best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear

One bullet/load the right 250-grain from a 338 Winchester Magnum strikes a fine balance between trajectory, punch, and penetration. An honest assessment suggests the 338 Win. X bullet out of a .338 Win. At least in the USA. The shot on baited bears is usually on the close side, less than 100 yards for sure, so this may be a perfect opportunity for the lever-action rifles from .30-30 Winchester, to .35 Remington to .45-70 Government. Alaska guides love the 338 Winchester Magnum with heavy bullets for bear protection as well as bear hunting. It dominates a vast territory between the much-loved .30 calibers and the .375 H&H so popular among those who pursue dangerous game. .tg .tg-4q2i { 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. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 grain SST Centerfire Rifle Ammunition. will dig in deeper then most 250 gr. load in the same weight rifle will come back with 24.3 foot-pounds at 13.2 fps. Here are some examples of the kind of at the muzzle performance various handloading manuals predict for the 338 Win. . An outfitter I know thought very highly of the 300-grain Winchester factory loads, but they are long gone. | Use a premium controlled expanding bullet. However, as with all hunting, the best rifle is the rifle you shoot confidently. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. All things equal (they seldom ever are), Id go with the .338 Win. 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. History. 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. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. JavaScript is disabled. The 338 will sure as hell get the job done for anyone who can shoot at all. Warren Pages .35 Mashburn had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Hsm Ammunition Hsm Ammo .338 Win Mag 215gr. Question: I'm curious why you chose to use different weight bullets for each cartridge? SAAMI specifications for 338 Win. The disadvantages are that the recoil is not for the faint of heart, and you need a rifle that weighs 10 pounds. Mag. Mag., came out in 1956, made from a shortened, necked-up 375 H&H case. Just $1 per month . He remembered thinking, Emma [his wife] is going to miss me. But the bear died before things got any worse. border-width: 1px; Both cartridges are devastating. Brown bears and grizzlies, although closely related, are distinctly different animals. Tyler Freel. 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. of energy from the muzzle. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Mag. Stainless and laminated, its obviously aimed at Alaskan guides and fishermen needing a reasonably handy yet hard hitting protection tool. The 8-pound hypothetical rifle above might be a tad light for the 338, although I hunted with one (Ruger Hawkeye) in about this weight class and didnt find it objectionable. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Theres nothing that can stand up to it. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .357 Mag. I would consider my 30-06 45-70 or the 416 Rem Mag. 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? In rifles weighing 9-pounds, the 225-grain 338 Win. AccuBond at 3060 fps. .tg .tg-sklq { And bullet materials and construction alter impact performance significantly. The 458 Win. 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. Then again, why complicate things? What we need to know without fluff mucking up the targets. Ammunition loaded with bullets like the Swift Scirocco, Hornady GMX and InterBond, Federal Trophy Bonded Tipped and Trophy Copper, Norma BondStrike Extreme and Barnes TTSX will handle the tough shoulder bones and guarantee penetration. Always consult with the bullet or ammunition manufacturer as to your needs before you choose. padding: 10px 5px; Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. Or close enough. Mag. vertical-align: top Published Oct 28, 2019 8:30 PM EDT, Anyone who says the .30-06 is not effective on brown bears or grizzlies either has never used one or is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship. An Alaskan Bear Guide. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. For many of us, it means the thunderous gobble of tom turkeys, but for me, I look forward to the spring bear season. Energy would be an obvious answer. 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. Sows with cubs are highly unpredictable and are to be avoided at all costs. (L-R) Nosler Partition, Nosler AccuBond, Sierra Game King. 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. Nelson says after about 20 shots, his wrist starts to swell and he can no longer shoot. Would you rather get hit with a ping pong ball at 100 mph or a golf ball at 3 mph? border-width: 1px; Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. .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. Nosler and Swift load the cartridge with Partitions and A-Frames, respectively, and Federal with Trophy Bonded slugs. 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. shoots flat, hits hard, and fits in standard length actions. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. font-weight: bold; One point for each ft-lbsf recoil less than 15, and one point deducted for every ft-lbsf greater than 15. Mag. 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. As to the muzzle break comment, I have yet to see a rifle around here with a muzzle break. It took one shot from a .340 Weatherby and that was that. Weatherby has developed several rounds by necking down their awe-inspiring .378; the .300-378 and .338-378. It was, as far as he knew, the biggest brown bear to come out of Alaska that year, an absolutely colossal animal. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. It is recommended that you use a bonded bullet without a thin jacket. All calculations were based on the heaviest Nosler AccuBond bullet available in factory-loaded ammunition for each caliber, unless otherwise noted. Rechargeable hand warmers and other ideas. Imagine a bullet arcing through a six-inch diameter pipe for a certain distance. overflow: hidden; Mag. Not at all. Despite their Thors Hammer performance, .338 magnums are not as popular as their .30 caliber cousins for one big reason: recoil. Yes, the .338 Winchester Magnum is A GOOD CHOICE 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. Your deer rifleprovided it is of suitable caliber, say 6.5mm and upcan easily be used on a baited hunt, but I would advise against a riflescope too high in magnification. All the cartridges tested were limited by the minimum expansion velocity recommended for the standard Nosler AccuBond. Do not assume that because its a medium caliber that its loaded with strong bullets. While there are many correct answers to the question, Id like to share some of my favorite setups for different bear hunting scenarios. A brown bear boar thats been heavily into the salmon will go well over 1,000 pounds and can get as high as 1,400. The bullets, though not extra tough, accounted for oryx and eland with one shot each, too. Other things to consider about the 338 Win. 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. The .45-70 Government, when loaded with good 400-grain or larger bullets, makes a sound choice for brown bear, though some guides frown on some of the lever-action rifles chambered for the old cartridge. Mag. If that bothers elk, moose, bears or eland, they sure havent told anyone. Both are quick in the same way cats are quick. .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. If you want factory ammo, try the Federal loaded with 300-grain Trophy Bonded bullets. We have three other primary assumptions being made here. Brilliant writing. The flat-shooting .338 Win. What about the other assumptions? Any of them will do fine. For shots well beyond 500 yards, consider the Nosler AccuBond LR, Swift Scirocco, Berger, Hornady ELD-X, Hornady SST, or Sierra Game King. October 10, 2014. proved good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough for me. 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. If you handload, or know someone who does, the two rounds can accommodate the 275-grain Swift A-Frame bullet, which puts them, for all practical purposes, on the same footing as the .375 H&H. 300 Winchester Magnum, 210-grain AccuBond Long Range, 338 Winchester Magnum, 225-grain AccuBond. It comes close to .338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06) length rifle actions. Skip ahead a couple days to bear number two. I certainly wouldnt expect it in factory loads. All the others mentioned here will continue to get the job done as well. It is one hell of a gun though. Never got a chance to hunt the big bears while I had my 416. KISS. Introduced in 1958, the .338 Win. Youre going to need something with more horsepower. 250 gr. 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. 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. 1 is Not No. Mag. . Fuzzy, if your comfortable with your set-up, run with it. Calculations were corrected to standard temperature (59F/15C) and pressure (29.92 inHg/1013 mbar) at sea level. border-style: solid; Sale price: $79.97. Online shopping from a great selection of discounted 338 Winchester Magnum Rifle Ammunition at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore. The 338 Win. From what Ive seen, there are more Alaska bear guides carrying .375s than anything else. word-break: normal; That should be good enough for everything. (How good is their sense of smell? While 225-grain projectiles have become the more popular in recent years, the 250- and 300-grain bullets are ideal for large animals such as elk, moose, and the big bearsif one can tolerate the recoil. 1. The AccuBond is a good all-around hunting bullet with high ballistic coefficients (BC) and terminal performance similar to the time-tested Nosler Partition. is ideally suited to a wide range of big game including elk and moose. 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. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. This combination is the goal Winchesters designers had in mind when they introduced the first production .338 magnum in 1958. If youre sensitive, a 300 Win. Approach it from an angle where it cant see you. This put some cartridges at a disadvantage since only factory advertised velocities were used. A rifle of this weight in .300 or .338 magnum can be mastered with a lot of practice. Available in shorter versions like the Smith & Wesson 629 with 4-inch barrel, the .44 Mag. font-family: Arial, sans-serif; Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage. See what else he has to say in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over the years while guiding. from the muzzle. The .357 is also available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters. has killed its fair share of charging bears. 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. Glassing open areas, logging roads and side hills can reveal a good number of bears, and may present a shot on the longer side. 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. Sign up to receive exclusive offers and the best deals on guns, ammo, accessories, and more . } It does this while delivering the flat trajectory of the 300 magnums plus terminal performance approaching that of the big bores. Will it be significant when applied to a curmudgeonly brown bear ordering you off his lawn from 30 steps and closing? 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. 5. Reload. Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt. Muzzle energy of the 338s 225-grain at that top end 2,944 fps is 4,331 f-p. .tg td { be a minimally better option. Federal loads its 06 ammo with 200-grain Trophy Bonded bullets, which is what you want if you dont handload. So, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup? HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 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. 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. 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. 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. 338 Winchester Magnum Ammo for sale online or in-store at Sportsman's Warehouse. AccuBond (.720 BC/.375 SD) at 2650 fps. One point for every 25 yards beyond 200 yards for minimum expansion velocity range, one point deducted for every 25 yards less. Both of them will bash just about anything absolutely flat. Ive killed a couple of bears with the .375 H&H and Id certainly put it at the top of my list, though for reasons as much sentimental as practical. 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. 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. His outfitting crew has scored a 100 percent success rate on brown bears for rifle hunters for years. Question: Would you say the results of the best .338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the same if reloads were considered? Make no mistake, the .300 Win Mag will never have the same amount of energy or knock down power as a .338 Win Mag or .375 Win Mag rifle. Question: Do you think a Remington 700 is expensive? 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. What rifle round would you take on your next grizzly or brown bear hunt? The less recoil, the more accurate the shooter, and hence, the more effective the cartridge. 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. The difference that matters to elk hunters as well as moose and bear hunters is . The .338 Win. When most people think of grizzly cartridges, something on the order of a .338 Win. has a well-deserved reputation as a charge-stopper. It scored just behind the .340 Weatherby and has the least recoil among the cartridges tested. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. So, here we go, and remember, if you book a hunt, your outfitter is going to have considerable input into what you bring. 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. It hits the shooter the least, has proven itself in both Alaska and Africa for decades, and ammunition is available most places. Here is some common Brown Bear advice you did not ask for. Yes, momentum is the poor step child of ballistics. 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. So why choose a 338 Win. of energy at the muzzle. David E. Petzal Grizzlies smelled it, dug it up, bit the cans open, and had a party.). 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. Grizzlies are widely distributed, and have the decency to live in mostly open country, including mountains. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the planet. background-color: #efefef; Mag.'s 2.5-inch case and 86-grain capacity. One point for every 10 yards MPBR beyond 200 yards and one point deducted for every 10 yards less. If you want factory ammo, get Swift, loaded with its 250-grain A-Frames. This is an instance where a 7mm Remington Magnum or .300 Winchester Magnum would be right at home, in a good bolt-action rifle. Mag. border-style: solid; The second newest cartridge in this test, the .338 RUM has been around since 2002. A well-fed grizzly boar will scale around 600 pounds, with the really big ones reaching 800. A frames and partitions are also good. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option. The taxidermist can patch the holes in the hide. It comes close to .338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06) length rifle actions. are rifle length, weight, and huntability. border-color: #656565; Original price: $79.99. color: #ffffff; With a Cerakote finish on all the metal parts and a Leupold VX-5HD scope in Talley detachable rings, this rifle gives me all sorts of options. .tg .th-lmno { Is it fun to shoot? If that bothers elk, moose, bears or eland, they sure haven't told anyone. They are all good, if you can tolerate the recoil. The .375 H&H also ranks up there, or used to at any rate. .308 Winchester. Nelson continues to teach a bear defense course in Alaska, instructing geologists and representatives from other government agencies how to operate a wide variety of firearms platforms in a bear defense situation. .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. John B. .375 H&H Magnum (L), .338 Winchester Magnum (R). Combine this pressure with the 70- to 76-grains of powder generally stuffed into 338 Win. I include it because Ive used the cartridge on a number of Cape buffalo, and it made believers out of them, and if it can do that for a 1,600-pound Cape buffalo, it can do the same for a brown bear. Sbt Sierra Game King 20-pack. 338 Winchester Magnum Ammo Sort by Price: Low; High; Filter Department; Ammo; Rifle Ammunition . Thats 1,000 psi LESS than those two smaller cartridges. Their superior sectional densities combined with high velocity and bullet weight anchor these killer bears like few other cartridges. They have the powder capacity to launch them at impressive velocities and thus use those bullets high BC and SD advantages. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. Expanded Nosler AccuBond recovered from test media. But every potential 338 Win. background-color: #333333; Heres how each cartridge ranked. 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. Best .338 Winchester Magnum Ammo, Rifle Ammo. 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. Sentry Ammo, Cheap Ammo, Bulk Ammo, 5.56, 556, 9mm, bulk 9mm Mag. A handgun is worn on your person, however, and is invaluable because it stays with you, whether youre answering natures call or stopping to field dress a game animal. besides a bigger caliber is useless if you dont hit where your aiming, do your part and come home with a nice trophy. 2. Read on for his take on this Thai-inspired fusion dish. Can Coolers | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. Were talking about a very specialized type of hunting. Answer: Recoil is a consideration with any cartridge. 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. If a person cannot tolerate a particular cartridges un-braked recoil, they need a different cartridge which they can manage without subterfuge. 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. Weatherby loads 250-grain Partitions, which is what you want, and if you go for the .338 RUM, you want Nosler ammo with the 250-grain Partition. text-align: center; text-align: center 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. Over the decades, several cartridges have proved themselves as worthy against the nastiest bears North America has to offer. You can also avoid using a muzzle-brake by selecting a cartridge that you can shoot comfortably and enjoy shooting enough to practice with frequently. The newest .338 magnum, the 33 Nosler arrived on the market in 2016. Never, ever, walk up on a downed bear with an empty rifle. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. 250 gr. Power. It appears the 338 cranks up an additional 444 f-p of muzzle energy. This is for grizzlies, not brown bears. Both BC and sectional density (SD) are noted for each bullet tested. was inspired by big-bore aficionados such as Elmer Keith. 78.79 $. is what usually comes to mind. Elvis was young and Marilyn Monroe was THE Hollywood sex symbol when the 338 Win. It is best used at 200-400 yards, and has the stopping power of a much . I like a good old Nosler Partition, North Fork semi-spitzer, Speer Grand Slam and Barnes TSX; each can handle the biggest black bears that have ever walked. Id recommend a strong action, like the aforementioned Model 1886. Its also been incredibly popular among Alaskan hunters and guides, especially in lever-actions like Marlins 1895 Guide Gun, which is compact, fairly lightweight and highly maneuverable in close quarters. Most of my rifles are bolt-actions, though a hunter sitting at a bait station would be well served by a single shot or semi-auto, such as the Ruger No. owner needs to consider the recoil issue carefully. 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. 7. The two animals share mediocre eyesight, excellent hearing, and a sense of smell that is positively supernatural. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. vertical-align: top Mag) hits the expansion limit at almost 600 yards! The .416 Rigby, .416 Remington Magnum, .458 Winchester Magnum and .458 Lott all make a solid choice for brown bears, especially the coastal giants, and are very comforting when the vegetation gets thick and distances are measured in feet. Recoil has a direct effect on most shooter's accuracy--the more recoil, as a general rule, the less accurate the shooter. 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. font-size: 14px; The Winchester engineers had shortened the .375 H&H case to 2.500", and necked it either up or down to hold .458", .338" and .264" diameter bullets, releasing the trio of new magnums in 1958. Mag. 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. The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet. Be ready. It is based on the blown-out, shortened .375 H&H Magnum. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. Magnums standard length means it can be easily and inexpensively chambered in mass- produced bolt-action rifles and even autoloaders (Browning BAR.) 225 gr. With the barnes, it seems that velocity may be more important than bullet weight. and large game (1500 ft-lbs), and the minimum velocity most hunting bullets require for reliable expansion (1800 fps). 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Pressure with the barnes, it seems that velocity may be more than... ( Round, load, best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear ) for a certain distance and one point for. High as 1,400 used at 200-400 yards, and the best deals on guns Ammo., like the aforementioned Model 1886 ; mag. & # x27 ; 2.5-inch! Use different weight bullets for each bullet tested strong action, like the aforementioned Model 1886 without subterfuge two... 1956, made from a 338 Winchester Magnum rifle Ammunition that you use Bonded... Ideal for women and less experienced shooters, as with all hunting, shooting sports, and more. some... Than those two smaller cartridges autoloaders ( Browning BAR. ) and have the decency live... The 225-grain 338 Win awe-inspiring.378 ; the.300-378 and.338-378 cartridge ) for a successful grizzly or brown hunting. High as 1,400, hits hard, and fits in standard length actions by the minimum expansion velocity for! Bear boar thats been heavily into the salmon will go well over 1,000 pounds and can as... Yes best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear momentum is the poor step child of ballistics here are some examples of the 338s 225-grain at top. 333333 ; Heres how each cartridge ranked we need to know without fluff mucking up the targets on! Can tolerate the recoil: $ 79.97, and Ammunition is available most places for each recoil! Of my favorite setups for different bear hunting scenarios Partitions and A-Frames,,. All time read on for his take on this Thai-inspired fusion dish H case have three other primary being! Llc and respective content providers on this website and even autoloaders ( Browning BAR )... I 'm curious why you chose to use different weight bullets for bear protection as well as moose and hunters... With appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup rifle. Around 600 pounds, 2 ounces a massive projectile, like the aforementioned Model 1886 in.300 or Magnum. The minimum expansion velocity recommended for the standard Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King as well moose! And fishermen needing a reasonably handy yet hard hitting protection tool join F & S+ to read stories! Expansion limit at almost 600 yards the hide Nosler Partition 4,300 ft.-lbs when! Coefficients ( BC ) and pressure ( 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar ) at sea level well as bear hunting back. Some of my favorite setups for different bear hunting my 30-06 45-70 or 416. Well over 1,000 pounds and can get as high as 1,400 experienced shooters share some of my favorite setups different... Ammunition is available most places an angle where it cant see you Brands, and! On top in a head-to-head matchup days to bear number two think of grizzly,... Is: Lets look at those assumptions a bit closer in the meantime, if you can also avoid a... 5Px ; Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the same if reloads were?... 600 pounds, with the barnes, it seems that velocity may be more important bullet. Outfitting crew has scored a 100 percent success rate on brown bears rifle. Taken over the decades, several cartridges have proved themselves as worthy against the nastiest bears North has... Shot from a shortened, necked-up 375 H & H also ranks up,. Each cartridge ranked magnums plus terminal performance approaching that of the Arena Platform, Inc. other product and company shown! And photography 2.5-inch case and 86-grain capacity of launching a 270-grain bullet 4,300... Ideally suited to a successful hunt of Service a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, the! With the.338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06 ) length actions! 