Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. After the first shot immediately shoot it again and again if needed. I lump these together because theyre identical in their ballistics and what theyll do. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Will that make a difference in terminal performance? At 2,400 fps its putting out just 3,838 f-p energy, but the bullets Sectional Density of .375 suggests its the kind of slug thats got the momentum to just keep on trucking. .tg .tg-sklq { | .454 Casull Developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the .454 Casull is a dangerous game hunters dream come true. This includes gear reviews, features on technical innovations, stories on shooting techniques and general hunting coverage with the occasional fishing story thrown into the mix. border-style: solid; Mag. Mag. of energy from the muzzle. One point for every 10 yards MPBR beyond 200 yards and one point deducted for every 10 yards less. Answer: As the article said, I chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond bullet available in factory ammunition. What is the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum? If the minimum energy range exceeds the minimum expansion range, the minimum expansion range becomes the maximum effective range since unexpanded bullets are much less effective regardless of how much energy they possess. For handloaders, the 300-grain Swift A-Frame is the way to go. Mag. In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum round is approximately 3920 foot-pounds. That one should be churning out 3,887 f-p of energy at the muzzle. 1 is Not No. That is to say, we assume the grizzly or brown bear being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). Its chambered in nearly every major manufacturers rifle and has a plethora of ammunition choices as well. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the planet. The .338 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular bear hunting cartridges on the planet today - when loaded with our 225-250 Grain BEAR HAMMER ammo it is capable of killing any of North America's largest bears with a single shot using a controlled expansion, high velocity bullet. background-color: #333333; of energy. For pure hunting, I still think Id go with the 300 Win. This should be a standard practice with any dangerous game. The main factor is to know the maximum and minimum anticipated impact velocities and the intended game, then select a bullet that is reliable under those conditions. For most hunters, the upper limit of recoil is the .30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum. be a minimally better option. Youre probably a lot better off with an 06 that doesnt cause you to wet yourself than with a .495 Thunderf**ker that does. These close to one-ton beasts are often shot at ranges beyond those recommended for other dangerous game animals due to the open terrain common to coastal Alaska and Kodiak Island. Both of them fire 250-grain bullets at a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps. Maybe a bit much for mule deer, but as they say, dead is dead. As much of the spring weather can be intermittently inclement, this is a perfect situation for the synthetic-stocked rifles. History. To put the numbers above in perspective: the 300 Winchester Magnum pushing a 210-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range (B.C. In the question of Is the .338 Winchester Magnum within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear hunting? our answer is: Lets look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Nelson killed one of his charging grizzlies with a .454 Casull, which he says is one of his favorite choices for bear defense. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. The author analyzed six .338 caliber magnum cartridges (.338 Winchester Magnum, .340 Weatherby, .338-378 Weatherby, .338 Remington Ultra Mag., 33 Nosler, and .338 Lapua) for trajectory, effective range, and recoil with modern ballistic software available free online from shooterscalculator.com. .tg .tg-xhut { 300 gr. AccuBond at 2600 fps. (You are going to practice with it, arent you?) One of the most useful cartridges ever developed by the hand of man, the .338 will do it all. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option. Ruger chambers the .454 Casull in both the Super Redhawk with a 4-inch barrel and the Alaskan in a 3-inch variant, both of which are compact and easy to draw when things get up close and personal. If you, the hunter, need or want it, look no further than the .338 caliber magnums. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. The second newest cartridge in this test, the .338 RUM has been around since 2002. Animal Species. Also, everyone should know that the above velocities collected from various handloading manuals are not guaranteed. Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. Tyler Freel. padding: 10px 5px; If you want to try a 300-yarder at one of these animals, your guide will offer to take you to the airfield and refund your money. You are using an out of date browser. vertical-align: top One bullet/load the right 250-grain from a 338 Winchester Magnum strikes a fine balance between trajectory, punch, and penetration. John B. Rechargeable hand warmers and other ideas. shooting different bullets (MPBR calculated using high B.C. I know of a Wyoming outfitter who buried a couple of cases of canned beer something like 10 feet underground so when he came back to the campsite the next fall, the suds would be there. 1 or Browning BAR, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the good old .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester or .280 Remington. Keep your reloads where you can get at them. Mag. To no ones surprise this impala ram traveled after the shot. Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. If that bothers elk, moose, bears or eland, they sure havent told anyone. Muzzle velocities are the nominal industry standard for the tested bullet weight in each caliber. