264 WSM...243...338-06 Range Day

[257 Ackley]

Spent a good part of yesterday at the range to test several loads for the rifles listed; some decent results and some that have some tweeking to do yet.

I tested several powders and loads for the 243 Marlin XS7. This rifle has proven to be better than a $300 rifle should be. This rifle was shot on Wednesday with some really crazy readings for R17 and the 95 grain BT that needed to be verified. I had readings over 3200fps on Wednesday, but got more realistic numbers yesterday in similar weather conditions.

The loaded rounds...

40 grains of R17...95 BT...Average was 2941 fps

42.5 grains of R22...95BT...Average was 2935 fps

I am trying to find a good load for the 200 grain AB in the 338-06. The 210 grain PT has been my go-to bullet in this rifle from the beginning, but I thought it was time to play with something new.

The loaded rounds...

Next to a 7mm-08 loaded with 140 grain AB...

57 grains of R17 was a good group, but velocity was too low ...

56 grains of R15 averaged 2879 fps and may work if groups can be tightened...

Three loads of MagPro with the 130 AB were tested along with three loads of 4831SC for the 264 WSM. The barrel has 105 bullets through it now. I may be pushing the edge with some of the hotter loads tested yesterday, but had only minor cratering on the primers and no other pressure signs. The 69 and 70 grain loads will be retested with some changes in seating depth.

71 grains of MagPro...averaged 3452 fps... :shock:

The target...

61 grains of 4831SC averaged 3124 fps

The setup at the range...

There is still some work to be done, but it was a great way to spend a nice warm day in Minnesota

 

[DrMike]

Some really impressive results, Joel. That 338-06 with the AB just looks impressive, I must say.

 

[Elkman]

Niceeeee, great write up and pictures.

 

[SJB358]

Very awesome Joel! That 264 is really starting to sing. I know you find accuracy pretty quick. It really looks like you have the speed market cornered! That 338-35 Whelen load looks pretty fast as well. I think your going to hit paydirt pretty quick with both! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Joel,

Nice shooting buddy.
The 264 WSM is going to be a winner for sure.
Take a look at RL 15 for the 338-06, its a top notch powder choice in the 35 Whelen. Try this powder with those long 250 gr AB's. :wink:

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

Joel nice shooting! I see you have to keep reminding Scotty that it's a 338-06 not a 35 Whe@%&! :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Joel nice shooting! I see you have to keep reminding Scotty that it's a 338-06 not a 35 Whe@%&! :mrgreen:

Who? Me? Huh? :shock: I love the 338-35 Whelen.. What is this 338-06 everyone is running their gums about? Sounds too slow to me anyhow.. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

The 338-35 Whelen shoots bigger bullets than the 338-06, in any case. :wink:

 

[257 Ackley]

Joel,

Nice shooting buddy.
The 264 WSM is going to be a winner for sure.
Take a look at RL 15 for the 338-06, its a top notch powder choice in the 35 Whelen. Try this powder with those long 250 gr AB's. :wink:

JD338

Jim - R15 has been the go-to powder for me up to this point and was where I got the best speed yesterday. It is my powder of choice for the 210 PT. I played with R17 just to see what would happen. I also have some H414 loads to test, but ran out of time yesterday to shoot them.

 

[efw]

VERY cool cartridges there... I LOVE the 338-06, and the 6.5-270 WSM looks FASCINATING to me! You gotta love a rifle that shoots as well as the Marlin and costs so little! Fantastic!

Did I read correctly that 56 gr of RL17 achieved 2876 but that the one-holer of 57 was defficient on velocity? That looks pretty good to me!

RL15 was a go-to for me in mine w/ 200s, but I had great performance from IMR-4350 & RL17 w/ 215s & heavier. Hunter w/ 250 gr Barnes O bullets was BRILLIANT in all respects.

Once you go w/ that 215 gr Sierra Game King you'll never bat an eyelid at another... hint...

I've got a 338-06 AI barrel coming soon, and Jim hooked me up w/ a bag of 225 NABs to try out through it... WHEW HA!!!

 

[SJB358]

Hard to beat RL15 in the 35 Whelen and its little brother the 338-35 Whelen. I think almost 2900 out of the 200's is very impressive Joel. Kinda think that would be one heck of a load for about anything except for gigantic brown bears. Man, what a great combo those larger 338s and 358's are on the old 06 case. Very classy and still major players today! Scotty

 

[efw]

Scott,

If you wanta really be impressed run comps between the 338 WM/06 & the Whelen/Norma Mag. IIRC I did the former when shopping, and it was something like 4% more velocity for 18% more powder in the WM over the '06. It'll obviously narrow a tad w/ the AI version, though not much.

A 225 at 2600 would seem to be to be the hammer for about any nail on this continent...

 

[SJB358]

Scott,

If you wanta really be impressed run comps between the 338 WM/06 & the Whelen/Norma Mag. IIRC I did the former when shopping, and it was something like 4% more velocity for 18% more powder in the WM over the '06. It'll obviously narrow a tad w/ the AI version, though not much.

A 225 at 2600 would seem to be to be the hammer for about any nail on this continent...

Right now, Jim and I are running 250gr PT's at 2600 out of our Whelens. I kinda hope it is a big enough hammer for anything. Wouldn't wanna run across something that just shrugs them off! I have a 338WM as well, and honestly, it isn't that far ahead of the 35 Whelen at normal hunting ranges. It is a great round though. Wouldn't ever get rid of it. Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

Eric - The one-holer was 57 grains of R17 at about 2600. Reloader 15 at 56 grains gave me an average of 2879, but the group was over an inch. I am going to play with seating depth to see if that can be improved.

I do have some 215 grain GK's that I bought back when I had a 338WM. I was looking at them the other day (really tarnished), thinking they would be fun to test and see how they shoot as well.

Eventually I will work up a load using a 225 grain bullet, either Partition or A-frame for the rifle. If I can find seconds on SPS it will be the PT, but I do plan on stopping by the Swift plant next time I am in the area to see if a tour is possible. You never know what kind of deals you can find at the factory :wink:

 

[efw]

Oh ok gotcha on the velocities... I was confused as usual :shock: !

That 215 gr Game King has a 250 gr jacket cut short, so it is TOUGH. I've found I can get around 2700 fps and a similar BC to 225s, so its a nice choice! I'd be interested to see how it does on the milk jug test...

 

[257 Ackley]

I'm trying to have friends save me milk jugs so I can do a test or two one of these days. Being single, I don't go through a gallon of milk in a month with all the traveling I do. I might have to start buying the empty jugs at the grocery store just to have jugs to shoot into. :roll:

I wish bullet manufacturers would give more detail on their bullets, such as the jacket info for the 215 GK. I use the 120 grain BT in my son's 7mm-08 because it is made off the 140 jacket and he hasn't hunted anything larger than Minnesota whitetail to this point.

 

[SJB358]

I would like to see what that 215gr Sierra does as well. Seems like a good enough bullet. I also have some 180gr BT's loaded up right now in the 338WM. I just haven't gotten a chance to try them on the range yet. Figured if they shoot, they would be good deer whackers and if I traded the BT's for AB's, they just might be great all arounders for my son to use. Scotty