338 RCM ???

W

widgeon

Handloader
Feb 19, 2011
325
0
Alright guys, as some of you may recall, I was all about getting a BLR in .358win, but now I'm not sure.

The idea is to wind up with a moderate thumper in a small, maneuverable package. Now I'm thinking, if I'm going to go for more thump, why not go beyond the .358win and get something that is a little flatter shooting.

I want a short action, short barreled rifle. I don't recall reading anything about the 338 RCM on this forum. I did a search, but didn't come up with much.

What's the word on the street???
 
It would be a fascinating concept. I'm not certain you'll gain much punch with it, but it will definitely have punch. I just ran a few figures in QL, and this is what I came up with.

Cartridge : .338 RCM
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 59.642 grain H2O = 3.872 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N550

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 85 47.60 2065 2131 30327 8111 89.4 1.448
-18.0 87 48.79 2118 2241 32434 8378 90.6 1.408
-16.0 89 49.98 2171 2355 34695 8638 91.9 1.369
-14.0 91 51.17 2225 2473 37122 8889 93.0 1.331
-12.0 93 52.36 2278 2593 39730 9131 94.0 1.288
-10.0 95 53.55 2332 2716 42537 9363 95.0 1.248
-08.0 97 54.74 2385 2843 45549 9582 95.9 1.209
-06.0 100 55.93 2439 2973 48762 9790 96.7 1.172
-04.0 102 57.12 2493 3105 52202 9983 97.5 1.136
-02.0 104 58.31 2547 3240 55902 10162 98.1 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 106 59.50 2600 3378 59886 10326 98.6 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 108 60.69 2654 3519 64180 10472 99.1 1.036 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 110 61.88 2708 3663 68815 10601 99.5 1.005 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 112 63.07 2761 3809 73825 10712 99.7 0.975 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 114 64.26 2815 3958 79251 10803 99.9 0.945 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 117 65.45 2868 4109 85139 10874 100.0 0.917 !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 106 59.50 2722 3700 72539 10040 100.0 0.988 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 106 59.50 2434 2959 47808 10057 92.8 1.174

Cartridge : .338 RCM
Bullet : .338, 225, Nosler PART SP 16336
Useable Case Capaci: 59.642 grain H2O = 3.872 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Winchester 760

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 83 48.40 2064 2128 30733 8041 85.4 1.431
-18.0 85 49.61 2118 2241 32868 8324 86.8 1.391
-16.0 87 50.82 2173 2358 35159 8602 88.2 1.352
-14.0 89 52.03 2227 2479 37616 8872 89.5 1.313
-12.0 92 53.24 2283 2603 40264 9135 90.7 1.271
-10.0 94 54.45 2338 2731 43113 9388 91.9 1.231
-08.0 96 55.66 2394 2863 46179 9631 93.0 1.192
-06.0 98 56.87 2450 2998 49486 9862 94.0 1.155
-04.0 100 58.08 2506 3136 53057 10081 95.0 1.119 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 102 59.29 2562 3279 56916 10286 95.9 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 60.50 2618 3425 61100 10477 96.7 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 106 61.71 2675 3574 65636 10651 97.4 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 108 62.92 2731 3727 70564 10809 98.0 0.986 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 110 64.13 2788 3883 75925 10948 98.6 0.956 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 112 65.34 2844 4042 81737 11067 99.0 0.926 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 114 66.55 2901 4205 88074 11167 99.4 0.898 !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 104 60.50 2753 3787 74274 10390 99.8 0.971 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 60.50 2440 2975 49270 10010 89.4 1.153
 
That was fast DrMike!

So, it looks like a 225grainer would max out around 2600fps.

According to the Hodgdon website, a 200grn would max at around 2800+fps

That sounds good to me.

Whatever I decide on, I would plan to load a light, fast, rapid expansion bullet for deer and a heavier, tougher for double shoulder shots on hogs and larger game.

Thoughts???
 
