Namibia Safari - Plains Game

J

jb0902

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2026
Messages
2
Reaction score
6
I'm looking for advice on what bullet to load in my 338 for plains game. Planning on Kudu, Nyala, Gemsbuck, Zebra, Impala, Wildebeast and Warthog. I have TTX, Partitions and Accubonds available in 225 grains. What would you choose assuming it shoots well?
 
I’ve only been to Namibia twice. Both times I used TSX’s in a 8mm Rem Mag and .375H&H and my son used TTSx’s in a 8X57. The TSX’s & TTSX’s never failed us. My PH also used TSX bullets in his rifles.
 
Whichever shoots most accurately. The 338 is an excellent PG caliber. Perfect for Eland and Zebra. Bigger than needed for everything else, but still a fine choice.
 
jb0902 said:
I'm looking for advice on what bullet to load in my 338 for plains game. Planning on Kudu, Nyala, Gemsbuck, Zebra, Impala, Wildebeast and Warthog. I have TTX, Partitions and Accubonds available in 225 grains. What would you choose assuming it shoots well?
Click to expand...
:S Welcome: to AH
338Wm is an excellent caliber and any of the bullets you have will work well. My preference in Nosler partitions and accubonds but that's just me. I have also used TSX & TTSX and they preformed well also.
Dont overthink it. Go have fun
 
I shot most of those animals mentioned in Namibia with a 30-06 using 168 gr TTSX and none went more than a few feet with a well placed shot. So, I am rather biased to the TTSX. But honestly, any and all of those bullets will do well. As mentioned, whichever shoots best.
 
Welcome to the Group…
You will always get great advice from great guys…
All good bullet choices…shoot what you are most confident in out of your gun.
They will all do their job
 
Sometimes safaris involve needing to shoot at a northbound animal from the southern side, go with the Barnes.
 
jb0902 said:
I'm looking for advice on what bullet to load in my 338 for plains game. Planning on Kudu, Nyala, Gemsbuck, Zebra, Impala, Wildebeast and Warthog. I have TTX, Partitions and Accubonds available in 225 grains. What would you choose assuming it shoots well?
Click to expand...

jb0902,​

In 338 WM I have used the 225 grain AB on all the above and the 225 Pt on most. Both worked really well. Better than the heavier for caliber bullets in 30.06 I would say. However, Federal made sure that we can get the 200 grain Trophy Bonded Tip (TBT) basically everywhere. Although a little lighter, it penetrates extremely well due to its toughness. For sure a bullet that hits above its weight, and you have a 2,930 ft/sec velocity for longer shots. Since it is such a tough bullet you can use it on all plains game, even at short range (which I did) and it stayed together, but in most cases it was a pass through. I feel confident that it can be used on eland, moose and large brown bear as well, but I would rather use 230 grain Norma Oryx, 250 grain Swift Aframe, 250 grain SS Northfolk or a 225 grain copper bullet on those.
 
Only one Namibian safari, but the wildebeest, zebra, gemsbok, and waterbuck I encountered did not enjoy my 225 gr Partition 338 WM that was slightly downloaded. Load ‘er up and let ‘er fly!
 
I used 338 WBY RPM on last Namibia hunt, used Barnes 225 gr TTSX with great results on eland and kudu.
 
On my last safari, I had great success on kudu and sable using my .338 Win Mag and Norma factory ammo loaded with the 230-grain Oryx bullet. With that said, all other game taken on that safari and a previous one were taken with Barnes factory ammo using TSX and TTSX bullets in .375 H&H and .30-06, respectively. I am a believer in the TSX/TTSX bullets…but factory .338 ammo loaded with the 225 Barnes TSX wasn’t available during my safari prep period, so I went with the Norma due to recommendations and feedback on this forum from members that had used the Oryx bullet with great success. I found the Oryx bullet to be everything that was said about it here, and it shoots sub-MOA at 200 yards in my Ruger Hawkeye .338. You might want to give it a try.
 
Any of the premium bullets will work in 225 - 250 grain in the 338 WM. I've used the caliber a fair bit over there, 225 Barnes TSX, I think about 15 animals,....worked like a dream every time.
 
You already have what you need. Just make your loads accordingly. The PHs will get you within 250+/- yards of your animals.
 
I just came back from South Africa where I used a 338 win mag loaded with reloader 17 and 225 TTSX. I took 30 plains game with it. Worked excellent.

I liked the flatter trajectory. I got with the TTSX versus the TSX. I had shots out to 300 yards.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1015 more.
Total: 289,921 (members: 1,065, guests: 288,856)

Forum statistics

Threads
69,935
Messages
1,559,913
Members
165,963
Latest member
Fletcher78
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

A
Alex Sniper wrote on Bynotic's profile.
Good morning. I see that you had a Sauer 202 for sale for $3,000. Did you sell it at that price?
I have one for sale as well. I listed it (on here ) at $3,000 as well. Is the price high, low or right where it should be?

Thanks. Alex. [redacted] in case you want to call me to discuss further. I appreciate your time help and support.
•••
The Don
The Don
I broke my cherry, August 2026, 41" Cape, hooked for life.
•••
S
Schaapen
Member of the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
•••
S
supergrizzly wrote on AZDAVE's profile.
Dave, I could use both of them if still available. I just picked up a new .22 mag and a .22 pump that they would be perfect on.
•••
Dawgdave
Dawgdave
IMG_1471.jpeg
•••

Share this page

 
Top