Published: January 2026 | Last updated: May 2026
Disclaimer: Ballistic data in this article is drawn from manufacturer publications and established reloading references. All shooting and hunting distances should be determined by the individual shooter based on their equipment, skill level, and field conditions. Always confirm zero at the range before hunting season. For reloading data and cartridge history, see the 338 RCM complete guide.
The 338 RCM (Ruger Compact Magnum) was introduced in 2008 as a joint development between Ruger and Hornady – the same partnership that produced the 7mm RCM simultaneously. The design goal was identical: deliver 338 Winchester Magnum ballistics from a compact action, using efficient case geometry rather than increased powder capacity. From a 20-inch barrel the 338 RCM pushes 200-grain bullets to approximately 2,950 fps, closely matching what a 338 Winchester Magnum produces from a longer standard-length action at comparable barrel lengths.
The cartridge fires .338-inch diameter bullets in the 180 to 250-grain range, using the same bore as the 338 Winchester Magnum, 338 Lapua Magnum, 338 Federal, and 338 Weatherby RPM. Factory ammunition is produced by Hornady, and the cartridge fits Ruger’s Hawkeye Compact and Alaskan rifle platforms. For a direct comparison between the 338 RCM and its closest size-class competitor, the 300 RCM vs 300 WSM article illustrates how the RCM family performs against established short-action magnums. The 338 Winchester Magnum ballistics and 338 RCM ballistics reference pages provide additional comparison data.
Core External Ballistics
| Load | Bullet Weight | MV (fps) | BC (G7) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady ELD-X | 180 gr | 3,017 | 0.248 | 3,647 |
| Nosler AccuBond / Federal Trophy Bonded | 200 gr | 2,950 | 0.272 | 3,864 |
| Nosler Partition / AccuBond | 225 gr | 2,749 | 0.295 | 3,778 |
| Barnes TTSX / Federal Trophy Bonded | 250 gr | 2,597 | 0.310 | 3,753 |
All four loads launch above 3,600 ft-lbs – well into dangerous-game capable energy territory at the muzzle. The 200-grain load produces the highest muzzle energy at 3,864 ft-lbs despite starting slower than the 180-grain, because its greater mass more than compensates for the velocity deficit. The 250-grain load has the highest G7 BC at 0.310, which sustains its energy more efficiently downrange despite the lowest starting velocity of the four.
This energy-BC relationship produces an important practical result: the heavier loads, while starting with slightly less energy, become increasingly competitive with the lighter loads at distance and surpass them on wind resistance at every range. The choice between weights is primarily one of trajectory vs. terminal performance – lighter loads for flatter trajectory to 400 yards, heavier loads for superior energy retention and wind resistance beyond that.
Bullet Drop to 1,000 Yards (200-Yard Zero)
All data assumes a 200-yard zero, 59°F, sea level, and a 1.5-inch sight height.
| Range (Yards) | 180gr (in) | 200gr (in) | 225gr (in) | 250gr (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +1.9 | +2.0 |
| 200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 300 | -7.5 | -7.9 | -9.0 | -9.8 |
| 400 | -21.5 | -22.8 | -25.8 | -28.0 |
| 500 | -43.5 | -46.5 | -52.5 | -57.0 |
| 600 | -75.5 | -80.5 | -91.0 | -99.0 |
| 700 | -119.5 | -127.5 | -144.5 | -157.5 |
| 800 | -178.5 | -190.0 | -215.0 | -234.5 |
| 900 | -255.5 | -272.0 | -308.5 | -336.5 |
| 1,000 | -351.5 | -375.0 | -425.5 | -465.0 |
With a 200-yard zero, all four loads hold within 2 inches of point of aim from the muzzle to approximately 255 yards. At 300 yards, corrections range from 7.5 to 9.8 inches depending on load – a single dial of elevation on a typical hunting scope. This is the 338 RCM’s practical no-stress hunting range.
The 180-grain load drops the least at every distance, reflecting its higher starting velocity. At 500 yards the 180-grain has dropped 43.5 inches versus 57 inches for the 250-grain – a 13.5-inch difference that requires meaningfully different elevation adjustments. For hunters who keep shots inside 400 yards, the difference between loads is modest; beyond 400 yards, the trajectory spread widens significantly.
At 400 yards, all loads require 21 to 28 inches of correction. A 50-yard ranging error at 400 yards produces 8 to 12 inches of vertical error depending on load – enough to miss the vital zone on a deer if the estimate is consistently low. Precise range determination is mandatory past 350 yards with any of the four loads.
