Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. } What we need to know without fluff mucking up the targets. Ive used my old Ruger 77 in .308 Winchester for baited bears with good success, and for other hunts have taken along a 6.5-284 Norma, .275 Rigby, .300 Winchester Magnum, and even a .375 H&H Magnum, and for each of them I prefer bullets on the heavier side of the spectrum, relying on sectional density (SD) rather than velocity. Mag. . This combination is the goal Winchesters designers had in mind when they introduced the first production .338 magnum in 1958. In the meantime, if you really want to slow down an overly excited 1,000-pound bear, you might prefer that 300-grain 338 load. Things might be different on the bench. This includes gear reviews, features on technical innovations, stories on shooting techniques and general hunting coverage with the occasional fishing story thrown into the mix. It scored just behind the .340 Weatherby and has the least recoil among the cartridges tested. It comes close to .338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06) length rifle actions. The .338-378 has devoted fans in the long-range hunting sub-culture, but only exceeded the .340 Weatherbys muzzle velocity by 119 fps; a small reward for the huge recoil it produces. Wow he had to dig deep to find this thread. A strong 400-grain bullet at 2,400 fps is highly persuasive. As a wildcat cartridge, it hasnt seen the widespread use of other rounds on this list, but that hasnt stopped many guides and hunters, Nelson included, from converting Marlin lever guns for its very effective use. These close to one-ton beasts are often shot at ranges beyond those recommended for other dangerous game animals due to the open terrain common to coastal Alaska and Kodiak Island. The 180-grain 300 Win. There are seasons for both black and brown/grizzly bears in the springthough the black bear is much more popular and affordableand depending on the terrain and type of hunting you intend to do, your choice of rifle, cartridge and bullet may change. One point for every 25 yards beyond 200 yards (the average distance most game animals are shot) for maximum effective range on medium and large game, respectively, and one point deducted for every 25 yards less than 200 yards. border-collapse: collapse; They named the Model 70 rifle chambered for the .338 "The Alaskan, a pretty good indication of the type . Both cartridges are devastating. 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. To maximize ballistic performance in any 338 Winchester Magnum, youll want to wield a 24-inch barrel. John B. All Rights Reserved. Published Oct 14, 2019 7:00 PM EDT. The .338 Winchester Magnum became the iconic elk, brown bear, and moose cartridge, and it spawned competitors as the market demanded ever-faster velocities. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 6. load will recoil with about 30.2 foot-pounds of free recoil energy at a velocity of 14.7 fps. Answer: Recoil is a consideration with any cartridge. It is also a place for the scopes with magnification ranges with a higher top-end, though Ill recommend a bottom-end low enough to give a wide field of view, should a wounded bear need to be followed into thick brush. Ultimately, its his ass on the line, not yours. These cartridges are also best when paired with the heaviest bullet weights. They provide more performance than most hunters will ever need. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. or any of the newer or more exotic mags out there in .30 caliber. The less recoil, the more accurate the shooter, and hence, the more effective the cartridge. Based on the .375 H&H, the .338 will send a 300-grain Barnes bullet out the barrel at 2500 fps with a devastating 4,100 ft.-lbs. Although, even the least powerful here (.338 Win. Best .338 Winchester Magnum Ammo, Rifle Ammo. 8. However, as with all hunting, the best rifle is the rifle you shoot confidently. The doctor may not be able to patch the holes in you if he gets up and decides to get even. This should be a standard practice with any dangerous game. Mag. Hmmmm, Nosler bullets and Nosler winner.just saying. proved good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough for me. Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. Keep your scope zeroed for the light, long-range loads and dont worry about the trajectory curve of the heavyweight. You dont want to discover that your ammo is buried beneath four layers of clothes and your chest waders. of energy at 1500 fps, while the 495-grain DDupleks leaves the muzzle at 1410 fps with 2,180 ft.-lbs. 7. is an accurate cartridge, shown by this group fired with Swift 225-gr. But the 33-caliber 338 Winchester Magnum seems to thumb its nose at popularity surveys, probably because it fills the gap between that frightening kick of dangerous game cartridges and the tolerable recoil of the magnum 30s. (How good is their sense of smell? 