.338 WM on Deer?
- Thread starter m1fan
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elkantler75
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thats a big deer gun but it will put them on the ground. isnt that the idea? i have never shot a big magnum but i would be willing to. i would use it for trophy deer but maybe not for anything that had quality meat. when that once in a lifetime buck steps out it is better to be safe than sorry i guess. just dont flinch before you pull the trigger.
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huntindude
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Kind of over kill, but I'd agree a heavy well costructed bullet at an impact velocity of say 2500 fps is going to give less blood shot than say a 120 gr fragile deer type bullet at an impact of 3000 fps. for all practical purposes you'll be shooting pretty much the same thing as a 300 mag with a little poorer trajectory, stick with a lighter bullet and you should be fine.
Last year, I assisted another hunter who shot a muley with a .338 WM. That deer was not recovered despite the presence of a large pool of blood. Not sure where he hit him. We were preplexed with the loss of the deer despite taking a large caliber hit. I realize it comes down to shot placement which brings a whole nother topic into play. Some guys like behind the shoulder, others the shoulder/spine shots.
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sagehnter
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BANG!
slamdunk
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I agree with huntindude!
Contrary to belief, the bigger bullet from the .33 caliber will actually cause less meat damage. The bullet is so slow and heavy, it will just punch right through, where a 7mm or .30 cal magnum with a lighter super extreme velocity bullet will cause way more meat damage.
I have a friend who uses the .338 for antelope, simply to save waste on the meat.
But i still don't understand that....this guy actually likes speed goat meat...go figure!!
Contrary to belief, the bigger bullet from the .33 caliber will actually cause less meat damage. The bullet is so slow and heavy, it will just punch right through, where a 7mm or .30 cal magnum with a lighter super extreme velocity bullet will cause way more meat damage.
I have a friend who uses the .338 for antelope, simply to save waste on the meat.
But i still don't understand that....this guy actually likes speed goat meat...go figure!!
My friend handloads a 180 or 185 grain Nosler bullet(I can't remember which it is, PM me if you need the exact load).
He shoots flatter than my Rem 7mm mag at all yardages. For example I'm 24" low @ 500 yards (with a 3.5" high @ 100 yds sight in), he's 16" low with the exact same sight in @ 100. That is flat shooting for a non ultra-mag!
I've been with him when he's shot two bucks: No excessive meat damage beyond what you'd expect from a magnum. I'm very impressed.
The Christian
He shoots flatter than my Rem 7mm mag at all yardages. For example I'm 24" low @ 500 yards (with a 3.5" high @ 100 yds sight in), he's 16" low with the exact same sight in @ 100. That is flat shooting for a non ultra-mag!
I've been with him when he's shot two bucks: No excessive meat damage beyond what you'd expect from a magnum. I'm very impressed.
The Christian
MuskegMan
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I've hunted with my .338 for blacktails in Alaska for about 20 years. You can put deer down with smaller calibers, but it's not overkill. When bruno could show up at any minute, it's the smallest bear rifle I care to carry in the coastal brush these deer habitate.
I've pretty much used 250 gr Nosler Partitions exclusively. The trick to not ruining a lot of meat is to keep the impact velocity below 2,700-2,800 fps. I'll be tempted to load the 200 gr accubond for my CO 2nd rifle hunt this fall.
One year I tried a reduced load using the .33 cal 200 gr Hornady flat point. I was shooting this at 2,200 fps. It worked quite well, but flat points don't feed too well from bolt action magazine. It was pretty much a first round in the chamber, with heavy stuff to follow. Problem was that the POI wasn't the same.
For a Lower-48'er, I see the .338 being a perfect elk/deer combo rifle. When I was hunting elk last fall is Utah (son drew a Stwd youth tag) a local asked what caliber my 14 year old was shooting. It was my .338. They guy couldn't believe it!
I've pretty much used 250 gr Nosler Partitions exclusively. The trick to not ruining a lot of meat is to keep the impact velocity below 2,700-2,800 fps. I'll be tempted to load the 200 gr accubond for my CO 2nd rifle hunt this fall.
One year I tried a reduced load using the .33 cal 200 gr Hornady flat point. I was shooting this at 2,200 fps. It worked quite well, but flat points don't feed too well from bolt action magazine. It was pretty much a first round in the chamber, with heavy stuff to follow. Problem was that the POI wasn't the same.
For a Lower-48'er, I see the .338 being a perfect elk/deer combo rifle. When I was hunting elk last fall is Utah (son drew a Stwd youth tag) a local asked what caliber my 14 year old was shooting. It was my .338. They guy couldn't believe it!
CAelknuts
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The .338 win mag is an excellent deer caliber. Yes, its larger than necessary, but shoots pretty flat at reasonable ranges, and properly hit game never goes very far when hit with a .338 bulet. I switched last year to the 225 gr. triple shock and love it. Excellent accuracy and not too much damage. I've shot game as small as 100 lb. California blacktails and as big as a Brown Bear on Kodiak with it, and found it to be excellent across the board.
Even though I own many other rifles ranging from .243 to .416, I hunt with my .338 more than the rest of them combined. I think the .338 is one of the most versatile calibers around, and if I could only hunt with one caliber, this is what it would be.
Even though I own many other rifles ranging from .243 to .416, I hunt with my .338 more than the rest of them combined. I think the .338 is one of the most versatile calibers around, and if I could only hunt with one caliber, this is what it would be.
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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All I carry is my .338 although I shoot different bullets. 200 grain Ballistic Tip on deer and antelope and 210 Barnes on elk. Would be comfortable with the Barnes on the lil critters too like a combo hunt. 78 grains RL-22 with the BT is right @ 3050 fps in my 26" barrel.
If you load, try RL-22 with your 225's too. RL-22 is really too slow burning for the lil bullets according to the manuals but its accurate as he11 in my gun with these combos.
If you load, try RL-22 with your 225's too. RL-22 is really too slow burning for the lil bullets according to the manuals but its accurate as he11 in my gun with these combos.
M
MBM
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I shot several deer with my .338 before I sold it. I used the 200 gr Nosler BT or the 210gr Nosler Partition with great results.
Mark
Mark
chipc
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Nothing wrong with a 338 for Deer. I've shot a couple of Whitetails with mine. As has been stated - avoid the major bones and you'll avoid major meat damage. You are right on in attempting to get used to your rifle before your Oryx hunt. You have some good load suggestions in the previous replies. I like my 338 better since I put a Sims pad on it. Must be a candy a*S. Good luck. C.C.
