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. is an accurate cartridge, shown by this group fired with Swift 225-gr. 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. I certainly wouldnt expect it in factory loads. If a person cannot tolerate a particular cartridges un-braked recoil, they need a different cartridge which they can manage without subterfuge. 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. text-align: left; sports a 20 barrel and weighs 8 pounds. made its debut in 1958. 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. Value. See what else he has to say in the video, along with some bear footage hes taken over the years while guiding. Luke likes when his clients bring .338s or .375s because they allow a little more room for error when it comes to shot placement. Use a premium controlled expanding bullet. It is one hell of a gun though. 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. 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. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. That amounts to about 50 to 100 fps less muzzle velocity with a 250-grain bullet. 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. border-style: solid; In fact, while shooting eland and oryx bulls, I felt no recoil that I can remember. } 250 gr. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. In other words, the trajectory curve of the 300s 210-grain load is almost identical to the 338s 225-grain load. As with anything, the devil is in the details. As to the muzzle break comment, I have yet to see a rifle around here with a muzzle break. 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. but our BEAR HAMMER ammunition will get the most out of your .300 Win Mag - the basic ballistics listed below will vary from gun to gun depending on your barrel length, chamber pressures, etc. In the past, one had to order them from gun makers such as Rigby or Dakota Arms, but now CZ offers them on a production basis, although the CZ magnum is still a bit more expensive than their standard-length actions. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 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. That way youre instantly bear ready. 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. Weatherby has developed several rounds by necking down their awe-inspiring .378; the .300-378 and .338-378. As Nelson has seen in bear defense training, many shooters have cycling issues with the 10mm due to the limp-wrist syndrome, something that isnt an issue with a revolver and is the last thing you want to happen during a bear charge. Combine this pressure with the 70- to 76-grains of powder generally stuffed into 338 Win. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. By It too requires a magnum-length action. . AccuBond (.550 BC/.281 SD) at 3025 fps. Would you take one on your grizzly hunt? Answer: As the article said, I chose the heaviest Nosler AccuBond bullet available in factory ammunition. Lets dive right in. Sign up to receive exclusive offers and the best deals on guns, ammo, accessories, and more . over a 300 Win. load in the same weight rifle will come back with 24.3 foot-pounds at 13.2 fps. 1. The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet. That is a pretty good benchmark. .375 H&H Magnum (L), .338 Winchester Magnum (R). If the .338 Win. Never, ever, shoot a large-caliber bear just once. The SD of that .308 bullet at .331 is not far behind the 300-grain .338 at SD .375. border-color: #656565; The difference that matters to elk hunters as well as moose and bear hunters is . The lighter cartridgesespecially the .30-30will handle black bears with no issue. vertical-align: top Loaded with a heavy Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, Swift A-Frame, or the like, the .338 Win. border-color: #656565; It was Winchesters second belted magnum based on the 375 &H case of 1912. Any way you slice it, the .357 has proven itself as a worthy close-range bear stopper. But many elk hunters are rolling with the 338 Win. So is the .30-06 enough gun? And momentum is conserved. In rifles weighing 9-pounds, the 225-grain 338 Win. Skip ahead a couple days to bear number two. 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. 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. All of which you hit dead on. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. So that will help you get off repeat shots quicker. Both BC and sectional density (SD) are noted for each bullet tested. From what Ive seen, there are more Alaska bear guides carrying .375s than anything else. 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. 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. The second important assumption is slightly-suboptimal to optimal shot placement. 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. 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. Thank you, sir! 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. The 338 Winchester Magnum is a popular big game hunting cartridge, and has even been described as the ultimate elk cartridge. Both of them fire 250-grain bullets at a real-world velocity of 2,850 fps. Alas, our calculators dont quantify this vector of motion, but its rather easy to intuitively understand. Mag. It is best used at 200-400 yards, and has the stopping power of a much . John B. 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. Always consult with the bullet or ammunition manufacturer as to your needs before you choose. 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. 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. (L-R) .308 Win., .340 Weatherby, 9x19mm Luger. Want to read more from Philip Massaro? With the barnes, it seems that velocity may be more important than bullet weight. padding: 10px 5px; Like the Spartans xiphos blade, the handgun is a much shorter secondary weapon intended for up-close-and-personal encounters. Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. The .338 Winchester Magnum (top) compared to the .375 H&H (bottom). Also, everyone should know that the above velocities collected from various handloading manuals are not guaranteed. 1 or Browning BAR, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the good old .