Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Need 338 WM Pet Loads

Anyone got anything for a 225- or 250-grain bullet? Open to suggestions for factory loads, too. Game is Roosevelt's elk on tree farms so I expect mostly short shots with some chance of needing to reach out to about 300 yards.

Thanks,


Okie John

This load works really well in the 3 338 rifles I've tried it in:



A mild load with 250 gr. sierra game kings also worked very well in 3 different 338's:

250g. sierra gk
67-70 gr. IMR 4350
R-P brass
CCI 250 primer
.020" off lands

I use 1 and only one load in my 26" barreled Model 70, and that's Rem brass, WLRM primer and a Nosler 225gr Accubond over 76gr of RE19. It gives me 2900fps at the muzzle.
It will print 5 shots into a ragged hole at 100yrds.

Cheers.

BSA -

The Ruger 77 tanger 338 that I had doted on...
72 grs IMR 4350-- 225 HSP-- 2900 fps-- ,75" outside/outside.

That IS in Hornady Vol II manual.


Jerry

Okie john, I want to first qualify, USE CAUTION! This load is over book, and compressed. But, in my wife's rifle, appears safe, fast and accurate. It's killed really well for her. Federal Premium(nickel)cases,RL 22(78.5 grains),Federal 215 primers,and most important - Barnes 225 TTSX's (.514 BC,accurate,near 100% weight retention) at 2950 fps from my wife's M70 Win. Summary: A lethal combination! memtb

74.0 gr of H4831SC/CCI-250 primers behind 225 Barnes bullets (bulk packaged from MidwayUSA many years ago) shoots great in my rifle. Still waiting to test out on game....

Chris

Yep, I hear you. I am down to 1 338 win mag now and it actually prefers 71.5 grains of H4350 and the 225gr. Hornady interlock. The reason I suggested 71 grains was because I had 3 at the time that really liked that load. When I load for multiple like cartridge rifles, I throw down, all the targets on the shop floor, I shot from these rifles and throw out all the bad targets. What I'm left with is the mean/average of the load work up data. When I'm down to the very last sets of targets, I'll measure and even pull out a calculator to verify the best loads. Some guys biotch about trying to find a good load for 1 rifle. I've loaded for 5 different 30-06's and brought every one of them to the range with me to work up loads. These loads are not the most accurate for each rifle, but the most accurate as a mean for every rifle. Hopefully you get what I'm saying. My load is also listed in the Hornady manual. However, it is a book max load so use with caution.

When a person asks about "pet" loads, I don't just spout off a good load that has worked in 1 rifle. It's loads that work in multiple rifles that I tend to suggest...




This load worked awesome in 3 different 338's I've tried it in:


This was shot in the pouring azz rain with my original 338 Alaskan that I sold to EricM. It's a load that worked very well for my Ruger m77 mkII:



It's the first load I tried in my new (to me) pre 64 model 70 custom 338 win mag as well:



I had one that liked 70 grains of IMR 4350 better. But, as a whole, the bunch liked 67 grains better... Load them .010-.020" off the lands for best results. Like I said, it's a "mild" load, but it knocks the hell out of elk. This year, I hope to try the 225gr. Hornady interlock load. That rifle prefers 71.5gr. of H4350, which is 1/2 grain over book max... I don't think any the 5 bulls I saw on opening morning buck hunt (last weekend) will be able to bounce one of these off it's thick hide... . I'll be going after those sob's on the 26th!!!!!Good luck with your hunting guys!!!! Okie John, shoot a nice Roosevelt!!!

BSA -

I hear ya.

OTOH I've only had ONE 338 WM. I worked up to that book max slowly and didn't have any problems PLUS Vol. II listed 2900 fps and that's what that rifle did. I had some very good groups but I let all the info go with that rifle.


Jerry

Thanks for all of the replies. Looks like a 225 will work about as well as a 250 for this.


Okie John

One thing I like about the 338WM, is how easy it is to load for. Someone else mentioned RL19. I've tried that powder with the 225gr. interlock and got very acceptable accuracy. However, it seemed to rock you back more than IMR and H4350. Seemed like the recoil pulse was different (A bit more snappy) if that makes any sense. Great powder for the 338WM though.

