338 Powder

V

Vince

Handloader
May 26, 2012
4,391
798
Not ready to start working up loads, will do that this winter, but wanted to know which powders I should try first in .338 Win Mag?

I've got some 225 grain Partitions and the following powders:

IMR 4350
Reloader 22
H 4831
IMR 7828

Thanks in advance for your help. This rifle sports a 26" Barrel and I'll be using new Nosler Brass. I ordered 100 rounds of Nosler brass this morning. Not that it matters but this is my first left handed action and I'm in hopes that it shoots as well as it looks. The rifle looks to be minimally, if any, fired. If it shots good I'll think about switching most of my bolt guns to left handed actions.

Vince
 
G'Day Fella's,

Vince, my Rem 700 (24") in .338 Win Mag shoots well (group size and velocity) with H-4831 powder, with bullets from 200 to 250 grains!

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer
 
Thank you big rifle man.

My "Go To" powder is IMR 4350 for my 25/06. I'm hoping to come up with a powder for the .338 that shoots the bullets I elect to shoot in it well. One of those, it can be used for most loads and gives good accuracy type of things. Yes, I want my cake and I want to eat it too. :)

I don't care for load development. If I knew a certain load worked well I'd just use that recipe and be done with it.
 
I would try the 4350 first, then the 4831 or RL22. Unless your 7828 is the super short cut version, you probably won't be able to get enough in the case. If you can't find a good load with any of the powders at hand, keep your eyes out for some RL19. My Nosler manual lists 71.5 grains of IMR4350 and 75 grains of H4831 as max with 225's. There is no load published for RL22 or 7828 in that bullet weight, but you likely won't be able to fit enough in the case to over-pressure it. I wouldn't be afraid to run at least a full grain more of either of those than you can with the 4831.

As always, start low and work up. If you have a chronograph, I'd stop at anything approaching 2900 fps.
 
I've owned several 338 win mags and my son still has one and for 225's and up H-4831 is the only powder I have ever used. In every rifle H-4831 has given excellent accuracy and velocity.


Bill
 
I think all of the powders will work Vince. When I get back home. I think all of them should work fine, with the 4350 looking about the best for that bullet weight. Bill mentioned H4831, that seems like another real good one.
 
My Remington 700 Classic chambered in .338 Win Mag shoots lights out with the 225 Partition when loaded with H 4350. The IMR 4350 you have should work just as well. A previous Ruger Number One chambered in .338 Win Mag shot best with either IMR 4350 or RL 19.

The 225 Partition is a great bullet and I have shot several wild hogs and a couple of bull elk with it. No complaints, of any sort. The few bullets that were recovered all maintained about 65-70% of their original weight. (Perfect Partition performance)

I would recommend a magnum primer such as the Fed 215 or 215M with all powders except RL 19. For some reason it gives me better groups and more consistant standard deviations with standard large rifle primers than magnums. ( And I tested this phenomenon with several brands of primers.)
 
Vince":35q5nix8 said:
Not ready to start working up loads, will do that this winter, but wanted to know which powders I should try first in .338 Win Mag?

I've got some 225 grain Partitions and the following powders:

IMR 4350
Reloader 22
H 4831
IMR 7828

Thanks in advance for your help. This rifle sports a 26" Barrel and I'll be using new Nosler Brass. I ordered 100 rounds of Nosler brass this morning. Not that it matters but this is my first left handed action and I'm in hopes that it shoots as well as it looks. The rifle looks to be minimally, if any, fired. If it shots good I'll think about switching most of my bolt guns to left handed actions.

Vince
Click to expand...


IMR4350

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 75.556 grain H2O = 4.906 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : IMR 4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 56.80 2320 2689 33541 7190 92.3 1.609
-18.0 84 58.22 2374 2816 35764 7396 93.3 1.565
-16.0 86 59.64 2428 2946 38131 7595 94.3 1.521
-14.0 88 61.06 2483 3079 40641 7787 95.2 1.477
-12.0 90 62.48 2536 3214 43289 7969 96.0 1.434
-10.0 92 63.90 2590 3352 46101 8142 96.7 1.394
-08.0 94 65.32 2644 3492 49095 8305 97.4 1.354
-06.0 96 66.74 2697 3635 52285 8457 98.0 1.316
-04.0 98 68.16 2750 3779 55685 8598 98.5 1.280 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 100 69.58 2803 3926 59313 8727 99.0 1.245 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 71.00 2856 4075 63185 8843 99.3 1.211 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 105 72.42 2908 4226 67322 8947 99.6 1.178 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 73.84 2961 4379 71748 9036 99.8 1.147 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 75.26 3012 4534 76486 9111 100.0 1.116 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 76.68 3064 4690 81566 9172 100.0 1.087 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 78.10 3115 4848 87020 9223 100.0 1.058 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 71.00 2962 4384 74315 8540 100.0 1.134 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 71.00 2706 3659 52253 8768 95.0 1.312


RL22

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 75.556 grain H2O = 4.906 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-22

