Well, since I struck out on turkeys again today, I decided to give the 338 Win Mag a try with the 225gr Hornady SST's. I kinda went with them for a practice load to shoot long range, and an overall deer/elk load. My goal was to get 2900FPS out of them. I loaded up RL22, IMR7828, and RL19. I didn't get to shoot many of the RL22 loads, or the IMR7828 loads, but I kinda think I have what I want with RL19. It is accurate and fast.
Here is 74gr RL19 for three (2846, 2863, 2815 FPS) (these were shot through a bare, clean barrel, first rounds for the day with no fouling shots)
75gr (2830-2845-2844 FPS) There is actually two shots there, third was a shooter induced flyer
76gr (2882, 2896, 2905 FPS)
Here is the one group of RL22 I got to shoot at 74gr (2738, 2755, 2722 FPS)
Sorry for the less than stellar photography, still learning all this stuff!
I also had some loads I was experimenting with, they were the 175gr Hornady Spire Points, I used RL22 and IMR7828 out of my WBY Vanguard. 63.5 grains was pretty horrible, maybe a 2" group at best. Here is 64gr of RL22. Velocity was all over the map, which comfuses me a little as my stuff is trimmed, powder charges are all weighed on a 10-10 that I check with weights everytime I use it. It was odd. The FPS average was a dismal 2750. Not really into 30-06 speeds for a 7mm Mag. I did shoot my 160gr AccuBond load (66gr RL22, CCI250 WW Case) through the chrono with a clean, bare barrel, and it shot (2976, 2977, 2980FPS) and produced a neat little 3/4" group. I was very happy with that, and will continue loading those. I just wanted to try the Hornady's out as a cheap bullet, but I think I am going to stick with the AccuBond.
I also brought my Ruger 300 Win Mag along to verify zero in the Summer like weather and see how it was shooting. My load is 74gr of RL22 with a Sierra 200gr Gameking. It was crossing the chrono at about 2950 avg. Groups were in the inch or below range, and pretty consistent. Overall this is one of my favorite loads. I kind of wished it was a 200gr AccuBond or Partition, but the Gameking is alright for about anything I hunt with it.
I verified my wifes load of 45.5gr Varget and a 165gr HDY Interbond. It was crossing the gates at 2700 and is still a 1.25" rifle no matter what load I put through it. It has shot better, but overall, it kind of plunks everything into a 1.25 group. It is plenty good enough for my wife and whoever else uses it. Odd, I guess you can't always have MOA, but I will take it with this rifle. It is light, handles well, and is plenty capable for her.
I think I am going to pull the other IMR7828 and RL22 loads for the 338. The RL19 is very consistent, and produces excellent speed and accuracy. I still have not messed with the BOSS on the 338 and may be able to get it somewhat tighter, but for what I am looking for, I think the 225gr SST's will do a great job. Scotty
Here is 74gr RL19 for three (2846, 2863, 2815 FPS) (these were shot through a bare, clean barrel, first rounds for the day with no fouling shots)
75gr (2830-2845-2844 FPS) There is actually two shots there, third was a shooter induced flyer
76gr (2882, 2896, 2905 FPS)
Here is the one group of RL22 I got to shoot at 74gr (2738, 2755, 2722 FPS)
Sorry for the less than stellar photography, still learning all this stuff!
I also had some loads I was experimenting with, they were the 175gr Hornady Spire Points, I used RL22 and IMR7828 out of my WBY Vanguard. 63.5 grains was pretty horrible, maybe a 2" group at best. Here is 64gr of RL22. Velocity was all over the map, which comfuses me a little as my stuff is trimmed, powder charges are all weighed on a 10-10 that I check with weights everytime I use it. It was odd. The FPS average was a dismal 2750. Not really into 30-06 speeds for a 7mm Mag. I did shoot my 160gr AccuBond load (66gr RL22, CCI250 WW Case) through the chrono with a clean, bare barrel, and it shot (2976, 2977, 2980FPS) and produced a neat little 3/4" group. I was very happy with that, and will continue loading those. I just wanted to try the Hornady's out as a cheap bullet, but I think I am going to stick with the AccuBond.
I also brought my Ruger 300 Win Mag along to verify zero in the Summer like weather and see how it was shooting. My load is 74gr of RL22 with a Sierra 200gr Gameking. It was crossing the chrono at about 2950 avg. Groups were in the inch or below range, and pretty consistent. Overall this is one of my favorite loads. I kind of wished it was a 200gr AccuBond or Partition, but the Gameking is alright for about anything I hunt with it.
I verified my wifes load of 45.5gr Varget and a 165gr HDY Interbond. It was crossing the gates at 2700 and is still a 1.25" rifle no matter what load I put through it. It has shot better, but overall, it kind of plunks everything into a 1.25 group. It is plenty good enough for my wife and whoever else uses it. Odd, I guess you can't always have MOA, but I will take it with this rifle. It is light, handles well, and is plenty capable for her.
I think I am going to pull the other IMR7828 and RL22 loads for the 338. The RL19 is very consistent, and produces excellent speed and accuracy. I still have not messed with the BOSS on the 338 and may be able to get it somewhat tighter, but for what I am looking for, I think the 225gr SST's will do a great job. Scotty
