new member, new rifle and happy new year

[beretta96d]

Hello all,

First off, I'd like to say happy new year to all....(close enough anyways). I just joined this site since I was googling some info and it looked like a good site to visit and learn.

I recently traded in a custom built 338 Federal and a muzzleloader, and in return purchased a Montana 1999 stainless bedded in a McMillan A5 snow camo stock. It's a left hand and in 338 Win Mag. I put a 2.5x10x42 Nikon Monarch on top in Leupold rings/bases. I have done some preliminary shooting with it, and it looks like it wants to shoot.

My first load was 70 grs of RL17 and 210 Scirrocco's and it likes those the best so far. Three rounds were just a shade over an inch. I have tried some leftover 180gr accubonds, some 200gr NBT's and some 225gr Hndy SST's all with RL17. All those loads were at minimum charge and were averaging about 3 inch groups at 100 and 200 yards.

I am trying to find a cheaper load to practice with and I am willing to switch back to the 210's but I'm not having much success. Is it my powder choice since I'm reading more about RL19, or would it be more about the bullet choices?

I may try RL19 and some 225gr Sierra GK's. What are your thoughts?

 

[Joaquin B]

Congratulations on the new shooting iron and Happy New Year!

I've been using a .338 Winchester Mag. (Winchester Model 70 Stainless) for approximately 15 years and have tried all sorts of bullet/powder combinations.

For hunting, I got great results with the old blue-coated Barnes 210 gr. XLC bullets and a lot of IMR4350 powder in Remington nickel-plated brass, using Federal 215 primers.

I am currently developing a load for Hornady 225 Interbond bullets and by far, the most promising powder has been Reloder 19, using the same other components. Velocity topped at 2980 fps with a load that will be over maximum in some other rifles, but safe in mine. I still lowered the charge by 1 grain, to be on the safe side to produce 2950 fps. Since my rifle has a BOSS muzzle brake/tuner, I now have to toy around with the setting that will give me the best 3-shot groups at 300 meters. Realistically, if you can get a group measuring les than 1.5 inches at 300 meters out of a hunting rifle with a sporter countour barrel, you cannot complain. Just my humble opinion...

 

[Derek M.]

Kapuskasing?

Timmins?

Where ya from?

 

[WildRose]

Hello all,

First off, I'd like to say happy new year to all....(close enough anyways). I just joined this site since I was googling some info and it looked like a good site to visit and learn.

I recently traded in a custom built 338 Federal and a muzzleloader, and in return purchased a Montana 1999 stainless bedded in a McMillan A5 snow camo stock. It's a left hand and in 338 Win Mag. I put a 2.5x10x42 Nikon Monarch on top in Leupold rings/bases. I have done some preliminary shooting with it, and it looks like it wants to shoot.

My first load was 70 grs of RL17 and 210 Scirrocco's and it likes those the best so far. Three rounds were just a shade over an inch. I have tried some leftover 180gr accubonds, some 200gr NBT's and some 225gr Hndy SST's all with RL17. All those loads were at minimum charge and were averaging about 3 inch groups at 100 and 200 yards.

I am trying to find a cheaper load to practice with and I am willing to switch back to the 210's but I'm not having much success. Is it my powder choice since I'm reading more about RL19, or would it be more about the bullet choices?

I may try RL19 and some 225gr Sierra GK's. What are your thoughts?

Welcome and happy NY.

With the .338 you probably need to move up to at least 220g-240gr bullets in order to make use of the higher BC's and that should tighten things up quite a bit for you.

The .338WM can be a great little monster killer out to about 800yds all day long so it's certainly not a bad choice for a first time LR shooter.

Save your nickels though once you move out beyond 500yds you're going to want to upgrade the optics to at least probably 14x.

Have fun.

 

[beretta96d]

Kapuskasing?

Timmins?

Where ya from?

Not quite that far north, I'm in Sudbury.

 

[500mag_guy]

We have been running imr 4350 with 225gr. Barnes TSX and have had great luck in our 338win mag.'s with that mixture. Anything lighter then 225 is to light for this caliber for myself personally.

 

[beretta96d]

We have been running imr 4350 with 225gr. Barnes TSX and have had great luck in our 338win mag.'s with that mixture. Anything lighter then 225 is to light for this caliber for myself personally.

What type of accuracy are you getting with that combo? From what I understand, IMR 4350 is the same burn rate as RL 17. I could try some 225 TTSX's. I remember seeing some at the shop.

 

[500mag_guy]

What type of accuracy are you getting with that combo? From what I understand, IMR 4350 is the same burn rate as RL 17. I could try some 225 TTSX's. I remember seeing some at the shop.

With my winchester build i can sink my three shot at 100 yard all touching, most times outlining at least one hole or **** close.

Ill look up my load when i make it back home tonight and let you know what mine is liking the best.

 

[beretta96d]

I was thinking about trying some hornady interlocks or sierra gamekings. Which would typically shoot best?

Later on this summer I'll try some TTSX bullets as well.

 

[500mag_guy]

I the the interlocks

 

[Good]

I know they're pricy, but for a 225g bullet, the BC is advertised at .64. This bullet is PERFECT for the 338WM, IMHO.

https://cuttingedgebullets.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MTH_D67

That one, or this one stepped up 27g to 252g and a BC of .700.

https://cuttingedgebullets.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MTH_D59