.338 WM round 3

[wisconsinteacher]

Well I just got back from the range and I feel okay with the .338 and deer hunting this year. Last time at the range, 73 gr of RL19 = 1.065" today = 1.416" I think this might be the load.

RL19

73gr=1.416
73.5gr=1.873
74gr=3.432
74.5gr=2.354
75gr=1.475

This was with the 210PT

I am wondering if that 75 gr load is something to look into also. Would you call it good with the 73gr and zero in at 200 yards then load up a few more for hunting or would you go after that 75gr load again? I am okay with 1.5" groups at 100 for this years hunt. Next year, I will play with the COAL a little as I practice more with the rifle. I did let the gun cool down really good between every shot and every shot felt good from the bench.

 

[DrMike]

What velocities did you record? That would help make up my mind on selecting the powder charge.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I don't have a chronograph. (tear falling to the ground)

 

[SJB358]

WT, it almost looks to me like you are seeing it tighten up as you increase your charge, which is exactly like my 338 has done with multiple bullets. Now, again, I think your 73 grain charge is plenty accurate for anything in WI. I think you could push up in .5 grain increments and see what happens. I would think somewhere around 75-76 you might be getting a little better, or maybe not, but it is worth a shot. If you aren't seeing pressure signs at 75 that is. I have just seen this a few times and as it comes up to the higher end for pressures, your consistency of shot groups tends to get better.

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 210, Nosler PART SP 16337
Useable Case Capaci: 77.827 grain H2O = 5.053 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-19

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% 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

-10.0 95 67.80 2590 3128 41095 9529 92.3 1.344
-09.0 96 68.55 2620 3200 42461 9654 92.9 1.324
-08.0 97 69.30 2649 3273 43875 9776 93.4 1.304
-07.0 98 70.06 2679 3347 45338 9896 93.9 1.285
-06.0 99 70.81 2709 3422 46851 10012 94.4 1.265
-05.0 100 71.56 2739 3498 48423 10126 94.9 1.246
-04.0 101 72.32 2769 3575 50050 10237 95.3 1.227
-03.0 102 73.07 2799 3653 51736 10344 95.8 1.209
-02.0 103 73.82 2829 3732 53484 10449 96.2 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 104 74.58 2859 3811 55296 10549 96.6 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 105 75.33 2889 3892 57174 10646 97.0 1.155 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 106 76.08 2919 3973 59126 10739 97.3 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 107 76.84 2949 4055 61149 10829 97.6 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 108 77.59 2979 4138 63252 10914 98.0 1.105 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 109 78.34 3009 4222 65435 10995 98.2 1.088 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 110 79.10 3039 4306 67703 11072 98.5 1.072 !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 105 75.33 3034 4291 68761 10585 99.9 1.070 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 75.33 2699 3398 46717 10163 89.9 1.265

Granted, this is in MY 338WM, but the 200 AB's really started to come together at 76 and 76.5 of RL19. Again, you have alot of bench time with that beast, so maybe you don't wanna push it any harder, but I think your are approaching the 2nd node and really bringing the 338 to full steam. Good luck.

 

[OU812]

IMO either charge weight is giving good group sizes for hunting purposes. The 57 gr would give you more velocity and if you don't mind tinkering a little more I'm with Scotty. If not go forth and kill with great confidence.


Bill

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I guess we are thinking alike. Before I posted the results of the trip, I said, I am going to try the 75gr and then 75.5 and 76. It is 9 more bullets but at this point I don't care. If I could get 75 to shoot well again, (1.5" group) I would stick with it and be happy. At 75gr today, there was no pressure sign. The bolt opened like it does with 73 grains of powder. I really need the range time with this rifle. Today, it felt great shooting it and seeing the big holes around the center of the target. 73 gr was an inch low at 100 and the 75 gr was an inch high at 100 yards. I will load up 3 more test batches and try them next week.

 

[OU812]

Seems like you are doing all the right things for a great hunting load that one can have confidence in. Keep up the good work.


