Help: Need .338 WM reduced loads

[Scott Spencer]

I just got my Winchester Model 70 stainless .338 Win Mag yesterday and have a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on the way. Now I am trying to buy some components for it so I can start shooting it in a few weeks.

I don't want to shoot full magnum hunting loads to start with since it will be a while before I need them. So....I'm looking for some reduced loads, something like a 30-06 performance, just to have some fun with on the range. I plan to buy a box of Nosler 180 gr and 200 gr AccuBond bullets and see how it shoots at those reduced levels. It might wind up being a good whitetail load for here in Alabama as well.

I looked at the sticky above for reduced loads but they stop at the .300 WM. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[BK]

I would be tempted to just use the starting loads for the lightest bullets from whatever loading manual you have. And while Accubonds are great bullets, they are far more expensive than what I like for just screwing around on the range (or, for that matter, shooting deer with a .338). I would look at the 200 gr Hornady, Speer 200 gr., or the 215 Sierra Gameking.

I don't know if the new book has them, but my Speer #13 has reduced loads with SR4759. At under 2000 fps, they are well under what an '06 will do with 200gr. bullets.

 

[dutchgus]

I'm loading 38 grains of H4227 behind a 200 grains Hornady and I'm getting 2250 fps out of my 338Win. I found this load about 5 years ago on the IMR website (it listed IMR4227 instead of H4227) but now I can't find these reduced loads anymore on their website.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

Congratulations on your 338 Win Mag. Its a great caliber!

I agree with BK, go with starting loads using 180 gr and 200 gr BT/AB's.
I would also check with Shooters Pro Shop and pick up some factory seconds. The 200 gr CT that Nosler makes for Winchester would be an excellent bullet for target shooting and deer hunting.
IMR4350, IMR4831 and RL 19 would be good powders to start with.

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks, fellas!! I have the Nosler 6 book and 2009 Hodgon magazine/load manual. I think my dad has a Sierra manual I can use as well.

I'll pick up some of the Sierra GK and Speer bullets to start out with. I'll also see if I can pick up some AB seconds in the ProShop too.

By the way, I picked up my Zeiss 3-9x40 from CameralandNY for $389.99 and free shipping. It is a show unit that has never been mounted and carries the transferable lifetime warranty.

 

[Richracer1]

Don't forget to check ou BivWak. A lot of times Shooter's Pro Shop will list bullets for auction and not show as being in stock on their web site.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

Nice scope at a great price! Perfect.

Those starting loads won't be too much more than a 30-06 in recoil. They will also hammer deer. :wink:

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks, JD! If you remember, I had a thread in the rifles forum asking about buying the rifle (I posted pics of it before I bought it). It is really nice shape and looks brand new! I've now got an essentially new Win Mod 70 stainless .338 WM with a new Zeiss Conquest scope for about $1000 total. :grin:

The starting loads is what I need for Alabama whitetails and I can't wait to give them a try. I'll post pics of the rifle, scope, and targets once I get to shooting it in the coming weeks. Just have to wait for some 50-60 degree days in the coming weeks.

By the way, the trigger on that rifle is probably at 7 lbs right now. :lol: I'll definitely have to have my gunsmith smooth it up and lighten it for me.

 

[FOTIS]

How about a 180 BT at 2500 fps with retumbo......Slow enough for you?

Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 180, Nosler AccuBond 54374
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 58000 psi, or 399 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