With 200/210's, as much RL-19 as you are brave enough to load up.

With 225/250's as much RL-22 or Norma MRP as you are brave enough to load up.



MM

Thanks guys, this has helped me as well, without hijacking the thread... Anyone have an estimate velocity with specifically 22" barrel with 225g? ...forgot to mention that I only need a mild load out to 300 yards

No estimate, four of my five 338's wore 22" barrels. When I started with the 338 25 years ago I used IMR4350. Later I switched to H4350. It's a fairly simple matter to get 2,850 from a 225 in a 22" barrel.

All the testing I have done showed hands down that RE19 gave not only the highest velocities with 225/250 bullets, but, also the best accuracy, that I just had to give up on RE22 and H4831sc testing. I settled on H4350 for a 200gr load I used for Fallow deer, it was WAY TOO MUCH GUN for those little deer, so, I switched back to my 25-06 for them.

I was amazed at the velocity I was getting with RE19 in my 26" barreled Model 70. More than 100fps higher than the other 2 powders and ALL bullets tested could print touching in a string of testing, no other powder did this.

Cheers.

I've been working up a load with the 338 too. 73 gr of Reloader 22 got me over 2800 fps with the 250 NP! Kinda scared me a bit as book says it should be around 2672 fps. Way under max of 75 gr. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are that was its the same exact load I worked up for 250 Noslers in my gun.

It can probably run there safely in your rifle, but I would cut down to 2,750, which is where mine ran at that powder charge in 2 338s.

My most accurate load was 75.5 grs 22 with the 215 Sierra.

I had a custom .338 with longer throat, allowing the 250 Hornady SP to be seated for COAL 3.48". I ran 75 gr Rel 22 for 2900 fps with 29" Douglas stainless barrel. Excellent accuracy.

73.o gr H4831sc + Fed 215 + 250 gr NPT was my go to load for a long time.

Max load of R19 (per Alliant web site) 225 Hornady Interlock Fed case and primer



http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...shellid=93&bulletid=149&bdid=662

I've had difficulties with my 338. Neither the 225 Hornady or Partition shot great; both were around 1.5-1.75 inches at a hundred with a couple different powders and charge weights. Not bad; not great. Factory 225 core-Lokts were horrible. I've settled on a 210g TTSX over 70g of RL-17 in Winchester cases and a Federal 215. I'm averaging MOA to 300 and getting 2900 over my Oehler. The load is under the max listed on the Barnes site but might be a touch warm in my rifle.

My rifle has an extra long throat and roomy chamber. I have to fire form brass and then neck size it to get what I'm getting. If I don't, groups have run about 2 inches or larger.

I will probably continue experimenting in the spring, but for now I'm going with this load. I haven't shot game with it yet but am taking it antelope hunting next week; elk and deer after that. I don't expect problems, (certainly not on antelope ) but if I have any I'll let you know.

I've only used 250 grain bullets in my 338's, Horn SP Interlock and Nosler PT on game.

I've also shot paper with 200 grain Horn SP interlock on paper.

I've seen the 200 grain bullets create a little more damage than I care for on deer.

H4831sc and IMR4350, near top of recommended loads in manuals work well for me on the 250 grain bullets.

Post 63 Win 70, Win 70 Classic and Remington 700 rifles.

Sounds like a hassle, or more work than it should be.

I like the sounds of that load. I might just have to give this a closer look......... Ok, I went and looked: Nosler lists 71.5 grains (102% load density) as max with a velocity of 2780 fps. Sounds pretty promising though...

I've got a 1968 vintage Sako 338 (Bofors barrel) that absolutely adores RL-19 and 225 grain North Forks and Hornady Interlocks.

72.0 grains, 215M primer gave me 0.4" groups at 100 yards and right at 2800 fps.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I settled on 75 grains of RL-22 under a 225-grain Nosler Partition.



It seems to shoot pretty well at 100 yards.


Okie John