.338 Bullets Jacket Thickness Comparison

[6.5_sWv]

I recently had a JES rebore project that came back as a 338-06. Picked up a good supply of various .338 bullets. Got bored one night and decided to use my hacksaw to section some bullets. I realize these are very rough and jagged cuts, but even through the saw marks you can see the jacket thicknesses for each bullet make. I thought it would be worth posting on here to share thinking someone might be interested to see my findings.

 

[jimbires]

nice job on the bullet sectioning . thanks for posting .

a few years back I saw a 338 win mag shooting the 225 SST flatten an elk . that bullet is a tough one . I admit when I thought elk , and SST , I was skeptical .

 

[grry10]

I had read an article someplace that the 215 gr SGK had too thick a jacket to perform well in a 338-06. Looking at these cross-sections that doesn't seem to be the case. When components get more readily available I may have to test all of these in my 338-06 Ackley. What do the manufacturers suggest as to what the velocity/expansion range is for each?

 

[6.5_sWv]

I had read an article someplace that the 215 gr SGK had too thick a jacket to perform well in a 338-06. Looking at these cross-sections that doesn't seem to be the case. When components get more readily available I may have to test all of these in my 338-06 Ackley. What do the manufacturers suggest as to what the velocity/expansion range is for each?

grry,
I too had read the same comments about the 215 SGK, and even in the Sierra Manual in the bullet description sections they say it needs to be pushed at top velocities, yet they also list data for the same bullet out of the 338 Fed, yet no mention about necessary velocity for that cartridge / bullet combo. Im going to try to jug test a few of these bullets this summer providing I find a load for each one. Ill report by my findings.

In regards to what velocity is necessary for each one, I truthfully do not have any idea, nor is it listed on their respective boxes.

 

[DrMike]

The SST is a pleasant surprise. I know it works well, but seeing the evidence is most pleasant. Thank you for posting this.

 

[SJB358]

Nice work. I’ll be watching for the jug tests.

 

[RAD57]

I only have 61 of these bullets left from back in the day when Nosler sold their hunting bullets by the 100. I paid $21.49 from Pony Express in Burbank, CA when I was home on leave, probably around 1991-1992 after returning from Desert Storm. I will have to section one of them and post a picture, it is an excellent bullet and I wish they still made them.

 

[Blkram]

While my game taken with the 338-06 and the 215 gr SGK is limited to one black bear at 120 yards, and it was a complete pass through, I cannot comment on its expansion and weight retention. All I know is that the bear did not go far, and expired quickly. No complaints here with an initial velocity of 2750 fps.
With the 338 Win Mag pushing the 210 gr Partition at 2830 fps second out of Federal's older Premium ammunition, and the thicker jacket designed to handle the additional velocity of the 338 Win Mag, I do not believe that the 215 gr SGK will suffer from just 80 fps less initial velocity from the 338-06.
The 210 gr Partition has performed well, retained good weight and expanded well, on game such as black bear, moose, elk, grizzly and bison over the years, with quick, decisive kills at ranges of 5 to 270 yards.

I wouldn't hesitate to use my 338-06 with the 215 gr SGK on any of these same species. It has more than 2000 fps and over 2000 ft lbs of energy past 400 yards (412 yards and still legal for bison).
I have a recipe for the 215 gr SGK in the 338 Federal that should produce 2668 fps (still to be tested). That will retain just over 2000 fps and 1950 ft lbs of energy at 400 yards. That's legal on bison to almost 400 yards (384 yards and still legal for bison!). That's just a difference of 28 yards less range for the lower velocity of 82 fps! And still having sufficient velocity for reliable expansion.

Interesting when you crunch the numbers! Now to load and test on some bison!

 

[SJB358]

I only have 61 of these bullets left from back in the day when Nosler sold their hunting bullets by the 100. I paid $21.49 from Pony Express in Burbank, CA when I was home on leave, probably around 1991-1992 after returning from Desert Storm. I will have to section one of them and post a picture, it is an excellent bullet and I wish they still made them.

They do. They just call them the Combined Technologies. You can catch them as 2nds once in awhile. Agreed on the greatness of them.

Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip Hunting 338 Cal (338 Diameter)

Combined Technology bullets are state of the art, aerodynamically optimized hunting and varmint bullets designed to put unparalleled accuracy, flight...

www.midwayusa.com