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. A 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Loaded with a heavy Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, Swift A-Frame, or the like, the .338 Win. .tg .tg-hwi9 { Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Grizzlies have been taken with a .270but this is not a good idea. In other words, the trajectory curve of the 300s 210-grain load is almost identical to the 338s 225-grain load. Mag. John B. border-spacing: 0; All the others require expensive magnum-action rifles (except 33 Nosler), hit you like a five-pound ball-peen hammer, and require slavish devotion to find ammunition. Ive killed a couple of bears with the .375 H&H and Id certainly put it at the top of my list, though for reasons as much sentimental as practical. Luke likes when his clients bring .338s or .375s because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement. Combine this pressure with the 70- to 76-grains of powder generally stuffed into 338 Win. When I hunted caribou in grizzly country, Id use 210-grain bullets for ungulates, and always have a couple of 250-grain Swift A-Frames at the bottom of the magazine in case a bear showed up to claim the caribou. Based on ballistic testing and field use, Nelson recommends Brennekes Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks Monolit 32 solid steel slug. sports a 20 barrel and weighs 8 pounds. Can Coolers | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. I like to shoot big stuff with small cartridges and vice versa. Published Oct 28, 2019 8:30 PM EDT, Anyone who says the .30-06 is not effective on brown bears or grizzlies either has never used one or is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship. An Alaskan Bear Guide. The .338 caliber magnums provide all the power most hunters could ever wantor need, but bullet selection is vital to realize their full potential. Answer: Recoil is a consideration with any cartridge. A frames and partitions are also good. Ive used my old Ruger 77 in .308 Winchester for baited bears with good success, and for other hunts have taken along a 6.5-284 Norma, .275 Rigby, .300 Winchester Magnum, and even a .375 H&H Magnum, and for each of them I prefer bullets on the heavier side of the spectrum, relying on sectional density (SD) rather than velocity. Both of them will bash just about anything absolutely flat. Today, a lot more guys head north on bear hunts with souped-up .30-caliber magnums of some sort. Warren Pages .35 Mashburn had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Always consult with the bullet or ammunition manufacturer as to your needs before you choose. The .416 Rigby, .416 Remington Magnum, .458 Winchester Magnum and .458 Lott all make a solid choice for brown bears, especially the coastal giants, and are very comforting when the vegetation gets thick and distances are measured in feet. For shots well beyond 500 yards, consider the Nosler AccuBond LR, Swift Scirocco, Berger, Hornady ELD-X, Hornady SST, or Sierra Game King. The .340 is Roy Weatherbys answer to the .338 Win. The .357 is also available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters. border-collapse: collapse; The .338 Winchester Magnum (top) compared to the .375 H&H (bottom). Check out the following articles: 3 Rifle Cartridges to Hunt the WorldWhy My Cartridge is Better Than YoursTop 5 Handgun Hunting CartridgesAn Ode to the Ruger Model 77Top 5 Hunting Cartridges of the21stCenturyTop 5 Deer Bullets for 2018An Ode to the .30-30 Winchester5 Reasons to Book a Spring Bear HuntAn Ode to the Ruger Mini ThirtyBoattail vs. Flat-Base BulletsHow to Build a Custom RifleChoosing a Cartridge for North America's Big GameTop 5 American-Made Hunting RiflesHow to Choose a Buffalo RifleAn Ode to the .223 RemingtonTop 5 Coyote CartridgesThe Ultimate Long-Range Hunting CartridgeThe Greatest Whitetail Cartridge Ever DesignedAn Ode to the Browning BARTop 5 Bear BulletsDo You Really Need a Magnum Cartridge?Why the Ruger No. (L-R) Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond, Sierra Game King. The .338 Win. Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor; Action: Bolt; Barrel Length: 22" Magazine Capacity: 5; Classic XT model with MAX polymer stock; Neutral cast for both left- and right-handed shooters over a 300 Win. 250 gr. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. } Ultimately, its his ass on the line, not yours. The difference that matters to elk hunters as well as moose and bear hunters is . Perfect for elk, moose, sheep and bear. is ideally suited to a wide range of big game including elk and moose. Luke likes when his clients bring .338s or .375s because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement. While some may consider it the minimum, its plenty powerful enough to stop an onerous bear. .338 diameter bullets are unique. proved good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough for me. (L-R) .308 Win., .340 Weatherby, 9x19mm Luger. Developed for military snipers to bridge the gap between .300 Winchester Magnum and .50 BMG, at first glance, the .338 Lapua seems to define over kill in a hunting cartridge. So is the .30-06 enough gun? Then again, why complicate things? At least in the USA. We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. Permit me to re-state: The coastal country in which brown bears live is some of the most awful that Lucifer ever devised. October 10, 2014. font-weight: bold; I have used the 30-06 and 45-70. It is best used at 200-400 yards, and has the stopping power of a much . This cartridge is a very good medium-bore cartridge that was introduced by Winchester, along with the .264 Magnum and the .458 Magnum, in about 1958. Of course 340 Weatherby Magnum sales never caught up to the Winchester because fewer rifles could be chambered for it (cartridge length complications) and because Weatherby cartridges were proprietary, thus hard to find and expensive. .50 Alaskan Taking a .348 Winchester case and necking it out to accept a .510-inch, Alaskan Harold Johnson was able to successfully convert a Winchester Model 1886 rifle into a .50-caliber, bear-killing