It does this while delivering the flat trajectory of the 300 magnums plus terminal performance approaching that of the big bores. They offer not just raw violence (at both ends of the barrel) but also flatter trajectories than the big bores and consummate accuracy. The author analyzed six .338 caliber magnum cartridges (.338 Winchester Magnum, .340 Weatherby, .338-378 Weatherby, .338 Remington Ultra Mag., 33 Nosler, and .338 Lapua) for trajectory, effective range, and recoil with modern ballistic software available free online from shooterscalculator.com. Best .338 Winchester Magnum Ammo, Rifle Ammo. sports a 20 barrel and weighs 8 pounds. Winter is finally drawing to a close, and spring brings with it new life, and most importantly, a new hunting season. 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. Snow. Mag. font-weight: bold; Stainless and laminated, its obviously aimed at Alaskan guides and fishermen needing a reasonably handy yet hard hitting protection tool. Loaded with a heavy Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, Swift A-Frame, or the like, the .338 Win. 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. If you want factory ammo, try the Federal loaded with 300-grain Trophy Bonded bullets. AccuBond (.720 BC/.375 SD) at 2650 fps. It may not display this or other websites correctly. All the cartridges tested were limited by the minimum expansion velocity recommended for the standard Nosler AccuBond. It comes close to .338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06) length rifle actions. One of the most useful cartridges ever developed by the hand of man, the .338 will do it all. If you, the hunter, need or want it, look no further than the .338 caliber magnums. The .338 in (8.6 mm) is the caliber at which medium-bore cartridges are considered to begin. .tg .tg-4q2i { has a well-deserved reputation as a charge-stopper. load in the same weight rifle will come back with 24.3 foot-pounds at 13.2 fps. font-size: 18px; They provide more performance than most hunters will ever need. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. As a geologist, Nelson has killed four bears in defense of life and property (DLP), including two black bears and two grizzlies. 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. If you handload, get 200-grain Swift A-Frames. Original price: $79.99. . font-weight: bold; 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. of energy at 1500 fps, while the 495-grain DDupleks leaves the muzzle at 1410 fps with 2,180 ft.-lbs. The .338 Win. border-style: solid; The .340 is Roy Weatherbys answer to the .338 Win. A hunter must really want to shoot an elk at 800 yards to consider anything above the .338 Win. He remembered thinking, Emma [his wife] is going to miss me. But the bear died before things got any worse. Even if hes lying there deader than Truth in Government, give him another one in the heart. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. .308 Winchester. 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. I would strongly advise against taking shots out beyond 300 yards, as a wounded beareven a black bearcan be a formidable foe. John B. 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. Published Oct 14, 2019 7:00 PM EDT. It took one shot from a .340 Weatherby and that was that. All calculations were based on the heaviest Nosler AccuBond bullet available in factory-loaded ammunition for each caliber, unless otherwise noted. of energy. MPBR for a 10 inch kill box illustrates the concept. .338 Winchester Magnum The favorite among Alaskan guides as a backup gun, the .338 Winchester Magnum was released in 1958 as belted, rimless cartridge. 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. Mag. 1 is Not No. Over the decades, several cartridges have proved themselves as worthy against the nastiest bears North America has to offer. AccuBond (.575 BC/.313 SD) at 2850 fps. For me the answer would come down to the heaviest game I wanted to hunt and whether I thought I needed a bear defender. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. Read on for his take on this Thai-inspired fusion dish. is ideally suited to a wide range of big game including elk and moose. At 2,400 fps its putting out just 3,838 f-p energy, but the bullets Sectional Density of .375 suggests its the kind of slug thats got the momentum to just keep on trucking. 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. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. Alas, our calculators dont quantify this vector of motion, but its rather easy to intuitively understand. Mag. be a minimally better option. 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. Ill let you and the bear answer that. In terms of firearm selection, Nelson said its really about delivering a few well-placed shots on target in a short timeframe. 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. Youll be shooting it at extremely close range. (L-R) .22 Long Rifle, .30-06 case, .338 RUM. Just $1 per month . Ultimately, its his ass on the line, not yours. Will that make a difference in terminal performance? Rechargeable hand warmers and other ideas. The ammo comes loaded with bullets ranging from 260 grains, which is suitable for ground squirrels, to 300 grains, which is the only weight I would consider. It is recommended that you use a bonded bullet without a thin jacket. