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185 Grain 338 win mag #5972366 10/12/15 12:15 AM
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crash700 Offline OP
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I am considering trying out the Hornady Superperformance 338 Win Mag with the 185 grain GMX bullets. My main targets will be Mule Deer and Elk. Has anyone used these or the 185 grain Barnes TSX on elk for anything in that size range, Gemsbok, Nilagai or Eland ? I know that alot of guys will say, go with at least a 225 grain bullet, but I am interested in the lighter faster bullet and it terminal effects. The limited intel that I gained from google searches is that its been a good choice out to 800 yards, which is further than I will ever shoot. My shots will be limited to 400 yards max as that it is my comfort zone.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972370 10/12/15 12:18 AM
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Without running the numbers, I have a very hard time believing that bullet will retain enough velocity to reliably expand at 800 yards. At any rate, I'm sure you'd be just fine to 400 yards

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972392 10/12/15 12:30 AM
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I'm not sure that I'd trust any mono-metal bullet to expand at velocities under 1800 fps unless I'd tested it myself. 2000 fps seems to be an even better number.

I'm not saying there isn't a general purpose mono rifle bullet that will expand at slower velocities, I'm just saying that low velocity expansion has been problematic for many, and that I'd test before using.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972433 10/12/15 12:54 AM
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You will have no problem putting an elk down at 400 yards. If I were going for nilgai or eland i would shoot a heavier bullet though..

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972487 10/12/15 01:17 AM
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why even try at 800 yards? Hunt the elk hard and get within the 400 yards and shoot him - too much room for error at 800


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972497 10/12/15 01:21 AM
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If you are that accurate and can put a bullet behind the shoulder and have the velocity to kill an elk at 800 I would say go for it.

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972526 10/12/15 01:33 AM
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Considering I shot the handful of mule deer I have with a 55 gr vmax I think you'll be aight

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5972540 10/12/15 01:37 AM
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For what you specified since you are a 400 or less shooters, it will work fine with good results.

With that said with that caliber I don't think it matters what you shoot. I'd use what ever it shoots good.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: tlk] #5972719 10/12/15 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted By: tlk
why even try at 800 yards? Hunt the elk hard and get within the 400 yards and shoot him - too much room for error at 800


People miss at 50 yards. Those that can make an 800 yard shot have no reason not to.

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: Sneaky] #5972729 10/12/15 02:59 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Originally Posted By: tlk
why even try at 800 yards? Hunt the elk hard and get within the 400 yards and shoot him - too much room for error at 800


People miss at 50 yards. Those that can make an 800 yard shot have no reason not to.



I am not in that group for dang sure. Killed two elk and it was touch and go on both. They were 211 and 263 yards respectively. I ain't going to lie, I got the shakes on both.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: A.B.] #5972743 10/12/15 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted By: A.B.
Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Originally Posted By: tlk
why even try at 800 yards? Hunt the elk hard and get within the 400 yards and shoot him - too much room for error at 800


People miss at 50 yards. Those that can make an 800 yard shot have no reason not to.



I am not in that group for dang sure. Killed two elk and it was touch and go on both. They were 211 and 263 yards respectively. I ain't going to lie, I got the shakes on both.


There's nothing easy about it. I have a ton of respect for those that can pull it off. I'm in the shaky group, myself.

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: Sneaky] #5972921 10/12/15 10:42 AM
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Almost everyone of us is a card-carrying member of the Shaky Group.

I believe the bullet you're looking for is one that's been around a long time....the 210 gr Nosler Partition. Off hand, I can recall taking a moose, a black bear, a barren ground caribou, and an Arizona elk with the bullet. It kills just as good and kicks noticeably less than the 250 gr bullets, at least in my experience.

And none of your shots will require shooting beyond 400 yards, and most will be under half that.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5973533 10/12/15 06:17 PM
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The solid copper bullets do one thing well- penetrate. You will generally get an entrance and an exit. The main problem with them is the lack of hydrostatic shock. The solid copper bullets do not have the shock of a lead bullet. The lead bullet will have more shock, and will lead to quicker kills. However, you are shooting a .338" projectile with 185 grains of mass at about 3100 fps, that will expand to 1.5 times diameter, and penetrate all the way through. A well placed shot will do the job on anything in N. America. IMO, if you shoot a 338 WM, the heavier lead bullets will perform better, compared to the solids. I have always liked heavy lead bullets for caliber. They deliver more energy on target.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: ChadTRG42] #5974022 10/12/15 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
The solid copper bullets do one thing well- penetrate. You will generally get an entrance and an exit. The main problem with them is the lack of hydrostatic shock. The solid copper bullets do not have the shock of a lead bullet. The lead bullet will have more shock, and will lead to quicker kills. However, you are shooting a .338" projectile with 185 grains of mass at about 3100 fps, that will expand to 1.5 times diameter, and penetrate all the way through. A well placed shot will do the job on anything in N. America. IMO, if you shoot a 338 WM, the heavier lead bullets will perform better, compared to the solids. I have always liked heavy lead bullets for caliber. They deliver more energy on target.



Smart man right here.

Barnes are bad arse if you subscribe to the what goes in, must come out theory. The transfer of energy is not their forte.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5974061 10/12/15 10:35 PM
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Not to belabor the point, but the rule of thumb is to aim at bone if you use copper.


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Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5976484 10/14/15 03:17 AM
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Here is a good thread from a fellow 338 Federal guy (damn few of us). He used the 160TTSX in Africa with great results. I can't see why the results wouldn't be the same or better for a 185 out of a 338 Win Mag with proper shot placement.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...rip#Post8975904



Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5976667 10/14/15 12:09 PM
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I used 210/250 Partitions in mine in AK. I now reload 200 SSTs for hogs. Both have worked great.

Re: 185 Grain 338 win mag [Re: crash700] #5976754 10/14/15 12:59 PM
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A 185 bullet going 3100 is right in line with a 300 win mag...

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