Author Topic: .338 Winchester Magnum for Deer!? (Read 6421 times)

alien319 · « **on:** May 12, 2007, 03:38:28 PM »

I have a buddy of mine who insists on using his .338 Win Mag with the 225 grain power point bullets for deer. How do you guys feel about this? I think it is a little overkill. I told him he should use a smaller round to help preserve some of the meat but he just says I don't like tracking so I use a big gun! I just can't see a fellow hunter use something that big for NC deer. Any advice on this situation?

S.S. · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:48:58 PM »

Practice marksmanship instead of tracking skills I would say?
A .30-30 is all the power anyone would ever need,,, BUT...
The more horsepower a round has, the more of a warm, fuzzy
feeling some folks get from it... You may never convince him
that deer do not require artillery... Good Luck !

billy_56081 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:51:30 PM »

If it shoots well for him it is the perfect gun. Having confidence in your weapon is a big factor in shooting well. The perfect deer caliber is the one that shoots well for you.

alien319 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:53:35 PM »

Haha, precisely! I use a Model 94 Winchester in 30-30. It has not failed me yet! I'll continue to try and convince him otherwise but I hate seeing that attitude. I am not saying that the .338 won't be suited for other game though. He does plan on hunting black bear this fall so that would be a better gun for it. But I have seen black bear killed with the 30-30 as well!

PeterCartwright · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2007, 10:36:18 AM »

If he's planning to use his .338 on another hunt for toothy critters later on, it's probably a smart thing to use it during deer season as well. Is it "over-kill"? Well, as you point out, the .30-30 is a dandy deer getter. On the other hand, the confidence he builds during deer season will serve him well when he needs the horse power for bigger critters.

As far as meat damage is concerned, you might be surprised how little is done with the .338 on deer sized game. While I've never shot a whitetail with mine, I would guess that most .338 projectiles are designed for more resistance than a broadside deer can provide. Your magnum shooter may discover that the wound channel his .338 makes isn't a lot different than the one made by your faithful .30-30.

I'd be curious to hear from others who may have used their .338 to put up whitetail or muley venison. (I know some elk and deer seasons overlap making this a distinct possibility.)

alien319 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:25:44 PM »

Good point. IMO I think it is a little much for a deer. However, it is a good idea to use it more than just on bear if thats what you are planning on using. Good practice I guess.

RaySendero · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:49:49 PM »

Quote from: alien319 on May 12, 2007, 03:38:28 PM

I have a buddy of mine who insists on using his .338 Win Mag with the 225 grain power point bullets for deer. How do you guys feel about this? I think it is a little overkill. I told him he should use a smaller round to help preserve some of the meat but he just says I don't like tracking so I use a big gun! I just can't see a fellow hunter use something that big for NC deer. Any advice on this situation?

alien319 - CHILL!

What's the problem? - Does it kill'em too dead?!

His rifle - His deer - His meat!

alien319 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:49:55 PM »

Oh I'm calm. I guess I don't need the 155mm howitzer like some! Haha

tomzuki · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2007, 04:38:58 PM »

.338 for dear season. Here in the West I have used it during General Dear season and carried a Bear Tag. Black bears can go to 400+ #'s here if near the avocado orchards. If handloaded, it can be loaded down, and with 200 grain standard bullets, its one of the flattest shooters available. It is also much heavier to tote, so if a long stalks are anticipated, you might choose a smaller, lighter rifle. For still hunting my Ruger All-Wheather is the favorite.

Slamfire · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2007, 05:22:07 PM »

It will kill 'em ok, I sure hope he's usin' the mountains between us for a backstop though.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2007, 07:29:43 PM »

Remember the old saying "be careful of the man who only shoots one gun"? Well, the reason is you get to know that rifle VERY well. Is it too much gun, is a 45-70? LOTS of people use them and no-one says a word. Heck a 223 can and will kill a deer, so how small is small enough. I say if he doesn't mind the recoil, it kills the deer, it's a perfect deer rifle. For him!

Now if he were shooting this beast and flinching so bad he missed, or was making crappy shot placement, like gut shots etc, then yes it is most likely too much gun. Heck I know one fellow out west here that uses only one gun for deer, elk and moose. He uses a 375 H&H! Not my choice, but he hits where he aims, so who am I to tell him otherwise?

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2007, 10:00:48 PM »

A .338 Win wouldn't be my first choice for deer, but if your buddy is hitting what he shoots at, what's the problem?

SDS-GEN · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2007, 04:58:18 AM »

I don't see a reason not to use a round like this if the guy likes it. His logic may be flawed though. When he tells you he uses a big gun because he doesn't like to track 'em, he is kidding himself. A poorly placed bullet from a cannon is no better than a poorly placed bullet from a pop-gun. Too many people still think that if you put the word "magnum" behind a caliber it magically kills better, after all anything that recoils that much would surely knock an animal down with a near miss, and the shockwave would have to cause internal hemorrhaging that would kill the animal on the spot. IF the guy can shoot it consistently I say go for it, he may have lost a couple of deer he shot with his old 270 and blamed poor performance, then went out and got a 338 mag because it kills better. If that is the case it was the hunter's skills that were lacking not the firearm or bullet.

