Why a .338 WM in Africa?

[DLSJR]

I never thought I needed a 338 WM till now myself. In process of makeover of a New Haven Winchester 70 Classic Sporter that found its way to me. It will be used on 2027 Zim trip for Leopard and PG with 458 Lott for DG. Now to decide and find the right ammo for it.

I think you’ll find 225 grain TTSX, A Frames and Partitions will all serve you well. I’ve shot various bullet weights and bullets in my .338 and finally settled on 225 TTSX and Trophy Bonded Bearclaws as the best option. Only problem is, it’s very difficult to find Bearclaws any longer. The one bullet I’ve never shot that I’d really like to try is Northfork. They seem like excellent bullets.

 

[Michael70]

Thanks Bob, those numbers are crazy impressive and put the Whelen hot on the heels of the mighty 375H&H with a standard action and cheap common brass (resized 30/06). The CFE 223 you speak of, is this a Hodgdon powder? Might be a bit hard to find in these parts as we have good access to ADI powders but not much else. I am guessing the burn rate will be in the ADI 2206-2206H range.

Is this load in a very long barrel? I would prefer to keep my barrel length to 22 inches max, if possible, for a scrub gun. Either way any details on your Whelen set up would be greatly appreciated especially if the loads that you have shown aren't raising any pressure issues.

 

[Cannonball]

Jim Carmichael wrote about being on safari and he and his PH came across a pair of big Cape buffalo. He shot and killed both with one shot to each buffalo. I am not saying that is the reason to use a 338 just repeating Jim’s story.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What length barrel ? I bought my first .35 Whelen in 1992 and have hunted with it ever since. For the past 30ish years my load was a 250 grain Nosler partition at 2530ish FPS. I have killed moose to 400 yards with this load. I recently decided to try the CFE223 powder I have been reading so much about. With a 225 TSX I am right at 2690 FPS with 66 g CFE223. In Remington brass this is a slightly compressed load, and pressure about as far as I want to push it. I have a 22 inch barrel. To get another 200 FPS I would need a fair bit longer barrel. I am happy with this load, accuracy is spectacular, but I was expecting a bit more velocity before maxing out load from everything I have been reading.

@roklok
I run a 25" barrel. Those Barnes bullets just don't seem to like CFE 223. Try up to 61 gn of Varget/2208
I use copper atomic 29 projectiles with CFE 223 and get 2,880 fps
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks Bob, those numbers are crazy impressive and put the Whelen hot on the heels of the mighty 375H&H with a standard action and cheap common brass (resized 30/06). The CFE 223 you speak of, is this a Hodgdon powder? Might be a bit hard to find in these parts as we have good access to ADI powders but not much else. I am guessing the burn rate will be in the ADI 2206-2206H range.

Is this load in a very long barrel? I would prefer to keep my barrel length to 22 inches max, if possible, for a scrub gun. Either way any details on your Whelen set up would be greatly appreciated especially if the loads that you have shown aren't raising any pressure issues.

@Michael70
CFE 223 is a Hogdon powder and impossible to get in Australia now as it's no longer imported
When I found it I knew they were not importing it any more so ended up with 20 pounds of it. No one had heard of it so it didn't sell well.
The burn rate is between 2208 and 2209 and can be used in cartridges from 17 REM to 375 H&H.
HOGDON Superformance is another good powder we can't get in Australia anymore as well but I managed to get 5# of it.
Every funshop I went to I bought all the CFE 223 and superformance I could get.
In my sons 308 I get 2,950 fps with 150 grainers and 50gn of CFE 223 as well
Bob

 

[coreydb]

The .338 is a well proven plains and big game cartridge. It has a wide selection of bullets and if hand-loaded, isn't over-kill even on the smallest plains animals. I talked to a PH last May and even with his "arsenal" of hunting rifles, he considered his .338 Win Mag the best all-around and rifle.

 

[deewayne2003]

Going to try that load in rifle also.
I can get at same price or less
But thanks for the info and good luck on your hunt.
Right now I have Barnes 225 and Hornady CX to try. I really wanted Nosler 250 Partition but it seems non existent

My PH in Zim for my tuskless hunt is apparently a Leopard specialist/ junkie and he swears by the .338win.

His client Leopard rifle is a vintage Remington 700 CDL .338win with Swarovski scope; and he swears by the Nosler partition for Leopard.

“It’s the perfect combination of fast expansion and certain penetration; plus it’s tough enough for all the bait that needs to be shot.”

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Why would anyone use a .338 WM in Africa???
Favorites are .375 HH and .300 WM or 7mm REM.
Convince me I need one!

If you love the .375 H&H there is no need to have a 338. They are great for coastal and brown bears in Alaska, Elk. But again if you enjoy the .375 like I do, there is no need for one unless you just want to say "I have a 338".

 

[dogcat1]

Obi Wan - I just sold my .338 WM barrel on my Blaser.
You are correct, the .375 HH is a great choice.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you love the .375 H&H there is no need to have a 338. They are great for coastal and brown bears in Alaska, Elk. But again if you enjoy the .375 like I do, there is no need for one unless you just want to say "I have a 338".

@Obi Wan Kenobi
If'n y'all tell people you have a 338 you get one of two reactions
Why do you need something that big
Or
A yawn saying so what how boring

Now if'n y'all say you have a 35 Whelen people are interested because it's not that common and they want to know more about the great cartridge.
Bob

 

[BlueFlyer]

The 333 Jeffery with 300gn projectiles had a great reputation to be able to penetrate.
My 338 Sprinter barrel arrived last week. And my 416/348 Ackley Improved reamer is back at PTG being reground to 338/348 AI.
Another Siamese Mauser project. On an action that had previously been modified for 45/70. Trying to replicate 333 Jeffery ballistics.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The 333 Jeffery with 300gn projectiles had a great reputation to be able to penetrate.
My 338 Sprinter barrel arrived last week. And my 416/348 Ackley Improved reamer is back at PTG being reground to 338/348 AI.
Another Siamese Mauser project. On an action that had previously been modified for 45/70. Trying to replicate 333 Jeffery ballistics.

@BlueFlyer
I think you need a cheaper hobby mate.
Your rifle construction is getting out of hand.
Yes wildcats are fun to build and play with but hard to sell.
I'm still trying to sell my custom M17 in 35 Whelen AI, complete with dies and 60 fire formed cases. Still no takers after over two years.
Bob

 

[BlueFlyer]

I think you need a cheaper hobby mate.

After building plate alloy boats & gyrocopters - this is a cheaper hobby.