Handloads: A .338 Win. Mag. For Elk

by
posted on August 16, 2022
.338 Win.

Arguments never end about which cartridges are adequate for the hunting of elk. Nobody has ever said, however, that a bullet fired from a .338 Win. Mag. lacks enough power for that task. I’ve carried a Ruger M77 in .338 for years upon years hunting elk, and it has never let me down using a variety of bullet designs and weights. Further, you wouldn’t have to twist my arm too hard for me to declare that the Barnes 210-grain Triple Shock X (TSX) is one of the best.

.338 Win. specsAfter all those years of shooting, the start of the Ruger’s rifling is somewhat worn, so I have had to increase cartridge length for that gun in order for bullets to contact the rifling lands. Barnes lists an overall cartridge length of 3.320" for the TSX and suggests that finding the most accurate seating depth for individual rifles starts by seating bullets at least 0.050" short of the lands and that “… it is not uncommon to find the best accuracy with a jump of 0.020" or more.” However, a cartridge length of 3.30" is as long as will fit in the magazine of my Ruger M77. Even with its extended jump, the old Ruger still shot a respectable 1.39" average for five, three-shot groups.

Proper propellants for the Triple Shock X loaded in the .338 Win. Mag. run from Varget on the relatively fast-burning side to H4831 on the slow-burning end. IMR 4350 is a standard propellant for the .338, and 70.0 grains of it, Hybrid 100V or Reloder 17 delivered velocities within 10 f.p.s. of each other. The recipe lists Hybrid 100V, as its accuracy was a touch better than the other two, and it had a standard deviation of 22 f.p.s. over nine shots.

While the arguments regarding suitable elk cartridges will continue, using a .338 Win. Mag. with Barnes TSX is one option that won’t cause controversy.

Latest

Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator
Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator

Preview: Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator

When loading rounds tailored for a precision rifle, ensuring the bullet is loaded until it sits just off the lands is a crucial component of accuracy. Measuring this distance involves the use of a bullet comparator tool.

Mike Fuljenz Wins Highest Numismatic Honor

Prominent rare-coin and precious-metals dealer Michael Fuljenz of Beaumont, Texas, an NRA Golden Ring of Freedom member, is the 2023 recipient of the Chester L. Krause Distinguished Service Award—the highest honor bestowed by the congressionally chartered American Numismatic Ass’n, the largest organization of coin-collecting enthusiasts in the United States.

Colt's Rarest Clandestine Pistol?

According to advanced Colt collectors, only about 35 or so of the original 400 factory Colt 1911s chambered for .38 Super have surfaced in the United States postwar, with only about a dozen of those remaining in their issued condition with their original finish, and given that the war officially ended on August 14, 1945, and since the OSS was dissolved on October 1, 1945, it isn’t likely any of them were issued before the Armistice. 

New For 2023: Taurus 917C

Taurus is re-introducing a Beretta 92 clone in the form of its 917C, and this compact variant provides a "Commander-sized" option for fans of the DA/SA semi-automatic pistol.

Preview: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 17-Round Magazine

Springfield Armory’s Hellcat Pro is a slightly larger, yet still easily carried, version of its micro-compact Hellcat for personal defense, and the gun’s flush-fit magazine capacity was also increased to 15 rounds.

Gun Of The Week: Browning X-Bolt Target Max

Watch American Rifleman staff on the range this week to get a close look at an improved X-Bolt rifle from Browning. The Target Max is the latest iteration of the famed X-Bolt action, and it’s designed for long-range work, thanks to its Target Max customizable stock, adjustable trigger, bull barrel and more.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.