Bill

 

[Oldtrader3]

Couple of thoughts. I would go with about 73.0 grains of RL 19 which is giving you about 2800+ fps and around 51KSI. You could go up to 73.5 and see what happens but it may degrade. I think that 75.0 grains is too hot and not worth it for 75 or so fps when the best accuracy (just over MOA) was at 73.0 grains. When I loaded for my (3) different Model 70, .338 Win Mags over the years, I never pushed the Partitions, especially the 210 grain too hard and fast. The reason that always convinced me was the aurgument that the Partition in that bullet raises pressures maybe 3000 PSI (CUP) over a cup and core bullet. Plus, they kill like lightning!

So you are probably closer to 54 KSI with that load than 51 KSI. I really don't like to shoot reladed belted cases too hot, over about 54 or so KSI. Primers sart loosening faster and cases won't go past about 3-4 reloadings. Not worth it if your best accuracy is at 2800 fps. That muzzle velocity in a 210 Partition will kill anything in North American very quickly.

Just a thought, my .340 Weatherby with Partitions shoots better groups at 200 yards than at 100. These groups are not twice as large but maybe 1.5 times as large. I believe that this is a yaw and bullet pitch effect which stabilizes bullet flight paths and lessens gyroscopic effects at longer ranges. You might check it out?

 

[JD338]

Good choice going with the 210 gr PT.
If it were me, I would work up to see if accuracy will improve. I like sub MOA, even in the thick cedar swamps in Michigan's UP.

JD338

 

[Oldtrader3]

I like MOA as well, but I am old and all of my rifles have been carefully culled over 50 years to get what I want. However, the largest whitetail deer that I ever killed was with an old Marlin 336, .35 Remington that never shot better than 2 inch groups at 100 yards, ever.

Most folks that I knew including me when they got their first .338 Win Mag, took a while to settle down and shoot it accurately anyway. It took me several range sessions to relax and let what will happen, happen and go with the flow and ignore the recoil.

 

[jmad_81]

IMO, I would push up as scotty has mentioned, I think you might be getting closer to your upper accuracy node. If your fine with 1.5" accuracy, it can't hurt as you already found something that you can live with.

But, I would bet that you'll get the bug, like the most of us, and keep trying to make it better.

 

[SJB358]

But, I would bet that you'll get the bug, like the most of us, and keep trying to make it better.

That is the WORST/BEST thing to happen to us all!

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I have the bug to make small groups. I will make up a few more rounds to test. All it can hurt is a little time and a hand full of bullets.

 

[jmad_81]

I have the bug to make small groups. I will make up a few more rounds to test. All it can hurt is a little time and a hand full of bullets.

You say that now, just wait. Next you'll be saying "it just one new jug of powder", then " I wonder what this bullet will do". :wink:

Sounds to me like your headed down the right path. Keep us posted.

 

[SJB358]

I have the bug to make small groups. I will make up a few more rounds to test. All it can hurt is a little time and a hand full of bullets.

You say that now, just wait. Next you'll be saying "it just one new jug of powder", then " I wonder what this bullet will do". :wink:

Sounds to me like your headed down the right path. Keep us posted.

Jake, I laughed pretty hard when I read that, cause man, I am notorious for that!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am really strong on the K.I.S.S. principle, at least it works for me. To find what I want with a load, start with the Nosler bullet which is wanted to be used, do load development to get what is desired for accuracy and stay with the same receipe for 40 years. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I just figure that when I find a rifle. load combination that shoots at least as well or better than me, I am done!

 

[bbearhntr]

WT, I'm not too far away we should get together for a range session and you could run your loads through my chronograph. Give me a holler if your interested.

 

[Hegland]

WT - I am at a similar position with mine. 75 grains with RL19 and another similar load with IMR 4350. I'm going to play with seating depth on both of them, then clock the more accurate of the two and be done.

I'll admit that I've never shot a head of game with it, but that 210 PT looks like a great all-arounder.