IMR 4350 v. IMR 4831, 200 grain Speers, .338 WM.

[LeonardC]

"Sitka on Kodiak." My favorite story that has nothing to do with the .338. One of my part time neighbors was up working on his cabin and I stopped by to say hi. At some point we start talking about hunting and he mentions he and his family use to hunt deer on Kodiak. I stepped to the side and checked out his back side. He gave me a ?? look. I told him I was looking for where the bear had chewed his butt. He told me I must be thinking of his father. I gave him a ?? look. He told me his father has the only F&G documented case of successful defense against a Brown Bear with a knife.

[huntinlever]

SST -- Super Shock Tip. Meant to expand very rapidly.
Really, my understanding of this was it was a response to the Nosler Ballistic Tip in light big game (i.e. "deer") calibers, where people thought the Nosler BT was magic (and drove a LOT of sales). The Nosler BT in the smaller calibers expands violently too, though they are built tougher to expand slower in larger calibers.

If using a 338 Federal on something, the SST might be the way to go (lower muzzle speed, lessened expansion at distance as the resulting impact velocity is lower). If shooting deer w/ the 338 WM, the SST may well be fine.

Just about matching the product to the job.
Unfortunately I think some producers don't really list design impact speeds, or if so not in a useful way.

I do think Hornady lists recommended impact speeds, but I don't remember them telling you 'recommended to do what'. So, still lacking in my view.

BTW: Hornady HP varmit bullets in some sizes make nice deer/antelope bullets in cartridges that launch them slower. Point being: some rapidly expanding bullets do fine on larger game when slowed down.

I think I missed this for some reason. Basically I've worked up two loads. The 200 Hot Cor with likely 2590ish fps, with 3031; same bullet with IMR 4895 for 2645, that "fine woods deer load" I've seen. Finally, 225 SST to estimated 2600-2650, hoping the low end pans out on range with accuracy and chrony data.

That said, I likely plan to use the SST at the range only to get close on 225 grains, and hunt with Interlocks in the field. I was able to get some 225 (and 250) grain Interlocks, SP for the 225 and SP-RP for the 250. I plan to keep the 225 at around 2650 or the 250 slower, using H 4831 SC. Barnes 250 TSX at 2500 or under is also an option.

[huntinlever]

"Sitka on Kodiak." My favorite story that has nothing to do with the .338. One of my part time neighbors was up working on his cabin and I stopped by to say hi. At some point we start talking about hunting and he mentions he and his family use to hunt deer on Kodiak. I stepped to the side and checked out his back side. He gave me a ?? look. I told him I was looking for where the bear had chewed his butt. He told me I must be thinking of his father. I gave him a ?? look. He told me his father has the only F&G documented case of successful defense against a Brown Bear with a knife.

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