I understand it's like a short action 338-06 which is a good place to be, it doesn't seem to be very popular though as long as Hornady continues to make brass you should be fine. They seem to support their rounds a lot better than Winchester and Remington. You should be fine with a 338 RCM especially with some of the prices these guns are going for these days, you could buy a lifetime supply of brass and be set. Load a 180-200 gr cup and core bullet combined with a tough slug like a 210 Partition or Swift Scirocco and you will be good to go.
 
Yeah, you could get some velocity out of that. It would be a good cartridge. Gerry has a good point about it being a small 338-06.

Cartridge : .338 RCM
Bullet : .338, 200, Nosler AccuBond 56382
Useable Case Capaci: 59.088 grain H2O = 3.836 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Winchester 760

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 85 49.20 2135 2025 29566 7726 81.5 1.379
-18.0 88 50.43 2193 2136 31647 8016 83.1 1.340
-16.0 90 51.66 2251 2250 33886 8303 84.6 1.302
-14.0 92 52.89 2310 2369 36297 8584 86.1 1.265
-12.0 94 54.12 2369 2492 38895 8858 87.5 1.226
-10.0 96 55.35 2429 2619 41699 9125 88.8 1.186
-08.0 98 56.58 2489 2750 44727 9383 90.1 1.148
-06.0 100 57.81 2549 2886 48005 9631 91.3 1.111
-04.0 102 59.04 2610 3025 51557 9868 92.5 1.075
-02.0 105 60.27 2671 3169 55412 10092 93.5 1.041 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 61.50 2733 3316 59602 10302 94.5 1.007 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 62.73 2795 3468 64169 10498 95.5 0.975 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 111 63.96 2857 3624 69152 10677 96.3 0.944 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 113 65.19 2919 3784 74611 10838 97.1 0.913 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 115 66.42 2982 3949 80597 10980 97.8 0.884 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 117 67.65 3045 4118 87186 11101 98.4 0.855 !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 107 61.50 2888 3705 72726 10401 99.1 0.928 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 61.50 2534 2852 48193 9673 86.1 1.108

Cartridge : .338 RCM
Bullet : .338, 200, Nosler AccuBond 56382
Useable Case Capaci: 59.088 grain H2O = 3.836 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Ramshot Hunter

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 90 50.80 2132 2019 29363 7780 82.4 1.381
-18.0 93 52.07 2191 2131 31449 8077 83.9 1.342
-16.0 95 53.34 2250 2247 33697 8369 85.5 1.303
-14.0 97 54.61 2309 2368 36121 8656 87.0 1.265
-12.0 99 55.88 2369 2493 38739 8935 88.4 1.226
-10.0 102 57.15 2430 2622 41569 9205 89.8 1.186
-08.0 104 58.42 2491 2755 44634 9466 91.1 1.147
-06.0 106 59.69 2552 2893 47957 9715 92.3 1.109
-04.0 108 60.96 2614 3035 51566 9952 93.4 1.073
-02.0 111 62.23 2677 3182 55494 10174 94.5 1.037 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 113 63.50 2740 3333 59779 10381 95.5 1.003 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 115 64.77 2803 3488 64462 10571 96.4 0.970 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 117 66.04 2866 3648 69593 10743 97.2 0.938 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 120 67.31 2930 3813 75230 10894 97.9 0.907 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 122 68.58 2994 3982 81438 11023 98.5 0.877 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 124 69.85 3059 4155 88311 11130 99.0 0.848 !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 113 63.50 2895 3722 72684 10417 99.5 0.925 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 113 63.50 2539 2863 48542 9768 87.2 1.104

Cartridge : .338 RCM
Bullet : .338, 185, Barnes 'TTSX' BT 33874
Useable Case Capaci: 57.887 grain H2O = 3.759 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Ramshot Hunter

