What would you try next .338WM

[wisconsinteacher]

Well I have not posted in a long time. Ice fishing/winter and then 9 weeks of turkey hunting has kept me busy. I was able to hit the range today with my new to me .338WM. I had loads made up using RL19 and 200 gr AccuBonds. I also had some 215 Game Kings loaded up. I shot from 100 yards shooting 3 shots of each:

215gr GK 70gr RL19=1.766"
200gr AB 75gr RL19=3.307"
200gr AB 76gr RL19=3.984"

I have a 3-9 Leupold set at 9 and shot off bags. I was hoping for better groups. What would you try next? I am thinking use the 215 and go up and down .5 and try that???

 

[onesonek]

I would try H43590 myself, and size to headspace off the shoulder, rather than the belt.
And then my personal choice would be 225 grainers or heavier.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

WT,
I've had good luck with H4831, and H4350 with both of those bullets.
I would work up to Max in 1/2gr increments with either of the above, if I had them on the shelf.

Rl-19 is also a good powder for the .338.
With the 215 Sierra's QL shows the max at 75.5 grains.
Work up carfully in 1/2gr increments and you might find the winning load.

 

[JD338]

I would give IMR 4350 and H 4831 a try.

JD338

 

[R Flowers]

Well, it looks to me like that gun does not like light bullets much, or has a problem.

If you like RL 19, try it with the 250 grain Sierra Matchking. My .338 Win Mag shoots great with RL 19, a STANDARD LR primer and the 250 Sierra. Work up carefully to a maximum of 72 grains.

My favorite .338 Win Mag load is a 225 grain Nosler Partition over 71.5 grains H 4350 sparked by a 215M primer. This load shoots great in my rifle and really puts elk and wild hogs on the ground.

I have not tried the 200 grain AccuBond (I had dismal results with the 225 AccuBond), but I have a stash of the discontinued 200 grain Ballistic Tips. I had best results with those using either IMR 4831 or IMR 4350.

Now that this stupid state of California has passed the "no lead" law for this area I am shooting a 210 grain Barnes Tipped TSX over 72 grains of H 4350. Pure luck, but it hits the same place as the 225 Nosler Partition load mentioned above.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I have some H4350 on the bench. I will load some of that with the 200AB and try working slowly up with the RL19 and 215 GK. I would love to get it shooting 1" groups.

 

[str8meat]

73 gr. rl 19 try that 210 scirroco's :wink:

 

[jmad_81]

I tried RL-19, H4350, IMR 4350, Ramshot hunter, and RL-22 in my 338 WM with the 225 AB. Finally in my searching I read a post online some place online about RL-17. fNow I can get 5 shots under an inch @ 100yrds. I thihnk taht RL-17 would shine more with the lighter bullets than it does with the 225 speed wise. My load is doing right at 2800.

 

[bullet]

210gr Partition

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have found that most of my .338 caliber rifles (.338 WM, .338 Fed, .340 Bee) seem to shoot best with IMR4350 and the 225 gr Nosler Partition. I have also had good luck in some rifles with the 210 gr Partition and IMR 4350 as well. My Browning Safari .338 WM really also liked the Speer 225 and Hornady Spire Point 225 gr bullets, as did a couple of Model 70 Winchester .338 WM that I have owned. My .340 Bee is most accurate with the 225 gr Partition.

Most .338 WM's are usually pretty accurate. I would try other powders and bullets and see if you can find the best matchup for that rifle. Good luck with that.

 

[SJB358]

WT, while the others are correct in that 4350/4831 and RL17 are good in the 338WM, I find it kinda odd yours is so far out with RL19. I know some rifles hate powders, but man, 3+" groups seems odd. I have seen so many 338's do really well with RL19, it is amazing yours isn't liking them. I would try some of the 225's and 250's. For a good bullet that won't break the bank, the 250 Sierra GK is a good bullet and once you have a good load with that, the 250 AB should load pretty close.

I would give a look to your bedding screws, and your bedding, just to verify everything is tightened to spec's. Also, how is the trigger in your rig? I know a creepier trigger in a heavier recoil rifle doesn't do me any favors on the bench. Good luck buddy, hope you get it squared away. Hard to beat 250's at 2700 in the 338. That is big medicine for just about everything..

 

[Guest]

Depending on what you've done already to clean up this "new to you" 338, I'd also consider running some BoreTech Eliminator down the bore and getting it good and clean. Check the crown for burrs, also. And as Scotty said, check the action screws. Too tight is just as bad as too loose - kind of like spark plugs.

Beyond that, I'd try some flat-based bullets as well, to see if your rifle prefers flat to boat-tails. I'm sure it won't be long and you'll have it shooting 1" groups at 100yds.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Thanks for the help. I looked the rifle over and see no dings in the crown. I cleaned the rifle with Sweet 7.62 when I got it. I also checked all screws and scope mounts and they are fine. The trigger is crisp and smooth. Before I shot the .338, I shot 5 groups with different guns that were less than 1". I felt good about the shots. I have some 225 Partitions and some H4350 on the bench. I will try those next. I was really hoping the 200 ABs would work for me. Please keep the advice coming, I need it.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would weigh and sort the 225 or 250 gr Partitions into groups by .3 grains of weight variation. I do with mine and find that the .338 bullets vary a little more than smaller pills. Just a suggestion.

 

[SJB358]

WT, where are you at for seating depth? Just wondering, not saying you are doing anything wrong, but if you could play with that some, you might get into the sweet spot. I have had excellent results with RL19 and 200 AB's. I think Fotis had really good results with RL17 and 200 AB's as well and they were faster to boot. I wished I could give you my COAL, but I am away from my notes right now.

I think I ran up to 76.5 grains with RL19, but you are probably in the same ball park as me with your current loads. Although, I wouldn't scoff at your 215 Sierra load either. Seems like your on to something with it. I would continue pushing the charge weight within safe parameters and see what comes out. The bigger magnums seem to be much more consistent when driven close to max PSI.

It is odd the 200 AB's are so big of a grouper. They have been just as accurate for me as any other bullet. I had a heckuva time with the 225 AB, but I think if I were to work with them again, I have some place better to start. Keep at it, you have alot of good data to work with, so I think you are probably closer than you think. Remember to give it some good time to cool since it is warmer now as well..

These are kind of a snapshot of what my M70 does with the 200's. Hope you can tweak them some with seating and your powder charge.

You said you checked your screws, what are they torqued to?

 

[FOTIS]

Powder change IMR or H 4350.

In this case RL19 is not cutting it.

 

[bullet]

Scotty, who did you hire to do the shooting :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Hey man, good shooting and good load. That should be a quick killer indeed. :grin:

 

[jmad_81]

^^ That is funny!

Scotty that 338wm of yours seems to shoot everything well. Nice work buddy.

 

[JD338]

WT,

As an all around hunting bullet, consider the 210 gr PT.
They have shot .5 MOA out to 500 yds for me and will cover anything from deer to moose in a 338 Win Mag.

JD338

 

[bullet]

WT,

As an all around hunting bullet, consider the 210 gr PT.
They have shot .5 MOA out to 500 yds for me and will cover anything from deer to moose in a 338 Win Mag.

JD338

I second that, very accurate in my 338 Win mag