338-06 Ackley Imp. Load Data

[shortstuf92]

I just purchased a SS Remington 700 with a 24" barrel in 338-06 Ackley Imp. and would like to kill two birds with one stone. I am looking for a accurate 338-06 A Square load with Speer 200 grain Hot Core bullets or 200 grain Hornady interlock bullets that I can use for hunting and also use for fireforming my brass into the Ackley Imp. I am using new Winchester 30-06 brass sized to 338-06 A Square It would be great if somebody has data for a load that would possibly save me primers, powder bullets and wear on the barrel. Thanks

 

[358 WCF]

It's been a few years, but the last time I fireformed for my 338-06 Ackley I used 56gr of a leftover partial can of IMR 4895 & the 200 Speer Spt. seated to touch + a little. The load clocked about 2750fps from a 25" bbl. & shot into about 2" @ 100 yds for 25 shots on a very windy day not being particularly careful about aim. I just wanted to get done & go home. Maybe work up from 53gr...1 or 2 shots per increment because your stuff is different. A fairly stiff load of any medium burn rate (3031 to 4064?) powder will work as well. I use near max book load for the standard cartridge. The brass needs a good boot in the ass to fill out the shoulders so they're fairly sharp & headspace is maintained. Better one stiff load than 2 or 3 wimpy ones. The previous time I used 50 gr of A2495 @ c. 2650fps. Both of these loads were suitable for deer hunting to 200 or 250 yds+.

Winchester is usually fairly thin, but with some brass I've had better results necking up to 35 then sizing back to 338 & leaving a small false shoulder for positive headspace control. 35 Whelen or even 280 Rem brass allso has worked well for this if you dont care about headstamp. There should be a definite "feel" when you close the bolt. Keep your locking lugs lubed during the process.

After brass is formed, I've found a caseful of H4350 (from a particularly snappy lot) to be outstanding with 200Speer/210 Partitons. It's a heavily compressed load even in Win. brass. Maybe start around 60gr & work up until you find a happy accuracy/velocity spot.

Ramshot Big Game has been a close 2nd & also good with 215s & 225s. I used 325 WSM start data from Nosler #8 for 200gr bullet weight (59gr) & worked up until groups shrank & speed was good as the case capacity is close to the Ackley, & the 338 bore adds a little extra safety.