.338 Winchester Magnum Trajectory Calculator
See how .338 Winchester Magnum stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The .338 Winchester Magnum is a hard-hitting big game cartridge trusted by guides and hunters pursuing elk, moose, and brown bear. With a 225-grain bullet at 2,780 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 3.8 inches of drop at 200 yards, 13.7 inches at 300 yards, and 30.9 inches at 400 yards. The heavy bullets retain over 2,009 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards and 1,681 ft-lbs at 500 yards—devastating on large game at any reasonable hunting distance.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Loads range from 200-grain options for deer to 250-grain bullets for the largest game. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.338 Winchester Magnum) is pre-selected for the first load.
.338 Winchester Magnum Trajectory Chart
.338 Winchester Magnum Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2780.0 | 3862.14 |
| 25 | -0.67 | 2.54 | 0.739 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.028 | 2726.98 | 3716.23 |
| 50 | -0.14 | 0.26 | 0.076 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.055 | 2674.94 | 3575.75 |
| 75 | 0.09 | -0.11 | -0.033 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.084 | 2623.5 | 3439.53 |
| 100 | 0.0 | -0.0 | -0.001 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.113 | 2572.63 | 3307.44 |
| 125 | -0.41 | 0.31 | 0.092 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.142 | 2522.33 | 3179.38 |
| 150 | -1.17 | 0.74 | 0.216 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.172 | 2472.6 | 3055.25 |
| 175 | -2.28 | 1.24 | 0.362 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.203 | 2423.41 | 2934.89 |
| 200 | -3.76 | 1.8 | 0.522 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.234 | 2374.75 | 2818.22 |
| 225 | -5.63 | 2.39 | 0.695 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.266 | 2326.64 | 2705.18 |
| 250 | -7.9 | 3.02 | 0.877 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.298 | 2279.06 | 2595.68 |
| 275 | -10.59 | 3.67 | 1.069 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.332 | 2232.03 | 2489.65 |
| 300 | -13.71 | 4.36 | 1.269 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.366 | 2185.51 | 2386.96 |
| 325 | -17.29 | 5.08 | 1.477 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2139.55 | 2287.61 |
| 350 | -21.34 | 5.82 | 1.693 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.436 | 2094.15 | 2191.56 |
| 375 | -25.88 | 6.59 | 1.917 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.472 | 2049.31 | 2098.71 |
| 400 | -30.95 | 7.39 | 2.148 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.509 | 2005.02 | 2008.99 |
| 425 | -36.55 | 8.21 | 2.388 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.547 | 1961.33 | 1922.37 |
| 450 | -42.72 | 9.06 | 2.636 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.585 | 1918.23 | 1838.82 |
| 475 | -49.48 | 9.94 | 2.893 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.625 | 1875.73 | 1758.25 |
| 500 | -56.86 | 10.86 | 3.158 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.665 | 1833.87 | 1680.64 |
Take this table to the range
The .338 Winchester Magnum reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .338 Winchester Magnum Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 100yd Drop | 200yd Drop | 300yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX .338 Winchester Magnum 225gr TTSX Ammo Ballistics | 2800 | 0.514 | 0.0" | -3.6" | -12.9" |
| Federal Vital-Shok .338 Winchester Magnum 210gr Nosler Partition Ammo Ballistics | 2830 | 0.4 | 0.0" | -3.7" | -13.4" |
| Hornady Precision Hunter .338 Winchester Magnum 230gr ELD-X Ammo Ballistics | 2810 | 0.616 | 0.0" | -3.4" | -12.3" |
| Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225gr SST Ammo Ballistics | 2840 | 0.515 | 0.0" | -3.4" | -12.4" |
| Winchester Super-X .338 Winchester Magnum 200gr Power-Point Ammo Ballistics | 2960 | 0.308 | 0.0" | -3.5" | -13.1" |
Zeroing the .338 Winchester Magnum
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 225gr G1 .435 at 2,780 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). A hunting rifle with a scope in standard rings sits about 1.5" over the bore; the zero you choose sets how far you can hold on hair without thinking about the range. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.338 Winchester Magnum zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 61 yd | 30 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.1" | +2.0" |