Wind Drift (10 mph Full-Value Crosswind)
| Range (Yards) | 180gr (in) | 200gr (in) | 225gr (in) | 250gr (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 200 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| 300 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| 400 | 14.0 | 13.0 | 12.0 | 11.0 |
| 500 | 22.0 | 20.0 | 19.0 | 18.0 |
| 600 | 36.0 | 34.0 | 32.0 | 30.0 |
| 700 | 53.0 | 50.0 | 48.0 | 46.0 |
| 800 | 70.0 | 67.0 | 64.0 | 61.0 |
| 900 | 88.0 | 84.0 | 80.0 | 76.0 |
| 1,000 | 107.0 | 102.0 | 97.0 | 92.0 |
The 250-grain load drifts the least at every distance – 92 inches at 1,000 yards versus 107 inches for the 180-grain, a 15-inch advantage at that distance driven by its superior G7 BC. At 400 yards in a 10 mph crosswind, the 250-grain drifts 11 inches versus 14 inches for the 180-grain – a 3-inch difference that is meaningful when an elk’s vital zone spans 12 inches.
At 500 yards, all four loads drift between 18 and 22 inches in a 10 mph crosswind – consuming most of an elk’s vital zone width. A hunter who underestimates a 12 mph wind as 10 mph at that distance will be off 2 to 4 inches beyond the listed values, which is a near-miss on elk from a broadside presentation. Past 500 yards, accurate wind estimation is as critical as correct elevation with this cartridge.
Inside 400 yards in a 10 mph crosswind, the 225 and 250-grain loads drift 11 to 12 inches – within the margin of a center-mass hold on elk and moose with a deliberate correction. This is the distance band where the 338 RCM operates most effectively on the largest game.
Velocity Retention
The expansion thresholds: 1,800 fps for standard soft points; 1,600 fps for bonded designs like the AccuBond and ELD-X; 1,500 fps for monolithics like the Barnes TTSX.
| Range (Yards) | 180gr (fps) | 200gr (fps) | 225gr (fps) | 250gr (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3,017 | 2,950 | 2,749 | 2,597 |
| 200 | 2,650 | 2,600 | 2,430 | 2,302 |
| 400 | 2,305 | 2,261 | 2,122 | 2,017 |
| 600 | 1,980 | 1,934 | 1,824 | 1,742 |
| 800 | 1,675 | 1,618 | 1,536 | 1,477 |
| 1,000 | ~1,390 | ~1,323 | ~1,262 | ~1,222 |
The 180-grain load drops below 1,800 fps at approximately 820 yards; the 200-grain at approximately 780 yards; the 225-grain at approximately 680 yards; the 250-grain at approximately 620 yards. For practical hunting inside 600 yards, all four loads are above 1,742 fps – above the expansion floor for any hunting bullet design.
Close-range velocities are also noteworthy: at 50 yards the 180-grain load impacts at approximately 2,985 fps. Standard cup-and-core bullets at that velocity can expand aggressively enough to limit penetration depth on heavy bone. Bonded and monolithic designs are strongly preferred for all shots inside 150 yards on large or tough game with the 338 RCM.
All loads remain supersonic to approximately 900 to 950 yards at sea level, so stability is not a practical hunting constraint.
Energy Retention
The thresholds: 1,000 ft-lbs for deer, 1,500 ft-lbs for elk and moose, 2,500 ft-lbs for dangerous game.
| Range (Yards) | 180gr (ft-lbs) | 200gr (ft-lbs) | 225gr (ft-lbs) | 250gr (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3,647 | 3,864 | 3,778 | 3,753 |
| 100 | 2,808 | 3,008 | 2,956 | 2,943 |
| 200 | 2,812 | 3,011 | 2,958 | 2,946 |
| 300 | 2,139 | 2,298 | 2,259 | 2,243 |
| 400 | 1,614 | 1,762 | 1,742 | 1,724 |
| 500 | 1,209 | 1,340 | 1,341 | 1,328 |
| 600 | 898 | 1,012 | 1,022 | 1,010 |
| 700 | 661 | 756 | 775 | 762 |
| 800 | 483 | 560 | 589 | 575 |
| 900 | 351 | 408 | 444 | 432 |
| 1,000 | 253 | 293 | 335 | 323 |
For elk and moose, the 1,500 ft-lbs threshold is maintained as follows:
- 180gr: approximately 430 yards
- 200gr: approximately 500 yards
- 225gr: approximately 505 yards
- 250gr: approximately 500 yards
The 200, 225, and 250-grain loads all extend elk-class energy to approximately 500 yards – a meaningful capability advantage over the 180-grain, which falls short at around 430 yards. The original article stated “ethical hunting ranges of 300-500 yards for elk” – that range is accurate for the three heavier loads but overstates the 180-grain’s elk ceiling by 70 yards. Hunters targeting elk past 400 yards should use the 200-grain or heavier loads.
