Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 Grain SST Ammunition: The Ultimate Edge for Serious Big Game Hunters

Are you a dedicated big game hunter constantly seeking the most reliable, accurate, and powerful ammunition to ensure a successful and ethical harvest? Do you find yourself asking: "What is the best ammunition for large North American game like elk, moose, or bear?" or "How can I achieve flatter trajectories and superior energy transfer at extended ranges?" The answer lies in the meticulously engineered Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 Grain SST ammunition, designed to deliver unparalleled performance in the field.

This isn't just another box of cartridges; it's a testament to Hornady's commitment to innovation, offering a distinctive advantage that addresses the critical challenges faced by hunters. Whether you're navigating dense forests in pursuit of a trophy bull elk or planning a long-range shot across vast plains, the Hornady Superformance line, featuring the proven 225-grain Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet, provides the confidence and capability you need.

Unleashing the Power of Hornady Superformance Technology

At the core of this ammunition's exceptional performance is Hornady's groundbreaking Superformance technology. This proprietary advancement redefines what's possible in a factory load, pushing the boundaries of velocity and energy without compromising safety or increasing felt recoil. Many hunters grapple with the trade-off between power and shootability; Superformance effectively eliminates this dilemma.

How does it achieve this remarkable feat? Hornady's engineers have developed highly efficient propellants that are specifically formulated to accelerate the bullet for a longer duration within the barrel. Unlike traditional powders that might burn quickly, peaking pressure early, Superformance propellants optimize the pressure curve, maintaining higher pressures for a more extended period. This results in a significant increase in muzzle velocity—up to 200 feet per second (fps) higher than conventional ammunition—without a corresponding rise in peak chamber pressure. This means you gain substantial velocity without experiencing harsher recoil, making follow-up shots quicker and more manageable, and extending your effective range with greater comfort.

Key Benefits of Superformance Technology:

• Increased Muzzle Velocity: Experience velocities up to 200 fps faster, translating directly into enhanced downrange energy.
• Flatter Trajectories: Higher speed means less bullet drop over distance, simplifying holdovers and improving accuracy at varying ranges.
• Reduced Wind Drift: A faster bullet spends less time in the air, making it less susceptible to crosswinds, which is critical for precision in challenging conditions.
• Maximum Terminal Performance: More velocity translates to greater kinetic energy delivered on target, ensuring devastating on-target impact and rapid, humane game incapacitation.
• Standard Recoil Levels: Enjoy the benefits of increased power without the penalty of increased kick, promoting better shooter comfort and confidence.
• Versatile Firearm Compatibility: Superformance ammunition is engineered to be safe and effective in all firearm types, including semi-automatic rifles, lever-action rifles, and pump-action firearms, ensuring broad applicability for your hunting arsenal.

The Dominance of the .338 Winchester Magnum

The .338 Winchester Magnum is a legendary cartridge renowned for its immense power and versatility, particularly when pursuing large and dangerous game. Introduced in 1958, it quickly established itself as a premier choice for North American hunters targeting species like elk, moose, grizzly bears, and brown bears. Its reputation as a hard-hitting, reliable big game cartridge is well-earned.

When paired with Hornady's Superformance technology and the 225-grain SST bullet, the .338 Win Mag truly shines. The combination results in a cartridge capable of delivering a remarkable 2840 fps muzzle velocity and an astonishing 4029 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This level of power ensures deep penetration and substantial energy transfer, essential for breaking down heavy bone and reaching vital organs on even the toughest game animals.

Why Hunters Choose .338 Win Mag for Big Game:

• Exceptional Stopping Power: The large bullet diameter and significant kinetic energy make it ideal for quickly and ethically taking down large, resilient animals.
• Versatility: While formidable for dangerous game, it's also an excellent choice for a wide range of non-dangerous big game like elk, moose, caribou, and larger deer species.
• Penetration: The heavy bullet weight combined with high velocity ensures excellent penetration, critical for reaching vitals through thick hide, muscle, and bone.
• Proven Track Record: Decades of successful hunts worldwide have solidified the .338 Win Mag's status as a top-tier big game cartridge.

The SST Bullet: Precision and Terminal Performance

The Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet is a cornerstone of this ammunition's effectiveness. Engineered for devastating on-target performance, the SST combines several innovative design features to deliver both unparalleled accuracy and lethal terminal ballistics.

The striking red polymer tip is not merely for aesthetics; it initiates rapid and uniform expansion upon impact, even at lower velocities often encountered at extended ranges. This tip also contributes to the bullet's superior ballistic coefficient, allowing it to cut through the air with minimal drag, preserving velocity and energy downrange.

Beneath the tip, the secant ogive profile, a design pioneered by Hornady, provides a highly efficient aerodynamic shape for reduced drag and flatter trajectories. The boat tail design further enhances ballistic efficiency, particularly at longer ranges, promoting stable flight and improved accuracy.

