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> .338 WinMag 250AB users?
.338 WinMag 250AB users?
@ 08:19 am (GMT) |
James KnightAnyone used this bullet in the 338WM up close and/or far? Think it will anchor an elk on a hard angling shot up close? |
Replies
@ 10:47 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?Hi James, the AB is about perfect for 'general' hunting of these body weights out to moderate ranges.As for your angles, that depends on our definition. If the animal is facing away and you need to rake through the paunch, you will find the bullet in the shoulder. If the animal turns slightly as you take up the trigger and you hit the ham at close range, the AB will lose around 50% weight and go no further than the rumen or reticulum at best, but the trauma at the rear will most times allow you to take a follow up shot. What we are talking about here, is the fine balance between good trauma and adequate penetration, achieving both without sacrificing one or the other. As I have said, this bullet design works well in this situation. But if you push ranges too far or pursue smaller animals, the balance changes and we can lose this performance. The internet is utterly filled with drivel with regards to the Accubond. Many times it seems this bullet is given magical powers. My advice to you is to remain circumspect as to just what this bullet design can achieve. Work to its strengths and you will see good results. The AB is no more or no less than a basic hunting bullet with some measure of controlled expansion which can either be useful or a hindrance depending on the application. |
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@ 11:46 am (GMT) |
James KnightRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?Thank you sir for the quick post. So, from the flank to the shoulder I'm in pretty good shape. The ham to shoulder I can see an issue, though I too think it would be a lot of trauma. this happened to my SIL with the 225AB out of his 35 Whelen AI, allowing a second shot. In your opinion sir, just what bullet or bullets can I count on ( theoretically at least) to break him down with a ham to shoulder shot w/o a lot of mess? |
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@ 12:16 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?The ham shot is messy regardless. If the bullet does not penetrate (lets say a Gameking breaking up on impact), it will destroy the femoral artery. Horse power is also a key factor. Try this with a 6.5 and all bets are off. Your .338 simply has far more power. In any case, a potent load that breaks up will cause severe trauma but there will be gut wounding.If the bullet fully holds together (Barnes), the hydraulic forces will cause tissue expansion around the bullet path. As the wound channel collapses, combined with ongoing penetration, you tend to find that the vacuum effect drags gut tissue right through the carcass. A Barnes bullet can foul an entire carcass regardless of what others would have you believe. Still, its up to you if you want to eat right up to the green bullet hole. In plain terms, a ham shot can ruin a lot of meat no matter what we do. Pigs are notorious for turning on a dime as you take the shot. The best you can do is get in quick and remove the quarters, then deal with the body of the carcass afterwards. If you want all out penetration, the Barnes is the way to go or perhaps try something more unique for kicks such as Cutting Edge. But sometimes all out penetration is not what it is cracked up to be. The Partition sits right in the middle between the above two examples. This is generally a wise option if we are not sure which way we need to go. Should you be unlucky enough to have a Partition arrest in the pelvis of an Elk, you can be assured your deer is not going anywhere. If you want to try something with a twist, try annealing the 225gr Interbond as per the instructions on this site (bullet annealing). You need only anneal 5 rounds for the year. As for effective ranges, I would ask that you consult the Cartridges book if you intend to take longer range shots. The cartridge book looks at these issues from a different approach. One of our readers and forum members Lane, will hopefully soon perform a deliberate test, using a long range .338 load at closes ranges on tough game. I am expecting very good results if this hunt goes ahead as the bullet weight and velocity are perfect for what I would call 'all range' work. |
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@ 04:29 pm (GMT) |
James KnightRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?Thank you sir. I am not a ham shooter on purpose, ha, I have only taken a few head of game with a behind the ribs to shoulder angle, but no more. I almost always wait for an 80% or better shot opportunity or hold fire. Now, if they run after being wounded I just try to "rabbit shoot them", ha anywhere I can to stop them. Thank you for your expertise! |
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@ 10:18 am (GMT) |
James KnightRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?One more question please; for general, say up to 250 yds, which would you consider the better thumper, quick opening yet penetrating bullet, the old Hornady 250RN the Swift 275AF, the Woodleigh 250RN or 300RN? I like to bust through the shoulders, or at least one on heavy game, so which is my best poison? thanks. |
@ 11:21 am (GMT) |
Lane SalvatoRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?James,I'm using 250 grain Swift A-Frames until I can get the 285 grain ELD-M load worked out. My gun shoots them well enough and I like the way the sort of expand like a musket ball as they penetrate. My hunt is Nilgai Antelope though and they're pretty thick skinned. For elk and the like, I wouldn't mind a Nosler Partition for sure. |
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@ 11:36 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?No worries, I understand where you are coming from with this James.OK, of the more hardcore bullets, it will pay to drop the bullet weight back a bit to aid impact velocity. You could run either the 225gr Swift or Woodleigh and by loading them a tocuh over 2900fps, it will help ensure that you have 2400fps at 250 yards- or at least be close to this. This is what I would recommend if you wish to use either on Elk as a means to obtain the balance of fast expansion with good penetration. If you want to go heavier, I suggest you look at a softer bullet such as the 250gr Partition. The following may have no relevance: In your last post, you utilized the words heavy game but I am not sure whether you mean heavy deer (Elk) or actual heavy game. If you mean heavy game, I simply do not recommend this bore diameter to those looking for emphatic results with shoulder shots. It will get the job done but lacks what you are looking for. If you want to take heavier animals in style, consider the .375 RUM, a very well balanced cartridge firing a 300gr bullet at 2950-3000fps. It may seem like a very large cartridge but if you lay it on the shoulder of a downed heavy game animal, it suddenly seems very small and one soon loses any illusions to it being massive. Its just a nice cartridge, especially when used with a nice stock such as Clive Judd's Precision Platforms design which eliminates the need for a brake for those of us who really only like to use a brake if we absolutely have to. |
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@ 10:01 am (GMT) |
James KnightRe: .338 WinMag 250AB users?Thanks guys...sorry, I meant elk and really big hogs, ha. I won't be shooting any zebra in the foreseeable future, have 3 already already and used the 35 WAI with both the 250x/200x and a 340W with 210xbt. The WAI was actually the more emphatic thumper! The 340W seemed to "stun" a lot though. Nope, just elk and big hogs at potentially odd angles. I don't shoot hogs over about 150yds, usually way under 100. Thanks though. :) |
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