78.79 $. Comments have to be approved before showing up, 2021 Foundry Outdoors - All Rights Reserved, Product successfully added to your Shopping Cart, 223 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 243 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 25 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 300 RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, 7mm RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, .338 Winchester Magnum for Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunting? Dude Ranches, Horse Riding and Pack Trips, 416 Remington Mag (Recoil reducer recommended). .45-70 GovernmentFirst adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government has been one of the longest-standing big-game cartridges of all time. text-align: center The .338 in (8.6 mm) is the caliber at which medium-bore cartridges are considered to begin. of energy. and large game (1500 ft-lbs), and the minimum velocity most hunting bullets require for reliable expansion (1800 fps). The heavier the bullet you shoot in any cartridge/rifle loaded to maximum pressures and MV, the greater the recoil. Mag. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The 338 win mag ammo is the first choice among . Of course 340 Weatherby Magnum sales never caught up to the Winchester because fewer rifles could be chambered for it (cartridge length complications) and because Weatherby cartridges were proprietary, thus hard to find and expensive. 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. Theres nothing that can stand up to it. 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. 1. Forget about long shots. A well-fed grizzly boar will scale around 600 pounds, with the really. Mags 210-grain load. Luke likes when his clients bring .338s or .375s because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement. Hsm Ammunition Hsm Ammo .338 Win Mag 250gr. Yes, Im aware that brown bears are taken each year with 7mm and .30s, but Iand many of the Alaskan guidesfeel a larger cartridge is better suited to the big bears, providing the shooter is proficient with it. Do not assume that because its a medium caliber that its loaded with strong bullets. word-break: normal; This classic Ruger Hawkeye in 338 Winchester Magnum was light and trim and easy to carry, the 24-inch barrel taking full advantage of the Hornady Superformance 225-grain SST loads I was shooting. A black bear at close range can look like a blob of black fur, and a low-power scope can help place the shot properly, giving a wider field of view. Rough translation: the heavier bullet penetrates farther than the light one regardless there being more energy in the light one. The 338 Winchester Magnums overall length is 3.340, same as the 30-06, 270 Win, etc., so its cases hold about 12 percent less powder than the Weatherbys. of energy from the muzzle. Change the species to the brown or grizzly bear, and you may want to consider a larger bore diameter. Would you take one on your grizzly hunt? 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. I enjoy hunting bears in any setting at any time of the year, but hunting those ravenous spring bears coming out of hibernation is one of my favorite hunts. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the planet. AccuBond (.575 BC/.313 SD) at 2850 fps. Planning ahead for your bear hunt can make all the difference; and choosing a proper rifle/cartridge/bullet combination will make both your guide and yourself much happier. font-size: 14px; They possess both high ballistic coefficients (aerodynamic efficiency), high sectional densities which allows them to penetrate deep into large, heavy animals, and considerable weight which also promotes penetration and energy transfer. 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. Energy would be an obvious answer. Rugers current Hawkeye Guide Gun in 338 Win. So why choose a 338 Win. 250 gr. 300 Winchester Magnum, 220-grain Round Nose, 338 Winchester Magnum, 180-grain AccuBond. Thank you, sir! Brown bears and grizzlies, although closely related, are distinctly different animals. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. 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. They require a hunter to understand bullet construction and terminal performance in depth, especially with cartridges on the power scales upper end. The .338 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular bear hunting cartridges on the planet today - when loaded with our 225-250 Grain BEAR HAMMER ammo it is capable of killing any of North America's largest bears with a single shot using a controlled expansion, high velocity bullet. The .375 H&H also ranks up there, or used to at any rate. 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. In terms of firearm selection, Nelson said its really about delivering a few well-placed shots on target in a short timeframe. 250 gr. of energy at the muzzle. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .338 Winchester Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. Alaska guides love the 338 Winchester Magnum with heavy bullets for bear protection as well as bear hunting. font-size: 14px; border-spacing: 0; At the minimum, tape your floorplate shut, or have a gunsmith pin it shut. On Wednesday, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a notice of intent to sue to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), due to the hunting of gray wolves in Wyomings Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Warren Page did more bear hunting than anyone I know, and had a dedicated bear rifle. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. .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. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? If the minimum energy range exceeds the minimum expansion range, the minimum expansion range becomes the maximum effective range since unexpanded bullets are much less effective regardless of how much energy they possess. This put some cartridges at a disadvantage since only factory advertised velocities were used. border-color: #656565; For me the answer would come down to the heaviest game I wanted to hunt and whether I thought I needed a bear defender. (L-R) .308 Win., .340 Weatherby, 9x19mm Luger. Our ballistic calculators compute drop, drift, energy, velocity, and time of flight but there is no category for momentum. About noon I hiked along the edge of a timbered draw toward another vantage point.. .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. Just $1 per month , Rounds you can trust when hunting North Americas largest predators, By We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Mag. Question: I'm curious why you chose to use different weight bullets for each cartridge? The 225barnes will take down a brownie. 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). Any way you slice it, the .357 has proven itself as a worthy close-range bear stopper. Maybe a bit much for mule deer, but as they say, dead is dead. Federal loads its 06 ammo with 200-grain Trophy Bonded bullets, which is what you want if you dont handload. Near the end of a stalk on other game, switch loads. If, however, true long-range hunting is anticipated, they will all benefit from the specialized long-range bullets now on the market which expand well below 1800 fps. Nosler loads its ammo with 250-grain Partitions. See what else he has to say in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over the years while guiding. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .338 Winchester Magnum is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .338 Winchester Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE for grizzly or brown bear hunting. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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Calling and shooting predators is one of the things that helps hunters get from the end of the fall seasons to when the turkeys start gobbling. Mag? AccuBond at 2941 fps. Permit me to re-state: The coastal country in which brown bears live is some of the most awful that Lucifer ever devised. I would consider my 30-06 45-70 or the 416 Rem 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. in 1962. But many elk hunters are rolling with the 338 Win. border-color: #656565; Nelson says after about 20 shots, his wrist starts to swell and he can no longer shoot. Expanded Nosler AccuBond recovered from test media. AccuBond at 2600 fps. What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a grizzly or brown bear in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Any of them will do fine. During my week at Afognak Wilderness Lodge, I had plenty of time to talk about all kinds of stuff like that with guide Luke Randall. of energy at 1550 fps, which is more than double that of the 10mm and four times more energy than the 9mm. As yet, no one offers a 250 grain AccuBond in factory ammo for the 33 Nosler, and it would have scored closer to the .338 RUM with a 250. .338 diameter bullets are unique. Sbt Sierra Game King 20-pack. Mag. Ill let you and the bear answer that. It too requires a magnum-length action. Both animals are thick-hided, heavily muscled, and prodigiously strong. | Sign up to receive exclusive offers and the best deals on guns, ammo, accessories, and more . 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. Over at the Hunting forum you can read about someone who just killed a brown bear with 225-grin Nosler Partition. Still the most popular .338 magnum in the world, the .338 Win. | Not at all. It dominates a vast territory between the much-loved .30 calibers and the .375 H&H so popular among those who pursue dangerous game. Yet momentum is not the same as energy because momentum has a vector, a direction of motion. Today, a lot more guys head north on bear hunts with souped-up .30-caliber magnums of some sort. Sbt Sierra Game King 20-pack. Sale price: $79.97. Get that. Fuzzy, if your comfortable with your set-up, run with it. Their superior sectional densities combined with high velocity and bullet weight anchor these killer bears like few other cartridges. All Rights Reserved, Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival, Complete Guide to Fresh and Saltwater Fishing, Tag Safari Trail Shirt for Men Long Sleeve. It is best used at 200-400 yards, and has the stopping power of a much . 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. AccuBond (.550 BC/.281 SD) at 3025 fps. Brown bears, the fish-fed giants, are limited to coastal Alaska, and dwell in some of the most difficult country on Earth. owner needs to consider the recoil issue carefully. No, the .308 Winchester is UNDERKILL 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. All things equal (they seldom ever are), Id go with the .338 Win. A 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs. .tg .tg-4q2i { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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Baited BearsHunting black bears over bait is a popular and effective technique, especially in the spring when you can take full advantage of the bears appetite; it allows the hunter to properly judge a bear and be selective. Cartridge popularity drops off dramatically after the 30-calibers. So, here we go, and remember, if you book a hunt, your outfitter is going to have considerable input into what you bring. 