338 federal
- Thread starter Will
- Start date
It should be a shooter.
IIRC, Elmer was not a fan of the heavy bullets to carry through the paunch, but to travel straight after impact. He and Bob Hagel were also fans of "if you need to shoot the hip to put an Elk down in the thick stuff, Take it out". There is a lot to be said for that in the thick dark timber they hunted.
Me I went with the little brother when I found an Encore in 7mm 08 for the cost of the action this fall. I put three whitetail down with it, all does, and it does a fine job.
I am mostly shooting over fields when they come out at dark and used the Hornaday 139 gr over Varget.
IIRC, Elmer was not a fan of the heavy bullets to carry through the paunch, but to travel straight after impact. He and Bob Hagel were also fans of "if you need to shoot the hip to put an Elk down in the thick stuff, Take it out". There is a lot to be said for that in the thick dark timber they hunted.
Me I went with the little brother when I found an Encore in 7mm 08 for the cost of the action this fall. I put three whitetail down with it, all does, and it does a fine job.
I am mostly shooting over fields when they come out at dark and used the Hornaday 139 gr over Varget.
Will
Well-Known Member
From what I can read you want to shoot 180’s or 200’s to get reliable expansion.
The one problem I have found with this cartridge is bullet selection. Most are made to expand at 338 win mag velocities which are 350 plus FPS faster.
Federal 200gr fusion load is supposed to be good but federal does not offer the bullets to reloaders.
I plan to try 180gr accubonds and 185gr Barnes tsx’s. From what I can read the 210gr nosler partition also works good.
The one problem I have found with this cartridge is bullet selection. Most are made to expand at 338 win mag velocities which are 350 plus FPS faster.
Federal 200gr fusion load is supposed to be good but federal does not offer the bullets to reloaders.
I plan to try 180gr accubonds and 185gr Barnes tsx’s. From what I can read the 210gr nosler partition also works good.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Late to the party. I have a 35 Rem and a 35 Whelen in addition to a mess of 357s. In the cast world, the 35 simply reigns supreme IMO. For deer sized game, you can't beat it, and it works fine on smaller stuff too. You're going to be limited in the 33 cal just as you are in the 375, but both will work fine.
You got a decent cartridge in a good rifle, enjoy!
You got a decent cartridge in a good rifle, enjoy!