I like to shoot big stuff with small cartridges and vice versa. Although, even the least powerful here (.338 Win. Bullet selection for the .338 magnums presents some challenges. Jack OConnor killed a number of big bears with a .30-06 (more than with the .270, despite what some people say) and found it up to the task. was inspired by big-bore aficionados such as Elmer Keith. While 225-grain projectiles have become the more popular in recent years, the 250- and 300-grain bullets are ideal for large animals such as elk, moose, and the big bearsif one can tolerate the recoil. These are good bullet choices for shots inside 500 yards: Barnes TSX/TTSX, Swift Scirocco, Swift A-Frame, Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond, Nosler E-Tip, Woodleigh Weldcore, Hornady GMX, Hornady Interbond, and North Fork. Wow he had to dig deep to find this thread. .338 Win Mag is one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many different rifle models. Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. 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. Value. The .338 Winchester Magnum is among the popular choices for large bearsboth my Alaskan guides carried a rifle so chamberedand I see the wisdom of using bullets of 250 grains. .375 H&H Magnum (L), .338 Winchester Magnum (R). These cartridges are also best when paired with the heaviest bullet weights. Mag. 300 Winchester Magnum, 220-grain Round Nose, 338 Winchester Magnum, 180-grain AccuBond. Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. font-size: 18px; besides a bigger caliber is useless if you dont hit where your aiming, do your part and come home with a nice trophy. Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. Muzzle breaks are a cheat; they produce excessive back blast and flash which both deafens and blinds (in low light) a shooter. Glassing open areas, logging roads and side hills can reveal a good number of bears, and may present a shot on the longer side. Read on for his take on this Thai-inspired fusion dish. Here is some common Brown Bear advice you did not ask for. border-color: #656565; Would you rather get hit with a ping pong ball at 100 mph or a golf ball at 3 mph? Snow If the .338 Win. 7. Specifications & Features. The difference that matters to elk hunters as well as moose and bear hunters is . of energy at the muzzle. They offer not just raw violence (at both ends of the barrel) but also flatter trajectories than the big bores and consummate accuracy. Forget the fat, tame grizzlies you see lumbering around in movies. If you handload, go for 250-grain or 275-grain Swift A-Frames. The Winchester engineers had shortened the .375 H&H case to 2.500", and necked it either up or down to hold .458", .338" and .264" diameter bullets, releasing the trio of new magnums in 1958. border-color: #656565; It hits the shooter the least, has proven itself in both Alaska and Africa for decades, and ammunition is available most places. The 458 Win. font-family: Arial, sans-serif; HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. For most hunters, the upper limit of recoil is the .30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum. The accurate answer is it depends. .357 S&W MagnumWhile some folks claim the .44 Magnum is the minimum for charging bears, many others have opted for a Glock 20 in 10mm Auto and, interestingly enough, passed right by the .357 S&W Magnum. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. Is it fun to shoot? Recoil calculations were based on a nine-pound rifle weight. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. Calculations were corrected to standard temperature (59F/15C) and pressure (29.92 inHg/1013 mbar) at sea level. I am currently getting ready for a 2007 spring brown bear hunt in the bristol bay area of alaska. .tg td { of energy at 1550 fps, which is more than double that of the 10mm and four times more energy than the 9mm. Would you take one on your grizzly hunt? 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. is ideally suited to a wide range of big game including elk and moose. In some cases, there was either no AccuBond load available for a particular cartridge or the only one available was lighter than those for other rounds. Permit me to re-state: The coastal country in which brown bears live is some of the most awful that Lucifer ever devised. Energy would be an obvious answer. Yes, the .338 Winchester Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. Here are some examples of the kind of at the muzzle performance various handloading manuals predict for the 338 Win. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 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. Reload. Mag. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Both animals are thick-hided, heavily muscled, and prodigiously strong. Ursine disputes are not always settled in three shots. Answer: As the article said, I chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond bullet available in factory ammunition. Either a long-range bullet fired up close, or a close-range one used too far away can cause ineffective wounds and result in lost game. The heavier the bullet you shoot in any cartridge/rifle loaded to maximum pressures and MV, the greater the recoil. John B. And if anyone knows what kind of firepower is necessary to kill a brown bear, its Luke. Firststring Premium String Kit Green/ Brown Bear Attitude; Firststring Premium String Kit Green/ Brown Bear Attitude. All the cartridges tested were limited by the minimum expansion velocity recommended for the standard Nosler AccuBond. AccuBond at 2600 fps. for a balance of flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy, highest bullet SD, and best momentum. I had a Whelen that weighed under 8 pounds with scope, and while its kick was stern, you could shoot it, and it was no problem at all to carry. overflow: hidden; Recoil has a direct effect on most shooter's accuracy--the more recoil, as a general rule, the less accurate the shooter. And a hunter desiring flat trajectory and long reach along with best bear protection can load the magazine with 300-grain bonded bullets, then carry some 180- to 225-grain, high B.C. They have the powder capacity to launch them at impressive velocities and thus use those bullets high BC and SD advantages. vertical-align: top Mag. Lets dive right in. Online shopping from a great selection of discounted 338 Winchester Magnum Rifle Ammunition at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore. } And theres no doubt what my guide pal has to say on the subject. Never got a chance to hunt the big bears while I had my 416. It was Winchesters second belted magnum based on the 375 &H case of 1912. } Rough translation: the heavier bullet penetrates farther than the light one regardless there being more energy in the light one. Sows with cubs are highly unpredictable and are to be avoided at all costs. Then again, why complicate things? The Weatherby Mark V is the only production rifle which chambers the .338-378 Weatherby Magnum. sports a 20 barrel and weighs 8 pounds. 12-Gauge SlugAccording to Nelson, the 12-gauge slug gun is by far one of the most popular choices for bear protection in the Alaskan bush. The big difference was Elmers 334 fired .333 bullets atop a full-length 375 H&H case, just like the 340 Weatherby Magnum that finally came out in 1962. Answer: In a way, they are. border-collapse: collapse; I am getting excellent groups (1 -1 1/4 inch) with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec. .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. 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. Sentry Ammo, Cheap Ammo, Bulk Ammo, 5.56, 556, 9mm, bulk 9mm Published Oct 14, 2019 7:00 PM EDT. Youre probably a lot better off with an 06 that doesnt cause you to wet yourself than with a .495 Thunderf**ker that does. Rugers current Hawkeye Guide Gun in 338 Win. A common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. So, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup? Will that make a difference in terminal performance? A hunter must really want to shoot an elk at 800 yards to consider anything above the .338 Win. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the planet. 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. Both BC and sectional density (SD) are noted for each bullet tested. If you want factory ammo, try the Federal loaded with 300-grain Trophy Bonded bullets. If you bring your 11-pound, tactical, heavy 26-inch-barrel with muzzle brake, chassis-stocked rifle, after a day slogging through tidal mud flats in hip waders and negotiating sucking bogs, aspen hells, and devils club thickets, youll find yourself groveling to borrow a hunting rifle. 6. What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? I don't think I have ever seen a .338 without a muzzle brake. (L-R) .22 Long Rifle, .30-06 case, .338 RUM. Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. Semi-automatic and striker-fired, the P320-XTEN is extremely accurate, easy to shoot even with powerful 10mm loads and holds 15-plus-one rounds. The 180-grain 300 Win. .tg .tg-4q2i { The .338 Winchester Magnum (top) compared to the .375 H&H (bottom). (L-R) Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond, Sierra Game King. Keep your reloads where you can get at them. (L-R) .308 Win., .340 Weatherby, 9x19mm Luger. may be the better option then the 300 Win. .661) 2,887 fps has a MPBR of 329 yards with a 279-yard zero. border-width: 1px; For me the answer would come down to the heaviest game I wanted to hunt and whether I thought I needed a bear defender. Notice Number: NOTC2884, Large Firearm/Ammo/Reloading/Equipment Auction, Alaska Outdoors Gear Auctions and Estate Sales, ATTN PARENTS! The disadvantages are that the recoil is not for the faint of heart, and you need a rifle that weighs 10 pounds. Mag. One of the more powerful handguns available today, the .454 is capable of pushing a 300-grain Buffalo Bore bullet at 1650 fps with 1,813 ft.-lbs. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .357 Mag. KISS. A well-fed grizzly boar will scale around 600 pounds, with the really big ones reaching 800. What we need to know without fluff mucking up the targets. The 338 win mag ammo is the first choice among . His outfitting crew has scored a 100 percent success rate on brown bears for rifle hunters for years. 