338 win mag velocity with 250 grn bullets 26" barrel

[Deleted member 25294]

I'm moving to AK and considering a 338 win mag for an all around medium to long range hunting/brown bear rifle. I've looked at the 338 RUM and the ballistics are impressive, but I hear the recoil is much more extreme than the win mag. I shoot 3 1/2" 2 oz turkey loads without any problems but I have no idea what the RUM is capable of. I don't like brakes so recoil reduction is not an option for the 338RUM.
Does anyone have experience loading 250 grn bullets for the 338win mag using a 26" barrel? If I could reasonably achieve 2700-2750 fps with a 250 grn bullet then the win mag should be enough gun for the longer shots.
I'd appreciate any feedback from those with experience.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I have a Ruger #1(26" bbl) in 338win that I usually run 225 hornady or nos. a-bonds in with 75 gr rl19. It'll do 2900 fps on 225's. If I run 250's I run 70-72 gr rl19 and I get 2680-2750 fps depending on charge. A top load of h4831 would be about 2750 fps also.

 

[Mike 338]

I have a 338 win mag with a 26: barrel. I'm agonizing over a similar thing.

For me, 250's are just to much. I'm pretty much drawing the line to 225 grainers without a brake. I've shot 300's and you can do it but I don't want recoil in the back of my head. To me, shooting to much recoil reminds me of those guys who break a stack of bricks with their hand. They have to mentally prepare for it. Who needs that? Barnes and Cutting Edge bullets shoot a little bigger than their weight as they have deeper penetration than most jacketed bullets. I've used Barnes on deer, elk, bear and antelope with good results. Exit holes aren't big but they go down fast.

I was getting 26something with the 250's I shot. 27something seems a little to hot. When it comes to brown bear, I defer to the guys who know first hand.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I have a 338 win mag with a 26: barrel. I'm agonizing over a similar thing.

For me, 250's are just to much. I'm pretty much drawing the line to 225 grainers without a brake. I've shot 300's and you can do it but I don't want recoil in the back of my head. To me, shooting to much recoil reminds me of those guys who break a stack of bricks with their hand. They have to mentally prepare for it. Who needs that? Barnes and Cutting Edge bullets shoot a little bigger than their weight as they have deeper penetration than most jacketed bullets. I've used Barnes on deer, elk, bear and antelope with good results. Exit hole aren't big but they go down fast.

I was getting 26something with the 250's I shot. 27something seems a little to hot. When it comes to brown bear, I defer to the guys who know first hand.

If you don't like bricks with your hand try boards with your head. It'll teach you how to do it right in the first pass or two for sure. I'm surprised I don't still have a splinter in my forehead.
The 338 win simply tops out at 225's and usually shoots better with them, but the 250's can be made to do well.
If you have a 24" barrel you will only get high 26's with a 250 but you can pass 2700 with a 26" pipe.

 

[Mike 338]

If you don't like bricks with your hand try boards with your head. It'll teach you how to do it right in the first pass or two for sure. I'm surprised I don't still have a splinter in my forehead.
The 338 win simply tops out at 225's and usually shoots better with them, but the 250's can be made to do well.
If you have a 24" barrel you will only get high 26's with a 250 but you can pass 2700 with a 26" pipe.

Me too but I stopped just as I was starting to see signs of wear on my forehead.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Me too but I stopped just as I was starting to see signs of wear on my forehead.

that looks like it felt really good...

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

r.p.g. labotomy???

 

[Deleted member 25294]

I have a Ruger #1(26" bbl) in 338win that I usually run 225 hornady or nos. a-bonds in with 75 gr rl19. It'll do 2900 fps on 225's. If I run 250's I run 70-72 gr rl19 and I get 2680-2750 fps depending on charge. A top load of h4831 would be about 2750 fps also.

Those loads don't seem like they're much over the max recommended. What kind of brass life do you get pushing the velocities to this level?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Those loads don't seem like they're much over the max recommended. What kind of brass life do you get pushing the velocities to this level?

I have probably shot this rifle 5 or 600 shots in the 9 years I've owned it. I've never lost a brass to failure. I have lost some nickel fed. brass to sitting. They tend to crack if they sit loaded after they've been loaded a few times. I do fl size them but for a few thou. head-space, nothing more. I've never lost a primer pocket.

 

[moosekiller99]

I've been getting 2700 with Reloader 19 out of my 24 inch barreled Winchester 338. 250 grain Sierra SBT's on top of 73.5 grains is doing the trick without any pressure signs. Seems that would be achievable with a 26 inch tube.