338 Win Mag 225 PT RL17

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SJB358

Ballistician
Dec 24, 2006
32,484
3,345
Well, I started working up a load for the 225 PT in order to get a solid baseline before trying the 225 Bitterroots I was able to secure. Loaded up 17 and 22 for the day. Didn't have stellar results, but good enough to know where I was at. These were all shot at 200 yards.







Pretty sure I can easily work with these. Those are two inch dots, so they aren't horrible by any stretch. Pretty sure the old 338 will do better with a little work though. 17 seems really good in the 338.

I didn't shoot but two of the RL22 loads since speeds were much too high, so I pulled them and dropped back a bunch. I believe my lot of 22 is a little faster than what QL shows. I ran the H20 capacity, barrel length and seating depth and I couldn't have been further off my predictions.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to putting a Bitterroot down range. Although, I will have plenty of PT's ready to hunt as well.
 
Accuracy seems to be pretty consistent across your charge spectrum. That should give you a good baseline from which to work. Again, a powerful load that will work. The Bitterroots will just be more of a good thing.
 
wisconsinteacher":omtwlf5y said:
Looks good. (said with tear in my eye because my 338wm is not being nice to me)
Click to expand...

WT, we will get you sorted out. I believe your getting pretty close. New scope, you have a good load. Reshoot and I bet you might see something your looking for. Consider your bench technique as well. The big guy might need a hand over the scope or barrel to control it some during recoil. Seems to be a little more consistent when I run it like that.
 
If you're shooting boat tail bullets try a flat base or vice versa.
I think it's just a matter of finding the right bullet and powder. My .338 Win Mag kept acting like it wanted to shoot but wouldn't. When I switched bullets, Barnes TSX Boat Tail it was just a matter of getting the load right. Once I found my load I played with seating depth. I determined that the book COAL have me my best results. All of my rifles have one, and only one, load except for the 25-06 that I use as a loaner rifle. That one has three loads because I took the time to find more than one.
Hang in there mate.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
Here is what I came up with today. I ran a few different seating depths, but by far, 3.300" COAL was the best shooting. I shanked a shot, but still feel pretty good about the charge.

71.5 grains of RL17 went 2887, 2906, 2901 and 2898 FPS for an average of 2898 FPS... Feel pretty good about that. Speed looks good and the rifle is shooting well. Rained on me the entire time at the range, but still a decent day.

200 YARDS

 
Believe you're getting there with that one, Scotty.
(hate it when I shank one which is more often than I like :grin: )
338's are cool rifles. Although your Newton really has me interested. That is one cool cartridge and gun.
 
SJB358":utc2xosa said:
Here is what I came up with today. I ran a few different seating depths, but by far, 3.300" COAL was the best shooting. I shanked a shot, but still feel pretty good about the charge.

71.5 grains of RL17 went 2887, 2906, 2901 and 2898 FPS for an average of 2898 FPS... Feel pretty good about that. Speed looks good and the rifle is shooting well. Rained on me the entire time at the range, but still a decent day.

200 YARDS

Click to expand...

Oh man Scotty! :shock: That is dang good shooting! Great job! I'd be tickled to have that rifle! Seems your loading technique and practices are exceptional as well. Great ES and impressive accuracy! I wouldn't worry about shot three, that happens to everyone. With your numbers and those three landing in what looks a decent amount under a MOA, I'd test it again. If you get the same results, you're done with load development. Plus, you woulda got your bull with the first one; and never needed that third shot 8)

I guarantee the elk will feel a disturbance in the force when you step into the woods with that bad boy!

Nice! Still drooling a little :grin:
 
Thanks fellas.. The Alaskan is my favorite rifle hands down. Getting pretty excited to get the new stock on it, but McMillan's waiting times are hard to take when your ready to shoot!

300WinMag, the rifle has done pretty well with a number of different loads but this is my first try at 225's in the rifle. Seems to be coming around just fine though. Hoping to get it out next time around and blast some jugs!
 
Being that the Alaskan is your favourite rifle "hands down," I'll gladly take that nasty ol' 35 Newton off your hands so you won't be conflicted! :mrgreen: Scotty, those are still minute of elk even with the shanked round.
 
Scotty, I was getting 1.5 inch groups at 200 yards pretty consistently with 7828. You might try that? Although your last group is certainly showing promise!
 
Gerry, thank you. I love to shoot and share as that is the way I have learned so much from you all.

Charlie, were you using 7828 in the 338 Win Mag with 225's?

I was going to try RL22 (similar to 7828) but decided to run down a load with RL17 first. If that is not attainable I will try 19 or 22 next. Both of those seem have the power to get where I wanna be as well.
 
Scotty, I ran the old surplus IMR 4831 with the 225 gr bullets in the .338 WM. 7828 was not out for reloaders then.
 
I borrowed a McMillan Pre64 Monte Carlo from a friend as I am getting to the point I think the wood stock is in need of a serious R&R. I don't think it was helping much for the consistency of my loads.

Anyhow, I threw the stock on the rifle, which was already bedded to another Pre64 Model 70. Took a tiny bit of relieving to get it into the stock, but otherwise it fit real nice.



I laid down and shot three shots with the 3.30" COAL load with RL17, CCI250's, Nosler Cases and 225 PT's at 200 yards.



I was pretty happy with the outcome. Rifle feels the same in the McM and seems to shoot just fine being floated like that. So, I have old faithful ready for the hunting season. It is looking like it'll be a few more months till McMillan gets me my stock, so I am thankful to have this one to practice with in the mean time.
 
Nice work buddy! I had pretty decent luck with RL-17 and the 225 AB in my 338 WM. I was getting right in the 2890 range. That rifle of your is one heck of a rifle for sure. Seems to shoot about everything well. Hope you get a chance to introduce it to an Oregon elk this fall.
 
That RL17 is fast becoming a "go to" powder for quite a wide range of cartridges and bullet weights. Fascinating.
 
It seems to work real well with the 338 Win Mag. I am not sure it works any better than 19, but I have a bunch of it, so I tried it. Seems like a winner, an easy 2900 of a 225PT works for me.
 
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