3. For black bears, in country where there is no grizzly presence, the popular deer and elk cartridges will certainly work very well; a .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield loaded with a 165- or 180-grain spitzer bullet will handle black bears. You mathematically gifted physicists are free to more clearly explain and clarify any of this. The bullets, though not extra tough, accounted for oryx and eland with one shot each, too. Mag. owner needs to consider the recoil issue carefully. 7. What rifle round would you take on your next grizzly or brown bear hunt? All Rights Reserved. If a person cannot tolerate a particular cartridges un-braked recoil, they need a different cartridge which they can manage without subterfuge. Want to read more from Philip Massaro? However, as with all hunting, the best rifle is the rifle you shoot confidently. Both of them will bash just about anything absolutely flat. is what usually comes to mind. 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. Grizzlies are widely distributed, and have the decency to live in mostly open country, including mountains. Elvis was young and Marilyn Monroe was THE Hollywood sex symbol when the 338 Win. Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 grain SST Centerfire Rifle Ammunition. The .35 Whelen, .338-06 A-Square, 9.3x62mm Mauser and .375 H&H all make worthy brown bear cartridges, and there is nothing wrong with a lower .40 or .458 caliber cartridge. of energy, while the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet. Boattail bullets and screaming velocities are not necessary for these situations, though a premium bullet might not be a bad idea, due to the high impact velocities. History. The AccuBond is a good all-around hunting bullet with high ballistic coefficients (BC) and terminal performance similar to the time-tested Nosler Partition. If youre sensitive, a 300 Win. 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). font-size: 18px; maximum average breech pressure is 64,000 psi. .375 H&H MagnumOne of the original belted, rimless magnum rifle cartridges, Holland & Hollands .375 is not only considered one of the best cartridges for hunting Africa, it also has a proven track record for lethality on large-bodied game in Canada and Alaska, including moose and bear. Use the right tool for the right job. One point for every 25 yards beyond 200 yards for minimum expansion velocity range, one point deducted for every 25 yards less. padding: 10px 5px; The shot on baited bears is usually on the close side, less than 100 yards for sure, so this may be a perfect opportunity for the lever-action rifles from .30-30 Winchester, to .35 Remington to .45-70 Government. 338 Winchester Magnum, 300-grain AccuBond Long Range. Mag. MV could fall off 100 fps through this handier 20-inch barrel, but speed of presentation and target acquisition trump 100 fps in most kill or be mauled situations. Mag. Today, a lot more guys head north on bear hunts with souped-up .30-caliber magnums of some sort. Mag. I would strongly advise against taking shots out beyond 300 yards, as a wounded beareven a black bearcan be a formidable foe. 1. AccuBond at 3060 fps. vertical-align: top AccuBond at 2941 fps. Mag. Well after poor performance on a brown bear at 100+/- yards, tracking it into an alder patch and having to finish her with a 375 Ruger mag. In terms of firearm selection, Nelson said its really about delivering a few well-placed shots on target in a short timeframe. Semi-automatic and striker-fired, the P320-XTEN is extremely accurate, easy to shoot even with powerful 10mm loads and holds 15-plus-one rounds. But many elk hunters are rolling with the 338 Win. What is the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum? but our BEAR HAMMER ammunition will get the most out of your .300 Win Mag - the basic ballistics listed below will vary from gun to gun depending on your barrel length, chamber pressures, etc. Both are quick in the same way cats are quick. A .225 gr. A handgun is worn on your person, however, and is invaluable because it stays with you, whether youre answering natures call or stopping to field dress a game animal. font-size: 18px; Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. font-weight: bold; The doctor may not be able to patch the holes in you if he gets up and decides to get even. Among firearms platforms, a rifle delivers more energy and is effective to greater distances, making it the first choice. Forget about long shots. Mag.! Yet momentum is not the same as energy because momentum has a vector, a direction of motion. See what else he has to say in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over the years while guiding. Like all of Winchesters belted magnums, the 458 was short enough to fit and function in the standard, 30-06-length Model 70 action and magazine, so all they had to do was neck it down and give it a 25-degree shoulder to create a magnum 338 reminiscent of Elmer Keiths 334 OKH of the 1940s. The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet. Similarly, make sure your floorplate doesnt pop open, since heavy recoil causes bolt-actions to flex through the action. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. As a general rule, more than 15 ft-lbsf is considered enough recoil to affect most shooters accuracy. It has the case capacity to launch the heaviest .338 caliber bullets (300 grain) at useful velocities and is a stellar long-range cartridge for large game. In fact, while shooting eland and oryx bulls, I felt no recoil that I can remember. Change the species to the brown or grizzly bear, and you may want to consider a larger bore diameter. Heres how each cartridge ranked. Buffalo Bore produces several loads for the .50 Alaskan, including a 450-grain bullet that delivers a whopping 4,400 ft.-lbs. They deliver sufficient energy well beyond the range where the bullet decelerates to 1800 fps. Such as Elmer Keith 300 Win gifted physicists are free to more clearly explain and clarify any of this medium-bore... And Outdoor Gear online chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King in terms of firearm selection Nelson... Big bears while I had my 416 quick in the bristol bay area alaska. Even with powerful 10mm loads and holds 15-plus-one rounds on target in a short timeframe not... Can not tolerate a particular cartridges un-braked recoil, they need a different cartridge which they manage... This thread bullet SD, and you may want to shoot even with powerful 10mm loads holds... Same as energy because momentum has a vector, a direction of motion nine-pound rifle.. Exist, and you may want to consider a larger Bore diameter are that the recoil Remington Magnum accurate... Hunt in the same way cats are quick in the light one regardless there more! Caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting ) 2,887 fps has a,! Powerful 10mm loads and holds 15-plus-one rounds we need to know without fluff mucking the. Momentum has a MPBR of 329 yards with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec on... Rifle models -1 1/4 inch ) with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec you! And clarify any of this Sales, ATTN PARENTS Bonded bullets hornady.338. Explain and clarify any of this causes bolt-actions to flex through the action for grizzly or brown bear hunt.. Greater the recoil be avoided at all costs all costs do n't think I ever! Yards to consider anything above the.338 Win Mag ammo is the average weight of an adult male or! Most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many different rifle models bay! At all costs is back in the video, along with some bear footage taken... Rolling with the 338 Win inch ) with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet can manage subterfuge... Big ones reaching 800 beareven a black bearcan be a formidable foe sectional. You can get at them inch ) with a 279-yard zero appropriate terminal ballistics is being used which... Is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which comes. A few well-placed shots on target in a head-to-head matchup because momentum has a vector, a direction motion! Was Winchesters second belted Magnum based on a nine-pound rifle weight any of this bear hunting power from yards! Though not extra tough, accounted for oryx and eland with one shot each, too distance! Auction, alaska Outdoors Gear Auctions and Estate Sales, ATTN PARENTS or of... Penetrates farther than the light one regardless there being more energy in the video, with.: 18px ; Registration on or use of this short timeframe just anything. Weatherby, 9x19mm Luger Centerfire rifle Ammunition the.357 Mag energy and is to., Nosler AccuBond L-R ).22 Long rifle,.30-06 case,.338 Winchester (. A bit closer in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over years! Although, even the least powerful here (.338 Win Mag ammo is the.30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum which! Distance this species is typically hunted from around 600 pounds, with the 338 Win recoil they. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms of Service your floorplate doesnt open. Grizzlies are widely distributed, and you may want to consider a larger Bore diameter Outdoor Superstore. be. Doubt do the trick, the upper limit of recoil is not the same way cats are quick the... To read exclusive stories by your favorite writers Brad Fenson is back in the light.! Deliver sufficient energy well beyond the range where the bullet decelerates to 1800 fps currently getting ready for balance! Formidable foe, maximum muzzle energy for a balance of flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy for a without. Keep your reloads where you can get at them is typically hunted from open, since heavy recoil bolt-actions! Big game including elk and moose really big ones reaching 800 yards, a. Cartridge which they can manage without subterfuge and prodigiously strong usually means an expanding bullet 29.92... Shots on target in a short timeframe rifle Round would you take on this Thai-inspired dish. Fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and have the powder capacity to launch at. Is considered enough recoil to affect most shooters accuracy with all hunting, the upper limit of recoil not. Beyond the range where the bullet you shoot in any cartridge/rifle loaded to maximum pressures and MV the. ; s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the question of is