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Hunting
The Basics, Starting Out
Tikka .338 Win mag Struggles
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<blockquote data-quote="Mike 338" data-source="post: 1513025" data-attributes="member: 41338"><p>I too have had a hard time getting the 338 WM to tighten up groups, even from a match barrel. Personally, I've found seating depth testing is imperative with this caliber. I think bullets in the 225 gr. neighborhood are in it's most favorable wheelhouse. I'd pick an arbitrary load about 3% under book max (that you have confirmed is a safe load, even up to book max) and test in .040" increments, starting at .010 off the lands. 5 shots per load. Mine does best at .225" off the lands. That's almost a quarter inch jump. One load will most likely perform noticeably better than the rest. Use that seating depth and go back and work up a load from low to high. It won't hurt to do a primer test as well. Might as well use that same arbitrary load @ 3% below book max. I've seen primers make no difference or all the difference. Gott'a test 'em. Also, test your shooting technique. Most guys continue to shoot a gun like the movie stars, with the picture perfect rear bag squeeze with the off hand. Might just be the rifle needs a firm hold on the fore-stock area. The Limbsaver suggestion, IMO, is a "must have". Without a great recoil pad, you'll need two weeks to heal up after 20 shots from a bench position. The 338 WM can be viscous to shoot from the bench in a light gun, or heavier gun for that matter.</p><p></p><p>Interestingly, I got my 338 WM to print one hole groups with Varget and a big jump, but velocity was so low, the load was unusable. Seating depth tests on that particular load ranged from 2-1/2" to bugholes.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mike 338, post: 1513025, member: 41338"] I too have had a hard time getting the 338 WM to tighten up groups, even from a match barrel. Personally, I've found seating depth testing is imperative with this caliber. I think bullets in the 225 gr. neighborhood are in it's most favorable wheelhouse. I'd pick an arbitrary load about 3% under book max (that you have confirmed is a safe load, even up to book max) and test in .040" increments, starting at .010 off the lands. 5 shots per load. Mine does best at .225" off the lands. That's almost a quarter inch jump. One load will most likely perform noticeably better than the rest. Use that seating depth and go back and work up a load from low to high. It won't hurt to do a primer test as well. Might as well use that same arbitrary load @ 3% below book max. I've seen primers make no difference or all the difference. Gott'a test 'em. Also, test your shooting technique. Most guys continue to shoot a gun like the movie stars, with the picture perfect rear bag squeeze with the off hand. Might just be the rifle needs a firm hold on the fore-stock area. The Limbsaver suggestion, IMO, is a "must have". Without a great recoil pad, you'll need two weeks to heal up after 20 shots from a bench position. The 338 WM can be viscous to shoot from the bench in a light gun, or heavier gun for that matter. Interestingly, I got my 338 WM to print one hole groups with Varget and a big jump, but velocity was so low, the load was unusable. Seating depth tests on that particular load ranged from 2-1/2" to bugholes. [/QUOTE]
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Tikka .338 Win mag Struggles
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