338 Win Mag

[RL338]

I recently picked up one in a Weatherby Vanguard and like to hear what others are running in theirs. At the moment I have quite the stash of Speer 250gr GS and Hornady 200gr SP. Then there is a pile of the 300gr Nosler CC which I think is too much for this cartridge.
Let me hear your bullet , powder , and experiences with this one.
Thanks

 

[TackDriver284]

The Grand Slams are dang tough bullets.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

72 gr. Re22, 250 gr.

 

[EOD Diver]

Oh boy! Scotty should be along shortly and has got some great loads with bullets from Nosler, Swift, and even Bitterroot. Pretty sure he can get you all squared away with the 338WM!
V/R,
Joe

 

[JD338]

Rick,
The 250 gr bullets are where it's at in 338 xxx
IMR 4350, Big Game, and StaBall 6.5 would be good powders for both 200 and 250 gr bullets.

JD338

 

[Johnly]

72 gr. Re22, 250 gr.

Exactly the same load in use to push 250 gr. NAB in my rifles.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

I have been using the 215SGK and the 225NAB with RL19. The 215SGK is a really good bullet on deer, though can be a little destructive on shoulder meat. The 225NAB I used to slot a big camel in central Australia. I stuck it behind the front shoulder where it took six steps and folded. I then put one finisher in the neck to complete the job. The camel was a bull, one of the biggest I had seen. My mate and I could not even lift its head and neck as we were interested to see if the bullet had exited. I suspect the bullet hit the camel at about 2,600fps or so. I have a lot of respect for that bullet and cartridge after that hunt.

 

[RL338]

This afternoon I loaded up some 250gr GS and N555. I think I found the perfect case for this stuff , my lot is just slow.
New 7mm RM Winchester brass expanded
CCI 250
Vit. N555
3.300” Coal
69.5grs. - 2603fps
70.5grs - 2657fps
71.5grs - 2681fps
72.5grs - 2724fps
I’m settling on 72grs that should be around 2700fps. Next is to put some on paper. The only hiccup is my total runout isn’t up to my standard. Firing and resizing will solve that.

 

[RL338]

Exactly the same load in use to push 250 gr. NAB in my rifles.

What is the velocity on that load?

 

[Divernhunter]

sorry but my load is a 225gr Swift A-frame pushed by 71grs of IMR4350 and a Fed 215 primer. I> have taken quite a number of animals in Africa and the USA with it.

 

[Johnly]

What is the velocity on that load?

My 338 has a long throat, so my COL is 3.508"
72 gr. gives me 2650 fps
I've loaded well above that just to see if there was an accuracy node to be had.
I stopped at 75 gr. which did 2760 fps, but was too hot for use.

 

[RL338]

Thanks for the reply.
Boy this lot seems closer to RL-22 than RL-17. I know my results don’t line up with Vihtavuori’s load data in cartridges they list.

 

[Johnly]

Thanks for the reply.
Boy this lot seems closer to RL-22 than RL-17. I know my results don’t line up with Vihtavuori’s load data in cartridges they list.

I guess I should have clearly stated that the powder discussed was RL-22.

 

[RL338]

I guess I should have clearly stated that the powder discussed was RL-22.

No problem I understood that.
Kinda surprised how close those 2 powders match up at 72grs.