The 338 RUM is a cartridge introduced in 2002 by Remington Arms, based on the 300 RUM case necked up to accept .338 bullets. It was designed as a high-velocity magnum for long-range hunting on large game, offering performance close to the 338 Lapua Magnum in a belted case for standard magnum actions. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, analyzing external and wound ballistics to provide clear understanding for reloaders and hunters. Supersonic loads are examined for practical hunting applications. For detailed history and loading data, visit our 338 RUM complete guide.
Core External Ballistics
The 338 RUM utilizes different bullet weights and velocities, with typical supersonic loads behaving similarly to other large-bore magnum cartridges. Heavier bullets maintain energy better at distance, while lighter ones offer flatter trajectories. High-level data shows muzzle velocities from 2650 to 3200 fps, with ballistic coefficients ranging from 0.431 to 0.55, making it suitable for hunting out to 600 yards practically. For comparisons with similar calibers, see our long-range hunting calibers guide or big game caliber selection guide.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
| Range (yards) | 210gr Nosler Partition (in) | 225gr Nosler AccuBond (in) | 250gr Remington Core-Lokt (in) | 300gr Barnes TSX (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| 300 | 14.0 | 14.8 | 16.0 | 18.0 |
| 400 | 34.0 | 36.0 | 39.0 | 44.0 |
| 500 | 67.0 | 71.0 | 77.0 | 87.0 |
| 600 | 118.0 | 125.0 | 135.0 | 153.0 |
| 700 | 192.0 | 203.0 | 220.0 | 249.0 |
| 800 | 297.0 | 315.0 | 340.0 | 385.0 |
| 900 | 445.0 | 471.0 | 510.0 | 577.0 |
| 1000 | 648.0 | 687.0 | 742.0 | 840.0 |
The numbers reveal that lighter bullets like the 210gr exhibit less drop at shorter ranges but increase significantly beyond 500 yards due to velocity loss. The heavier 250gr and 300gr loads remain more stable, staying practical for ethical hunting out to 500 yards where drop stays under 80 inches, allowing for holdover adjustments. Beyond 600 yards, the caliber’s ballistic limitations become apparent, with drops exceeding 130 inches, making it unsuitable for long-range shots without significant elevation correction. Realistic ranges for hunting are 400-500 yards for deer and 300-400 for larger game to ensure humane kills. For deeper charts, refer to our 338 RUM ballistics or caliber hunting guide. The calculations assume a 100-yard zero, emphasizing the importance of knowing your load’s performance in the field.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
| Range (yards) | 210gr Nosler Partition (in) | 225gr Nosler AccuBond (in) | 250gr Remington Core-Lokt (in) | 300gr Barnes TSX (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| 300 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 9.2 |
| 400 | 16.2 | 14.8 | 15.7 | 17.0 |
| 500 | 26.8 | 24.5 | 26.0 | 28.0 |
| 600 | 40.5 | 37.0 | 39.2 | 42.5 |
| 700 | 57.8 | 52.8 | 56.0 | 60.5 |
| 800 | 79.2 | 72.2 | 76.5 | 83.0 |
| 900 | 105.5 | 96.2 | 102.0 | 110.5 |
| 1000 | 136.5 | 124.5 | 132.0 | 143.0 |
Higher BC bullets like the 225gr Nosler AccuBond resist drift better, showing under 15 inches at 400 yards, compared to over 16 inches for lower BC loads. Wind affects practical accuracy beyond 300 yards, where drift exceeds 8 inches, making wind reading crucial. At distances over 500 yards, drift becomes unreliable for precise shots, limiting the caliber to moderate ranges in windy conditions. Realistic expectations include holding for 8-9 inches at 300 yards, ideal for open or calm environments. For wind-related tips, check our big game hunting guide.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 210gr Nosler Partition (ft-lb) | 225gr Nosler AccuBond (ft-lb) | 250gr Remington Core-Lokt (ft-lb) | 300gr Barnes TSX (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 3400 | 3500 | 3700 | 3100 |
| 300 | 2800 | 2900 | 3100 | 2600 |
| 400 | 2300 | 2400 | 2500 | 2100 |
| 500 | 1900 | 2000 | 2100 | 1750 |
| 600 | 1550 | 1650 | 1750 | 1450 |
| 700 | 1270 | 1350 | 1450 | 1200 |
| 800 | 1040 | 1100 | 1200 | 1000 |
| 900 | 850 | 900 | 1000 | 830 |
| 1000 | 700 | 740 | 820 | 680 |
Energy decays steadily, with heavier loads retaining over 1000 ft-lb beyond 700 yards, sufficient for ethical hunting on large game. Lighter loads drop below 1000 ft-lb around 600 yards, limiting expansion at distance. Ethical hunting ranges are 400-500 yards for deer, where energy exceeds 2000 ft-lb for reliable kills. Certain loads fail to expand below 1300 ft-lb, emphasizing bullet choice. For more on energy retention, see our Nosler Partition review or Remington Core-Lokt bullet profile.
