Performance
This cartridge is able to push a 225-grain (14.6 g) bullet to velocities of 2,800 ft/s (853.44 m/s), generating 3,918 ft·lbf (5258 J), providing energy values at 200 yards that are roughly equivalent to the .30-06 Springfield's energy values at muzzle. Bullets are available in a very wide range of designs and weights ranging from 150 to 300 grains. SAAMI pressure level is 64,000 p.s.i.
The .338 Winchester Magnum is capable of launching heavier bullets than the .30 caliber (7.62mm) cartridges. The most common bullets loaded for the .338 Winchester range from 200 gr (13 g) to 250 gr (16 g). Typical bullet weights for factory ammunition are 200 gr (13 g), 210 gr (14 g), 225 gr (14.6 g) and the 250 gr (16 g). Typical velocities for these bullet weights range from 2,960 ft/s (900 m/s) for the 200 gr (13 g) to about 2,660 ft/s (810 m/s) for the 250 gr (16 g) bullet each generating approximately 3,900 ft·lbf (5,300 J) of energy. This is approximately 25% more energy generated than the 30-06 Springfield.
Winchester’s 200 gr (13 g) Ballistic Silvertip ammunition (SBST338) retains over 1,600 ft·lbf (2,200 J) at 625 yd (572 m) and has 1,000 ft·lbf (1,400 J) energy at 800 yd (730 m). Winchester’s Combined Technologies Accubond ammunition (S338CT) extend the range for these energy levels even further to 675 yd (617 m) and 850 yd (780 m) respectively.
The recoil of this caliber is quite heavy, with about 31 ft·lbf (4.3 kg·m) of recoil energy in a 9 lb (4.08 kg) rifle. This is about twice as much as the recoil from an average .308 Winchester. Strong recoil like this can be mitigated with the use of properly designed stocks and recoil pads. By comparison, this cartridge has less recoil than other more powerful .338-caliber rifles such as the .338 RUM, .340 Weatherby and .338 Lapua.
Use of a muzzle brake can reduce the recoil from these rifles. Use of brakes will, however, increase greatly the blast noise through the diversion of muzzle gases to the sides.
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