WB
I had expansion issues with .338 bullets
Sunday, August 10, 2025, 07:01

This applies to .30 cal as well. As handgunners we need to consider what velocity range the bullets are designed to perform. Expecting a bullet designed to handle the velocity of a belted mag rifle, from a 12” or so barreled handgun cartridge is a tall order. Adding extended range only exaggerates the issue. Considering the 200 yd. velocity, a much lighter constructed bullet would be better.

In .375 I get really good performance from the old school lead tip jacketed bullets compared to modern poly tipped wonders. Those .338 200/Noslers were very hard bullets and didn’t open up much on the Blackbuck. I hit it twice at 100 yds. They basically performed like solids! But I got him. The .378 GNR and Hornady 270 gr. smoked a whitetail at the same distance. Easily gave hi-power rifle performance. Then again, a 100 gr. Core-Loct 6.5 blew up at 35 yds. and didn’t even penetrate a Sheep’s leg at 2200+ fps (6.5 Raptor).

It takes some experimentation and fiddling. That’s supposed to be fun! lol