105 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon H4350 104.8 74.2 4.81 3110 98.1 58000 10358 1.071 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 102.0 77.4 5.01 3110 97.8 58000 10479 1.077 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 99.3 74.8 4.85 3102 97.0 58000 10433 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 104.8 73.8 4.78 3100 99.1 58000 10196 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 104.8 73.9 4.79 3100 99.1 58000 10193 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 101.7 74.0 4.79 3097 99.0 58000 10297 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 100.8 71.8 4.65 3084 99.7 58000 9880 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 97.8 71.9 4.66 3083 99.7 58000 9866 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 96.2 66.3 4.30 3077 100.0 58000 9320 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 95.2 72.3 4.68 3072 97.5 58000 10162 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 103.8 76.3 4.95 3064 94.7 58000 10205 1.077 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 94.9 67.6 4.38 3059 99.5 58000 9721 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 94.9 67.6 4.38 3059 99.5 58000 9721 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 94.9 67.6 4.38 3059 99.5 58000 9721 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 95.4 67.9 4.40 3059 99.7 58000 9667 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 105.0 74.4 4.82 3055 100.0 52275 9944 1.126
Norma 203 old 97.0 69.8 4.53 3055 100.0 58000 9556 1.106 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 102.1 69.9 4.53 3048 99.9 58000 9478 1.106 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 96.3 70.1 4.54 3045 98.7 58000 9764 1.098 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 96.9 67.9 4.40 3043 99.7 58000 9377 1.079 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 99.0 69.0 4.47 3039 99.9 58000 9456 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031 94.6 63.0 4.08 3039 100.0 58000 8752 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 516 92.7 70.3 4.56 3035 98.7 58000 9627 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 9 92.5 68.0 4.41 3032 99.7 58000 9399 1.091 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520 91.9 67.5 4.37 3026 100.0 58000 8961 1.109 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 101.3 67.4 4.37 3025 100.0 58000 8956 1.127 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4895 97.4 67.1 4.35 3019 100.0 58000 8885 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 97.0 67.1 4.35 3018 99.4 58000 9326 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 97.4 67.1 4.35 3018 99.4 58000 9326 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S341 90.8 69.6 4.51 3016 99.7 58000 9169 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 98.0 66.0 4.27 3011 99.5 58000 9175 1.091 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 100.9 70.5 4.57 3006 96.2 58000 9601 1.098 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 97.7 70.6 4.57 3005 96.2 58000 9593 1.098 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N540 94.5 68.0 4.41 3003 100.0 58000 8854 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 94.2 63.5 4.11 3003 100.0 58000 8610 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 202 92.2 64.6 4.19 3002 100.0 58000 8718 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 104.3 70.1 4.54 3000 100.0 58000 8881 1.099 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 105.0 74.8 4.85 2996 93.7 54010 9994 1.112 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 105.0 74.8 4.85 2996 93.7 54010 9994 1.112 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R902 94.6 65.0 4.21 2995 100.0 58000 8926 1.109 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N140 100.2 68.6 4.44 2989 100.0 58000 8818 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R901 90.8 61.4 3.98 2979 100.0 58000 8575 1.118 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 105.0 71.5 4.64 2975 98.1 50546 9952 1.168
Vihtavuori N135 100.5 64.9 4.21 2973 100.0 58000 8193 1.107 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 105.0 74.4 4.82 2968 92.9 51573 10034 1.129
ADI AR 2206 91.4 64.4 4.17 2959 99.8 58000 8623 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2206H 90.5 64.5 4.18 2953 99.8 58000 8585 1.091 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 98.6 72.6 4.70 2951 95.9 58000 9017 1.103 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 105.0 74.8 4.85 2950 92.8 50080 10054 1.149
Norma MRP 105.0 78.0 5.06 2947 93.3 45900 10746 1.189
Rottweil R904 105.0 73.7 4.78 2942 92.1 53145 9575 1.126 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S335 92.2 64.2 4.16 2931 100.0 58000 8047 1.111 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 105.0 71.6 4.64 2927 92.0 51275 9649 1.145
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 105.0 74.8 4.85 2920 92.4 48929 9895 1.162
Vihtavuori N133 93.9 61.2 3.97 2912 100.0 58000 7655 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 105.0 75.6 4.90 2905 93.9 48873 9714 1.180
IMR 7828 SSC 105.0 76.8 4.98 2903 88.9 47180 10175 1.174
Vihtavuori N560 105.0 76.4 4.95 2871 87.6 44215 10297 1.213
ADI AR 2213 105.0 75.6 4.90 2868 88.4 46286 9943 1.186
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 105.0 75.6 4.90 2858 90.4 43512 10138 1.223
Raufoss RA15 105.0 75.6 4.90 2858 90.4 43512 10138 1.223
Alliant Reloder-22 105.0 75.6 4.90 2858 90.4 43512 10138 1.223
IMR 4831 105.0 71.6 4.64 2838 95.0 43996 9551 1.232
Hodgdon H4831 SC 105.0 75.6 4.90 2836 87.6 47011 9412 1.185
Accurate MAGPRO 105.0 79.5 5.15 2827 84.7 42860 10111 1.235
Rottweil R905 105.0 74.2 4.81 2781 86.9 42148 9505 1.245
Winchester WXR 105.0 74.0 4.79 2769 88.5 39885 9779 1.275
SNPE Vectan SP 12 105.0 79.8 5.17 2722 85.1 39564 9697 1.278
Vihtavuori N165 105.0 74.0 4.79 2721 90.2 41055 8876 1.266
Vihtavuori N160 105.0 71.7 4.65 2721 88.1 42745 8678 1.245
PB Clermont PCL 517 105.0 79.8 5.17 2715 84.7 39355 9671 1.281
IMR 7828 105.0 72.7 4.71 2713 84.8 39059 9403 1.284
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 105.0 79.7 5.16 2711 84.6 39145 9658 1.285
Hodgdon H4831 105.0 72.7 4.71 2709 84.9 41135 8916 1.260
Alliant Reloder-25 105.0 74.4 4.82 2691 90.7 36157 9731 1.329
ADI AP 2214 105.0 77.6 5.03 2687 84.1 40047 9184 1.273
Accurate 3100 105.0 70.7 4.58 2600 90.5 34462 8739 1.387
Norma MRP 2 105.0 74.8 4.85 2566 81.5 32119 9179 1.399
Hodgdon H1000 105.0 74.0 4.79 2515 79.6 33658 8399 1.376
Vihtavuori N570 105.0 78.9 5.11 2497 70.9 31363 8934 1.426
Hodgdon Retumbo 105.0 75.2 4.87 2411 78.7 28686 8491 1.469










Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 200, Nosler BalTip 33200
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 58000 psi, or 399 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

109 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramshot Hunter 100.4 73.9 4.79 2958 98.6 58000 10217 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 103.1 70.9 4.60 2957 98.9 58000 10083 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 97.7 71.5 4.63 2949 97.9 58000 10173 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 105.0 72.2 4.68 2948 100.0 55568 9619 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 103.1 70.5 4.57 2944 99.6 58000 9884 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 103.1 70.5 4.57 2943 99.6 58000 9881 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 100.0 70.7 4.58 2942 99.5 58000 9992 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 99.1 68.5 4.44 2926 99.9 58000 9542 1.137 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 96.1 68.6 4.45 2925 99.9 58000 9529 1.137 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 93.7 69.0 4.47 2919 98.4 58000 9893 1.145 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 102.3 73.0 4.73 2918 95.9 58000 10012 1.128 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 94.6 63.3 4.10 2915 100.0 58000 8953 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 93.3 64.5 4.18 2902 99.8 58000 9385 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 93.3 64.5 4.18 2902 99.8 58000 9385 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 93.3 64.5 4.18 2902 99.8 58000 9385 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 93.8 64.8 4.20 2901 100.0 58000 9321 1.148 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 105.0 72.6 4.70 2900 95.6 56869 9959 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 105.0 72.6 4.70 2900 95.6 56869 9959 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 95.4 66.7 4.32 2896 100.0 58000 9194 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 94.7 66.9 4.34 2891 99.3 58000 9471 1.151 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 100.4 66.7 4.32 2889 100.0 58000 9121 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 95.3 64.8 4.20 2886 99.9 58000 9048 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 516 91.2 67.2 4.35 2882 99.3 58000 9344 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 97.4 65.9 4.27 2882 100.0 58000 9112 1.155 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 105.0 69.4 4.50 2879 99.2 53798 9769 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 9 91.0 64.9 4.21 2876 99.9 58000 9073 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 105.0 72.2 4.68 2875 95.0 54209 10022 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031 92.8 60.0 3.89 2871 100.0 58000 8398 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 105.0 75.8 4.91 2867 95.6 48556 10752 1.212
Accurate 2520 90.3 64.4 4.17 2864 100.0 58000 8609 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 95.9 64.1 4.15 2863 99.8 58000 9024 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 95.5 64.1 4.15 2863 99.8 58000 9024 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 99.4 64.3 4.16 2862 100.0 58000 8601 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4895 95.8 64.1 4.15 2859 100.0 58000 8549 1.140 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 105.0 72.6 4.70 2858 95.0 52714 10042 1.175