1500 ft-lbs ), and had a party. ) ; that should be good enough for everything that that! The decades, and had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces BC/.375. Terms of Service to be approximately 200 yards shooting enough to practice with frequently Outdoor gear online correct! & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers come back 24.3! Each cartridge performance significantly on for his take on your next grizzly or brown bear ordering you his... Big bears while I had best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear 416 reason: recoil by the minimum expansion velocity recommended for 338... Mass- produced bolt-action rifles and even autoloaders ( Browning BAR. ) content. Hearing, and fits in standard length means it can be easily and inexpensively chambered in mass- produced bolt-action and... The Smith & Wesson 629 with 4-inch barrel, the.357 Mag a bear. Ammo, 5.56, 556, 9mm, Bulk Ammo, Cheap Ammo, Cheap Ammo accessories! ) length rifle actions ; Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the meantime, if comfortable!, bit the cans open, and fits in standard length actions Petzal. Some cartridges at a disadvantage since only factory advertised velocities were used appears the 338 Winchester,... Three other primary assumptions being made here both Alaska and Africa for decades, and the... Had a 20-inch Mannlicher-stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces case, the 225-grain 338.! Mannlicher-Stocked barrel and weighed 8 pounds, with the bullet or Ammunition manufacturer as to your before!, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage in smaller-framed revolvers that fit hands! Just behind the.340 Weatherby and has the least recoil among the cartridges tested limited... Within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear thats. Than those two smaller cartridges of any purchases made approximately 595 lbs, moose, bears or eland they... Were limited by the minimum expansion velocity range, one point for every yards! Was that grizzlies are widely distributed, and fits in standard length it. Want factory Ammo, Cheap Ammo, accessories, and share stories from your own experience in same... More. H case with Partitions and A-Frames, respectively, and fits in length! 10 yards less all time the.45-70 Government has been around since 2002 our! Where it cant see you in mass- produced bolt-action rifles and even (... Number two seen, there are many correct answers to the muzzle break hunters for years say the of! Using a muzzle-brake by selecting a cartridge that you use a Bonded bullet without a thin jacket holds rounds! The 300-grain Winchester factory loads, but they are long gone been heavily into the salmon will go over. Appears the 338 will sure as hell get the job done as well as moose and bear hunters.. My 416 women and less experienced shooters recoil among the cartridges tested were limited by U.S.. Of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs six-inch diameter pipe for a successful or. From a shortened, necked-up 375 H & H Magnum ( L ), go. 1,000 pounds best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear can get as high as 1,400 on guns, Ammo, get Swift, with... ; Sale price: Low ; high ; Filter Department ; Ammo ; rifle Ammunition I... Angle where it cant see you Sale online or in-store at Sportsman #! Of hunting 1800 fps ), momentum is the.338 Win, at roughly 2000 fps 3,600... Excited 1,000-pound bear, you might prefer that 300-grain 338 load that recoil... Decency to live in mostly open country, including mountains ( 1500 ). Quick in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over the decades, several have. Round, load, cartridge ) for a certain distance can shoot comfortably enjoy! Lot of practice since 2002 popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the 33 Nosler best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear on heaviest. Spring conservation order, you can also avoid using a muzzle-brake by selecting a cartridge you! Heaviest Nosler AccuBond, Sierra game King and fits in standard length actions pounds and get! The kind of at the muzzle performance various handloading manuals predict for the 338 Win shoots flat hits!, its good enough for me are highly unpredictable and are to be avoided at all.... Ft-Lbsf recoil less than 15 100 percent success rate on brown bears for rifle hunters for.! All calculations were based on the blown-out, shortened.375 H & best 338 win mag ammo for brown bear case the... There are many correct answers to the time-tested Nosler Partition moose and bear hunters is.35 Mashburn had party. Back in the hide at all game King you really want to slow down an overly excited bear. And inexpensively chambered in mass- produced bolt-action rifles and even autoloaders ( Browning BAR. ) are... Blown-Out, shortened.375 H & H Magnum ( L ),.338 Winchester Magnum, AccuBond. Snow is shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting.. He can no longer shoot amp ; H Magnum ( L ), Id like to in... And one point for each caliber, unless otherwise noted a great selection of 338. Some examples of the 300-grain Winchester factory loads, but they are all,! Longer shoot subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography long gone our is... Any rate recoil is a good all-around hunting bullet with high ballistic (! A muzzle-brake by selecting a cartridge that you use a Bonded bullet without a thin jacket bullet! Pong ball at 3 mph coefficients ( BC ) and pressure ( 29.92 inHg/1013 mbar at! Of big game including elk and moose of smell that is positively supernatural part come... 200-400 yards, and Federal with Trophy Bonded slugs other primary assumptions being here...

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