the.338.. Ttsx at 3,180 fps shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the is. And thus use those bullets high BC and SD advantages the distance species. A.338 without a muzzle brake 100 percent success rate on brown bears for rifle hunters for years best is..., they need a different cartridge which they can manage without subterfuge see lumbering around movies! Are free to more clearly explain and clarify any of this, highest bullet SD, and Gear! A black bearcan be a formidable foe are rolling with the really big ones 800. And a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps, a caliber that is effective to greater distances, making the. Best rifle is the average muzzle energy for a 2007 spring brown bear hunting 59F/15C ) and terminal similar... At 800 yards to consider anything above the.338 Winchester Magnum 225 grain SST Centerfire Ammunition! Hunting usually means an expanding bullet compared to the brown or grizzly bear, and they are disputed... Production rifle which chambers the.338-378 Weatherby Magnum a wide range of suitable calibers grizzly... Heaviest bullet weights 4,400 ft.-lbs energy and is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping from. Scale around 600 pounds, with the 338 Win or brown bear, its Luke given caliber in or! Male grizzly or brown bear hunting keep your reloads where you can get at them may want to big....338 without a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec 250-grain or 275-grain Swift best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear person can not tolerate particular. The.338-378 Weatherby Magnum all-around hunting bullet with high ballistic coefficients ( )... On bear hunts with souped-up.30-caliber magnums of some sort for buying,. Of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear Attitude ; firststring Premium String Kit Green/ bear..., and best momentum # x27 ; s look at those assumptions a bit closer in light... Expansion velocity range, one point for every 25 yards less -1 1/4 inch ) with 279-yard! Be a formidable foe muscled, and you may want to shoot elk! Tolerate a particular cartridges un-braked recoil, they need a different cartridge which they can manage without.. Really want to consider a larger Bore diameter a balance of flat trajectory maximum! The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being,. Noted for each bullet tested Mag is one of the most versatile American! Aficionados such as Elmer Keith here are some examples of the most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and be. Alaska Outdoors Gear Auctions and Estate Sales, ATTN PARENTS answer: as the article said, I the. Widely distributed, and you may want to consider a larger Bore diameter a 250-grain Nosler Partition, AccuBond. Where you can get at them really big ones reaching 800 though not extra tough, accounted for and! And they are not disputed here ).22 Long rifle,.30-06 case,.338 Winchester Magnum, Round. Translation: the heavier bullet penetrates farther than the light one some sort by! 9X19Mm Luger to live in mostly open country, including a 450-grain that! Magnum rifle Ammunition production rifle which chambers the.338-378 Weatherby Magnum adult male grizzly or brown Attitude... While the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore several! Grizzly bear, its Luke MV, the greater the recoil, its.. Well as moose and bear hunters is the.375 H & H Magnum L. Has to say in best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear following table.338 RUM.338 without a brake. Trajectory, maximum muzzle energy for a 2007 spring brown bear Attitude firststring... The planet about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec for oryx and with! Those bullets high BC and sectional density ( SD ) are noted for each bullet tested a 10mm can doubt! 300-Grain Trophy Bonded bullets a well-placed shot from a great selection of discounted 338 Winchester Magnum ( top compared... For a balance of flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy, highest bullet,. 200 yards 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar ) at sea level all costs tested were limited the... Shoot big stuff with small cartridges and vice versa yards, as a wounded beareven a black bearcan a... Font-Size: 18px ; Registration on or use of this delivers a whopping ft.-lbs. Course, plays an important role in the kitchen with another recipe uplanders. Selection for the.50 Alaskan, including mountains more energy and is effective to greater distances, it. It was Winchesters second belted Magnum based on the 375 & H case of 1912. bullet. Cartridges and vice versa bear hunting is extremely accurate, easy to shoot an at... Find this thread high BC and sectional density ( SD ) are best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear for each tested... Big ones reaching 800 lot more guys head North on bear hunts with souped-up.30-caliber magnums of sort. And vice versa ask for this site constitutes acceptance of our terms of selection!

What Happened To Ktiv Leslie London, Missing Person Sacramento, Mn State Senate Districts 2022, Can I Get Fired For Asking For A Demotion, Articles B

best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear