338 Win Mag for plains game

[BFaucett]

Yeah, I was initially leaning towards the 225’s or 210’s. Once I get the exact load figured out, I’m going to get a Leupold CDS dial cut for the scope.
This rifle will forever be my go to gun for larger game (Moose, Elk, Bear) in the US after my Africa trip is done. After I’m gone it will be my Son’s rifle.
I’m going to be hunting in Limpopo, with African Barefoot Safaris.

A large part of the Limpopo Province is bushveld country. In my admittedly limited experience, shooting distances will be relatively close. I've been three times, to the same place, and my longest shot was about 150 yards (estimated; stepped off).

On my first trip, my friend Kate made good use of her .338 Win Mag.

location: northern Limpopo Province (near the Limpopo River)
Kate's rifle: Ruger M77 Mk II in .338 Win Mag
Handload: 250 gr Nosler Partition at 2650 fps (chronographed, 10-shot average; rounded to nearest 5 fps) (I loaded the ammo.)

Extent of bushveld in Southern Africa
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushveld


Some examples of the terrain where I hunted:

Little ol' me. Rifle: CZ 550 American in 9.3x62
Handload: 286 gr Woodleigh RN at 2395 fps

Just trying to be helpful... Cheers! Bob F.

 

[Mauser78]

Yeah, I was initially leaning towards the 225’s or 210’s. Once I get the exact load figured out, I’m going to get a Leupold CDS dial cut for the scope.
This rifle will forever be my go to gun for larger game (Moose, Elk, Bear) in the US after my Africa trip is done. After I’m gone it will be my Son’s rifle.
I’m going to be hunting in Limpopo, with African Barefoot Safaris.

If in limpopo you can go heavy. Very seldom shoot over 200yards.
In SA we have the 338 sabi that is a 338 in a 3006 case to bring the velocity down for bushveld hunting like in Limpopo. 2600fps is more than enough for Limpopo.

 

[24on48hunting]

A large part of the Limpopo Province is bushveld country. In my admittedly limited experience, shooting distances will be relatively close. I've been three times, to the same place, and my longest shot was about 150 yards (estimated; stepped off).

On my first trip, my friend Kate made good use of her .338 Win Mag.

location: northern Limpopo Province (near the Limpopo River)
Kate's rifle: Ruger M77 Mk II in .338 Win Mag
Handload: 250 gr Nosler Partition at 2650 fps (chronographed, 10-shot average; rounded to nearest 5 fps) (I loaded the ammo.)

View attachment 687095

View attachment 687096


View attachment 687097
Extent of bushveld in Southern Africa
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushveld


Some examples of the terrain where I hunted:

View attachment 687117
Little ol' me. Rifle: CZ 550 American in 9.3x62
Handload: 286 gr Woodleigh RN at 2395 fps

View attachment 687102

View attachment 687103

View attachment 687104

View attachment 687108


Just trying to be helpful... Cheers! Bob F.

Thank you for the info! That’s the same area that I will be hunting.

If in limpopo you can go heavy. Very seldom shoot over 200yards.
In SA we have the 338 sabi that is a 338 in a 3006 case to bring the velocity down for bushveld hunting like in Limpopo. 2600fps is more than enough for Limpopo.

Thanks! I appreciate the info.
Yeah, the 338/06 is a good cartridge.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have a Model 70 in .338 WM (1:10 twist, 24” barrel) that I plan to take to S Africa next August.
I’ve been shooting Barnes projectiles in most of my firearms for the past several years, so naturally that is what I began looking at for the .338. Swift A Frames will not be an option unless I get lucky enough to catch them in stock or load my own.
Kudu, Wildebeest and Zebra will be the largest animals on my list.
The factory offerings from Barnes (210 and 225 TTSX) aren’t very far apart, but Double Tap ammunition offers a 160gr Barnes TTSX that they claim is over 3000 fps and has 4100# of energy at the muzzle. Keeping in mind that these bullets perform their best at 2,000 fps and above, would the 160gr be a better choice than the 200+ gr projectiles, or am I overthinking this a bit too much?
Any input will be much appreciated.

We all tend to over think it! I'd go with one of the 200+ grain Barnes bullets. You will smoke them.

 

[24on48hunting]

We all tend to over think it! I'd go with one of the 200+ grain Barnes bullets. You will smoke them.

Thanks! I’m going to try the 225gr Barnes ttsx this weekend and see how they do.
Got my scope mounted last night.

 

[Nyati]

Excellent caliber, used both Winchester 200gr SP, and Remington 225gr. Swift AFrame

Up to Eland !

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@24on48hunting
You are definitely overthinking it
A 210gn TTSX will handle everything in your wish list without a problem.
The 35 Whelen with 225graun bonded Woodleigh and accubonds at 2,900 fps and over 4,000fpe flattened every thing I shot with one shot even out to close in 300yards.
Stop thinking just get some 210grainers and go have fun you won't be disappointed.
The only thing you will be disappointed with us it's a 338 NOT a Whelen but someone has to shoot one, HA HA HA HA
Bob

I have a Model 70 in .338 WM (1:10 twist, 24” barrel) that I plan to take to S Africa next August.
I’ve been shooting Barnes projectiles in most of my firearms for the past several years, so naturally that is what I began looking at for the .338. Swift A Frames will not be an option unless I get lucky enough to catch them in stock or load my own.
Kudu, Wildebeest and Zebra will be the largest animals on my list.
The factory offerings from Barnes (210 and 225 TTSX) aren’t very far apart, but Double Tap ammunition offers a 160gr Barnes TTSX that they claim is over 3000 fps and has 4100# of energy at the muzzle. Keeping in mind that these bullets perform their best at 2,000 fps and above, would the 160gr be a better choice than the 200+ gr projectiles, or am I overthinking this a bit too much?
Any input will be much appreciated.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

...Load 250gr NP or Swift and be done with it.

@TSIBINDI
He don't need to be beat silly with recoil from that bullet combo and he ain't hunting buffalo.
Yes it will get the job done but to me a bit over overkill on smaller game
But hey go big or go home
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thank you for the info! That’s the same area that I will be hunting.

Thanks! I appreciate the info.
Yeah, the 338/06 is a good cartridge.

@24on48hunting
The 338-06 may be a good cartridge BUT the 35 Whelen leaves it in its wake and when handloading gives nothing up to the 338 win mag.
It will do do everything either of the 338s will then some.
But hey I'm a 35 lunatic.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

We all tend to over think it! I'd go with one of the 200+ grain Barnes bullets. You will smoke them.

@Philip Glass
Could you tell my wife that please mate.
She thinks I don't put much thought into a lot of things. Which is probably true
Bob