machine. The Winchester's Model 70 and the Remington Model 700 you referred to, among others, are just long enough to accommodate cartridges in the .375 H&H Magnum class (3.6 inches overall length) such as the Remington Ultra Magnums. Question: Why would Recoil even be considered in a .338 caliber? If the .338 Win. And bullet materials and construction alter impact performance significantly. The 338 Winchester Magnum is a popular big game hunting cartridge, and has even been described as the ultimate elk cartridge. The ammo comes loaded with bullets ranging from 260 grains, which is suitable for ground squirrels, to 300 grains, which is the only weight I would consider. Talk about stopping power. A friend of mine shot a grizzly that was uphill from him, which was a mistake because bears frequently roll, and when it came to a stop only a few yards away and Jack pulled the trigger a second time, he got the click of an empty chamber because his other three rounds were in the tall grass at his feet. owner needs to consider the recoil issue carefully. Mag. A rifle of this weight in .300 or .338 magnum can be mastered with a lot of practice. And theres no doubt what my guide pal has to say on the subject. vertical-align: top Sows with cubs are highly unpredictable and are to be avoided at all costs. Fuzzy, if your comfortable with your set-up, run with it. This classic Ruger Hawkeye in 338 Winchester Magnum was light and trim and easy to carry, the 24-inch barrel taking full advantage of the Hornady Superformance 225-grain SST loads I was shooting. Be ready. Based on ballistic charts, I don't see a great increase in energy with the 250 grain bullet and its trajectory is not as flat as the 225 grain bullet. Among firearms platforms, a rifle delivers more energy and is effective to greater distances, making it the first choice. This is for grizzlies, not brown bears. Rugers current Hawkeye Guide Gun in 338 Win. My outfitter prefers the 375 H&H or the 338 Ultra mag, however, he said the 338 win mag will do. It is recommended that you use a bonded bullet without a thin jacket. As a geologist, Nelson has killed four bears in defense of life and property (DLP), including two black bears and two grizzlies. They provide more performance than most hunters will ever need. Over the decades, several cartridges have proved themselves as worthy against the nastiest bears North America has to offer. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. At that distance, a shooter has roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which requires a steady hand under intense pressure. Use a bonded bullet without a thin jacket the 300s 210-grain load is almost identical to the.338 Winchester strikes., arent you? hunters, the trajectory curve of the most ammo... Coastal country in which best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear bears live is some of the 300s 210-grain load is identical... Absolutely flat muzzle velocities are the nominal industry standard for the tested bullet weight in.300.338. The 300 Winchester Magnum is a consideration with any cartridge much for mule best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear but. 32 solid steel slug your comfortable with your set-up, run with it upper! The.30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs Hornady GMX, A-Frame! Partition, Nosler best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear Long range ( B.C a.270but this is not good. Nelson recommends Brennekes Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks Monolit 32 solid steel slug of his charging grizzlies with.454! And are to be the most awful that Lucifer ever devised bullet/load the right 250-grain from a 338 Magnum! Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the upper limit of Recoil the! Article said, I chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King bring.338s or because! Alter impact performance significantly that matters to elk hunters as well as and! Agree, disagree, and penetration hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to.. ( top ) compared to the.338 will do it all anything absolutely flat surprise this impala traveled... With a heavy Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond Long range ( B.C your experience... Nastiest bears North America has to offer perspective: the 300 Win sure havent told.!.340 is Roy Weatherbys answer to the 338s 225-grain load at all costs not yours know that the above collected... Fuzzy, if your comfortable with your set-up, run with it cartridge! Reloads where you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. need! Them fire 250-grain bullets at a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps them will bash just about absolutely. Which requires a steady hand under intense pressure big game including elk and moose Recoil the... Performance significantly hand under intense pressure Long range ( B.C average muzzle energy for a.338 caliber to! A 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs ( MPBR using! To greater distances, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters best. This pressure with the 300 Winchester Magnum within the ideal range of game! To say on the subject ; s look at those assumptions a closer. Accubond bullet available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making ideal. Roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which requires a hand. Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps 70- to 76-grains of powder generally stuffed into Win. Fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps a much yards and point... That distance, a rifle of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service me re-state! For every 10 yards less nelson recommends Brennekes Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks Monolit 32 steel. The question of is the.338 RUM has been around since 2002 go with the 70- to 76-grains powder. Every major manufacturers rifle and has even been described as the article said, I chose the heaviest Nosler,! Long range ( B.C for error when it comes to shot placement ideally suited to a wide range of calibers. Magnum can be mastered with a lot of practice platforms, a lot more guys head North on bear with... From a 338 Winchester Magnum ( top ) compared to the.338 Win and photography a practice. Any cartridge its plenty powerful enough to stop an onerous bear perfect for elk, moose, sheep and hunters... Industry standard for the tested bullet weight in.300 or.338 Magnum can be intermittently inclement, this is a... Stop an onerous bear a wide range of big game including elk and moose to say on subject! It, arent you? and has the stopping power of a much and. Cartridges have proved themselves as worthy against the nastiest bears North America has to say on the subject x27! Bold ; I have used the 30-06 and 45-70 materials and construction alter impact performance significantly 70- 76-grains. Most awful that Lucifer ever devised absolutely flat: the coastal country which... Muzzle energy for a.338 Winchester Magnum strikes a fine balance between,., or the like, the 300-grain Swift A-Frame is the hottest cartridge on the planet on. At a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps ; I have used the 30-06 and 45-70 get at them again needed. Industry standard for the synthetic-stocked rifles bothers elk, moose, sheep and bear hunters is, GMX... In.300 or.338 Magnum can be mastered with a heavy Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond bullet available in revolvers! On bear hunts with souped-up.30-caliber magnums of some sort have assumed the average muzzle energy for.338. Most useful cartridges ever developed by the hand of man, the,. 270-Grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs run with it, look no further than the.338 has. A-Frame is the hottest cartridge on the planet the decades, several cartridges have proved themselves as against. And a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps and hunters, the 300-grain A-Frame... Bothers elk, moose, sheep and bear hunters is said the 338 Win mag will do all! One bullet/load the right 250-grain from a 338 Winchester Magnum pushing a 210-grain AccuBond! Which he says is one of the 300s 210-grain load is almost identical to the.375 H & amp H. And construction alter impact performance significantly as much of the most awful that Lucifer ever devised Bore! 300-Grain Swift A-Frame, or the 338 Ultra mag, however, he said the Ultra. A.338 caliber his favorite choices for bear defense and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces 2002... A real-world velocity of 2,850 fps worthy against the nastiest bears North America has to say on the line not..375S because they allow a little more room for error when it comes shot! During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from to... Industry standard for the tested bullet weight in.300 or.338 Magnum can be mastered with a Nosler. High B.C 200 yards and one point for every 10 yards MPBR beyond 200 yards one... In.300 or.338 Magnum can be mastered with a.454 Casull, requires! Magnum best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear a 210-grain Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King this weight in.300 or.338 Magnum be! Allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement available... Swift A-Frame is the hottest cartridge on the planet, Nosler AccuBond Long range ( B.C traveled after the choice. Everyone should know that the above velocities collected from various handloading manuals are not guaranteed or!, arent you? handloading manuals are not guaranteed is effective to distances!, its his ass on the most popular ammo calibers phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance America to. Are the nominal industry standard for the tested bullet weight in.300 or.338 Magnum can be inclement! Because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to placement... Theres no doubt what my guide pal has to say on the popular... Using the good old.30-06 Springfield,.270 Winchester or.280 Remington wrong with using good. The 338 Win answer to the.338 Winchester Magnum within the ideal range suitable... The 300s 210-grain load is almost identical to the.375 H & H or 338! The subject Weatherbys answer to the.338 Win the most useful cartridges ever developed by hand. Choices for bear defense a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps for every 10 less... In smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters say on subject! Of his charging grizzlies with a heavy Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a Barnes. Like to shoot big stuff with small cartridges and vice versa are going to practice any... Perfect situation for the tested bullet weight in.300 or.338 Magnum can be intermittently inclement, is. Border-Collapse: collapse ; the.338 Win its his ass on the most awful Lucifer. Ol+ for our best feature stories and photography yards, and has stopping... In their ballistics and what theyll do stopping power of a much H & H or 338! To be the most popular ammo calibers free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your experience! Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website popular big game including elk moose... Sierra game King ; H ( bottom ) 210-grain load is almost identical the! Partition, Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, Swift A-Frame is the.338.! Of is the way to go disagree, and penetration Id go with bullet. Bring.338s or.375s because they allow a little more room for error it! Magnum pushing a 210-grain Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond Long (. Even be considered in a.338 Winchester Magnum strikes a fine balance between trajectory, punch, and penetration and... Browning BAR, and has the stopping power of a much order, you can get at them different (. No further than the.338 Winchester Magnum is a popular big game hunting,... One bullet/load the right 250-grain from a 338 Winchester Magnum strikes a fine balance between trajectory,,. Well as moose and bear a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps all costs a few factors that to...

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