Loads › .338 Win Mag › for whitetail deer

Best .338 Win Mag loads for whitetail deer

16 of 17 .338 Win Mag factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 900 yd (Hornady Superformance 225 gr SST). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.

Load	gr	Max ethical yd	MV fps	500 yd ft·lb	Shoulder shot
Hornady Superformance 225 gr SST	225	900	2,840	2,001	behind the shoulder only
Hornady Precision Hunter 230 gr ELD-X	230	900	2,810	2,267	yes
Hornady Superformance 200 gr SST	200	850	3,030	1,873	behind the shoulder only
Federal 200 gr Trophy Bonded Tip	200	750	2,930	1,681	yes
Norma 200 gr Ecostrike	200	750	2,953	1,716	yes
Remington 225 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt	225	750	2,780	1,652	behind the shoulder only
Remington 250 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt	250	750	2,660	1,638	behind the shoulder only
Norma 230 gr Oryx	230	650	2,756	1,403	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
Nosler Trophy Grade 250 gr AccuBond	250	550	2,650	2,052	yes
Winchester 200 gr Power-Point	200	550	2,960	1,162	behind the shoulder only
Hornady Outfitter 225 gr CX	225	450	2,800	1,862	yes
Nosler Trophy Grade 250 gr Partition	250	450	2,600	1,688	yes
Norma 225 gr Jaktmatch FMJ	225	wrong bullet	2,674	1,697	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.

All .338 Win Mag loads