Took this doe with my 338JDJ#2, 180grn Ballistic tips and 3x12 Burris at 205yds last Sunday, last day or our firearms season until some antlerless days late in the year.
Hunted from a pop up blind along a pipe line right of way. Set up in some cedars on the side of the right of way to sheild the blind somewhat. I had hunted this area for several days during gun season and the does were moving across the openings around 4-5pm each day on random trails so I set up about mid way on the right of way for a shot each direction.
I had been watching in the opposite direction the deer came out of the timber and when I turned around I had to move my shooting sticks and chair to get into position. Also had to open a little more of the netting and make sure the break was out side of the blind in order to not blow a hole in the blind.
I took one of those deer can bleats and turned it over and the four deer stopped. I took a quick peek with my binoclars and then got the scope on the largest one and sent the round. Hit near shoulder and out the other shoulder with a 2" hole. The doe nose dived and that was it.
Now I can concentrate on my bow hunting until the antlerless season comes around.
Mike

Nice!

Have you tried any of the 180gr Accubond's yet? Did not even use my .338#2 this year.

AWESOME!!!

Nice deer and hundgun. The 338 JDJ is very under rated!!

Duane

Dan, I have some of the 180 Accubonds loaded but haven't had time to check my zero with them. I have been working with a new XP Custom Shop 7-08. I have it ready for the end of the year antlerless season.


Thanks

Mike

I used my 338#2 with 225AB on a CO elk hunt in '06. Took a LARGE cow @ 200yds. My hunting partner walked up and said "My god, you shot a horse!". Anyhow it was a one shot kill. I don't know if you've noticed but I believe Nosler has discontinued the BT in calibers over 8mm. Midway does not list them. From my experience the AB's are somewhat softer in the nose than the 2nd generation BT. Expansion was good(I guess because I didn't recover the bullet but had a larger than caliber exit wound)on the 225 and it was only started at 2250fps chronoed. Dan I figure with the construction of the newer AB's any weight will expand to some degree at reasonable distance if you get it up to near max velocity in your gun. This wasn't the case with the 2nd gen BT. I know they're more expensive but given the fact the BT is discontinued if you shoot Noslers they will work. You're next question will probably be "why 225's"? At the time I bought these the 200's had not been introduced and the 180's had just came out and were in very limited supply. I don't think I would actually use the 180's on elk anyway. When I re-supply I will go to the 200's. I have just recently(2 weeks ago) purchased some Combined Technologies 200 Silver tips to give a try as they're about 8 bucks a box cheaper. Also, I just got a new 338-06 JDJ so if they don't perform in the #2 I can boost the velocity a little(approx. 400fps) and maybe get them to "work". Hey TC I agree that the 338 is a very underated caliber. I have actually owned the original 338 JDJ based on the 303 British case. Ironically the velocities for it were real close to the #2 but it didn't catch on like the #2 has.

Sub...thanks for the info. I use both the 180 and 225gr bullets in my 338#2. Loaned it to a friend who took a 5x4 bull using a 225gr Northfork Tech bullet. It did very well! For deer though I like the 180's...they are a grenade on deer!!

I have not tried the 225's yet. My buddy works at the largest ammunition/reloading places in Oklahoma and he called me when Nosler sent them a notice when the Nosler 338 BT's were being discontinued. I would pick up some from time to time from him. I went down there and purchased the last 9 boxes of the 180 Ballistic Tips in 338 he had. I called around and did some searching on the internet and found 5 more boxes. I'm set on the 180 BT's. I called Nosler and they say the Accubond is actually a little tougher bullet than the Ballistic Tip and is better for larger game. I have some loaded and the first chance I get for some range time I'm going to try them.
I also shoot the Hornady 200grn SP and it shoots under an inch at 100yd. I loaded them since they were less expensive for plinking and maybe some hog hunts.
One thing I should say here is that Dan is the one who was instrumental in me getting a 338JDJ#2. I read his articles and if I'm not mistaken he told me about the barrel I have that was for sale. It came with the MagnaPort "MagnaBreak" on it, with dies, brass and a 4 ring TSOB scope set up. I spent no time finding me a stainless Contender frame and put this puppy together. After loading some rounds and meeting my buddies at the range they took a step back when I pulled it from the case.
I won't go into what they said but they wanted no part of this cannon. After getting my zero I banged a 6" steel gong at 200 meters 5 times in a row. Then they wanted to shoot it. It is my favorite Contedner. The photo is of the 338JDJ#2 on a bear hide. My buddy borrowed the pistol and took a small black bear with it.

Mike

Nice rig you have there!!

Duane