5 of 20 .338 Lapua Mag factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 1,000 yd (Hornady Precision Hunter 270 gr ELD-X). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Precision Hunter 270 gr ELD-X | 270 | 1,000 | 2,800 | 2,956 | yes |
| Berger 300 gr Elite Hunter | 300 | 900 | 2,725 | 3,227 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes VOR-TX 280 gr LRX BT | 280 | 800 | 2,600 | 2,418 | yes |
| Lapua 231 gr Naturalis (N508) | 231 | 750 | 3,018 | 1,773 | yes |
| Hornady Custom 240 gr CX | 240 | 600 | 2,900 | 2,516 | yes |
| Barnes Precision Match 300 gr OTM BT | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,600 | 2,697 | behind the shoulder only |
| Berger 300 gr Hybrid OTM Tactical | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,725 | 3,241 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 250 gr | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,950 | 2,791 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 300 gr | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,580 | 2,761 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady 250 gr BTHP Match | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,860 | 2,682 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady 285 gr ELD Match | 285 | wrong bullet | 2,745 | 3,115 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 248 gr AP485 armor piercing (AP485) | 248 | wrong bullet | 2,936 | 2,582 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 250 gr Lock Base (B408) | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,920 | 2,687 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 250 gr Scenar (GB488) | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,920 | 2,747 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 253 gr API526 armor piercing incendiary (API526) | 253 | wrong bullet | 2,905 | 2,449 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 300 gr AP529 armor piercing (AP529) | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,723 | 3,026 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 300 gr Scenar (GB528) | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,690 | 2,953 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 250 gr Golden Target HPBT | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,838 | 2,666 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler Match Grade 300 gr Custom Competition | 300 | wrong bullet | 2,650 | 2,977 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 285 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 285 | wrong bullet | 2,690 | 2,843 | 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.