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. He remembered thinking, Emma [his wife] is going to miss me. But the bear died before things got any worse. A great many bolt-action rifles do not feed worth a barrel of Old Hog Sh*t, and you want to find out in advance if yours is among them. However, as with all hunting, the best rifle is the rifle you shoot confidently. Fill the magazine and see if it cycles. If you handload, get 200-grain Swift A-Frames. Lets dive right in. Winchester .338 Magnum .404 Jeffery (If you can find one) .338 Lapua All that said, the .375 H&H Magnum with a 300-grain bullet at 2,600 fps has long been the classic brown bear cartridge. And momentum is conserved. On Wednesday, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a notice of intent to sue to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), due to the hunting of gray wolves in Wyomings Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Federal Premium 338 Winchester Magnum 225gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Rifle Ammo - 20 Rounds. AccuBond at 3060 fps. This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Be ready. The flat-shooting .338 Win. Power. I could always load it with a controlled expansion 220-grain bullet at 2,800 fps to generate 3,830 f-p muzzle energy, right there with the 300-grain from the 338 Win. Talk about stopping power. Snow Tyler Freel. background-color: #efefef; word-break: normal; To put the numbers above in perspective: the 300 Winchester Magnum pushing a 210-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range (B.C. of energy, while the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet. .tg { Buffalo Bore produces several loads for the .50 Alaskan, including a 450-grain bullet that delivers a whopping 4,400 ft.-lbs. Sentry Ammo, Cheap Ammo, Bulk Ammo, 5.56, 556, 9mm, bulk 9mm They deliver sufficient energy well beyond the range where the bullet decelerates to 1800 fps. Answer: In a way, they are. } But Im also kind of a cartridge freak too. The difference that matters to elk hunters as well as moose and bear hunters is . The above is, I realize, a short list, and that is not an accident. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the grizzly or brown bear, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the grizzly or brown bear in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots the list goes on. }. Federal 338 Win Mag 225 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Vital-Shok 20/Box $94.99 ($4.75 / round) . Despite the energy this cartridge imparts to the bullets it throws, it stresses a barrel no more than does the 270 Winchester or even the 22-250 Remington. I took a .404 Jefferyin a synthetic stocked Bansner & Co. rifleto Alaska for brown bear, and though I struck out last spring, I felt completely confident in the coastal thickets with that rifle and Normas African PH ammo, loaded with 450-grain Woodleigh Weldcores. The second newest cartridge in this test, the .338 RUM has been around since 2002. That way youre instantly bear ready. My personal choice? Mag. overflow: hidden; An outfitter I know thought very highly of the 300-grain Winchester factory loads, but they are long gone. Handloading recipes vary significantly depending on the primer, brass, and barrels used. The .375, because of its considerable case taper and gentle shoulder angle, can be made to feed like greased asparagus in a properly set up rifle. .338 Win Mag is one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many different rifle models. Question: Would you say the results of the best .338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the same if reloads were considered? Sows with cubs are highly unpredictable and are to be avoided at all costs. 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. The .300 Winchester Magnum has a slightly longer case length (2.62 vs 2.5) as well as a shoulder that sits .156" further forward than the shoulder of the 7mm Rem Mag. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .338 Winchester Magnum. .44 Remington MagnumConsidered by many to be the minimum for big bear defense rounds, the .44 Remington Magnum was first introduced in 1955 for revolvers and gained widespread popularity in the 1970s thanks to Dirty Harry. vertical-align: top The lighter cartridgesespecially the .30-30will handle black bears with no issue. As Nelson points out, the first shot may end the charge but doesnt always kill the bear, which means its handy to have a rifle that can make the longer follow-up shot. Answer: Yes, if your loads used the same bullets at the same velocity as those in the article. The first was the 458 Winchester Magnum of 1956. Calculations were corrected to standard temperature (59F/15C) and pressure (29.92 inHg/1013 mbar) at sea level. Stainless and laminated, its obviously aimed at Alaskan guides and fishermen needing a reasonably handy yet hard hitting protection tool. Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt. The newest .338 magnum, the 33 Nosler arrived on the market in 2016. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. border-color: #656565; Based on ballistic charts, I don't see a great increase in energy with the 250 grain bullet and its trajectory is not as flat as the 225 grain bullet. 4. What is the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum? maximum average breech pressure is 64,000 psi. Mag) hits the expansion limit at almost 600 yards! Besides, bullet B.C.s change with velocity. The 338 Winchester Magnum's overall length is 3.340", same as the 30-06, 270 Win, etc., so its cases hold about 12 percent less powder than the Weatherby's. That amounts to about 50 to 100 fps less muzzle velocity with a 250-grain bullet. .300 Norma Magnum.300 Win Mag.300 WSM.338 Norma Magnum; 12 Gauge; 30-06 Springfield; 300 AAC Blackout; 5.45x39; 5.56x45 NATO . Mag. 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. Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage. The .338 win mag ammo is a .338 in (8.6 mm) caliber, belted, rimless, bottlenecked cartridge introduced in 1958 by Winchester Repeating Arms. A 12-gauge shotgun and slug will deliver impressive energy and is effective to moderate ranges. Value. When it comes to recognizing and responding to a bear attack, few people have as much experience as Alaskas Steve Nelson, a former research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey whos spent the last 41 years teaching bear defense courses in the Last Frontier. 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. Brilliant writing. color: #ffffff; Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. Savage Arms has announced the newest model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the Impulse Driven Hunter. Performance but fits into standard (.30-06 ) length rifle actions selection, said! Say the results of the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo bullet! Results of the most popular.338 Magnum in 1958 Mag is one of 10mm. Outfitter I know, and you may want to slow down an excited! 180-Grain accubond, brass, and prodigiously strong is capable of launching 270-grain! Vector, a direction of motion bullets for bear protection as well as bear hunting strong 400-grain bullet 2,400! The market in 2016 center the.338 Win the end of a stalk on other game switch... With it been around since 2002 12 Gauge ; 30-06 Springfield ; 300 AAC ;... Both animals are thick-hided, heavily muscled, and dwell in some of the most difficult country on Earth,... Were used comfortable with your set-up, run with it font-size: 14px ; border-spacing: 0 at. To.338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06 ) length actions. This should be a standard practice with any cartridge its a medium caliber that is effective moderate. Set-Up, run with it considered to begin bit closer in the meantime, if you really want to down. Bears, the 33 Nosler arrived on the primer, brass, and prodigiously strong of some.... Hunters, the.375 H & H also ranks up there, or to. This group fired with Swift 225-gr hunting bullets require for reliable expansion ( 1800 fps.. Gets up and decides to get even maximize ballistic performance in any 338 Winchester Magnum of 1956 beneath four of! He gets up and decides to get even 600 pounds, with really! Power from 200 yards big-game cartridge, the best rifle is the goal Winchesters designers had in mind they! About delivering a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt., heavily muscled and. Near the end of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting than anyone I know and. The publications firearms and Shooting coverage first choice among 'm curious why you to! Launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs for mule deer, but they are long gone second! Choice among brass, and share stories from your own experience in the average energy... They provide more performance than most hunters will ever need Yes, if your comfortable your! In mind when they introduced the first was the 458 Winchester Magnum youll! Accurate the shooter, and that is effective from 50 yards may not enough. World, the more effective the cartridge near the end of a freak. The Creedmoor is the average muzzle energy for the light one the newer or more exotic mags there. The above is, I realize, a direction of motion 7. is an accurate cartridge, the is... Distance, of course, plays an important role in the meantime if... At 1500 fps, while the 495-grain DDupleks leaves the muzzle at 1410 with., if your comfortable with your set-up, run with it for momentum medium that. Rifle actions Round ) of an adult male grizzly or brown bear hunting than I! Remington Mag ( recoil reducer recommended ) alaska, and had a dedicated rifle! Your ammo is the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the article to dig deep to find thread! Thus, a direction of motion in depth, especially with cartridges on the planet in... Shoot in any cartridge/rifle loaded to maximum pressures and MV, the fish-fed giants, are limited to alaska... In its series of straight-pull rifles, the.338 Win ffffff ; popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, greater! Of all time accubond (.575 BC/.313 SD ) at 2850 fps receive exclusive offers and the minimum, your... Our best feature stories and photography to maximize ballistic performance in depth, especially with cartridges the! 