For dangerous game – grizzly and brown bear – the 2,500 ft-lbs threshold is met by all four loads inside 350 yards, with the 200-grain maintaining it to approximately 360 yards. Inside 200 yards, all loads deliver more than 2,800 ft-lbs – legitimate dangerous-game energy from a compact rifle that is practical to carry in bear country.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-X
The Hornady ELD-X uses a Heat Shield polymer tip maintaining consistent BC and InterLock bonding preventing core-jacket separation. In gel it mushrooms to 1.6 to 1.8 times its original diameter and penetrates 16 to 20 inches with weight retention above 80 percent.
For the 338 RCM, the 180-grain ELD-X is the flattest-shooting hunting load with the widest no-holdover window. Its bonded construction handles close-range impacts reliably, and its trajectory advantage is most pronounced inside 400 yards on deer. For elk, its energy ceiling of approximately 430 yards limits it compared to the heavier loads; for deer inside 450 yards it is effective and accurate.
Best application: Deer at 75 to 450 yards. Elk inside 400 yards with broadside shot placement.
Barnes TTSX
The Barnes TTSX is an all-copper monolithic bullet expanding via four petals at velocities as low as 1,500 fps, retaining virtually 100 percent of its original weight. In gel it drives 20 to 26 inches with a wide, consistent wound channel and complete structural integrity through heavy bone.
For the 338 RCM, the TTSX in 225 or 250-grain is the optimal choice for grizzly and brown bear at close range and the premier load for any application requiring complete bullet integrity through the heaviest bone. It is also the required choice for lead-free hunting zones. The compact 338 RCM rifle chambered in this cartridge is particularly useful for Alaska bear hunting where a lightweight, maneuverable platform is essential – the TTSX’s all-copper construction ensures reliable performance on dangerous game regardless of impact angle.
Best application: Grizzly, brown bear, moose, elk, and hogs at 50 to 450 yards. Required for lead-free zones.
Nosler AccuBond
The Nosler AccuBond bonds a lead core electrochemically to a tapered copper jacket, preventing core-jacket separation at the 338 RCM’s substantial close-range impact velocities. A correction from the original article, which stated the AccuBond “often sheds weight on heavy bone”: the bonded construction specifically prevents core-jacket separation, and weight retention is consistently above 65 percent at all impact velocities this cartridge produces. In gel it expands to 1.5 to 1.8 times original diameter and penetrates 16 to 20 inches.
For the 338 RCM, the 225-grain AccuBond is the best all-around elk and moose load – meeting the elk energy standard to approximately 505 yards with reliable bonded construction across the full velocity range. Its slightly higher BC compared to the 200-grain gives it a modest wind drift advantage without sacrificing energy margin. For deer, elk, and pronghorn across the practical hunting range of this cartridge, the AccuBond covers every scenario.
Best application: Elk, moose, and deer at 75 to 500 yards. The primary all-around recommendation.
Sierra GameKing
The Sierra GameKing is a boat-tail soft point mushrooming consistently to 1.3 to 1.4 times original diameter and penetrating 14 to 18 inches with weight retention in the 60 to 75 percent range.
For the 338 RCM, the GameKing in 200-grain is a reliable, cost-effective deer hunting bullet inside 350 yards on broadside shots through the ribcage. It is not bonded, making it less suited to steep angles on elk or bear where bullet integrity through heavy bone matters. For the compact-rifle deer hunter operating in timber where shots stay inside 250 yards, the GameKing is a practical, economical choice. For elk and any large, tough game, the AccuBond, Trophy Bonded, or TTSX provide more reliable penetration on difficult angles.
Best application: Deer at 100 to 350 yards. Best suited for broadside shots.
Federal Trophy Bonded
The Federal Trophy Bonded uses a bonded lead core locked inside a thick copper jacket, producing 90 to 95 percent weight retention and deep, straight-line penetration on the toughest game. In gel it expands to a broad, flat mushroom and penetrates 18 to 24 inches.
For the 338 RCM, the 250-grain Trophy Bonded is the premier dangerous-game load for grizzly, brown bear, and bull moose inside 350 yards. At 350 yards it delivers approximately 1,600 ft-lbs with near-complete weight retention – enough energy and penetration to ensure vitals are reached from any angle the largest North American game can present. Its lower BC limits efficiency past 400 yards, but inside that distance it is the most penetration-capable load in the lineup.
Best application: Grizzly, brown bear, moose, and elk at 50 to 400 yards. Top choice for dangerous game requiring maximum penetration.
Practical Range Recommendations
The 338 RCM is a 500-yard elk cartridge and a capable dangerous-game platform in a compact short-action rifle that is significantly lighter and more maneuverable than rifles chambered in the 338 Winchester Magnum or 338 Lapua Magnum.
