.338 Win 200 or 225gr

[Antelope_Sniper]

Take this for what it's worth (probably not much) but from this non-.338 owner (well, not yet) I would first give the Partition 210 a try. Always figured that was a fantastic choice for a deer bullet in a .338 WinMag.

They don't shoot that great, and they don't expand much on deer.
The 200gr BT/BSST performs better all the way around.
Better groups, better performance on deer, bigger holes in elk.

 

[257 Ackley]

My 338-06 loves the 210 Partition, shooting under MOA at 100 yards. I can't imagine it not working as well or better in the mag.

 

[JD338]

I forgot about your expansion tests Jim. Almost makes me want to give the 200gr AB's a try in my 338WM. I may just try the 180gr BT/AB and see what they do also. So many good bullets in the 338 caliber it is hard to argue what the best is. Scotty

Scotty,

Here are a few more bullet test...

225 gr AB

225 gr PT

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Those 225's look pretty darned good Jim! Probably about as versatile as the .30 cal 180gr bullets. So many good bullets and so little time! Scotty

 

[BK]

Take this for what it's worth (probably not much) but from this non-.338 owner (well, not yet) I would first give the Partition 210 a try. Always figured that was a fantastic choice for a deer bullet in a .338 WinMag.

They don't shoot that great, and they don't expand much on deer.
The 200gr BT/BSST performs better all the way around.
Better groups, better performance on deer, bigger holes in elk.

Interesting. They shoot like a house afire in my buddie's A-Bolt, and dumped deer like a sack of potatoes. Of course, the guy can shoot, and his .22-250 dumps deer equally as well.

 

[JD338]

I have used the 210 gr PT in my 338 RUM at a MV of 3200 fps and killed a bull elk at 350 yds through both shoulders, dropping him in his tracks. I also killed a black bear and 2 mule deer. They all dropped in their tracks and had exits the size of a golf ball. As for accuracy, my notes indicate best 4 shot group at 100 yds went .425" and best 3 shot group at 300 yds went 1.285".

The 210 gr PT is JD338 approved. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Take this for what it's worth (probably not much) but from this non-.338 owner (well, not yet) I would first give the Partition 210 a try. Always figured that was a fantastic choice for a deer bullet in a .338 WinMag.

They don't shoot that great, and they don't expand much on deer.
The 200gr BT/BSST performs better all the way around.
Better groups, better performance on deer, bigger holes in elk.

Interesting. They shoot like a house afire in my buddie's A-Bolt, and dumped deer like a sack of potatoes. Of course, the guy can shoot, and his .22-250 dumps deer equally as well.

I shot a few WT's with my 338 back in 1996 or so. Just before I joined the MC. I was shooting the Federal TBBC 225gr out of my rifle at the time. I can't remember deer running after the shot. If they did, they were spilling blood all over the ground. Granted, those are some tough bullets, but they worked fine on deer. They don't give the faster expansion, but if you can follow a bloodtrail you will find your animal. Plus, you will have two leak holes. Their probably isn't a deer walking that will capture one of those bullets from any angle. Scotty

 

[GF1]

I've had great luck with the 210 Noslers, have never recovered one from a game animal, including elk. My favorite load is 73/IMR 4350, Fed 215M primers, Win or Nosler brass. In the last 35 years, I've had six .338s (only have one now), all have shot this load well. My rifle also likes most 200 grain bullets - Accubonds, Speers, especially. For the game you mention, I'd recommend this class of bullet. If none of them shoot well, only then would I step up to more bullet weight.

In terms of recoil, not much difference between 200 and 225s. This is a great cartridge.

 

[backcountryhunter]

the 338 caliber is one of, if not the, best balance of any rifle hole size - you cannot argue with the "numbers" that come with the 225 AccuBond but the 200 AccuBond flies and kills better than the "numbers" would lead one to believe making the advice you have gotten here darn good, build loads for both and then decide - I have killed 2 elk, each at a bit beyond 500 yds with the 200 AB shot from a 25" 338 win mag barrel and they were both 1 shot kills with great performance - the only caveat I would add is if you might be headed north where the unlikely albeit possible encounter with "someone" who bites back exists, then I'd take the 225 or even a 250 all other things being equal