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 88 61.96 2319 2686 29962 7952 88.3 1.659
-18.0 90 63.51 2380 2831 32095 8222 89.8 1.613
-16.0 92 65.06 2442 2981 34390 8483 91.1 1.568
-14.0 95 66.61 2505 3135 36864 8733 92.4 1.524
-12.0 97 68.16 2567 3293 39533 8973 93.6 1.475
-10.0 99 69.71 2630 3456 42414 9200 94.7 1.428
-08.0 101 71.25 2693 3623 45529 9413 95.7 1.382
-06.0 103 72.80 2756 3795 48896 9611 96.6 1.337
-04.0 106 74.35 2819 3971 52556 9792 97.4 1.294
-02.0 108 75.90 2882 4150 56525 9956 98.1 1.253 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 110 77.45 2945 4334 60839 10101 98.7 1.213 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 112 79.00 3008 4521 65541 10226 99.2 1.175 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 114 80.55 3071 4712 70675 10329 99.6 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 117 82.10 3134 4907 76291 10411 99.8 1.101 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 119 83.65 3196 5105 82452 10469 100.0 1.067 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 121 85.20 3259 5306 89203 10503 100.0 1.033 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 110 77.45 3089 4767 74902 9764 100.0 1.119 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 77.45 2745 3765 48651 9838 92.5 1.336


H4831SC

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 75.556 grain H2O = 4.906 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4831 SC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 86 60.80 2273 2582 30920 7282 85.6 1.646
-18.0 89 62.32 2332 2718 33109 7534 87.0 1.600
-16.0 91 63.84 2392 2859 35462 7781 88.4 1.554
-14.0 93 65.36 2452 3004 37998 8021 89.7 1.508
-12.0 95 66.88 2513 3154 40730 8253 90.9 1.460
-10.0 97 68.40 2573 3309 43680 8476 92.1 1.413
-08.0 99 69.92 2634 3467 46869 8690 93.2 1.369
-06.0 101 71.44 2696 3631 50320 8892 94.3 1.325
-04.0 104 72.96 2757 3799 54061 9083 95.2 1.284
-02.0 106 74.48 2819 3971 58123 9260 96.1 1.243 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 108 76.00 2881 4148 62542 9424 96.9 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 110 77.52 2944 4329 67362 9572 97.6 1.166 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 112 79.04 3006 4515 72630 9703 98.2 1.129 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 114 80.56 3069 4705 78401 9817 98.8 1.094 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 117 82.08 3132 4900 84742 9912 99.2 1.059 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 119 83.60 3195 5099 91731 9987 99.5 1.026 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 108 76.00 3023 4567 75357 9345 99.8 1.117 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 108 76.00 2695 3628 51094 9026 89.9 1.316


IMR7828

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 75.556 grain H2O = 4.906 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : IMR 7828

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 88 59.56 2205 2429 27140 7327 82.7 1.723
-18.0 90 61.05 2264 2562 28995 7609 84.3 1.676
-16.0 92 62.54 2324 2699 30985 7886 85.9 1.631
-14.0 95 64.03 2385 2842 33124 8157 87.4 1.586
-12.0 97 65.52 2446 2989 35423 8420 88.9 1.542
-10.0 99 67.01 2508 3142 37898 8674 90.2 1.498
-08.0 101 68.49 2570 3299 40565 8918 91.5 1.450
-06.0 103 69.98 2632 3461 43443 9149 92.8 1.404
-04.0 106 71.47 2695 3628 46551 9368 93.9 1.360
-02.0 108 72.96 2758 3800 49915 9573 95.0 1.317
+00.0 110 74.45 2821 3976 53558 9761 95.9 1.276
+02.0 112 75.94 2885 4157 57517 9933 96.8 1.235 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 114 77.43 2948 4343 61822 10087 97.6 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
+06.0 117 78.92 3012 4532 66514 10221 98.2 1.159 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 119 80.41 3076 4727 71642 10334 98.8 1.122 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 121 81.90 3140 4925 77257 10425 99.3 1.087 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 110 74.45 2985 4452 64958 9723 99.7 1.175 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 74.45 2607 3397 43621 9185 87.3 1.405



Let me know if this helps you Vince.
 
Something in the 4350 burn rate is a good place to start.
I have found RS Hunter to be very good in my own 338.
Each rifle is a case unto itself though. YMMV...
 
Partisan":22poelmr said:
Something in the 4350 burn rate is a good place to start.
I have found RS Hunter to be very good in my own 338.
Each rifle is a case unto itself though. YMMV...
Click to expand...

I have found RS Hunter to work great in my 338 WM as well.
 
I always used 70-71.0 grains of IMR 4350 in my .338 Win Mag's depending on the particular gun but IMR 4350 always worked well in my .338 WM's.
 
That's the best news I've had all month! :grin:

My "Go To" powder for the 25/06 is IMR 4350 so I try to keep it in stock in my reloading cabinet. This gives me another reason to give SWMBO as to why I need so much of it. Thanks guys.

Vince
 
With Winchester brass I was loading 72gr of H4350 behind the 225 AB, and getting 2900, and 3/4 MOA groups. It's a max load.

I would not try this load in the thicker, Nosler brass. In addition where you are using the thicker brass I would begin with your faster powders, i.e, 4350, then H4831.
 
Antelope_Sniper":1h4l2o0l said:
With Winchester brass I was loading 72gr of H4350 behind the 225 AB, and getting 2900, and 3/4 MOA groups. It's a max load.

I would not try this load in the thicker, Nosler brass. In addition where you are using the thicker brass I would begin with your faster powders, i.e, 4350, then H4831.
Click to expand...

Very good info and thank you.
I will make note of that.

Vince
 
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