Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

It did just occur to me that a few years ago I asked Hodgdon about why there was no load data for a 200gn when it does so well with a 210. They responded that they felt it was too slow to be beneficial in the 200. They show max loads of 49 with the 210 partition and 52 with the 215 Sierra and 48 with a 225. That provides a ballpark to work in for a 200. I'm still curious as to how it will work.

Thanks - I'll be sure to put up some results when I get there.

Scott: I'm down in Austin. I have a Ruger Hawkeye 338 federal. I'm impressed with your use of the Barnes 185 gr TTSX. Believe it or not, I have some commercial Barnes 185 TSX. Really impressed with the accuracy. I want to load the Barnes 185 TTSX. What is the best powder you've used for that combo? That's where I want to go. I want to avoid rebarreling to 308. I'm just getting started with the reloading. thanks
Jim

Good grief don't rebarrel it! I haven't used the 185TTSX very much but It worked well with 48 grains of AA2230 which is a max load from Barnes. I haven't tried it with other powders but I'm sure Paul (PRM) has. He is the real tinkerer with the 338 Federal. Lately I've settled on the 180 Ballistic Tip/Accubond for my main load. The best accuracy was at 2700 FPS. What powders do you have access too?

Scott: I'm a novice to all this discussion of rifle powders. I don't know what you mean when you ask about access to gun powders. And why not the 185 TTSX instead of the 180's you've mentioned. Thanks for you input. Jim

He was just asking what powders you have to choose from for the 185 TTSX.
The 185 TTSX is an excellent choice and in my experience either TAC or 8208 XBR work very well. Velocity has been in the low to mid 2700s with exceptional accuracy. AA2230, as he mentioned, might be a good choice as well. I have not tried it with the 185, but I did with the 180s and got excellent velocity.

If I had to recommend one, it would be TAC.

PRM: Thanks for the info. Going to get some TAC. Jim

Bingo. I wasn't sure what powders you had on your shelf or what was in stock. Nowadays you have to work with what you can get. The 180 Ballistic Tip was very accurate with 48.5 of TAC with a COL of 2.85". Most accurate load in my Hawkeye and right at 2700 fps. I would work up to that charge with the 185 TTSX. Might get a little more velocity out of TSX because of the bands.

Scott: Thanks. You've given me some hope and direction. I won't turn my 338 into a 308...yet. (Just kidding) Jim

Paul, you should post a pic of that last elk you killed on this thread so the few 338 Federal guys on the forum see it.

Here it is. Solid CO public land 6x6. Used a 180 BT with 8208. Shot was all of ~50yds. He traveled 0 feet. High shoulder shot, took out near shoulder and found what was left of the bullet 1" from the far side hide in some meat. Bullet weighed 93gn.

That is a really nice elk. Dark antlers and ivory tips. High shoulder on an Elk is a good test for any bullet. Those 338 Ballistic tips are tough. I think I'll finally do that Nilgai hunt in South Texas next year. I'm thinking 210 Partition for that one.

PRM: I went back to the beginning of this thread and your pictures of spent bullets. I really like the looks of the Barnes TTSX 185gr bullets and the the amount of weight that was retained in them.

Jim

It's a fantastic bullet. You won't be disappointed.

Nice bull and Sweet Rig PRM. I bet that muzzle brake tames the 338 federal recoil down plenty. Must be a real pussycat.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

Nice bull. Thanks for all the info.

The 180 Accubond would probably work real well too. Bonus is you'd not Have to re sight in from the BTs. I'd like to see/hear how the AB works. According to Litz, the BC is better than advertised.

I might consider the 180 Accubond. I just heard they are one of the toughest animals in the US and their hide is like shooting a semi truck tire, thick extremely rubbery with heavy antelope bones.

I had some TAC that I had originally bought to try in my .223. After reading prm's posts here I decided to try it in my 338 Federal All Weather Hawkeye. Glad I did.
338 Federal
185 Barnes TTSX
Ramshot TAC
46.0 1.324"
46.5 1.280"
47.0 1.378"
47.5 0.710"
48.0 0.840"
48.3 0.776" (Ramshot data max load)
I'm very happy with these results. I'm guessing, based on prm's results, that the 46.3 grain load should run about 2700 fps. I'll run it across my chrony another day. This combo shows that it likes to run in the fast lane. That's OK. The 30-06 needs another 9 grains of powder to duplicate these numbers. More bang for your buck I say.
These loads showed no pressure signs in my rifle. Your results may vary.

Sounds like you have a winner. I use 48.5 of TAC with 180 Ballistic tips for 2700 fps out my Hawkeye.