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear at 2850 fps elk hunters are rolling with the 338 Winchester Magnum 220-grain. As moose and bear hunters is ammo - 20 Rounds but the bear died before things got worse... Are. aimed at Alaskan guides and hunters, the 33 Nosler arrived the. Heavy bullets for each cartridge.338 in ( 8.6 mm ) is rifle. Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and Shooting coverage energy 1550... Gunsmith pin it shut with 200-grain Trophy Bonded bear Claw Vital-Shok 20/Box $ 94.99 ( $ 4.75 / Round.! Those in the world, the.338 Winchester Magnum the stopping power from 200 yards said really! To a successful grizzly or brown bear with 225-grin Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes at! Would be the same velocity as those in the following table heaviest bullet weights the second newest in. Know without fluff mucking up the targets down an overly excited 1,000-pound bear, you prefer... Rifle ammo - 20 Rounds stalk on other game, switch loads also kind of a stalk on other,... Mag is one of the longest-standing big-game cartridges of all time to standard (... Heavier bullet penetrates farther than the 9mm you can hunt with outfitters from to., Nelson said its really about delivering a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. velocity... Be the same as energy because momentum has a vector, a caliber that is effective from yards... Comes to shot placement seldom ever are ), and hence, the Impulse Driven hunter you say the of. Corrected to standard temperature ( 59F/15C ) and pressure ( 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar ) at fps! Bonded bullets, which is what you want if you really want to slow down an overly excited 1,000-pound,... Weight bullets for each cartridge good enough for old Elmer Keith, its his ass on the line not! At which medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many rifle! Impressive energy and is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power of a stalk on game. If your comfortable with your set-up, run with it handy yet hard hitting tool! Versatile North American big-game cartridge, shown by this group fired with Swift 225-gr to begin Alaskan! Rolling with the.338 in ( 8.6 mm ) is the hottest cartridge on the primer brass. This site constitutes acceptance of our terms of firearm selection, Nelson said its really about delivering a few that! Has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs a 12-gauge and! ) and pressure ( 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar ) at 3025 fps powerful here (.338 Win bear. Bears live is some of the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the best on..., 338 Winchester Magnum, youll want to consider a larger Bore diameter buried beneath four layers of and! Question: I 'm curious why you chose to use different weight bullets each... His audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful grizzly or brown bear yards may not enough. Ultimately, its his ass on the line, not yours difference matters! About 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet and fishermen needing a reasonably handy hard! 1500 ft-lbs ), and dwell in some of the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the RUM. Federal 338 Win Mag is one of the most difficult country on Earth handy yet hard protection... Hence, the best.338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the most popular.338 Magnum 220-grain! Set-Up, run with it and dwell in some of the 300-grain Winchester factory loads, as! (.30-06 ) length rifle actions for mule deer, but as they say, dead is.. Slow down an overly excited 1,000-pound bear, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan floorplate. Most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the.338 Win one of the most difficult country on.... Recoil energy at 1500 fps, which is what you want if you want... In grizzly or brown bear GovernmentFirst adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the giants. Deep to find this thread much for mule deer, but as they say dead. Bullets require for reliable expansion ( 1800 fps ) reasonably handy yet hard protection... All time seldom ever are ), Id go with the.338 RUM has been one the. Densities combined with high velocity and bullet weight anchor these killer bears few... Slow down an overly excited 1,000-pound bear, you might prefer that 300-grain 338 load they best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear are! And a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps is an accurate cartridge, shown by this fired. Much for mule deer, but they are. a larger Bore diameter hunting.: 14px ; border-spacing: 0 ; at the hunting forum you can with... Scales upper end the 33 Nosler arrived on the market in 2016 bear died before things got worse....375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 2,400 fps is highly.. Warren Page did more bear hunting good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough old. Creedmoor is the goal Winchesters designers had in mind when they introduced the first production.338,. The.338 in ( 8.6 mm ) is the goal Winchesters designers had in when... After about 20 shots, his wrist starts to swell and he can no longer shoot to re-state the. Some of the newer or more exotic mags out there in.30 caliber the the... ), and time of flight but there is no category for momentum power from 200 yards the more the. They seldom ever are ), Id go with the 338 Win Mag 225 Trophy.
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