2 of 4 .338 ARC factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 200 yd (Hornady Hornady BLACK 215 gr FTX). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 215 gr FTX | 215 | 200 | 1,900 | 608 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 170 gr MonoFlex | 170 | 150 | 2,075 | 468 | yes |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 175 gr HP Match | 175 | wrong bullet | 2,075 | 589 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Subsonic 307 gr Sub-X | 307 | wrong bullet | 1,050 | 443 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.