Rottweil R907 99.4 67.4 4.37 2858 97.2 58000 9376 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 96.3 67.5 4.37 2857 97.2 58000 9369 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 96.5 63.0 4.08 2856 99.8 58000 8860 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 105.0 71.6 4.64 2847 94.1 55911 9561 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N540 93.0 65.0 4.21 2844 100.0 58000 8537 1.154 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 102.6 66.9 4.34 2843 100.0 58000 8555 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 202 90.7 61.7 4.00 2841 100.0 58000 8384 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R902 93.1 62.1 4.02 2838 100.0 58000 8577 1.163 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 92.5 60.5 3.92 2837 100.0 58000 8259 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N140 98.7 65.5 4.25 2834 100.0 58000 8491 1.149 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 105.0 69.5 4.50 2832 94.1 53963 9633 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 105.0 72.6 4.70 2830 94.6 51493 9893 1.189
IMR 7828 SSC 105.0 74.6 4.83 2824 91.7 49678 10252 1.198
Somchem S385 105.0 73.4 4.76 2816 95.9 51755 9674 1.204
Vihtavuori N135 98.8 61.9 4.01 2810 100.0 58000 7873 1.163 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 97.2 69.4 4.50 2807 96.9 58000 8817 1.155 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 105.0 74.2 4.81 2795 90.4 46642 10397 1.237
ADI AR 2213 105.0 73.4 4.76 2788 91.1 48657 10030 1.211
Raufoss RA15 105.0 73.4 4.76 2779 93.0 45964 10190 1.247
Alliant Reloder-22 105.0 73.4 4.76 2779 93.0 45964 10190 1.247
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 105.0 73.4 4.76 2779 93.0 45964 10190 1.247
Somchem S335 90.7 61.4 3.98 2772 100.0 58000 7747 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 105.0 77.2 5.00 2756 87.7 45304 10254 1.257
Hodgdon H4831 SC 105.0 73.4 4.76 2753 90.2 49430 9483 1.211
IMR 4831 105.0 69.5 4.50 2751 96.9 46748 9487 1.257
Vihtavuori N133 92.4 58.4 3.79 2751 100.0 58000 7361 1.158 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 105.0 72.0 4.67 2704 89.7 44498 9591 1.270
Winchester WXR 105.0 71.8 4.65 2695 91.3 42110 9864 1.300
SNPE Vectan SP 12 105.0 77.5 5.02 2662 88.5 41760 9882 1.300
PB Clermont PCL 517 105.0 77.5 5.02 2656 88.2 41536 9860 1.304
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 105.0 77.3 5.01 2651 88.1 41313 9850 1.307
IMR 7828 105.0 70.5 4.57 2644 88.0 41112 9541 1.310
Vihtavuori N165 105.0 71.8 4.65 2642 92.7 43333 8908 1.293
Vihtavuori N160 105.0 69.6 4.51 2637 90.6 44948 8723 1.274
Hodgdon H4831 105.0 70.5 4.57 2632 87.8 43242 9017 1.288
Alliant Reloder-25 105.0 72.2 4.68 2626 93.7 38109 9828 1.355
ADI AP 2214 105.0 75.4 4.88 2622 87.6 42111 9363 1.299
Accurate 3100 105.0 68.6 4.45 2532 93.2 36888 8774 1.418
Norma MRP 2 105.0 72.6 4.70 2510 85.1 33949 9390 1.429
Hodgdon H1000 105.0 71.8 4.65 2457 83.4 35371 8626 1.407
Vihtavuori N570 105.0 76.5 4.96 2451 75.0 33065 9286 1.453
Hodgdon Retumbo 105.0 73.0 4.73 2365 83.2 30172 8837 1.502

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thank you, Pop!! I'll print this out and go to work on them in a week or two. :grin:

 

[FOTIS]

In case you have any questions..............

pm me!

 

[kraky]

Not sure about retumbo but every time I've tried a case full of slow powder to slow down a load I wound up with a very dirty barrel and case mouths. I know that for some reason hodgdon doesn't recomend retumbo under 200 grainers in a 300 wm so there may be a reason having to do with a good "burn". I'd really recomend going back to start charges of faster powders as published.

 

[Richracer1]

Not sure about retumbo but every time I've tried a case full of slow powder to slow down a load I wound up with a very dirty barrel and case mouths. I know that for some reason hodgdon doesn't recomend retumbo under 200 grainers in a 300 wm so there may be a reason having to do with a good "burn". I'd really recomend going back to start charges of faster powders as published.

Retumbo is too slow for the 338WM. Hodgdon doesn't even list it in their manual for the 338WM. 4350, 4831, Varget, 414, 380, 4895, 4064, 4007SSC, RL-17, and RL-19 are all good powders for the 180 to 200gn bullets.

 

[FOTIS]

Real reduced loads!