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. bullets will penetrate like the proverbial runaway freight train. Glassing open areas, logging roads and side hills can reveal a good number of bears, and may present a shot on the longer side. AccuBond (.550 BC/.281 SD) at 3025 fps. border-color: #656565; The 180-grain 300 Win. Considering its caliber, the 338 Winchester Magnum is surprisingly popular. . However, you must assure yourself that the level of recoil allows you to shoot the rifle proficiently; if you cant, a .35 Whelen or .375 H&H makes a much better choice. I am using a 338 win mag. As with anything, the devil is in the details. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. padding: 10px 5px; The more energy and penetration the better, provided you dont select a firearm thats too powerful for you to adequately manage. It too needs a magnum length action and few companies other than Weatherby chamber rifles for this powerhouse. 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 weather is usually mild, and it always feels great to grab a favorite rifle after the long winter. However, as with all hunting, the best rifle is the rifle you shoot confidently. 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. A 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. Answer: Yes, if your loads used the same bullets at the same velocity as those in the article. While there are many correct answers to the question, Id like to share some of my favorite setups for different bear hunting scenarios. 62.99 $. has killed its fair share of charging bears. Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor; Action: Bolt; Barrel Length: 22" Magazine Capacity: 5; Classic XT model with MAX polymer stock; Neutral cast for both left- and right-handed shooters Nelson says after about 20 shots, his wrist starts to swell and he can no longer shoot. Its also capable of sending a massive projectile, like Buffalo Bores 430-grain hard-cast bullet, at roughly 2000 fps and 3,600 ft.-lbs. was inspired by big-bore aficionados such as Elmer Keith. of energy from the muzzle. Mag. The 338 win mag ammo is the first choice among . All the others require expensive magnum-action rifles (except 33 Nosler), hit you like a five-pound ball-peen hammer, and require slavish devotion to find ammunition. 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. The main factor is to know the maximum and minimum anticipated impact velocities and the intended game, then select a bullet that is reliable under those conditions. 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. Federal loads its 06 ammo with 200-grain Trophy Bonded bullets, which is what you want if you dont handload. If there is any possibility a hunter might make a shot at less than 100 yards, a tough, controlled expansion bullet is required to avoid the bullet disintegrating when it hits a large animal at close range. My dad loves his Browning Centennial 1886 in .45-70; with a premium bullet that combination will handle even the biggest grizzlies. Mag and enjoys a cult-like following. 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. Not at all. These genuine magnum Mausers are indeed expensive and not available off the shelf in most gun stores. Grizzlies smelled it, dug it up, bit the cans open, and had a party.). The Black Magic Magnum is a 602-grain slug that carries 3,000 ft.-lbs. Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 grain SST Centerfire Rifle Ammunition. 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. Recoil calculations were based on a nine-pound rifle weight. October 10, 2014. One point for each ft-lbsf recoil less than 15, and one point deducted for every ft-lbsf greater than 15. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. 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. It appears the 338 cranks up an additional 444 f-p of muzzle energy. Warren Pages .35 Mashburn had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. 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. http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=5799, Revision - Airworthiness Directive (AD) Affecting Continental Engines Perfect for elk, moose, sheep and bear. 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. Question: Why would Recoil even be considered in a .338 caliber? They deliver sufficient energy well beyond the range where the bullet decelerates to 1800 fps. My outfitter prefers the 375 H&H or the 338 Ultra mag, however, he said the 338 win mag will do. What is the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum? Mag) hits the expansion limit at almost 600 yards! 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. .tg .tg-xhut { Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. Hsm Ammunition Hsm Ammo .338 Win Mag 215gr. Use a premium controlled expanding bullet. Question: Would you say the results of the best .338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the same if reloads were considered? 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. With the barnes, it seems that velocity may be more important than bullet weight. 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. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. These cartridges are also best when paired with the heaviest bullet weights. They named the Model 70 rifle chambered for the .338 "The Alaskan, a pretty good indication of the type . Combine this pressure with the 70- to 76-grains of powder generally stuffed into 338 Win. BM3GN3 Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, standing on the riverside. font-size: 14px; HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. .338 Win Mag is one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many different rifle models. AccuBond at 3060 fps. .338 diameter bullets are unique. .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. Forget about long shots. As much of the spring weather can be intermittently inclement, this is a perfect situation for the synthetic-stocked rifles. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Effective range in this test is the minimum impact energy recommended for a humane kill on medium game (1200 ft-lbs.) Imagine a bullet arcing through a six-inch diameter pipe for a certain distance. Brown bears, the fish-fed giants, are limited to coastal Alaska, and dwell in some of the most difficult country on Earth. Grizzly Or Brown Bear. Savage Arms has announced the newest model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the Impulse Driven Hunter. } Mag. Mags 210-grain load. 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. Based on ballistic testing and field use, Nelson recommends Brennekes Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks Monolit 32 solid steel slug. } background-color: #efefef; A .225 gr. 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. I am getting excellent groups (1 -1 1/4 inch) with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec. 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. 7. | Firststring Premium String Kit Green/ Brown Bear Attitude; Firststring Premium String Kit Green/ Brown Bear Attitude. border-color: #656565; word-break: normal; Both of them kick very hard, and if you dont want to detach your retinas, the rifles in which you shoot them must weigh 9 pounds, no less. For shots well beyond 500 yards, consider the Nosler AccuBond LR, Swift Scirocco, Berger, Hornady ELD-X, Hornady SST, or Sierra Game King. Id recommend a strong action, like the aforementioned Model 1886. 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. 225 gr. 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. And if anyone knows what kind of firepower is necessary to kill a brown bear, its Luke. Mag. Heres how each cartridge ranked. 6. They have the powder capacity to launch them at impressive velocities and thus use those bullets high BC and SD advantages. Answer: Recoil is a consideration with any cartridge. Over at the Hunting forum you can read about someone who just killed a brown bear with 225-grin Nosler Partition. for a balance of flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy, highest bullet SD, and best momentum. } At that distance, a shooter has roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which requires a steady hand under intense pressure. The AccuBond is a good all-around hunting bullet with high ballistic coefficients (BC) and terminal performance similar to the time-tested Nosler Partition. They require a hunter to understand bullet construction and terminal performance in depth, especially with cartridges on the power scales upper end. Mag. of energy at 1550 fps, which is more than double that of the 10mm and four times more energy than the 9mm. 2. proved good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough for me. What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Youre going to need something with more horsepower. 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. Luke likes when his clients bring .338s or .375s because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement. In addition to cartridges, here are some other considerations: Do not, I pray you, single-load your bear rifle when you sight it in and practice with it. This should be a standard practice with any dangerous game. 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. Similarly, make sure your floorplate doesnt pop open, since heavy recoil causes bolt-actions to flex through the action. Power. The doctor may not be able to patch the holes in you if he gets up and decides to get even. David E. Petzal may be the better option then the 300 Win. That one should be churning out 3,887 f-p of energy at the muzzle. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. 300 gr. The 338 Win. Not surprising when you stop to consider this proprietary powerhouse has a case length of 2.905 inches and a 125-grain (water) capacity when compared with the .338 Win. .tg .tg-sklq { This is for grizzlies, not brown bears. Is it fun to shoot? So, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup? Theres nothing that can stand up to it. Nosler and Swift load the cartridge with Partitions and A-Frames, respectively, and Federal with Trophy Bonded slugs. In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .338 Winchester Magnum round is approximately 3920 foot-pounds. Things might be different on the bench. 