338-06AI Range Day

[nvbroncrider]

Well my results aren't what I was hoping for had a few loaded up 225AB that I shot this morning distance to the lands is 3.420" so I started at 3.385 then 3.370 and 3.360. All were two in one out. So I thought maybe it would make a difference if I cleaned the bore. Cleaned the bore and loaded 20 rounds and shot again as it warmed up. The 3.36 was two in one out and I pulled a couple real bad. The 3.385 was the same. Then shot the 3.37 and had two in one out. And shots 4 and 5 were again together just 3 inches high. Also loaded 5 225 PT first two were out but the last 3 were just over an inch. So I guess it's back to the bench and sucking them in further. The consistency of my velocities have been excellent. The group this morning averaged 2834 ES 18 SD of 7 when it warmed up from 68 to 95 went up to 2881 ES 19 SD 7 the another string went 2853 ES 19 SD 7. The PT's were a little slower but again very consistent with a grain less they ranged from 2789 to 2801. With an ES of 12. As it warmed up I started to see an occasional extractor mark. And slight flattening of the primer.


How far in would you suggest going for the AB? I figure I'm not too far off with the partitions maybe .020".

 

[IdahoCTD]

Have you tried a different powder? I've seen a change of powder get rid of the 2 and 1 syndrome.

 

[nvbroncrider]

I had ran out of it and can't find any of it anywhere it wasn't as consistent as I wanted to be. It was doing the same thing so I'm thinking if I shorten them up it will come together.

 

[jason miller]

Seems like they're moving pretty fast for a 338-06. Do you mind sharing what powder you're running to get those speeds?

 

[SJB358]

Jake, those are really fast for a 338-06 Improved! Wow, talk about eye opening. I think I only get about 2875 or so outta mine with most 225's! Great performer right there.

As for the AB's, I would start no less than .050" away from the lands. I have tried them up close and haven't had a rifle yet that liked them up close. I think from now on, I will start them at least .050" off and save the bullets and gunpowder I waste up close.

I usually go in .030 or .025" increments back and look for the node it wants to shoot. Once I find that node, I can split the difference, or work around that seating depth for better accuracy, if needed.

I think your pretty close though, but I would back down a grain or so when shortening as in my work, it seems like pressures increase as you make large movements towards shortening the OAL, so being a grain below, should keep you in safe pressures all the way across the seating profiles.

 

[DrMike]

The low ES and SD tell me that your technique is excellent. I'd suggest that the rifle is heating up at a pressure point somewhere to get that sort of pattern.

 

[nvbroncrider]

It might be Mike I don't think so I think it was more the nut pulling the trigger. But you could be right. I got another 20 loaded I'll shoot in a few hours once it cools down. It was hard because it seemed like the barrel wasn't cooling much in the sun and 95 degree heat. 3.340 3.330 recommended length in the Nosler book then 3.310 and 3.300. And 3.300 for the Partitions hopefully something pops up.
Thanks for the pointers Scotty you have done this a lot so I figure you got a pretty good idea and your stuff comes together pretty quick. I backed them off a grain to 63 as I didn't much care for the pressure signs creeping up as it got hot today.

Jason I'm running H414 in it and she was stuffed with 64gr. Yesterday morning on my pressure check loads they looked good and this morning but when it warmed up from 68 when I started to 95 by noon I was starting to see an occasional flat primer and ejector marks. FWIW the Hornady Manual states 62gr as max for the 225 on the standard 338-06 and claim 2700. I stared with 58 at 2666 When 62 went across I got 2749 63 went 2789 and the two at 64 I shot yesterday checking pressure went 2807 and 2812.

 

[IdahoCTD]

It's Nathan but I'll forgive you. H414 is a ball powder is it not? (I haven't used it for a long time)

 

[SJB358]

I would think its looking pretty good overall Jake. Some seating tuning and you'll be in the money. Anything over 2750 would be awesome. Great BC on those 225's and a whole lotta energy as well.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Nathan I was running CFE 223 before and had some primer issues with the WLR were too small primer pockets were too big not out of spec I was just on the two ends and getting some leaks. So I changed to CCI and it cleared it up. Ran out of it can't find anymore right now. It would spike when I got my pressure up. Shoot 5-6 fine then boom I'd get heavy pressure signs out of nowhere same charge bullet length. Then it would be gone. I've heard a lot of match shooters having the same issue with it. But it did get me right where I wanted to be. 2750-2800 with 225's.

H414 is a ball powder and since it was available I got some its pretty versatile for the standard calibers. Which I have a lot of. So it will be well used. I backed down a grain as I was seeing a few signs once the temperature warmed up. So hopefully I got her in a happy spot now.

There was another guy asking about which powder I was using as well.

 

[IdahoCTD]

How about 4064, Rl-15, or Varget? You might even get away with 4350 or Rl-17.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Well a little better this evening. But not great. The 225PT look pretty decent. But nothing special.

 

[IdahoCTD]

How about a muzzle brake? The recoil might be getting to you even if you think it isn't. You have quite a few pulled shots so it could be recoil. A lighter trigger might help as well.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yeah Nathan I think it could be the trigger kinda used to the Jewell on my 280AI and the 2 stage on my 22-250. This one has 3-4 lbs those are way under that.

 

[IdahoCTD]

They make Jewell's for Winchesters too.

 

[SJB358]

Jake, I would keep going back in seating depth before changing your overall load. Seems like you had a repeat of the earlier shooting, so I would keep shortening them up as much as you can. Run that to ground before changing anything else. Once you have ran them back as far as you can, then you could either change up powders, or maybe bullets. The 225 AB is sorta finicky in my opinion. I had to work a little bit with em in both 338's to make them shoot decent.

 

[Woodycreek]

Impressive speeds with the 225s! Keep working with it Jake! I'm sure it will come together for you. The 225 ABs are on the to do list for my 338-375.

 

[truck driver]

Yeah Nathan I think it could be the trigger kinda used to the Jewell on my 280AI and the 2 stage on my 22-250. This one has 3-4 lbs those are way under that.

A good clean trigger could help control those wide shots. A 3-4 lb trigger isn't bad in a hunting rifle if it brakes clean with no creep.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah Nathan I think it could be the trigger kinda used to the Jewell on my 280AI and the 2 stage on my 22-250. This one has 3-4 lbs those are way under that.

A good clean trigger could help control those wide shots. A 3-4 lb trigger isn't bad in a hunting rifle if it brakes clean with no creep.

Without a doubt and I know you can tune up that Model 70 trigger to break very nice and drop at about 2-2.75lbs pretty easily with about an hours work..

 

[CatskillCrawler]

These groups look very similar to my struggles with my 257Roberts M70 Fwt. It took too many load work ups with 5 different powders and 6 different bullets of various weights before I found a winning combo. Rifle always showed potential but it always slipped up as things got promising. Keep at it, it's there somewhere.

Edit - FYI - 110 ABs with a lot of jump with a mid-power load proved to be the ticket.