Crucially, the SST bullet incorporates Hornady's InterLock ring. This internal ring mechanically locks the core to the jacket, preventing core-jacket separation during impact. This ensures that the bullet maintains its integrity and weight retention, facilitating deep, controlled penetration and maximizing energy transfer within the animal. The result is a large, devastating wound channel and reliable, ethical kills.

SST Bullet Features at a Glance:

• Polymer Tip: Initiates rapid, uniform expansion and improves ballistic coefficient.
• Secant Ogive Profile: Optimized aerodynamic shape for flatter trajectories and reduced drag.
• InterLock Ring: Locks core and jacket for maximum weight retention and deep penetration.
• Cannelure: Provides a secure crimp for consistent bullet seating and performance.
• Boat Tail Design: Enhances ballistic coefficient for improved accuracy and stability at long range.

Real-World Applications and Hunter Scenarios

Hornady Superformance .338 Win Mag 225 gr SST ammunition is the ideal choice for a variety of demanding hunting scenarios, offering significant advantages where precision, power, and reliability are paramount.

Hunting Large North American Game:

• Elk Hunting: Whether in the mountains of the Rockies or the forests of the Pacific Northwest, elk demand a powerful cartridge. The .338 Win Mag with the 225 gr SST delivers the energy and penetration needed for ethical kills on these magnificent animals, even through heavy shoulder bone.
• Moose Hunting: Moose are immense, thick-skinned animals. The deep penetration and expansive capabilities of the SST bullet ensure that vital organs are reached, leading to quick incapacitation and minimal tracking.
• Bear Hunting (Brown/Grizzly/Black): For any bear species, especially those known for their formidable size and resilience, having a cartridge that offers immediate stopping power is crucial for both ethical harvest and hunter safety. The .338 Win Mag excels in this role.
• Bison/Buffalo: For hunters pursuing these powerful bovines, the Hornady Superformance provides the necessary punch for a clean, humane harvest.
• Caribou: While not as large as elk or moose, caribou hunts often involve long shots in open terrain where flatter trajectories and reduced wind drift are highly beneficial.

Addressing Common Hunter Questions:

• "What ammunition gives me the best chance for a one-shot kill?" The combination of Hornady's Superformance velocity, the .338 Win Mag's power, and the SST's terminal performance significantly increases the likelihood of a rapid, ethical incapacitation.
• "How can I reduce bullet drop for my long-range shots?" The increased velocity from Superformance technology results in a flatter trajectory, minimizing bullet drop and simplifying aiming solutions over extended distances.
• "I hunt in windy conditions; what ammunition performs best?" The enhanced velocity means the bullet reaches the target faster, spending less time exposed to crosswinds and reducing wind drift, leading to greater precision.
• "Is this ammunition safe for my semi-auto .338 Win Mag?" Absolutely. Hornady Superformance is explicitly designed to be safe and reliable in all firearm types, including semi-automatic, lever-action, and pump-action rifles.
• "How can I gain confidence in my shot placement at longer ranges?" With improved ballistics and consistent performance, you'll gain greater confidence in your ability to place shots accurately, even when the target is distant.

Precision Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

Hornady's reputation for precision and quality is legendary in the ammunition industry. Each Superformance .338 Win Mag cartridge is manufactured to exacting standards, utilizing premium components and stringent quality control processes. From the selected brass casing to the precise propellant charge and the perfectly seated SST bullet, every detail is meticulously overseen to ensure consistent performance from one round to the next. This dedication to quality translates into reliability and repeatable accuracy, shot after shot, season after season. Hunters can trust that when they pull the trigger, their Hornady ammunition will perform exactly as expected.

The Hornady Advantage: A Legacy of Innovation

For over 70 years, Hornady has been at the forefront of ballistic innovation, consistently developing products that push the boundaries of performance. The Superformance line is a prime example of this commitment. When you choose Hornady Superformance .338 Win Mag 225 gr SST, you're not just buying ammunition; you're investing in decades of ballistic research, cutting-edge engineering, and a proven track record of hunter success. This is ammunition designed by hunters, for hunters, understanding the critical demands of the field and delivering solutions that enhance every aspect of the hunting experience.

For hunters who demand the very best, who refuse to compromise on power, precision, or ethical performance, the Hornady Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 Grain SST is the clear choice. It’s the ammunition that helps you turn challenging hunts into successful memories, ensuring that when the moment of truth arrives, you have the ultimate edge.

You can find the Hornady 82233 Superformance .338 Winchester Magnum 225 gr SST ammunition, along with a comprehensive selection of premium hunting supplies, available at DEGuns. Trust in the performance that countless hunters rely on for their most important pursuits.

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Superformance
Caliber	.338 Win Mag
Bullet Type	Super Shock Tip (SST)
Bullet Weight	225 grains
Muzzle Velocity	2840 fps
Muzzle Energy	4029 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Casing Material	Brass
Application	Hunting
Game Type	Big Game
UPC	090255822335
MPN	82233
SKU	61125