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 92 50.80 2186 1963 29608 7466 80.0 1.324
-18.0 94 52.07 2245 2071 31680 7758 81.6 1.287
-16.0 97 53.34 2305 2183 33917 8048 83.2 1.250
-14.0 99 54.61 2367 2301 36334 8333 84.8 1.215
-12.0 101 55.88 2428 2423 38951 8612 86.3 1.179
-10.0 104 57.15 2491 2549 41785 8884 87.7 1.145
-08.0 106 58.42 2554 2680 44864 9148 89.1 1.111
-06.0 108 59.69 2618 2816 48211 9401 90.4 1.074
-04.0 111 60.96 2683 2957 51857 9644 91.7 1.039
-02.0 113 62.23 2748 3103 55841 9874 92.9 1.004 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 115 63.50 2814 3253 60200 10090 94.0 0.971 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 118 64.77 2881 3409 64983 10289 95.0 0.938 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 120 66.04 2948 3569 70248 10472 95.9 0.907 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 122 67.31 3015 3735 76061 10635 96.8 0.876 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 124 68.58 3084 3906 82501 10777 97.6 0.847 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 127 69.85 3152 4082 89662 10897 98.2 0.818 !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 115 63.50 2983 3654 72890 10246 98.9 0.895 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 115 63.50 2602 2781 49119 9387 85.0 1.067
 
Note that these are with a 20 inch tube. You can gain a little (very little) with a longer pipe. However, you will lose the handling characteristics of the BLR by doing so.
 
How about a BLR in 325WSM and load it with 220's? I think they chamber that gun in that caliber. Could be an affordable option.
Scott
 
I am also considering a .325wsm, but tend to like the idea of a .338 cal.

BLR or a standard bolt action?

So many choices. So little funds.

No rush, but hopefully I'll be able to make a decission by the end of spring. :mrgreen:
 
widgeon":1bmp6uyn said:
I am also considering a .325wsm, but tend to like the idea of a .338 cal.

BLR or a standard bolt action?

So many choices. So little funds.

No rush, but hopefully I'll be able to make a decission by the end of spring. :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

Mike gave some excellent data and it really depends on what you want to do, but the 358 in a BLR is about as handy as a rifle gets. Fast pointing and easy to carry. 225's at 2450 or so and 250's at 2250 or better. The 200's should get up into the 2600 range as well. I think a 325 in a BLR would be a whomper! Nothing to sneeze at with either of those two.

The 338RCM looks good as well. A nice little 20" barreled Ruger would put a bunch of great power on tap as well. If your looking for nice shooting and good thump to 300 yards the 358 doesn't give up much to either one of them.
 
A couple of acquaintances of mine went to these when they first came out. Not a staggering amount of feedback but neither are looking to send theirs down the road.

Good handling, useful ballistics, reasonable price, right and left hand w/open sights....pretty tough to beat.
 
I think there's some very good deals now on .338 RCM Ruger Hawkeye rifles...
 
Thanks for lookin' out ,wildgene.
I like the idea of a 22" barrel in a 41" gun.

I'm going to have to get to a store and hold some of these things.
 
widgeon":1e40gsfl said:
Thanks for lookin' out ,wildgene.
I like the idea of a 22" barrel in a 41" gun.

I'm going to have to get to a store and hold some of these things.
Click to expand...

That's a real good idea I was really impressed at how the X Bolt felt when I handled one, the Savage Hog Hunter looks a bit heavy but it may handle like a dream you never know. It's fun to look at all the different options before laying down your hard earned cash :)
 
I certainly enjoy the 325; it has accounted for several elk and moose. It does an excellent job of bringing home the meat.
 
If I bought a .338 RCM, I'd stock up on a lot of brass for handloading. I'm not real sure about the future of this round, despite it looking pretty good.
 
I appreciate everyones input. This whole process is a lot of fun.
I guess I'm going to do a little more research on the .325 and go handle the rifles. :mrgreen:
 
I don't own a 325, but I bought my son a Browning A-Bolt II Micro Hunter in 270WSM, and it's a well balanced, handy little package. If he wasn't a lefty, I'd get to shoot it more...
 
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