Wound Ballistics (Expanded Practical Section)
Bullet design matters greatly in the 338 RUM, as its high velocities allow vivid expansion while maintaining penetration. Supersonic loads produce hydrostatic shock for fast kills, with differences in tissue damage based on construction – frangible for trauma, tough for depth. The goal of this section is to provide practical guidance on terminal performance for hunters. For gel-testing results, refer to our hunting caliber guide or bullet reviews.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Remington Core-Lokt
- Type – soft point with locked core
- Behavior – wide exit wounds, consistent expansion in tissue
- Use – large deer and elk
- Effective Range – up to 300 yards
- Short Summary – Reliable for big game with good penetration and wounding.
More details available in our dedicated Remington Core-Lokt bullet profile page.
Nosler Partition
- Type – dual-core partitioned
- Behavior – broad frontal wounds, rear mass for deep penetration
- Use – elk and large deer
- Effective Range – 50-400 yards
- Short Summary – Balanced for reliable performance on medium to large game.
More details available in our dedicated Nosler Partition bullet profile page.
Nosler AccuBond
- Type – bonded core with polymer tip
- Behavior – controlled expansion, deep penetration in gel and tissue
- Use – large game like elk and moose
- Effective Range – 100-500 yards
- Short Summary – Balances expansion and penetration for reliable performance on tough animals.
More details available in our dedicated Nosler AccuBond bullet profile page.
Barnes TSX
- Type – all-copper monolithic
- Behavior – wide wounding channels, deep penetration through bone
- Use – heavy game like bear and moose
- Effective Range – 100-500 yards
- Short Summary – Ideal for tough animals, maintaining integrity for complete pass-throughs.
More details available in our dedicated Barnes TSX bullet profile page.
Hornady SST
- Type – polymer tip with lead core
- Behavior – rapid expansion, large wounds in gel
- Use – deer and predators
- Effective Range – up to 400 yards
- Short Summary – Delivers fast kills with explosive performance on lighter game.
More details available in our dedicated Hornady SST bullet profile page.
Practical Summary
For predators like coyotes, lighter bullets such as the 210gr Nosler Partition fit well with flat trajectories and quick expansion. For hogs and deer, mid-weight options like the 225gr Nosler AccuBond or Hornady SST provide balanced shock and penetration. Heavier loads like the 250gr Remington Core-Lokt or 300gr Barnes TSX are correct for elk and bear, ensuring deep wounds on tough game. Range discipline matters, as energy drops limit ethical shots to 500 yards maximum. Bullet choice defines terminal results more than velocity in this caliber, prioritizing construction for the target. Explore deeper ballistic and gel-test materials on the site for optimized loads. Readers are encouraged to explore related articles for deeper analysis, such as our long-range hunting calibers, small game caliber guide, or bullet comparisons like Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX.
