338 RUM & 250 Barnes LRX or Nosler Accubond

41rem

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Nov 29, 2010
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44
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Westside, Washington state
Working up a hunting load, started with Reloader 33 in 1x Nosler brass used Federal 215 primers & the 250 Accubond as they are a bit cheaper than the LRX. Went from 96.0 up to 103.0 grains @ 1.0 grain per jump. The bolt lift & primer appearance was similar all thru the testing, chronograph showed a steady climb in velocities starting at low of just -2600 up to a high of 2820 fps. Rifle is a stock Remington model 700 with the original stock 26" stainless barrel.

I'd like to try a temp resistant powder like H-1000, or perhaps a faster burner like Reader 26. Any thoughts from the collective?

41
 
I'm shooting the 250 Accubond and the 250 Berger Elite Hunter with 89.0gr of RE26, IIRC. Velocity is right at 3,000 ft/sec from my 26" 338RUM. Both shoot 2" groups at 400yds.
 
If it is to be used for hunting, and the distance expected will keep the velocities above 1800 (or so) fps....the Barnes! Works at longer ranges.... "stays together" for those "up close and personal" shots!

I have no suggestions on powder. Get as much info from these knowledged folks, and determine what works best, for your application! memtb
 
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I shoot the 250 AB in my 338 rum, 96.5 gr of H-1000 yields 3050 FPS and it shoots sub half MOA pretty easy. I have killed a handfull of elk with it at ranges of as close as 250 yards out to 880 I have never had one "fail" meaning every elk I have shot has died with one shot but I have yet to have a bullet exit which I do not like. I am a barnes guy and the 250 LRX wasnt available when I guild my load. I Plan to build a load with them this winter. I like to see 2 holes when I shoot an elk.
 
I shoot the 265 LRX bullets out of my 338 RUM. I'm still using 7828ssc. By far not the most "optimal" powder for this cartridge however mine shoots incredibly accurate. I just pulled it out of the safe this year and was able to connect at over 750 on a antelope. It's hard to disassemble a load that works so well, but I think with the new powder and bullets available, there might be a combination that's better suited to optimize the RUM's performance.
 
V-H, where did you find the data on that load? I'd like to try it, but need a starting point & a maximum load.
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Not sure where the initial load info came from but I worked up to the 89.0gr. While I did not see any signs of excess pressure, 3,000 ft/sec is a reasonable max velocity for me with a 250gr bullet. I chronograph all of my loads.
The load was worked up with the Accubond and then I switched to the Berger which shot at the same velocity with slightly smaller groups at 400yds.
I killed two bull moose with the Accubond and have only shot paper with the Berger.

My experience with the 250 Accubond's penetration is a bit different than TikkaMike's. My first bull presented itself broadside at 54 yds. A quick shot to the shoulder and the bull flipped over backwards. The bullet slammed through both shoulders and landed in the off-side hide. The remaining slug weighed 140gr after ripping through all that bone. The bulls death was instant.
My other bull was quartering towards me at 315yds. He was very close to the treeline. I took a classic, behind the shoulder shot and the bull just began to walk away. I rushed off another shot before he moved behind the trees. When I got to where the bull was standing I could see him piled up dead about 35-40 yds away. Both shots passed through and either would have killed him without the other.
IMO terminal performance of the 250 Accubond on both moose was excellent.
 
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Not sure where the initial load info came from but I worked up to the 89.0gr. While I did not see any signs of excess pressure, 3,000 ft/sec is a reasonable max velocity for me with a 250gr bullet. I chronograph all of my loads.

Which primer? I have both the Federal 215 & CCI 250 on hand.

I'm using 1x Nosler brass. Figure I'll drop 5% off your Reloder 26 load & work up to your maximum. If I can safely get to 3000 fps it will give me +125 fps over my Reloder 33.

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Which primer? I have both the Federal 215 & CCI 250 on hand.

I'm using 1x Nosler brass. Figure I'll drop 5% off your Reloder 26 load & work up to your maximum. If I can safely get to 3000 fps it will give me +125 fps over my Reloder 33.
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I used a Federal 215M primer in a Nosler case. I noticed that other posters achieve 3,000 ft/sec with the same bullet while using other powders so I'm guessing a bit more velocity is possible with RE26 but I was satisfied with the speed and accuracy where I was.
 

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