30/338 ammo

[staubrj561]

Have a 30/338 wildcat from the mid 60's. 30/06 barrel with Springfield bolt action. Lost the dies after a few moves over the last 40 years. Am considering giving to my granddaughter for her 16th birthday. Have 3 loaded Super-X 338 Win Mag rounds. Anyone aware if there are any 30/338 factory loads available on the market?
If not, what would be the most logical/economical approach to acquiring ammo for her rifle?
Thanks for any and all responses.

 

[Jud96]

Have a 30/338 wildcat from the mid 60's. 30/06 barrel with Springfield bolt action. Lost the dies after a few moves over the last 40 years. Am considering giving to my granddaughter for her 16th birthday. Have 3 loaded Super-X 338 Win Mag rounds. Anyone aware if there are any 30/338 factory loads available on the market?
If not, what would be the most logical/economical approach to acquiring ammo for her rifle?
Thanks for any and all responses.

Firstly, welcome to the site! I have a .308 Norma Magnum which is nearly identical to the .30-338 but is just a tad longer. There is no loaded ammunition available for the .30-338 and brass has to be made from necked down .338 Winchester Mag casings. You can order dies from Redding and they will be around $80 or so for a two die set and close to $100 for the three die set that includes the neck sizing die. I bought my .308 Norma three die set from Redding and they are very nice. I just checked Gunbroker, and there is an RCBS two die set for the .30-338 and they are buy now for $55! If you get those RCBS dies I recommend buying a Redding neck sizing die so after firing your necked down .338 brass you can neck size them, which headspaces the cartridge off of the shoulder and not the belt which gets the maximum accuracy of the round. The cheapest way to make ammunition would be buy those dies and get some .338 Win Mag brass. Load information can be found here .30-338 Winchester Magnum @ www.reloadersnest.com hope this helps!

 

[Buttermilk]

No loaded ammo except maybe from some of the small custom loaders at a steep price.

I use RCBS dies for my 30-338WM. A local gun shop has a set for about $70.

Real easy to make cases. I use 7RM cases necked up since they are plentiful in my area, though I do have some 338WM brass to neck down as well.

The best load data I've come accross is in the Sierra manual. However, I'm using Berger and Nosler bullets in my gun.

My gun really likes IMR-4350 and the Berger 175 HVLD and H4831sc and the Nosler 180 BT. 1/2 MOA from my T/C Encore handgun.

Regards,
Rog

 

[staubrj561]

Jud96
Am really less than novice regarding hand loading and equipment. You mention 2 or 3 dies sets. Will use a local reloader after purchasing the dies. Will probably use 338 wm cases. Do they require 3 dies set or will 2 dies set handle the job?

Buttermilk
Am not familiar with 7RM case label. Is there an advantage to using them over the 338 wm relative to reloading and price?

I appreciate that you both took the time to offer help. Thanks for the information.

 

[Buttermilk]

7RM = 7mm Remington Magnum.

Same basic case as the 338 Win Mag just different bullet diameter.

Cases for the 30-338 Win Mag can indeed be made from a 7 Rem Mag case. Advantages would be a smaller change in neck diameter in necking up vs necking down. Also for me, locally, 7RM brass is more plentiful and cheaper. I've yet to shoot any 338 brass in my 30-338.

Also, a two die set is fine. A three die set gives the option of neck sizing only if desired.

Reloading really isn't complicated, but certainly does require attention to details.

Regards
Rog