358Win · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2007, 02:46:21 PM »

I hope I didn't miss too much by not reading the entire thread. But properly handloaded the 338 Win Mag is just fine for Deer.
Just keep the muzzle velocity at or under 2,500 fps and you should get awesome results. More obviously will kill Deer just fine. But you really can't get a whole lot deader than dead.
In any event the 338 Federal or the 358 Win are actually better choices from an efficiency standpoint.

jdt48653 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2007, 04:51:10 PM »

Shoot for the nose,you may be able to save the rest of the carcass,ha ha.

Sourdough · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:07:01 AM »

Several years ago my wife got stationed in DC. I would go to Tennessee every year to hunt Whitetail with my Dad and Brothers. I always took two guns, a Marlin 30-30 and my Ruger M-77 in .338 Win Mag. If we were hunting in heavy brush I took the 30-30. But often I would set up overlooking a field, or on a power line cut. At these times I would take my .338. I wanted to keep profficient with the big gun, so I would be ready when I returned to Alaska. And I liked impressing my brothers with those 4&5 hundred yard shots. My brothers all carry 30-30s or .444s, not known for having much range.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:28:43 AM »

Hey , so your buddy likes to shoot um , clean um and turn um to hamburger all with the pull of the trigger !
its his shoulder !

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2007, 05:57:12 PM »

If he shoots it well then it's up to him. I got a buddy who use a .340 Weatherby for northern MI deer and he loves it. I wouldnt even be able to afford the bullets for the thing but he can and uses it with alot of success.

40inarow · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2007, 12:39:00 PM »

I like to shoot and hunt with different rifles. Over many years I have used a variety of calibers on deer including my 338 Win. If you are a handloader, the 338 is a versatile cartridge. I found a deer load with the 200 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips that my rfle likes fine. The 338 doesn't turn deer into hamburger, the wounds look like what my 30-06 does. I have used the 260, 7TCU rifle, 6.5x55, 7-08, 7x57, 30-06, 300 Weatherby, and a .357 mag Model 94 on deer, and I say it's all good. If you want to use them they all work on deer when used within the capabilities of each caliber.

My 338 is a beautiful Model 70 Super Grade, I can't take it and go elk hunting every year, but I also can't stand to leave it in the safe. I take it hunting and enjoy it. If someone wants to use whatever, it's all about your enjoyment of the hunt. Which rifle you pick has alot to do with that.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2007, 04:18:46 PM »

40 in a row ( did you shoot IMHSA ) i was joking i also had a mod 70 westner in .338 mag. it was nice but i to had little use for it , like they say ya can have to little gun but never to much ! or was that to many ?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2007, 03:04:42 PM »

I am curious: why do you feel called upon to try and convert him?? If that's what he likes to hunt with, what's wrong with that? Its not like he's doing some hot dog kinda crap like you read in here about "I use a .223 and take my deer at 700 yards" and such.
And for you magnum bashers that think you sacrifice half a deer by using a magnum, where you lose the meat is when you take a magnum (or any large calibre) and pump some small for calibre, totally inappropriate bullet up to warp speed.
For a number of years, I would travel west to hunt antelope, mulies, and elk. Rather than drag an armory around, I would just take the rifle I was going use for elk -- or the biggest whatever I was gonna hunt-- This might be a 30-06, a 7RM, .300winnie, and, yes, a .338. Since I'm a "work up one good load for a rifle and use it for everything" kinda guy, I have shot antelope and mulies with some pretty heavy duty bullets. The 30-06 was even loaded with a 200gr bullet. The meat damage was minimal. Especially compared to say a .270 with a ballistic tipped bullet juiced up to 3200fps.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2007, 01:30:47 PM »

The .338 mag is one of my favorites to shoot. So deer, elk, and the bigger game can be on the menus. Here in central Iowa a chance shot in the winter, with the wind blowing, and a coyote snuggled down at some range over 100, the .338 comes into play. If I could only have one rifle it would be the .338, I am a reloader to qualify the statement.
Jim

Luckyducker · « **Reply #22 on:** May 31, 2007, 01:49:01 PM »

I have shot deer with a lot of different caliber rifles from the 243Win through my 338RUM and I like a good 30 caliber best, I'd rather use the 338 than the 243. I have shot two deer with the RUM, one was a neck shot at 25 yds and the other was a running shot at about 500 going through the vitals broadside and both shots were with 250 grain slugs. The broadside shot caused hardly any meat damage at all, while talking meat damage the most I have ever seen was a deer my uncle shot with a 30/06 through the rib cage. I believe people should hunt with whatever caliber they like as long as it kills quickly.

aulrich · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2007, 08:50:09 AM »

I have been using a 338wm for the better part of 14 years for everything When I bought it I lived in BC where elk moose and grizzly could be on the menu but over the years have shot mostly deer with it. The biggest problem is finding the right bullet a bullet that is too hard will not effectively kill a deer it will kill it but it will run (one year a smallish doe ran 200-300 yards with a straight rib shot @ 40 yards the same load dropped a cow elk right there, 225 partition). Too soft and it will do nasty meat damage my worst was two quarters hit the front quarter right on the bone and the rear quarter right on the bone with one shot. I ended up shooting it like it was a 243 broad side avoiding bones then it was OK, then the Stevens 200's came out and I could afford to have a deer gun(270win) and an elk gun.