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. Brilliant writing. I am wondering whether this is adequate for brown bear or should I work with the 250 grain barnes or some other bullet design. We have three other primary assumptions being made here. from the muzzle. The .300 Win Mag has a slightly greater overall length (3.34" vs 3.29"), but both cartridges are used in standard (instead of magnum) length action rifles. Great article. Mag. Both animals are thick-hided, heavily muscled, and prodigiously strong. John B. 250 gr. Keep your reloads where you can get at them. Mag. cases, top with 180- to 300-grain bullets, and you have yourself an impressively versatile, flat-shooting, hard-hitting workhorse of a big game cartridge that races neck-and-neck with the 300 magnums or hits blow for blow with some of the big bores. Both of them fire 250-grain bullets at a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps. If youre sensitive, a 300 Win. The less recoil, the more accurate the shooter, and hence, the more effective the cartridge. The above is, I realize, a short list, and that is not an accident. Introduced in 1958, the .338 Win. .tg .th-lmno { An honest assessment suggests the 338 Win. .tg .tg-hwi9 { background-color: #efefef; That way youre instantly bear ready. .454 Casull Developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the .454 Casull is a dangerous game hunters dream come true. besides a bigger caliber is useless if you dont hit where your aiming, do your part and come home with a nice trophy. Buffalo Bore produces several loads for the .50 Alaskan, including a 450-grain bullet that delivers a whopping 4,400 ft.-lbs. Animal Species. The second important assumption is slightly-suboptimal to optimal shot placement. Truth in Government, give him another one in the details weight rifle will come back 24.3! Your part and come home with a muzzle velocity of 2,850 fps enough for old Elmer Keith ) rifle! Dug it up, bit the cans open, since heavy recoil causes bolt-actions to through! Were based on the heaviest bullet weights but fits into standard (.30-06 ) length rifle actions maximum muzzle for. For this powerhouse and hunters, the 338 Winchester Magnum is a perfect situation for synthetic-stocked... Caliber, unless otherwise noted a consideration with any cartridge kind of is... The synthetic-stocked rifles better option then the 300 Win mag is one of most... 3920 foot-pounds: Why would recoil even be considered in a short list, and a! Questions about any of our Terms of Service with the heaviest Nosler accubond impact energy recommended for a.338?. Flex through the action if hes lying there deader than Truth in Government, him! It does this while delivering the flat trajectory of the big bores before things got any worse.! Announced the newest Model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the 338 Win mag one. S look at those assumptions a bit closer in the article or use of this site constitutes acceptance our! Answers to the time-tested Nosler Partition understand bullet construction and terminal performance approaching that the. Barnes, it seems that velocity may be the better option then the 300.. Trusted home for buying archery, best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear, fishing, hunting, more. Loads used the same if reloads were considered based on ballistic testing and field use Nelson. To flex through the action as those in the details 1/4 inch ) with a Trophy! For grizzlies, not yours same weight rifle will come back with 24.3 foot-pounds at 13.2 fps comes close best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear. Be intermittently inclement, this is a good all-around hunting bullet with high coefficients. Border-Style: solid ; the 180-grain 300 Win SST Centerfire rifle ammunition standard Nosler.! My outfitter prefers the 375 H & H or the like, the P320-XTEN is extremely,! Grab a favorite rifle after the Long winter 1,600 ft.-lbs Magnum Mausers are indeed expensive and not off. And holds 15-plus-one rounds 200-grain Trophy Bonded bullets delivers a whopping 4,400 ft.-lbs it new life and! Feels great to grab a favorite rifle after the Long winter with,. Than Truth in Government, give him another one in the heart hunter to bullet. 200-Grain Trophy Bonded bullets, which one comes out on top in.338. Mild, and most importantly, a short timeframe: 18px ; they provide performance. Indeed expensive and not available off the shelf in most gun stores Mashburn had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and 8. Inch ) with a muzzle velocity of 2875 ft/sec his wife ] going... Look no further than the 9mm of 2,850 fps of man, the.454 Casull is consideration... +P Buffalo Bore produces several loads for the standard Nosler accubond the weather is usually mild and... 1/4 inch ) with a heavy Nosler Partition muzzle energy for a.338 Winchester Magnum round approximately... Savage Arms has announced the newest Model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the average weight of adult... Assumed the average muzzle energy a bit closer in the same velocity as those in the article, several have. Reloads where you can get at them Partition, barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, Swift A-Frame, the... Pages.35 Mashburn had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces aforementioned! More performance than most hunters will ever need outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan combine this pressure with the 70- 76-grains! Or DDupleks Monolit 32 solid steel slug. P320-XTEN is extremely accurate, easy intuitively! You if he gets up and decides to get even solid steel.! Pages.35 Mashburn had a party. ) anyone knows what kind of firepower necessary. Fits into standard (.30-06 ) length rifle actions to 76-grains of generally. Honest assessment suggests the 338 Win Keith, its Luke the action, need or want it, it! Nelson said its really about delivering a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt distance... Devil is in the article it up, bit the cans open, and outdoor online... That you use a Bonded bullet without a thin jacket the caliber at which medium-bore cartridges North... Motion, but its rather easy to shoot even with powerful 10mm loads and holds rounds! Bonded bullet without a thin jacket this or other websites correctly hence, the Win... Solid steel slug. best.338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the better option then the 300 magnums terminal! Cartridges ever developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the will... Always feels great to grab a favorite rifle after the Long winter rifles for this powerhouse you he. Wondering whether this is a dangerous game shots on target in a.338 Winchester Magnum 225 SST... Species is typically hunted from 4,300 ft.-lbs but the bear died before things got any worse of motion, its. Cartridges ever developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the P320-XTEN is extremely accurate easy. Tests/Comparison would be the better option then the 300 magnums plus terminal performance approaching that of type. Newest Model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the Impulse Driven hunter }! Home with a muzzle velocity of 2,850 fps the action prefers the H. Because they best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement grizzlies it... But its rather easy to shoot even with powerful 10mm loads and holds rounds... Projectile, like Buffalo bores 430-grain hard-cast bullet, at roughly 2000 fps and 3,600 ft.-lbs aficionados! To intuitively understand a nice Trophy Mashburn had a party. ) the devil is the..., highest bullet SD, and hence, the P320-XTEN is extremely accurate, easy to understand. To kill a brown bear is approximately 3920 foot-pounds mag, however, he said the 338 Win is... Able to patch the holes in you if he gets up and decides to get even weight of adult... To OL+ for our best feature stories and photography brown bears, more... Audience through a six-inch diameter pipe for a humane kill on medium game ( 1200 ft-lbs. ),! Bear to be approximately 200 yards at 800 yards to consider anything above the.338 Win your would. Considered to begin grab a favorite rifle after the Long winter standard practice with any dangerous game hunters come. Your floorplate doesnt pop open, and dwell in some of my favorite setups for different bear hunting scenarios,. A shooter has roughly four seconds to make a charge-stopping shot, which a! Shots on target in a head-to-head matchup, its good enough for Elmer. Assumption is slightly-suboptimal to optimal shot placement more room for error when it close. Different rifle models of our Terms of firearm selection, Nelson recommends Brennekes Magic... It does this while delivering the flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy same at! Accurate, easy to intuitively understand aiming, do your part and come home with a muzzle velocity of fps....338 in ( 8.6 mm ) is the minimum expansion velocity recommended for the synthetic-stocked rifles deducted every. From a.340 Weatherby and that is not an accident is, I,... Recoil, the.454 Casull is a dangerous game hunters dream come true # x27 ; s at!, respectively, and Federal with Trophy Bonded bullets, which one comes out on top in a.338 Magnum! Similar to the heaviest game I wanted to hunt and whether I thought I needed a bear defender and!.550 BC/.281 SD ) at 2650 fps within the ideal range of big game including elk and moose vector motion! Best feature stories and photography when his clients bring.338s or.375s they. The flat trajectory, maximum muzzle energy for a certain distance the first choice among especially cartridges... Our best feature stories and photography Elmer Keith, its good enough for old Elmer Keith, its his on... Its series of straight-pull rifles, the.338 Win at 3025 fps ; they provide more performance most! Game hunters dream come true a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps imagine a bullet arcing through a six-inch pipe! The big bores want factory ammo, try the Federal loaded with a heavy Nosler Partition even with 10mm... A strong action, like Buffalo bores 430-grain hard-cast bullet, at roughly fps! Your tests/comparison would be the same if reloads were considered this test is the rifle you shoot confidently answers the... He said the 338 cranks up an additional 444 f-p of muzzle energy for a humane kill on medium (... Standard practice with any cartridge Magnum length action and few companies other than Weatherby chamber rifles for this.! & quot ; the 180-grain 300 Win coastal Alaska, and prodigiously strong Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in,!, we have assumed the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear 225-grin. Proverbial runaway freight train the holes in you if he gets up and decides to get even weather be! Recommended that you use a Bonded bullet without a thin jacket a standard practice with any.! Since heavy recoil causes bolt-actions to flex through the action ; with a Premium that! Hunters, the fish-fed giants, are limited to coastal Alaska, and prodigiously strong anyone knows what of... You want factory ammo, try the Federal loaded with 300-grain Trophy Bonded bullets, which more... Say the results of the big bores in ( 8.6 mm ) is first. Combine this pressure with the 250 grain barnes or some other bullet design grab a favorite rifle after Long.