338-06 Ackley Improved

[Mighty Peace]

FINALLY had the time to do reloads for my Sako m75 Greywolf 338-06AI on saturday night. Here is a pic. 2-225gr Accubonds and a TTSX in the middle.

Link to pics of my rifle project (page 4): http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7871&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Reloaded total 40 rounds (35 -225gr Accubonds and 5-225gr TTSX's *Sorry Nosler guys just did it for the hell of it, Accubonds are my bullet of choice for all my other calibers :lol: ) using 58.5gr of H414 (medium hot load), Federal 210 primers and new Weatherby 338-06 A-square brass. Plan is to fire-form the brass and break-in rifle barrel. Then after get into the load development.

OAL avg is 3.306" for both the 225gr Accubonds and TTSX's reloads. The magazine max. is 3.380, so it leaves a liitle room for feeding. If I remember from the reload manual, max length is 3.440". Once I fire-form the brass, I'll measure my actual rifle allowable COAL.

Plan is hopefully goto the range tommorrow. I'll post results later. Just remember-this is rifle barrel break-in and brass fire-forming...so I'm not expecting great groupings off the start, but who nows..maybe I'll get lucky. :grin:

JD338, just curious as to your 338-06AI rifle, what is your COAL, and what did you sight in at later? I'm planning after to be 2" High @ 100 metres (110 yards).

Also, would Federal 215 Magnum primers be better for me with our temperature range during hunting season in Alberta. I have other powders to use during load development as I did searches and other responses, saying RL-15, 4064 are good choices. I have a few lbs. of WS 780 too I may try, along with Varget, H380, 4850SSC, 4350.

All input is greatly appreciated.

Later all. :grin:

 

[JD338]

Mighty Peace

That is very nice. I don't have a 338-06 AI, I do have a 338 RUM and 280 AI. I would run the bullet out to .020" off the lands or as long as the magazine will allow.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Cartridge : .338-06 AI
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler AccuBond 54357
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 60000 psi, or 413 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

