338 WM load , help

[Pappabear]

I have a great Elk tag in AZ this December. My go to rifle is my 300WM, and I have a perfect load for that gun with H1000 and 200 grain Accubonds. However, I have a back up gun in 338WM and load development has kicked my butt. Its a WIN70 action with Kreiger barrel and should shoot.

I have H4831 and IMR4350 and some reloader 19 and 22. I have mostly tried ACCBND 225 grain bullets with poor results. I bought some 250 grain Sierras with RL19 at 2682fps and it shot .5 inch.

Don't really want RL to be my powder but we were suffering to find a load. My plan was to use these cheaper Sierra bullets to find a load then work the Noslers over and see how they shoot.

Also I thought maybe the gun likes 250's so we are going to try some of these other powders with 250's.

Anyone have good loads in 338WM with H4832 or IMR4350 in 225 or 250 grain bullets? Your advice is much appreciated.

PB

 

[Snowrun]

My Browning A bolt is best with 225ABs at 72.8 grains, seated at the lands. Good luck!

 

[257Tony]

Don't sleep on the Sierra 250 gameking, it's a fantastic bullet in that gun! I killed my 2 biggest bulls with bullet, one at 450 the other at 577. High enough BC to hold good velocity and they hit hard. Both Bulls went less than 10 yards. I've always used RL19 in my 338.

 

[Pappabear]

Thanks guys. Snowrun, what powder in what brass? Tony, how much RL19?

Yea, I was considering that Sierra for my goto.

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

PB

 

[HARPERC]

Nosler cases, Federal 215, 75 grains of H-4831 should get you just short of 2800fps with the 225 AB. An occasional rifle will handle a couple of more grains of powder, but 75 is generally a good place to stop.

We've shot a lot of them in a variety of rifles with good accuracy results. They work well, but have had occasions I've felt a little more penetration should have been achieved, but otherwise good bullet.

 

[Snowrun]

Thanks guys. Snowrun, what powder in what brass? Tony, how much RL19?

Yea, I was considering that Sierra for my goto.

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

PB

Sorry, H4831, Nosler brass

 

[Dosh]

Pappabear, which unit is your hunt?

 

[TJAY]

Here is some 338 load work I did last summer.
Superformance. 225 Sierra Federal case & WLRM primers.
70gr.-2673
71gr.-2710
72gr.-2770
73gr.-2808
74gr.-2858
75gr.-2906
76gr.-2913


Hunter. 225 Sierra same case and primer as above
72gr.-2823
73gr.-2845
74gr.-2869
75gr.-2945
76gr.-2958

The Rifle is a Tikka T-3 Lite SS

All ejected easily and showed no signs of pressure.

Also shot.

IMR 4350 71.5 gr. 225 Hornady IB same cases and primers. 2887 fps and 3 shot group 1 7/8" at 220 yards.

H4350 69.5gr. 225 IB same case & primer. 2861 fps and 2" group at 220 yards.

 

[Tikkamike]

I have a lot of 338 win experience and its an inherently accurate cartridge. I have a couple of questions. have you measured your chamber with an OAL guage? if so when you seat your bullet to where it is just touching the lands does it fit in your magazine? or do you have a lot of freebore? I would try some 225 ttsx because they are not seating depth sensitive most of the time.

 

[Pappabear]

Pappabear, which unit is your hunt?

Unit 23 North, Im pretty dang excited. Last two Bulls my son took were in 22north which we don't know as well.

 

[Pappabear]

TJ, great info. Thank you

Tikka, I do love the Tikka line. I had one once and sold it, you know how that goes. I still want a .223 Yote Tikka gun.

I thought the Sierra Game kings and Accubonds were not case sensitive either. I have not measured but its a custom Kreiger and my best friend hand loads for me and he is excellent and I know he measured it before. There is not much jump, and the cartridges just seat nice and firm. My 300 is a half inch gun and my Rem700 5R shoots .5 inch with his hand loads. We just have not worked consistently on this project and it needs attention.

You guys worry about using Reloader powder to get a load in the summer in AZ then shoot Elk with it in the winter in the mountains. Temp change and all that jazz. I see a lot of people use RL for 338.

PB

 

[SansSouci]

This might be of help: http://www.realguns.com/loads/338winmag.htm

 

[troutwest66]

I have a lot of 338 win experience and its an inherently accurate cartridge. I have a couple of questions. have you measured your chamber with an OAL guage? if so when you seat your bullet to where it is just touching the lands does it fit in your magazine? or do you have a lot of freebore? I would try some 225 ttsx because they are not seating depth sensitive most of the time.

I was going to suggest the 210 TTSX. A friend shoots that with RL22. I use RL22 in my ultra mag.

 

[jacknifejc]