he said extremly fast and flat. upon looking at the ballistics for that weight I don`t see a great difference between the 250 and 180 as far as trajectory drop at 300 yards only 2.4 inches and 6 inches at 400 yards difference.

looking for input

[moosecaller]

If it shoots well in your rifle and you have confidence in the way it works for you don't change just for the sake of change. I use that same combination in my .338 and it works great no complaints. I do use the hornady 250 for sighting in shoots exactly the same as the NP but at a fraction of the cost. Don't let others put doubt in your mind that's how things can go bad, what works for them may not work for you. Or if you have lots of time and really want to experiment with something new feel free to explore the options who knows you may re-invent your wheel. Whatever you do make sure it's for your benifit not because some range "expert" said so.

[MattW]

That's just some other guys opinion. If the 250gr Partition shoots well in your rifle then use it, it's a great bullet and I believe you're right about the ballistics although I don't have my books handy right now. I only use 225 and 250gr bullets in my 338 and they always do the job.

[todbartell]

One thing to consider is downrange impact velocity. A Nosler Partition is designed to expand down a a speed of approx 1900-2000 fps, which in a 338 Win Mag/250 gr is about 400 yards.

IMO a better long range load would be the 225 gr Nosler Accubond. It is very aerodynamic and packs a big punch past 300 yards. Its a solid 500 yard combo if you can make the shot.

[riflebuilder]

I shoot the 225g Accubonds in my 340, it so far has provided excelent performancs on game. Great accuracy and they give me confidence that it will hit where I point it. If the 250 NP has been working for you stick with it, but if you want to change I would go with the 225 Accubond or a Barnes X.

[tuchodi]

If the 250 workes good in your rifle and you feel comfortable with it then use that bullet as it will work real good for you on your sheep hunt. The 230 winchester Fail Safe bullet works best in my rifle so thats what I use. My next most accurate bullet is the 250 Nosler Partition with IMR4350 which I use in Grizz country.

[d6dan]

[quote=todbartell;425107]

IMO a better long range load would be the 225 gr Nosler Accubond. It is very aerodynamic and packs a big punch past 300 yards. Its a solid 500 yard combo if you can make the shot.[/quote

I shoot 225 barnes x out of my 338. flat shooting,hard hitting for any thing I want to kill.

[.340]

I have had excellent success with the 210 grain partition out of my .340

[tuffteddyb]

i use 225 in my 338 mostlly because it what it likes the best.
plus if it is the load that you are used too why change it?
i personally would go under a 200 grain lead.
`plus this sounds like a reason to buy another rifle!laugh!

[Hotwheels81]

heavier bullets buck cross wind better, compair a flat base 150gr to a flat base 180gr on a windy day between 200-400yrd's and you will notice the diffrence... things get even more exciting in the 250gr to 300gr boat tail match bullets out to 600+ yards...

what this ammounts to is the same argument i have had with several people in the .17hmr vs .22WMR when it comes to pest control... in the end its what pulls the trigger not what trigger is pulled.

if your rifle shoots your current load well and your confident in it then thats what you take hunting... spend the money you would invest in making a bullet changeover and gas back and forth to the range on a decent range finder... and next time you get words of wisdom that defy logic just smile back and say "beware the man with 1 rifle, he knows how to use it".

[wlbc]

The 225grn and 250grn np bullets have significantly higher BC's than the 180grn. That and the heavier bullets won't get pushed around as much.

I shoot 250 grn np's out of my rifle exclusively because they are so accurate in it. If they work in yours I sure would'nt change.

FWIW I regulary practice out to 500 meters with 250grn np's and they work fine.

[srupp]

I use the Barnes TSX 225 grain bullets for grizzly, moose.

Steven:tongue:

[The MAN]

I use the 250 grain NP as well, they seem to do the trick everytime so why change? Who cares if a 180 grain is a bit flatter, at 200 yards I would believe it just doesn't matter, it's dead!