The reason I did not sell it off and get another one once I moved to wide open Alberta, it was too reliable I pulled the trigger and stuff went down no fuss though plenty of muss especially 200 gr Nosler bt's but there are effective deer killers. Honestly 338 is a great round but way more than is needed considering anything 260 rem on up would do.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2007, 02:49:19 PM »

At any time you shoot at game, and especially when using a kinda hard bullet, you should aim for the exit hole not just blast away at the big middle.

PeterCartwright · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2007, 11:07:28 AM »

This has been an interesting discussion. I don't have much tolerance for loads that regularly destroy edible venison regardless of the cartridge employed. I've probably shot somewhere north of 45 deer (all whitetails) which still leaves me a beginner compared to many of you. Ironically, one of the worst loads in the "unnecessary destruction" category (I'm only describing my experience) was the venerable .30-06 loaded with medium doses of IMR 4064 and the equally venerable 150 gr. Nosler Partition. Since I normally hunt in the woods of the upper Midwest, shots at deer probably averaged about 50 yards. At that distance, the '06 loads I "rolled" would routinely leave large areas of bloodshot meat in the front shoulders even when lung shots were employed. Entrance wounds tended to be dramatic. Exit wounds were normal. Blood trails were "poured" not dripped. I stopped using that combination years ago out of frustration at the wasted venision.

I relate my '06 experiences to say that the design of the bullet (soft, tough, frangible?) probably has at least as much to do with the relative destruction of tissue as the cartridge used. I've recently gotten a .338 Winchester project rifle to "perk" just right. In the interest of research, maybe I'll take a few of those 250 gr. Hornady's that shoot so well to my deer blind. I'll bet they wouldn't be nearly as destructive as the batch of .30-06 loads that still rest in my basement.

jimmyp50 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2007, 12:37:00 PM »

Mr. Cartwright's sentiments echo those of an associate of mine that hunts everything he can with one of 3 .338 WM Browning Auto Rifles that he owns. He says the .338 (and I do not know what load) just shoots thru them with minimal meat damage. I will not any longer cast aspersions onto any gun a man uses as long as he uses it well and it is legal to hunt with. There is no such think as overkill. Ridiculous stunts in my mind are at the other end of the spectrum, so let's talk about the guy that flings .223 caliber 69 grain Sierra matchkings at 500 yard deer. This topic is more along the lines of a borderline hunting behavior than a guy that kills deer with his .338.

nomosendero · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2007, 04:51:13 PM »

Quote from: jimmyp50 on June 03, 2007, 12:37:00 PM

Mr. Cartwright's sentiments echo those of an associate of mine that hunts everything he can with one of 3 .338 WM Browning Auto Rifles that he owns. He says the .338 (and I do not know what load) just shoots thru them with minimal meat damage. I will not any longer cast aspersions onto any gun a man uses as long as he uses it well and it is legal to hunt with. There is no such think as overkill. Ridiculous stunts in my mind are at the other end of the spectrum, so let's talk about the guy that flings .223 caliber 69 grain Sierra matchkings at 500 yard deer. This topic is more along the lines of a borderline hunting behavior than a guy that kills deer with his .338.

I know of several that harvest Deer at a distance with the appropriate cartridges & I know some folks that shoot Deer with 223's, but at 100 yards & less. So yea, talk about the guy that shoots Deer at 500 yards with a 223 & 69MK, please post the info. for all to see.

jim dab · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2007, 10:27:21 PM »

alien319:

Maybe tell him to get a bigger gun. Hell if he shoots it well that's what matters. Meat damage, I shoot a 358STA and I use it for everything Antelope to moose. I bought a 257 Weatherby last year, shot 120's out of it, a lot more meat destroyed than in most cases than the 358 shooting 225 and 250's.

I read something about velocity and meat damage. Impact less than 2600ft/sec causes a lot less damage. Well I'm going to try something this fall, now hold on to your seat alien, 300 gr cllose to 2750ft/sec. Have you heard the term eat right up to the hole. Lets see.

If the bullets don't kill them it weighs them down.

Jim

Deathwind · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2007, 12:16:58 AM »

I've used my .338 W.M. on deer before with 180 accu-bonds and it sure anchors these big northern bucks. It's really an overkill in my mind and i havn't seen a buck my 270 or 7mm R.M. wouldn't make give up the ghost.