11 of 17 .338 Win Mag factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 800 yd (Hornady Precision Hunter 230 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 230 gr ELD-X | 230 | 800 | 2,810 | 2,267 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 225 gr E-Tip | 225 | 650 | 2,750 | 2,092 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 210 gr TTSX BT | 210 | 600 | 2,865 | 1,810 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 225 gr TTSX BT | 225 | 600 | 2,800 | 1,933 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 225 gr AccuBond | 225 | 600 | 2,750 | 1,949 | yes |
| Federal 200 gr Trophy Bonded Tip | 200 | 550 | 2,930 | 1,681 | yes |
| Norma 200 gr Ecostrike | 200 | 550 | 2,953 | 1,716 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 250 gr AccuBond | 250 | 550 | 2,650 | 2,052 | yes |
| Hornady Outfitter 225 gr CX | 225 | 450 | 2,800 | 1,862 | yes |
| Norma 230 gr Oryx | 230 | 450 | 2,756 | 1,403 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 250 gr Partition | 250 | 450 | 2,600 | 1,688 | yes |
| Hornady Superformance 225 gr SST | 225 | wrong bullet | 2,840 | 2,001 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance 200 gr SST | 200 | wrong bullet | 3,030 | 1,873 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 225 gr Jaktmatch FMJ | 225 | wrong bullet | 2,674 | 1,697 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 225 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 225 | wrong bullet | 2,780 | 1,652 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 250 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,660 | 1,638 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 200 gr Power-Point | 200 | wrong bullet | 2,960 | 1,162 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 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.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.