.338 Win Mag for Moose

[bbearhntr]

I am in the early planning stages of a moose hunt and felt it was the perfect excuse to buy a new rifle.....so I did. :mrgreen:

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Stainless Sporter in .338 Win Mag! So I need some suggestions for load developement. Bullet type, weight, Powder, ect....

Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

[bbearhntr]

Sorry I meant to post this under the reloading section....ooops

 

[DrMike]

You will be pleased with anything from a 180 grain AB or 200 grain E-Tip through a 250 grain AB or PT. Were it my rifle, I'd probably focus on either the 210 grain PT or the 225 grain AB or PT. However, there is more than enough "oomph" in any of those bullets to handle a love sick moose.

 

[bbearhntr]

Thanks Mike! I suppose my decision will be determined by what components I can secure in the near future. What powders would you focus on?

 

[DrMike]

If I only had one powder for the 338 WM, it would likely be RL19. However, you will get good results with any of the medium burn powders (IMR 4831, H 4831, IMR 4350, W760, RL15, etc.).

 

[JD338]

bbearhntr

Nice rifle. Should work well on moose.
I would say a 210 gr PT with RL 19 should get get you where you want to be.

JD338

 

[gerry]

I would look at the 200 gr E Tip, 210 Partition or a premium 225 gr bullet. There are tons to choose from and a lot of good choices out there.

 

[str8meat]

73 gr. rl19 with a 210 pt, or scirroco easily hammer them

 

[akhunter]

Nice rifle. What you going with for a scope and where you going moose hunting at? For bullet choice, I'd look at the 225gr Accubonds or Partitions.

 

[SJB358]

I am really fond of RL19 for the 338, in a few 338's so far, it cannot be beat. Anything from 200 grain AB's to 275 grain Speers have all shoot really well. RL22 worked pretty well for the 275's as well and pretty decent for the 250's as well, but all in all, RL19 is king for the 338 Win Mag in my book.

Right now, I am finishing up loads for my 338 Win Mag. I went with the 210 PT and the 250 AB. Both are promising and really would be fine as is, but the tinker in me can't leave them alone.

The 210 is a very highly touted bullet around here, so I will likely hunt with it this Fall. It is very tough as well, penetrates like a heavier bullet should and 2900 or so, shouldn't be any big trick out a 338.

Good luck with the 338, it is still one of the best in my book. From deer to moose, it has alot going for it.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I am shooting the 210 PT and RL19. So far it is going great. The one shot at a deer so far lead to a dead deer in a quick hurry.

 

[dkmlever]

I have killed two moose with my 338, used factory Federal 250 gr Partition ammo and it worked great, they grouped under 1 inch and I could never find a reload that shot quite as well.

 

[Hegland]

Congrats! The 210 PT looks to be a great all-around slug; flat-shooting and penetration to spare. Anything in that RL19/4350 burn rate should work. In mine, IMR 4350 has won out so far. Good luck!

 

[bbearhntr]

Nice rifle. What you going with for a scope and where you going moose hunting at? For bullet choice, I'd look at the 225gr Accubonds or Partitions.

My rifle arrived last Friday and I am very pleased with the way it looks and feels. I am currently trying to make up my mind on what model scope to purchase. I am determined it will be a Zeiss Conquest of some flavor. Does anyone have any leads on some good deals they would like to share? :grin:

This trip is being organized by 2 of my uncles. One of them has a friend that works indirectly for an outfitter some where in Alaska. The idea was started about 6 weeks ago and if nothing concrete is developed soon I will likely pursue something on my own. I trust both of my uncles very much but "friends of friends" gives me cause for concern. There is an outfitter in Ontario that I believe has just what I am looking for but a lack of tags may present a problem for this fall. I still am crossing my fingers one way or the other.

I also found a stellar deal on SPS for Trophy Grade .338 WM rounds loaded with the 250 AB. I ordered 5 boxes and will give these a try first. Then I will have some good brass to work with as soon as I spy some 210g partions on sale.

 

[SJB358]

I am currently trying to make up my mind on what model scope to purchase. I am determined it will be a Zeiss Conquest of some flavor. Does anyone have any leads on some good deals they would like to share? :grin:

I would give Cameraland a call. They seem to be blowing out the older Conquests and there are some great deals to be had right now.

I think you'll like the 250 AB's if they shoot well for you. They have shot excellent in my 338 Win Mag.

 

[onesonek]

I'm in the 225 PT or 250 AB camp. Know each rifle has it's own likes, I'l start with the slowest powder listed in the manual, as I prefer higher load densities. Just beeter luck with that.

 

[bbearhntr]

Well I finally got my new Conquest mounted up. I ordered matte rings to replace the stainless that came with the new Ruger. The stainless rings on a matte scope just looked a little off to me. I also received my Trophy Grade Ammo from SPS so all I need now is a warm day when it isn't a blizzard outside to go shoot. I can't wait! Here is a pick of my new setup. Ruger Hawkeye Stainless Laminate .338 Win Mag topped off with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40.

 

[gerry]

Nice looking set up, should work very well.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have killed a few elk with a .338 Win Mag but no other large ruminants. I used the 210 Nosler Partition and IMR 4350 powder at around 2950 fps. This was a very accurate and appropriate load for killing elk at least. This was back before the 225 grain Partition was available. If I was hunting elk today with a .338 WM, I would use the 225 grain bullet at over 2700 fps. The 225 Partition with its higher ballistic coefficient will carry out to longer ranges better and hit harder out beyond 300 yards.

 

[DrMike]

bbearhntr,

That is a good looking setup. I do believe it will work well for you.