| Max ordinate distance | 81 yd | 117 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–203 yd | 0–259 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | 0.0" (0.0 MOA) | +1.9" (+1.8 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -13.7" | -8.1" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -31.0" | -23.4" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 2,387 ft-lb | 2,387 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 500 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.338 Winchester Magnum with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 225gr load first crosses the line of sight at 61 yards, peaks +0.1" at 81 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -13.7" at 300 and -31.0" at 400 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,780 | 3,862 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.54 | -0.74 | 2,727 | 3,716 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.1" | -0.26 | -0.08 | 2,675 | 3,576 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.11 | +0.03 | 2,623 | 3,440 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,573 | 3,307 | 0.8 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.31 | -0.09 | 2,522 | 3,179 | 1.2 |
| 150 | -1.2" | -0.74 | -0.22 | 2,473 | 3,055 | 1.8 |
| 175 | -2.3" | -1.24 | -0.36 | 2,423 | 2,935 | 2.4 |
| 200 | -3.8" | -1.80 | -0.52 | 2,375 | 2,818 | 3.2 |
| 225 | -5.6" | -2.39 | -0.69 | 2,327 | 2,705 | 4.0 |
| 250 | -7.9" | -3.02 | -0.88 | 2,279 | 2,596 | 5.0 |
| 275 | -10.6" | -3.67 | -1.07 | 2,232 | 2,490 | 6.1 |
| 300 | -13.7" | -4.36 | -1.27 | 2,186 | 2,387 | 7.3 |
| 325 | -17.3" | -5.08 | -1.48 | 2,140 | 2,288 | 8.7 |
| 350 | -21.3" | -5.82 | -1.69 | 2,094 | 2,192 | 10.2 |
| 375 | -25.9" | -6.59 | -1.92 | 2,049 | 2,099 | 11.8 |
| 400 | -31.0" | -7.39 | -2.15 | 2,005 | 2,009 | 13.6 |
| 425 | -36.6" | -8.21 | -2.39 | 1,961 | 1,922 | 15.5 |
| 450 | -42.7" | -9.06 | -2.64 | 1,918 | 1,839 | 17.5 |
| 475 | -49.5" | -9.94 | -2.89 | 1,876 | 1,758 | 19.8 |
| 500 | -56.9" | -10.86 | -3.16 | 1,834 | 1,681 | 22.1 |
225gr G1 .435 at 2,780 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
.338 Winchester Magnum with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 225gr load first crosses the line of sight at 30 yards, peaks +2.0" at 117 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is -8.1" at 300 and -23.4" at 400 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,780 | 3,862 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.75 | -0.22 | 2,727 | 3,716 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.8" | +1.53 | +0.45 | 2,675 | 3,576 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.5" | +1.91 | +0.56 | 2,623 | 3,440 | 0.5 |
| 100 | +1.9" | +1.80 | +0.52 | 2,573 | 3,307 | 0.8 |
| 125 | +1.9" | +1.48 | +0.43 | 2,522 | 3,179 | 1.2 |
| 150 | +1.7" | +1.05 | +0.31 | 2,473 | 3,055 | 1.8 |
| 175 | +1.0" | +0.55 | +0.16 | 2,423 | 2,935 | 2.4 |
| 200 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,375 | 2,818 | 3.2 |
| 225 | -1.4" | -0.59 | -0.17 | 2,327 | 2,705 | 4.0 |
| 250 | -3.2" | -1.22 | -0.36 | 2,279 | 2,596 | 5.0 |
| 275 | -5.4" | -1.88 | -0.55 | 2,232 | 2,490 | 6.1 |
| 300 | -8.1" | -2.57 | -0.75 | 2,185 | 2,387 | 7.3 |
| 325 | -11.2" | -3.28 | -0.95 | 2,140 | 2,288 | 8.7 |
| 350 | -14.8" | -4.02 | -1.17 | 2,094 | 2,192 | 10.2 |
| 375 | -18.8" | -4.79 | -1.39 | 2,049 | 2,099 | 11.8 |
| 400 | -23.4" | -5.59 | -1.63 | 2,005 | 2,009 | 13.6 |
| 425 | -28.6" | -6.42 | -1.87 | 1,961 | 1,922 | 15.5 |
| 450 | -34.3" | -7.27 | -2.11 | 1,918 | 1,839 | 17.5 |
| 475 | -40.6" | -8.15 | -2.37 | 1,876 | 1,758 | 19.8 |
| 500 | -47.5" | -9.06 | -2.64 | 1,834 | 1,681 | 22.1 |
225gr G1 .435 at 2,780 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .338 Winchester Magnum
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" (whitetail, pronghorn) | 260 yd | 0 yd | 305 yd | +4.0" at 145 yd | 22 / 260 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 284 yd | 0 yd | 334 yd | +5.0" at 157 yd | 20 / 284 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Similar Calibers
.338 Winchester Magnum Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On .338 Winchester Magnum Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 200 | $506.11 | $0.00 | $506.11 |
$2.53
200 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 200 | $617.01 | $0.00 | $617.01 |
$3.09
200 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 200 | $641.52 | $0.00 | $641.52 |
$3.21
200 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $55.00 | $18.43 | $73.43 |
$3.67
20 Rounds
|