95 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramshot Hunter 105.0 63.6 4.12 2674 98.0 59841 9830 1.108 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 102.4 61.5 3.99 2667 97.3 60000 9774 1.111 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 104.8 60.8 3.94 2664 99.2 60000 9645 1.120 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 103.9 59.0 3.83 2649 99.8 60000 9218 1.115 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 100.8 59.1 3.83 2648 99.8 60000 9205 1.115 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 98.1 59.4 3.85 2639 97.9 60000 9506 1.124 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 99.0 54.4 3.53 2634 100.0 60000 8618 1.105 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 92.5 57.4 3.72 2624 100.0 60000 8885 1.130 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 98.3 55.8 3.62 2623 99.9 60000 8988 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 97.8 55.6 3.60 2623 99.7 60000 9039 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 97.8 55.6 3.60 2623 99.7 60000 9039 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 97.8 55.6 3.60 2623 99.7 60000 9039 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 100.0 57.4 3.72 2622 100.0 60000 8882 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 748 90.0 55.0 3.57 2616 100.0 60000 8542 1.124 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 99.1 57.5 3.73 2613 99.0 60000 9106 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 105.0 57.3 3.71 2610 100.0 59587 8797 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 99.7 55.7 3.61 2608 99.8 60000 8709 1.114 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 102.0 56.7 3.68 2607 99.9 60000 8794 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 516 95.4 57.8 3.74 2604 98.9 60000 8984 1.124 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031 97.5 51.8 3.36 2600 100.0 60000 8079 1.130 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 9 95.2 55.9 3.62 2599 99.8 60000 8742 1.126 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 105.0 59.3 3.85 2598 97.6 54790 9486 1.147
Accurate 4064 104.5 55.5 3.60 2594 100.0 60000 8299 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520 94.8 55.5 3.60 2593 100.0 60000 8299 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 507 91.7 54.4 3.52 2590 100.0 60000 8489 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 105.0 59.0 3.82 2590 98.7 54420 9351 1.162
Ramshot TAC 91.1 54.3 3.52 2589 100.0 60000 8468 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 105.0 59.0 3.82 2589 98.7 54373 9346 1.163
Hodgdon H4895 100.3 55.1 3.57 2586 100.0 60000 8239 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S341 93.5 57.2 3.71 2586 99.8 60000 8523 1.127 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 99.9 55.1 3.57 2585 99.6 60000 8676 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 100.2 55.1 3.57 2585 99.6 60000 8676 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 105.0 61.6 3.99 2585 94.2 56595 9412 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N530 90.9 51.9 3.36 2580 100.0 60000 8364 1.130 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 100.9 54.2 3.51 2578 99.7 60000 8511 1.128 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 103.8 57.9 3.75 2577 96.5 60000 8964 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 100.5 57.9 3.75 2577 96.5 60000 8958 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N540 97.3 55.9 3.62 2574 100.0 60000 8243 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 91.5 53.1 3.44 2572 100.0 60000 8362 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 97.2 52.2 3.38 2571 100.0 60000 7951 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 202 95.0 53.1 3.44 2570 100.0 60000 8073 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R902 97.4 53.4 3.46 2564 100.0 60000 8258 1.145 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N140 103.2 56.3 3.65 2561 100.0 60000 8185 1.131 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H322 90.8 50.1 3.24 2559 100.0 60000 7818 1.130 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 105.0 59.3 3.85 2547 99.9 48535 9160 1.211
Rottweil R901 93.5 50.5 3.27 2546 100.0 60000 7909 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N135 103.6 53.4 3.46 2544 100.0 60000 7569 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-12 90.6 52.5 3.40 2533 100.0 60000 7641 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Benchmark 91.9 51.4 3.33 2533 100.0 60000 7863 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2206 94.0 52.8 3.42 2530 99.9 60000 7988 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 101.4 59.5 3.86 2529 96.2 60000 8411 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2206H 93.1 52.9 3.43 2525 99.9 60000 7954 1.131 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 105.0 56.3 3.65 2521 100.0 55870 8172 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S335 94.9 52.8 3.42 2506 100.0 60000 7446 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 105.0 59.7 3.87 2495 92.7 50653 9093 1.196
Raufoss RA4 105.0 59.7 3.87 2495 92.7 50653 9093 1.196
Vihtavuori N133 96.6 50.3 3.26 2485 100.0 60000 7055 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 105.0 57.1 3.70 2476 97.4 46849 9083 1.258
ADI AR 2209 105.0 59.3 3.85 2470 91.8 48487 9121 1.215
Vihtavuori N130 91.0 48.4 3.13 2469 100.0 60000 6953 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 105.0 59.7 3.87 2457 91.8 46987 9146 1.235
Rottweil R904 105.0 58.8 3.81 2449 91.0 49944 8694 1.211
Norma MRP 105.0 62.3 4.03 2449 91.9 42676 9790 1.280



Drop 10% work up slow.

 

[JD338]

Mighty Peace

Once you load up some fire formed cases, post another picture of a loaded round so we can see what a cool round you have. 8)

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Mighty Peace,

Scookum round. Those just look awesome. It'll be interesting to see your results after break-in.

 

[Mighty Peace]

Thanks POP for the info.

Hopefully I can make it to the range this afternoon if work is slow enough to slip away and take the afternoon off. If not, for sure this weekend.

Definately will post some new pics of the fire-formed brass with reloads.

 

[FOTIS]

where is Land of the Mighty Peace?

 

[DrMike]

POP,

The Peace Region of Canada begins in northwestern British Columbia and extends through northeastern Alberta. It is the prairie land surrounding the Peace River, and area of approximately 150,000 square miles. It includes incorporated major cities in British Columbia of Fort Saint John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe. In Alberta, it includes Grande Prairie, Peace River and Fairview. It is a hunters paradise, and the fishing ain't bad either. It is composed of good people who work hard and produce tremendous amounts of oil and gas, which the United States depends on. More recently, coal has become a major product of the region. The region is a major producer of Canola and hard winter wheat for pasta, in addition to oats and peas. This region is a major producer of oriented strand board and pulp from the extensive lumbering that takes place here. All-in-all, it is a great place to live and filled with good people.

 

[JD338]

where is Land of the Mighty Peace?

Beautiful British Colombia, Canada

JD338

 

[Mighty Peace]

Good explaination Dr.Mike except its the northeastern BC and northwest portion of Alberta... :wink:

But you are correct...its a hunters paradise. Where else can you go and hunt trophy whitetail, mulies, bears, hunt elk, moose, coyotes and wolves, upland and migritory birds pretty much in our back yards. If I lived by the inlaw's farm, pretty much hunt right off your back porch for them all. Some farmland I hunt is only maybe a 5 minute drive from town. Majority of my hunting is close to the farm which is about 35km from town. Close to the river valley.

