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

 

[RETD16]

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.

I’ve decided that I’m going to take my 338 Win Mag next August to SA for my plains game hunt because eland is on my list. I was thinking about taking my 7mm Rem Mag, but the PH told me that would be kind of a minimal caliber for eland. Since I shoot them both equally well, I decided to use the 338. I’m using Buffalo Bore’s 210gr TTSX load. My rifle shoots that at .75”. Recoil is actually quite acceptable too!!! I believe the load is 210gr TTSX @ 3000fps. Plenty enough for an eland and wildebeest!?!?

 

[19_A_CPT]

I’ve decided that I’m going to take my 338 Win Mag next August to SA for my plains game hunt because eland is on my list. I was thinking about taking my 7mm Rem Mag, but the PH told me that would be kind of a minimal caliber for eland. Since I shoot them both equally well, I decided to use the 338. I’m using Buffalo Bore’s 210gr TTSX load. My rifle shoots that at .75”. Recoil is actually quite acceptable too!!! I believe the load is 210gr TTSX @ 3000fps. Plenty enough for an eland and wildebeest!?!?

Yes. We shot wildebeest with bows when we went. They aren't the hardest to kill. Those TTSX should do nicely on Eland as well.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I loaded .338 for a buddy who had a similar animal list nearly 20 years ago, just used 200 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets, he shot everything he aimed at and it all dropped with 1 shot. Today we have so many bullet choices, I would stick with the 200/210 grain type weight with any bullet that shoots well in your rifle. TTSX / Nosler Partition / Swift A frame are all good bullets.

I need to get out and shoot my .338's a little more. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[ftrovato]

I always go heavy for caliber bullets that way if I f* up the first shot I know the bullet will drive to the vitals on an off angle shot if necessary.

225-250 grainers in my 338 & 275 in my 340 for the bigger stuff.

 

[JimP]

I took my 340 Weatherby loaded with hand loaded Barnes 225 TTSX bullets on both of my trips.

 

[TheRealHorskin]

Last year was my first trip and I used my Sako 338WM with hand loaded Barnes TTSX 210gr over IMR4350 moving at 2810fps. The menu was very similar to yours and I can say the 210 worked as it should. Longest shot I took was 305yds on a Red Hartebeest and it dropped on impact. So for what it is worth the 210gr TTSX in a 338WM will do the job.

It will be going back with me in May 2026 when I have other options in 30-06, 300WM, and 375H&H that are all Sako actions.

I used Leupold optics with the CDS and had the turret cut for this load and it made life a breeze. Well worth the time I spent proving the load for the end results.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

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.

210s TTSX you aren't going to have any issues. Don't overthink it have fun.