Best light weight .338 bullets?

analog_peninsula · Sep 18, 2026

If you were picking a light .338 bullet for medium to largish plains game which one would you pick and why? Figure weights between 185 and 215 grains pushed to only reasonable velocities, meaning loaded to moderate.338 WM levels. The ttsx is an obvious choice, but what about all the others?

ftrovato · Sep 18, 2026

For largish I would be focused in the 250 to 275's from Swift or Barnes.

More is more in my book and one of the advantages of 338 bullets is their ability to penetrate extremely well.

The heavier bullets are said to do that best.

Schüler Jumbo · Sep 18, 2026

200 grain Nosler AccuBond. I’ve used them and they are accurate and stay together.

shootist~ · Sep 18, 2026

The TTSX is indeed a good choice. My hunting buddy used the 185 for 8 or so plains game is SA in a 338WM. Was happy with the results including BWB, Kudu, and an Eland. Caveat on the Eland - it was a perfect quatering away shot with the bullet entering just behind the shoulder (IIRC). Meaning the bullet had a relatively easy path.

My favorite in 338WM is the 210 gr TTSX. It worked near perfect on a 550 lb Nilgai in South Texas. Double lung and stopped under the hide on offside. MV 2,800 fps with RL17. Distance was 50 yds.

Gomer · Sep 19, 2026

The 210gr Partition has worked well for me on elk and black bears. I have some 200gr Speer Hot-Cor to try.

Carcajou · Sep 19, 2026

Hello, my grandfather always told me that on the farm, we stun the pig with a 10-pound hammer, not a glazier’s hammer weighing a few ounces.
To go beyond my 9.3, in my .338 Custom I use 230-grain ELD-X rounds, which are completely effective on large European game up to about 450 meters. we have safety regulations in France that limit shots to under 300 meters—at least unless the firearm is marked for distances over 300 meters.

For each caliber, I shoot only one type of ammunition: 9.3 Brenneke TOG 248 gr, set up with DRO, and Pro Hunter ELDX in .338, zeroed at 100, with a tactical turret—mainly for wild boars, between 20 and 40 per year.

If I go to Africa in 2027, it will be with a ZG 47 in 9.3 and 286 gr rounds.
Best of luck to you all.

zephyr · Sep 19, 2026

I've been playing with CEB's 175gr ESP Raptor in my Win .338 leaving the gun at 3200fps. Have shot a handful of Boar plus 2 Elk Cows, they are devastating One Cow shot broadside a little over 100 yards jumped at the shot then stood and quivered for a minute or so then fell over backwards when I got there there was a rope of blood on the snow either side of the Cow where she bled out on her feet .

Mountaineer · Sep 19, 2026

200 grain federal tipped trophy bonded. It’s amazing for bang flop.

curt672 · Monday at 5:01 PM

180 Accubond in my 338 worked great for plains game.

eyedok · Monday at 5:07 PM

I shot a huge Yukon moose last week with a 210 gr TTSX , worked perfectly, if it were legal, i wouldnt hesitate to shoot a Cape Buffalo with it, let alone any plainsgame

375 Ruger Fan · Monday at 6:42 PM

The 338 WM is my favorite all around cat ridge. Just shoot everything with a 225 gr Swift A-Frame.

Rando8586 · Monday at 6:51 PM

My PH said same thing about Cape buffalo with 250 core locks.

mms45 · Tuesday at 7:05 AM

225 accubonds

Best light weight .338 bullets?

analog_peninsula

ftrovato

Schüler Jumbo

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