For me, I get into the heavy bush-crown land for my annual moose hunting trip with my buddies- but its only an hour's drive to camp. Been going into the same camp spot for 18 years...except for one year (2001) where we went do a different area way north but still in the WMU we hunt in.

If you Nosler fellows or anyone else reading this post ever want to come up and hunt the Peace River area, let me know as my brother-in-law is an outfitter and I'll PM you info. Maybe I can TRY to get time off to guide you myself-if not I'd definately come out and meet you. I use to guide, taking all of November off and sometimes a couple weeks in September for archery season, but with the position I have now with work for the past 5 years, its hard to take the time off like that anymore.


OK, next posting will be initial range results.

 

[DrMike]

MP,

I'm dyslexic <grin> and directionally challenged. What else can I say? Compass and GPS are merely suggestions for me, according to my hunting partners. As the old saying goes, I've never really been lost, but I have overnighted a time or two while the world revolved to right itself.

Hunting around Dawson Creek is within a few kilometres of my house, and virtually throughout the entire region, right over to the Rockies and all the way up the Alaska Highway. My favourite hunting spot for the past several years is a large farm bordering a massive community pasture which is about 50 miles from the Rockies. There are moose, elk, grizzly, black bears, mule deer, white tails, partridge, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, sharptail grouse, wolves, coyotes, ducks and geese within a brisk walk of the house. There are always mountain areas within an hours' drive that allow hunting big horn sheep and mountain goats, and within two hours are caribou and dall sheep.

 

[Mighty Peace]

Yes you are lucky for hunting that cloes for sheep....especially bighorn and dall....I'm sooo jealous

Only way to hunt a dall sheep for me will be to win a draw ticket trip.

 

[DrMike]

The hunting in AB is not too shabby. You have some of the finest deer, both mule deer and white tails, in North America. Black bears near you aren't too shabby, either. You also have antelope in southern Alberta, which would be a hoot to hunt.

Down around Grande Cache and Cadomin are some fine areas for hunting sheep and goats, as I recall. I lived in Jasper for a few years, and it was torture to see the abundance of game, knowing it was off limits. That trip between Hinton and Grande Prairie always reveal lots of game. I see plenty of the locals in that area during the season.

 

[FOTIS]

Cool....I no longer feel geographically challenged!

 

[DrMike]

The 338-06 is a great cartridge, and the AI version should be better still. I hunt with a friend that uses a 338-06, and it does a great job on all that he has shot so far.

Pop, I'd love to show you around this region if you are ever up this way. I know that every region of North America has its charm, and I have lived right across the USA and Canada, but I have to believe that this Peace Region is hunters heaven.

 

[Mighty Peace]

Well I finally made two outing to the range withthe last trip yesterday. Fireformig/breaking in new barrel with 225gr Accubonds. My 270WSM Tikka T3 LS has more felt recoil than my Sako m75 GReywolf 338-06AI.

Best 3 shot grouping is under 1" with 2 shots touching-maybe I pulled the 3rd. This happen twice. Largest is under 2"-but hey-ITS a NEW Barrel.

Anyhow very impressed-now to see how reloaded fireformed brass does and start developing loads. Being doing more research and lots of people use either the RL15 or 4064 for their 338-06 and Ackley models. Used H414 at 58.5gr for a medium/hot load to fireform at OAL of 3.340 (Nolser #6 for 338-06AS). Now to check out my COAL and measure my clip and see what I get.

JD338, I'll post pics of new loaded AI version ammo when I get some doen up-hoefully soon. Plan is to initiate the rifle on a large Alberta spring black bear-hopefully a colored one :lol:

 

[FOTIS]

Sweet! you're there. A nice hammer under MOA..... Great!

 

[YoteSmoker]

Is this the same cartridge as a 338 A-Square or is that something different?

 

[Mighty Peace]

Its Better :grin:

It is a 338-06 (same thing as 338-06AS)but in the Akley Improved version. 40 degree shoulder-therefore should be more powder, more velocty and better brass life.

I did it also to be diferent.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Got ya. Sounds cool!