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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > 30-338 bullet selection

30-338 bullet selection

01 Oct 2026
@ 10:05 am (GMT)

Roger Day

Rifle is a Rem. 700 action with an Obermeyer barrel. Twist is 1 in 13", which is the challenge. 26" barrel. Put this rifle together about 20 years ago, long before the current long for caliber bullet craze. It was built to shoot then-conventional 165 gr. bullets, which it does quite well. Conventional 180's also shoot well (Partitions) at 3,000 fps.

I'd parked the rifle for a few years, but am now hunting in the Mississippi Delta and shots can be long. So, I'm searching for an appropriate bullet. Game is strictly whitetail deer at ranges from 150 to 700 or so maximum. Deer here tend to be somewhat larger bodied, with 200 lb. live weights not uncommon.

Wind is a constant issue, so I want as wind-resistant a bullet as I can reasonably use. Trajectory is less important since it's almost always possible to range game with a laser.

Based on calculations using the Miller formula, it doesn't look like the 13" twist will stabilize even the 165 gr. Sierra TMK or TGK at attainable velocities. Same for the AccuBond Long Range. Being shorter, the Berger VLD looks like it might stabilize, but I'm skeptical of its terminal performance (no experience with it).

Suggestions?



Replies

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02 Oct 2026
@ 06:13 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: 30-338 bullet selection
Hi Roger, you are correct regarding concerns over the Berger. I do not suggest this bullet for long range killing at the ogive is very stout.

Your rifle will stabilize the 168 grain ELD-M sufficiently. It would be nice to have a bit more weight for the larger weights you might encounter but this will nevertheless get the job done and I doubt you will find a better option regarding twist versus adequate terminal performance at distance.

Note that the BC will be off so you must take time to map this. Start by using the BC for the 168 grain A-MAX as this probably close to the true BC for your rifle.

You can learn more about the ELD-M in my book set. See also this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7MwLfr49Mk

Hope that helps. All the best.
02 Oct 2026
@ 09:54 am (GMT)

Roger Day

Re: 30-338 bullet selection
Much appreciated. Will let you know how it works out. Season won't open till late November, but I'll do accuracy testing soon.

roger
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