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester or .280 Remington. Tyler Freel. The .338 Win. .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. .tg .tg-sklq { Hmmmm, Nosler bullets and Nosler winner.just saying. Introduced in 1958, the .338 Win. History. JavaScript is disabled. Mag. Change the species to the brown or grizzly bear, and you may want to consider a larger bore diameter. .661) 2,887 fps has a MPBR of 329 yards with a 279-yard zero. vertical-align: top It must be chambered in rifles with a magnum length action which means few rifle makers other than Remington offer a model for it. Mag. Then again, why complicate things? His outfitting crew has scored a 100 percent success rate on brown bears for rifle hunters for years. What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Snow Handloading recipes vary significantly depending on the primer, brass, and barrels used. 300 gr. 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. background-color: #efefef; 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. 1 is Not No. 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. Mag. 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. It comes close to .338 RUM performance but fits into standard (.30-06) length rifle actions. 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. He remembered thinking, Emma [his wife] is going to miss me. But the bear died before things got any worse. An increasingly larger and more aggressive grizzly population in northern Rockies elk forests suggests bear defense is a concern in places other than Alaska. Reload. The above is, I realize, a short list, and that is not an accident. 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. But every potential 338 Win. 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. Never, ever, walk up on a downed bear with an empty rifle. | proved good enough for old Elmer Keith, its good enough for me. 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. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Still the most popular .338 magnum in the world, the .338 Win. All things equal (they seldom ever are), Id go with the .338 Win. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. 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. For most hunters, the upper limit of recoil is the .30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum. is what usually comes to mind. The .338 Winchester Magnum derived much from work done by ballistics pioneer, Elmer Keith, among others. 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. Not at all. .tg .tg-xhut { Question: I'm curious why you chose to use different weight bullets for each cartridge? Forget about long shots. The more energy and penetration the better, provided you dont select a firearm thats too powerful for you to adequately manage. 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. They are all good, if you can tolerate the recoil. So, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup? Mag. Mag. They named the Model 70 rifle chambered for the .338 "The Alaskan, a pretty good indication of the type . 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. Mag and enjoys a cult-like following. A .225 gr. You are using an out of date browser. shooting different bullets (MPBR calculated using high B.C. 7. As a general rule, more than 15 ft-lbsf is considered enough recoil to affect most shooters accuracy. 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. text-align: center; Grizzlies are widely distributed, and have the decency to live in mostly open country, including mountains. These genuine magnum Mausers are indeed expensive and not available off the shelf in most gun stores. .338 Win Mag is one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges in North America and can be used with many different rifle models. Expanded Nosler AccuBond recovered from test media. 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 .458" and .264" bore diameters were certainly no strangers to the hunting and shooting community; those bore diameters date back to the . The .338 caliber magnums provide all the power most hunters could ever wantor need, but bullet selection is vital to realize their full potential. 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. October 10, 2014. Mags 210-grain load. 3. Heres how each cartridge ranked. Be ready. Caliber. For black bears, in country where there is no grizzly presence, the popular deer and elk cartridges will certainly work very well; a .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield loaded with a 165- or 180-grain spitzer bullet will handle black bears. 7. The 338 Win. To put the numbers above in perspective: the 300 Winchester Magnum pushing a 210-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range (B.C. Question: Would you say the results of the best .338 magnums of your tests/comparison would be the same if reloads were considered? If that bothers elk, moose, bears or eland, they sure haven't told anyone. 225 gr. For handloaders, the 300-grain Swift A-Frame is the way to go. 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. Just $1 per month . Mag. Brilliant writing. While it is extremely effective, the main reason its been so widely-used is because shotguns like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are a fraction of the price of bolt-guns and, in turn, thats what the government has provided to its employees. } I attribute this to the compromise that hunters who travel a lot reach to find that one do it all round that is big enough for heavy game and will shoot flat for longer shots they might encounter. 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. are rifle length, weight, and huntability. At the minimum, tape your floorplate shut, or have a gunsmith pin it shut. border-spacing: 0; 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. AccuBond at 2600 fps. Talk about stopping power. 250 gr. Recoil has a direct effect on most shooter's accuracy--the more recoil, as a general rule, the less accurate the shooter. Both animals are thick-hided, heavily muscled, and prodigiously strong. Original price: $79.99.
