Is 338 Win Mag adequate for brown bear?

[WAB]

That is the reason I bought a stainless/synthetic one!

Be prepared, SS will rust if you’re bouncing around the coast in a zodiac. I had my .375 M70 SS Arctic Coated satin black for aesthetics and rust resistance. Coated stainless is totally impervious. You still have to watch the bore and the little bits and pieces.

 

[BeeMaa]

Short version...yes, 338WM is adequate for brown bear.

Longer version...
I've seen brown bears taken with calibers as small as 7mmRM with heavy for caliber premium bullets and proper shot placement...no problem.

Most would say the minimum would be a 30-06, but a .30 caliber magnum would be better if you have one.

The .325 (aka 8mm) bullets have been a favorite for bears for a long time and give a little more margin over the smaller ones. The 325WSM, 8mmRM, 8x57JS and 8x68S fill this role well.

Moving to the 338WM you are in the sweet spot for not too much recoil, having a light rifle and still plenty of power to do the job. The 340WBY, 338-06, 338-378WBY and 338RUM are also top choices in this caliber with varying levels of recoil.

Personally I'd be taking a 375H&H with some 300 grain Barnes TSX, because it's what I have and I know how it shoots.

 

[jlb1036]

yes is an excellent choice with the 250 grs bullets or the older speer/woodleign 275 grs bullets

 

[meigsbucks]

The .338 would be a great choice. A friend of mine took a brown bear with a .300 Win mag using a 200gr Swift.
this is what the State of Alaska website has to say about guns for hunting.

Firearms and Ammunition for Hunting in Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Information on hunting and trapping in Alaska.

www.adfg.alaska.gov

 

[Rem280]

I shot this Brown Bear with a 375 H&H, he spun around and died. As you see they are not armor plated and the 338 win mag will do just fine. Just do your part with a quality bullet.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Short version...yes, 338WM is adequate for brown bear.

Longer version...
I've seen brown bears taken with calibers as small as 7mmRM with heavy for caliber premium bullets and proper shot placement...no problem.

Most would say the minimum would be a 30-06, but a .30 caliber magnum would be better if you have one.

The .325 (aka 8mm) bullets have been a favorite for bears for a long time and give a little more margin over the smaller ones. The 325WSM, 8mmRM, 8x57JS and 8x68S fill this role well.

Moving to the 338WM you are in the sweet spot for not too much recoil, having a light rifle and still plenty of power to do the job. The 340WBY, 338-06, 338-378WBY and 338RUM are also top choices in this caliber with varying levels of recoil.

Personally I'd be taking a 375H&H with some 300 grain Barnes TSX, because it's what I have and I know how it shoots.

Thanks for your feedback. I've got the 375 and 458 and have considered both but also felt 338 would be a decent choice (and good enough reason for me to buy one).

 

[Northern Shooter]

yes is an excellent choice with the 250 grs bullets or the older speer/woodleign 275 grs bullets

Does anyone still produce a 300grain option?

 

[DLSJR]

I shot one on Kodiak with my 338, shooting 250 grain Nosler Partition handloads. Shot was across a steep canyon about about 300 yards. The bear went maybe 25 yards, if that far, and dropped. It took about an hour to get to him after that.

 

[Scott CWO]

Yes I’ve had several clients use a .338WM for Brown Bear including this one. I like the 225gr Swift A-Frame.

 

[Green Chile]

Great looking bears! They just have that pumpkin head look. A big bear that's alpha also carries himself differently. He knows he's the boss.

 

[Green Chile]

Moving to the 338WM you are in the sweet spot for not too much recoil, having a light rifle and still plenty of power to do the job. The 340WBY, 338-06, 338-378WBY and 338RUM are also top choices in this caliber with varying levels of recoil.

Personally I'd be taking a 375H&H with some 300 grain Barnes TSX, because it's what I have and I know how it shoots.

Well said, especially for the "average" client who doesn't shoot a lot. 338 (or 35 Whelen) is easiest to get used to as you climb the power ladder away from deer hunting calibers. If you can do 375 with heavy bullets, that's even better. I'm typing this from Istanbul Airport as I head south to Africa and a 375 with 300 TSX is on the plane. Such a great load that covers so many things. I will not hesitate to break cape buff shoulders...or take croc head shots...or PG big to small with that combo. It simplifies most of what I do (except elephant).

 

[1dirthawker]

in a word, yes, it is.

the .338 win is a great cartridge for brown bear. some people want more (many which are guides and are backup shooters) but if good bullets are used and shot placement is good it is a decent brown bear cartridge.

 

[Nevada Mike]

... I carried a .308 with 200 gr Nosler Partitions, the old ones with the machine rings on them.

I remember those... John Nosler made them on a screw machine. I used them on my 7 X 61 for elk hunting.

 

[jlb1036]

only woodleigh makes or made 300 grs 338 cal bullets

 

[Joker12]

only woodleigh makes or made 300 grs 338 cal bullets

Actually one of Winchesters original loadings for the 338WM was with a 300gr bullet and today Hawk Bullets makes a 300gr bullet for a 338.

 

[HankBuck]

My opinin is that a 30-06 is adequate, a .308 also OK and more important - my Guide felt the same way. Most important is Bullet PLACEMENT, somewhat important is bullet “construction”, least important is caliber. When I went on my Brown Bear hunt I was planning on taking my .30-06 but used the hunt as an “excuse” to buy a new .375 H&H. My Guide was fine with me using the ‘06 and said “whatever rifle you can shoot well. .270 and Up”. He said his wounded bear are most often with Hunters that “flinch” and can’t handle their magnums. As a side note - he carried a .338 Win Mag. I also got to shoot my Guides .338 win mag in camp - kicked much sharper then my .375 H&H, I know the .338 shoots a bit flatter but anything I feel the need for something bigger then .30-06 I prefer to jump to the .375 (bigger hole!)

 

[Green Chile]

A 300 grain .338 has a BC of at least .760 above 1800 fps. That’s excellent.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

A 300 grain .338 has a BC of at least .760 above 1800 fps. That’s excellent.

And a SD of .375! That’s getting on up there. Same as .458 @ 550 grains

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Actually one of Winchesters original loadings for the 338WM was with a 300gr bullet and today Hawk Bullets makes a 300gr bullet for a 338.

It would be interesting to see how those Hawks perform since they’re not bonded. Of course impact velocities out of a 338 Win Mag probably won’t be too high

 

[PerH]

Woodleigh manual have data for ,300 ,,grain Soft and Solid Weldcore in .,338 Win Mag