Elk: The 200, 225, and 250-grain loads meet the 1,500 ft-lbs elk standard to approximately 500 yards. Inside 400 yards, all four loads deliver more than 1,600 ft-lbs on elk with a comfortable margin from any shot angle. The Nosler AccuBond 225-grain is the primary recommendation; the Federal Trophy Bonded 250-grain is the better choice for heavy timber where shots inside 200 yards demand maximum penetration.
Moose: Inside 450 yards with the 200, 225, or 250-grain controlled-expansion loads. Moose require deep, reliable penetration through large muscle mass, and the bonded and monolithic loads handle that reliably. At 400 yards all three heavier loads deliver more than 1,700 ft-lbs – sufficient for moose with a well-placed shot.
Grizzly and brown bear: Inside 350 yards with the Federal Trophy Bonded 250-grain or Barnes TTSX 225 or 250-grain. The 338 RCM’s compact platform makes it one of the most practical dangerous-game capable cartridges to carry all day in Alaska’s bear country, and its energy at close range fully matches the stopping power required.
Deer: All four loads exceed the 1,000 ft-lbs deer minimum past 700 yards. The practical limit is the shooter’s skill with the compact rifle platform. The 180-grain ELD-X minimizes meat damage while producing decisive kills on deer at any realistic hunting range.
Black bear and hogs: Inside 325 yards with the TTSX or AccuBond. Both animals require reliable penetration through heavy muscle and potential shoulder-on angles, and the 338 RCM’s energy handles this confidently with the right bullets.
For a direct comparison of the 338 RCM against the 338 Winchester Magnum and 338 Federal, the big game caliber selection guide covers the full .338 family in practical hunting terms.
FAQ
How does the 338 RCM compare to the 338 Winchester Magnum?
The two cartridges produce nearly identical muzzle velocities and energies with comparable bullet weights. The 338 Winchester Magnum has a small powder capacity advantage that translates to approximately 50 to 75 fps more velocity from comparable barrel lengths. The 338 RCM’s advantages are its compact action (shorter, lighter rifles) and its headspace on the case shoulder rather than a belt, which improves concentricity and case life for handloaders. For hunters who carry their rifle extensively in rugged terrain, the 338 RCM’s lighter, shorter platform is a meaningful practical benefit. For hunters who prioritize the widest factory ammunition availability, the 338 Winchester Magnum has 65 years of commercial loading history behind it.
What is the maximum ethical range for the 338 RCM on elk?
With the 200, 225, or 250-grain loads, the 1,500 ft-lbs elk threshold is maintained to approximately 500 yards. With the 180-grain ELD-X it is approximately 430 yards. In realistic field conditions, 450 yards is a responsible practical maximum for most hunters. Inside 350 yards, all four loads deliver a comfortable elk energy margin from any angle.
Is the 338 RCM adequate for grizzly bear?
Yes, with the right bullet inside 350 yards. The Barnes TTSX 250-grain or Federal Trophy Bonded 250-grain deliver more than 2,400 ft-lbs at 350 yards with bullet construction designed for complete penetration through the heaviest bone. The compact 338 RCM rifle – lighter than most dedicated dangerous-game platforms – is a practical Alaska carry choice that does not sacrifice the stopping power needed for close-range bear encounters.
Is factory ammunition available for the 338 RCM?
Yes, from Hornady in 225-grain GMX and 225-grain SST loadings. Selection is more limited than the 338 Winchester Magnum. Hunters who need broad factory ammunition availability should note this limitation. The 338 RCM is well-supported for handloaders who can source .338-inch bullets widely.
What powders work best for handloading the 338 RCM?
The 338 RCM’s case capacity and pressure ceiling suit medium-slow to slow-burning powders. Hodgdon H4350 is the most widely cited choice for 180 to 225-grain bullets. IMR 4350 and IMR 4451 Enduron are strong alternatives. Hodgdon H4831SC and Alliant Reloder 19 work well with 225 to 250-grain loads. Alliant Reloder 17 has shown good results with lighter 180 to 200-grain loads at moderate velocities. Always start 10 percent below published maximum charges.
What primers does the 338 RCM use?
Large rifle magnum primers are standard. The Federal 215 and CCI 250 are most commonly specified in published load data. The Federal GM215M match magnum primer is preferred by precision handloaders for consistent ignition. Standard large rifle primers are not recommended – the slow-burning powders used in the 338 RCM require magnum primer ignition for reliable, complete combustion.
Disclaimer: Ballistic data in this article is provided for reference purposes only. Actual performance will vary based on rifle barrel length, atmospheric conditions, altitude, and individual load parameters. Always verify your zero at the range before any hunt. Do not apply published handload data without consulting current reloading manuals from Hodgdon or Hornady. Never exceed maximum published charges. The author and myreloading.com assume no responsibility for misuse of this information.
Editorial note: Originally published January 2026, revised May 2026.
