338-06 Loads with 200gr Hornady SST

[6.5_sWv]

Ive been working with the 200gr Hornady SST in my Rem700 JES rebore 338-06 lately. I tried VARGET but the best I got was a little over an inch. I then tried Reloder 15. I loaded up a ladder to test velocity and found a couple of nodes. Then I picked a couple of charges and loaded up 4 of each to test for groups. I found a charge weight that shot excellent so I loaded up more to try and duplicate.

This group measured .502" center to center. Temp was 44*

I went back to the range about 2 weeks later and shot this group. Temp was 62*. The first 3 shots were all touching and I pulled shot 4 to the top. .407" for the 3 touching.

I shot 2 more groups after the last picture and they produced similar results compared to the groups pictured. All groups ive shot with this load average .580" AVG velocity for this load is 2778 fps. Im going to call this a win in my book and plan to punch some holes in some WV deer this fall with this load.

 

[DrMike]

You're golden with that load in your rifle. You should have no problem hunting whitetail, or about anything in NA, with what you have there.

 

[xphunter]

What DrMike said!
You are good to go-Good shooting!

 

[JD338]

Nice work. You are good to go.
All you need is a sharp knife.

JD338

 

[nhenry]

Show us the rifle

 

[Blkram]

Like my 338-06...need to hunt with it more!
I get 1/2" groups with the 215 gr SGK @ 2752 fps from 62.0 gr of H414, and 1/2" groups with factory ammo with 210 gr NP also @ 2750 fps, in my rifle (LH Rem 700 w/ 22" King barrel)

 

[6.5_sWv]

Show us the rifle

As requested. I bought this Remington 700 ADL Laminate 30-06 for a more than fair price from a guy on 24hrCampFire. I was intrigued by the 338-06 after my dad had considered sending off a rifle to have it rebored. I saw this and snatched it up and sent it to JES in Oregon. Within a month, I had it back. I had to replace the hard plastic butt plate with a Pachmayer and I had my dad drop in a TriggerTech trigger and glass bed it for me. It wears Leuopold Weaver style bases and rings with a Burris E1 4.5-14x42.

Here it is on its maiden voyage. Smacked a fat doe in the early antlerless with a stiff charge of 4064 and a 180 AccuBond

First buck with it, and the biggest cowhorn spike Ive ever seen. He got slammed with a 200gr Speer HotCor and a casefull of H380.

 

[gerry]

Great looking rifle really like those laminated stocks. Looks like a shooter too, congrats.

 

[DrMike]

A most attractive rifle. It obviously works, as well.

 

[JD338]

Beautiful rifle

JD338

 

[RL338]

Looks as good as it shoots

 

[Lou270]

Heck ya! That’ll do. Crazy how good the medium bores will shoot

Lou

 

[Blkram]

We have similar tastes in our 338-06's! Here's a pic of mine:
LH Rem 700 w/ a 22" King Barrel, NECG Barrel Banded front sight and rear sight, in a Wenig laminated stock with ebony fore end and grip cap, a LimbSaver recoil pad, and all metal tefloned. Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 B&C in QR rings and bases.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice and a great shooter as well. Funny enough, my 338-06 sits in a laminate as well..

 

[salmonchaser]

Great load work up, excellent hunting. I have few regrets in life, the most significant has been my haphazard approach to acquiring firearms and cartridges. If I could drop back 20 years or so, great job, house paid for, kids out and doing well, I would focus on all the variants based off of the 30-06. Either in a pre 64 or more likely still in the Ruger #1. The 06 is no slouch, old yes, but don’t get in its way. The variants all seem to punch above their weight class as hunting rifles. Seems like you never hear about any of them being overrated when used somewhat appropriately. I digress, great work with the 338/06. She is certainly up to the task.

 

[SJB358]

Great load work up, excellent hunting. I have few regrets in life, the most significant has been my haphazard approach to acquiring firearms and cartridges. If I could drop back 20 years or so, great job, house paid for, kids out and doing well, I would focus on all the variants based off of the 30-06. Either in a pre 64 or more likely still in the Ruger #1. The 06 is no slouch, old yes, but don’t get in its way. The variants all seem to punch above their weight class as hunting rifles. Seems like you never hear about any of them being overrated when used somewhat appropriately. I digress, great work with the 338/06. She is certainly up to the task.

I did mine on a whim. I picked up that SS Classic for a good price, but already having a couple 06's, I decided to make this one a 338-06. Focused on the 225 AB with one of my favorite powders, RL17 and man if I wasn't real happy with the outcome. I do have a Bansner stock I could have fitted to this rifle as well, that would lighten it up a bit if I wanted to take it elk hunting, but as it sits right now, I may give it a run for deer this year. It's little brother the 338 Fed in the baby Kimber is about the perfect rifle for me around home, super light and it just plows stuff.. It's fun to have choices.

 

[salmonchaser]

I did mine on a whim. I picked up that SS Classic for a good price, but already having a couple 06's, I decided to make this one a 338-06. Focused on the 225 AB with one of my favorite powders, RL17 and man if I wasn't real happy with the outcome. I do have a Bansner stock I could have fitted to this rifle as well, that would lighten it up a bit if I wanted to take it elk hunting, but as it sits right now, I may give it a run for deer this year. It's little brother the 338 Fed in the baby Kimber is about the perfect rifle for me around home, super light and it just plows stuff.. It's fun to have choices.

Indeed.

 

[Blkram]

Very nice and a great shooter as well. Funny enough, my 338-06 sits in a laminate as well..

Nice! Groups and rifle!
Barrel length?
Velocity?

 

[TG1911]

I did mine on a whim. I picked up that SS Classic for a good price, but already having a couple 06's, I decided to make this one a 338-06. Focused on the 225 AB with one of my favorite powders, RL17 and man if I wasn't real happy with the outcome. I do have a Bansner stock I could have fitted to this rifle as well, that would lighten it up a bit if I wanted to take it elk hunting, but as it sits right now, I may give it a run for deer this year. It's little brother the 338 Fed in the baby Kimber is about the perfect rifle for me around home, super light and it just plows stuff.. It's fun to have choices.

My new-to-me 338-06AI likes the 225 AccuBond. I want to try RL17. Would you share a load that works for you? There’s little published load data for it.

Of course, I can use 4350 charge weights as a start.

Thanks.