Cartridge : .338 Win Mag.
Bullet : .338, 180, Nosler BalTip 33180
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch or 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant UNIQUE

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 53 24.00 2162 1868 41832 3419 100.0 1.442
-18.0 54 24.60 2190 1917 43400 3495 100.0 1.418
-16.0 55 25.20 2218 1966 44990 3570 100.0 1.394
-14.0 57 25.80 2245 2015 46603 3646 100.0 1.372
-12.0 58 26.40 2273 2064 48240 3721 100.0 1.349
-10.0 59 27.00 2300 2114 49899 3796 100.0 1.329
-08.0 60 27.60 2326 2163 51582 3870 100.0 1.309
-06.0 62 28.20 2353 2212 53290 3944 100.0 1.290 ! Near Maximum !
-04.0 63 28.80 2379 2261 55021 4018 100.0 1.271 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 64 29.40 2404 2311 56777 4091 100.0 1.253 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 66 30.00 2430 2360 58559 4164 100.0 1.236 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 67 30.60 2455 2410 60365 4236 100.0 1.220 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 68 31.20 2480 2459 62197 4309 100.0 1.204 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 70 31.80 2505 2509 64055 4381 100.0 1.189 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 71 32.40 2530 2558 65940 4452 100.0 1.174 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 72 33.00 2554 2608 67852 4523 100.0 1.159 !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 66 30.00 2435 2371 60878 4152 100.0 1.220 ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 66 30.00 2423 2346 55693 4180 100.0 1.258 ! Near Maximum !

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thank you all for the feedback! I'm not really looking for slow loads but something a little lighter on the shoulder for whitetails and range shooting. I just don't want to have to stop after 10 rds because my boney shoulder is beat to death from full load 225 or 250 gr bullets. :grin:

 

[DrMike]

Since you already have the rifle, I doubt that you want another calibre, so why not consider a PAST Mag Shield or a sissy bag? Does your rifle have a limb saver pad on it? If not, this is something you might consider. Each of these will permit more shooting when the recoil is objectionable from the bench. In the field, if you haven't developed a flinch, you will not really notice the recoil under most circumstances.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Hi Doc,

I actually just got the rifle last Saturday and have not shot it yet. In fact, I've not shot anything that large before. It does have a limbsaver pad on it so that is good.

I realize that shooting it at game will be totally different than at the range so I don't want to develop a flinch with it. I may get something along the lines of the lead sled from Caldwell to shoot from. If anything, it will give me a solid rest and help to absorb some of the recoil.

 

[DrMike]

The Lead Sled is a good idea. The Limb Saver pad will absorb a fair amount of the recoil. The Mag Shield and/or a sissy bag is a cheaper, and perhaps less cumbersome means of taming recoil until you become used to the rifle. A means of reducing felt recoil that you use is more valuable than one that is unused because it is inconvenient or unused for some other reason.

I have a Lead Sled for use on vicious rifles (7.82 Warbird, 338-378, 416 Rigby, etc.), but it does take up room for storage and it is cumbersome to tote back and forth to the range. I find that I only use it if I am planning to do extensive firing from the bench.

If I might make a suggestion, during break-in and/or first shooting, work with as light a bullet as you can find. If shooting factory ammo, begin with a 180 to 210 grain bullet. Same goes if you are hand loading. This will lessen recoil somewhat.

The stock design on the Model 70 is quite good, I find, so that will also help in shooting. I do not find recoil on the 338 WM objectionable, though it can be right smart. The cartridge makes a good all-around rifle. You made a good choice in so far as cartridge is concerned. Don't let it master you.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

A good recoil pad will take the punishment out of the recoil. The 338 Win recoil will rock you and you just roll with it. Its not as bad as what you read about, honest!

I have a 338 RUM. The first 15 shots off the bench with the factory hard rubber recoil pad left me bruised and sore. I replaced the pad with a Pachmyer Decelerator pad and don't have an issue, even from prone position. I have shot 24 rounds with 250 gr PT's at 3024 fps off the bench, that does start to wear on you but not a problem to go back another day and shoot it again.

The 338 RUM recoil is much sharper and faster than the 338 Win Mag. You will not have any problems with 180 gr or 200 gr starting loads in the 338 Win. :wink:
If you go with a lead sled, remember that you will have to resight in for hunting. Ihave never used a lead sled but have read that you will shoot much higher when the lead sled isn't used. YMMV

JD338