338 Win Mag with 285 Amax

[jonnybullslayer]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this combo? I've been scouring the web and I haven't been able to find reload data for it. I know 285 is on the heavy end for a 338 Win Mag, but I am curious if it is feasible and what the COAL would/should be. If anyone has a load to share and insight on the terminal ballistics, that would be greatly appreciated.

JB

 

[Truc]

I picked one up a week ago, 338 Win XCR and should have the dies and brass in a couple of days. I don't have but maybe one of the 285 Hornady so can't do any shooting test. You should be able to get 2500 fps out of the 285, that's only 15 grain lighter bullet than the 375 H&H, and it would have a better SD. I was thinking myself the 250 Berger would be the ticket but......for now I'm going to shoot 210 Sirrocco's just because I can get them.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I've been using 225 hornady pills with rl19 in my 338win for ten years or so. Good stable combo doing 2900 fps from my #1. I'm already down to 2700 fps with 250's so I've had a hard time thinking seriously of going heavier without upping the ante and re-chambering to a bigger 338. The win is a bit shy on case capacity to shine with more than a 250.

BWT, how's Tok, AK?? I haven't been there in 15 years... The last time I passed through we drove non-stop other than gas and grub all the way down to Dawson's Creek, BC.

 

[jonnybullslayer]

I've been using 225 hornady pills with rl19 in my 338win for ten years or so. Good stable combo doing 2900 fps from my #1. I'm already down to 2700 fps with 250's so I've had a hard time thinking seriously of going heavier without upping the ante and re-chambering to a bigger 338. The win is a bit shy on case capacity to shine with more than a 250.

BWT, how's Tok, AK?? I haven't been there in 15 years... The last time I passed through we drove non-stop other than gas and grub all the way down to Dawson's Creek, BC.

All my brothers and Dad have used for years is the Hornady 225 sp interlocks with imr 4350. They never paid much attention to accuracy, just went for max velocity. I got into the 338 scene a little later and I'm more concerned with accuracy and with my rifle, I've not found a load with that bullet that my gun likes. Now that I'm in big bear country, I wouldn't mind trying bigger bullets and seeing if I can shoot better than 1 MOA. I am shooting a Savage 116 with a factory barrel, BTW.

Tok is good! I moved up here from Oregon just over a year ago and my youngest daughter and I just went out and got a couple of subsistence caribou.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I'm running Hornady BTHP 285s over 63.3 of RL-17 for 2500fps. 3.460 COAL.

Not hot but fun.

I'm saving my 285 A-Max for the 338 Edge but if I have any too far out of spec I will try them in the 338WM if it's still a 338WM. I will use the Hdy LnL gauge to measure them back off .020. Recalculate the powder charge. Make a ladder and go see what they will do.

Actually I could use the gauge to check them next change I get in the workshop.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Did any of you ever run 285 hdy's in your rifles??
You got me curious and I bought a box today to play with. Any insight?? I've got some data from hodgdon #26 and it looks like rl22 is the powder with heavies, somewhat like rl19 is with mid weight slugs in this caliber. I guess at the worst I'm out a few $$ on the bullets as my bro in law has a 338 rum that'll eat well on the 285's.

 

[ZSteinle]

i am shooting the 285 amax in my 338 win savage bear hunter. I have them loaded to mag length and they shoot great. i am running 66 grains of H 4350 for about 2560 fps. currently experimenting wth the 250 berger hybrids but its been too hot to test anyting. The tips on the amax's are deforming when in the mag box. It seems with the new 338 bullets available the 338 win mag would make for an excellent long range performer. Is it the flatest, no but compared to a lapua or edge its burnig a lot less powder and its not too far off speed wise. I am hoping to get the 250 hybrids going 2700 fps with 70-74 gr of powder

 

[86alaskan]

can't say much for the 285's, but i also run a few hornady 250gr through my tikka 338. have been trying those with 7828ssc and getting pretty decent accuracy but man they sure do kick. as for tips, i had the same problem with smashed tips in the mag of my 338 tikka t3, so i stopped using tipped bullets. going out this weekend to try some 185 TSX's over varget for a lighter caribou killer.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Well, I went out last night with some of the 285 hdy hpbt's and rl22 in crappy conditions with a switching wind and plenty of mirage. So far they aren't up to the rifle's capabilities (they went 1.5 moa while my 225 ab's went 1 moa) but I'm going to keep working on them I think.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

i am shooting the 285 amax in my 338 win savage bear hunter. I have them loaded to mag length and they shoot great. i am running 66 grains of H 4350 for about 2560 fps. currently experimenting wth the 250 berger hybrids but its been too hot to test anyting. The tips on the amax's are deforming when in the mag box. It seems with the new 338 bullets available the 338 win mag would make for an excellent long range performer. Is it the flatest, no but compared to a lapua or edge its burnig a lot less powder and its not too far off speed wise. I am hoping to get the 250 hybrids going 2700 fps with 70-74 gr of powder

Your savage is taking a heavier charge than my ruger #1 will take... I loosened up a primer pocket trying 66 h4350 and a 215 with a 285 hornady today... However, 64 grains h4350 was a good top load and shot well. RL 22 seems to not be happy with the 285 and will toss a good group, then a bad one.

 

[ZSteinle]

Your savage is taking a heavier charge than my ruger #1 will take... I loosened up a primer pocket trying 66 h4350 and a 215 with a 285 hornady today... However, 64 grains h4350 was a good top load and shot well. RL 22 seems to not be happy with the 285 and will toss a good group, then a bad one.

What brass are u using? I'm using norma and seems to handle 66 grains no problem. Starts to show pressure around 68.5

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

What brass are u using? I'm using norma and seems to handle 66 grains no problem. Starts to show pressure around 68.5

win; the rifle went from little recoil at 62 grains to a bull moose at 66. She shot well though at 64; I think I'll shoot the box of bullets out there. I am not sure if I'm staying with this heavy of a pill in the little win or not until I get the chrono in front of her.