338 Win Mag Ballistics From Common Ammo Manufacturers

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "338 Win Mag Ballistics From Top Factory Ammo"
(https://ammo.com/ballistics/338-win-mag-ballistics)

Congrats! You discovered our in-depth look at 338 Win Mag ballistics from major ammo manufacturers.

Save time by clicking the links below to skip to your favorite ammunition company and find the ballistics data you need for your favorite 338 Win Mag factory load. Looking to purchase any of these rounds? Browse our complete selection of 338 Win Mag ammo in stock and ready to ship.

338 Win Mag Ballistics Charts

Jump to an ammo company producing this rifle cartridge: Barnes | Hornady | Nosler | Remington | Winchester

Barnes

Jump to a ballistics chart: VOR-TX Rifle 210 grain TTSX | VOR-TX Rifle 225 grain TTSX

VOR-TX Rifle 210 Grain TTSX

VOR-TX Rifle 225 Grain TTSX

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Hornady

Jump to a ballistics chart: Superformance 200 grain SST | Superformance 225 grain SST | Outfitter 225 grain CX | Precision Hunter 230 grain ELD-X

Superformance 200 Grain SST

Superformance 225 Grain SST

Outfitter 225 Grain CX

Precision Hunter 230 Grain ELD-X

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Nosler

Jump to a ballistics chart: Trophy Grade 210 grain Partition | 225 grain Expansion Tip | Trophy Grade 225 grain AccuBond | Trophy Grade 250 grain Partition | Trophy Grade 250 grain AccuBond

Trophy Grade 210 Grain Partition

225 Grain Expansion Tip

Trophy Grade 225 Grain AccuBond

Trophy Grade 250 Grain Partition

Trophy Grade 250 Grain AccuBond

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Remington

Jump to a ballistics chart: Core-Lokt 225 grain PSP | Core-Lokt 250 grain PSP

Core-Lokt 225 Grain PSP

Core-Lokt 250 Grain PSP

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Winchester

Power-Point 200 Grain SP

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Administrative Note: The information above is provided by ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type. When manufacturers’ ballistic data were unavailable, they were calculated using a ballistic calculator.

338 Win Mag Trajectory Chart

A bullet’s trajectory is its flight path. Shooters measure trajectory in inches of bullet drop, milliradians (MIL), or minute of angle (MOA). We use inches of drop in this article.

A flatter trajectory is preferred for long-range hunting because it requires fewer adjustments to compensate for bullet drop in the field. The 338 Win Mag is loved by long-distance hunters for its flat trajectory. When zeroed in at 200 yards, a 225 grain bullet drops about -44” at 500 yards.

Here is a sample 338 Winchester Magnum bullet drop chart to give you a sense of the cartridge’s trajectory.

Note: The preceding chart is an example of one 338 Win Mag load. Actual ballistic performance varies depending on bullet weight, lot, barrel length, and environmental conditions.

338 Win Mag Velocity

Muzzle velocity is the rate at which a bullet exits the barrel, measured in feet per second (fps). Typically, a longer barrel produces a higher muzzle velocity, as the extra length gives exploding propellant more time to exert its energy against the base of the projectile. The 338 Win Mag typically has a barrel length of 24”-26”.

You can expect 338 Win Mag muzzle velocities to range from about 2,600 fps to 3,030 fps, depending on bullet weight and barrel length. The 338 Win Mag’s high muzzle velocities contribute to its flat trajectory and high striking energy, which make it a great option for long-range elk or moose hunting.

338 Win Mag Kinetic Energy

Muzzle energy is the amount of force a bullet possesses the moment it leaves the barrel, measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Heavier bullets tend to have higher muzzle energy, but lower velocity. Velocity is paramount to determining a bullet’s kinetic energy. Striking energy is also measured at various distances downrange, e.g., 200 yards.

For example, a 200 grain 338 Win Mag bullet leaving the barrel at 2,960 fps gains 3,890 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and conserves 1,187 ft-lbs at 500 yards, whereas a 250 grain bullet leaving the barrel at 2,600 fps gains 3,751 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and conserves 1,708 ft-lbs at 500 yards.

338 Win Mag Effective Range

The 338 Win Mag has an effective range of about 1,000 yards for hunting big game (e.g., deer, elk, and moose) in ideal conditions, but it’s generally around 800 yards in most circumstances. 1,300 yards is the maximum range for the 338 Win Mag while target shooting.

How Do 338 Win Mag Ballistics Compare to Other Rifle Cartridges?

The 338 Winchester Magnum offers ballistic performance comparable to that of other large rifle cartridges, such as the 338 Lapua Mag, 416 Barrett, 408 CheyTac, and 50 BMG.

338 Win Mag vs. 338 Lapua Magnum

Don’t miss our 338 Win Mag vs. 338 Lapua Mag article for a deeper understanding of these cartridges!

338 Win Mag vs. 416 Barrett

338 Win Mag vs. 408 CheyTac

338 Win Mag vs. 50 BMG

Don’t miss our 338 Lapua vs. 50 BMG article for a deeper understanding of these cartridges!

What Is the Recoil of the 338 Win Mag?

The recoil of the 338 Win Mag is generally around 30-40 ft-lbs of free recoil energy, depending on bullet weight, muzzle velocity, propellant charge weight, and rifle weight. Such sharp, heavy recoil is well above what most shooters can comfortably and repeatedly fire.

Written by

Wes Littlefield