Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

Have been buying the 200gr Fusion's for 28.00 to 31.00 dollars. tested the 225gr Accubonds today for accuracy, better than the 200's but still not good, groups 4in at 100yds. Going to try the 225 Interbonds and the 210 Sirrocco's next. Might get lucky and the Sirrocco's may shoot close to same point of aim as the Fusions.

I think you saw the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. I was flipping through my Grafs and Sons catalog yesterday and they listed them for about $40 for 25. I think the bonded tips will be much cheaper.

Thanks, I will give TAC a try.

I'll probably end up sticking with 200 Hdy FBILs or 200NBTs in my 338Fed. I only hunt whitetail with it, so just about any descent bullet is more than enough. The 200 HDYs give great accuracy, but I haven't hunted with them yet.

Have a good one,

loder

I did some more bullet testing today. So far I've tested five bullets on water jugs. I'm listing them from left to right in the picture.

185 Barnes TTSX-2650 FPS-penetrated through 6 water jugs-184 grains
200 Fusion- 2660 FPS- found in 5th water jug- 167 grains
200 Interlock- 2550 FPS- Found in 5th water jug- 135 grains
200 SST- 2500 FPS- Found in 4th water jug- core separation- 148 grains
215 Sierra- 2450 FPS- penetrated 7 water jugs no expansion- 212 grains

Barnes, Fusion and Interlock worked really well in the 338 Federal. Like others have stated, SST had core separation and the Sierra would not expand. I hope I can get the Barnes to shoot because it would be my first choice for CXP3 game.

The Barnes 185 TTSX penetrated the most on my test too. Just slightly more than a 210 Scirocco II. It's my go-to bullet now. Very happy at ~.050 off, YMMV.

Happy days are here!! The FedEx truck just stopped by bringing gifts. 2lbs of Alliant Power Pro 2000MR (and some more RL-17 for the 338-06). Think I need to order some 210 TTSX and/or 210 Scirocco IIs to test in addition to the 185 TTSX. No published loads by Alliant for the 185, only 200s and 225s. Curious to see what it does. 2800 for the 185 would be less of a gain than what they show for the 200s and 225s. Interpolating indicates mid 2600s for a 210. Nothing wrong with that!

I missed Fed Ex today. My Pro Powder will be here tomorrow. Hopefully I won't blow myself up over the weekend

I tried the 2000MR with 185 TTSX. Only ran one of each to check pressures. started at 50 and went up to 53 (very compressed). Only got up to 2696FPS. I got 2730 with 48.5 TAC and the 185 TTSX (not compressed). If 2000MR is going to be really good, it must be at the higher bullet weights. I'm going to stick with TAC for the 185. I also ran the 180 BTs with TAC. 49gn was 2826 and was starting to show signs of pressure. Although, it was 95 degrees out. Probably stick with 48.5 (2792). Will shoot for groups next timeout with the 180 BTs.

Any pressure signs with 185 TTSX and 53 grains?

No pressure, but no more room for powder. Wanted to try 54, but 53 was real tight, and that was at 2.88 OAL. I think the 200-210s may be better suited to the 2000MR.

A partition would be interesting too test.

Spot

Hey wait a minute - is an elk harder than water jugs ?

Just for grins I loaded some 200 Hot Cors to 52gn 2000MR (an Alliant published load). Accuracy was good for the one group (.8), speed was 2650 in a 22" barrel. No signs of pressure. Alliant lists 2720 with 52gn in a 24" barrel.

Also tried 180 BTs with 49gn TAC at .057 and .110 off. Not very good groups at either, about the same at 1.5".

I've shot 180 NBTs over 49 and 48.5 of TAC and my rifle hated them, 2-3" groups. I loaded them over 48 of 2230 and they did pretty well. Largest groups was 1.5" with the smallest .7". My rifle seems to like 2230 for lighter bullets (185 TTSX, 180NBT) and TAC for 200+. I was going to chrony this week but because of the rain, I'll have to wait until next week. I want to see if there is any real difference in velocity with the heavier bullets between TAC and 2000MR.

I'm using the Lapua brass you suggested and had no pressure signs with any loads.

Himmelrr don't forget about that 210 partition load...may come in handy some day!Great load. powdr

Some more playing today. Limited to one per load. These are chrono readings, with chrono at 16'(+11FPS for muzzle). TAC was good, as it's been with everything else I've tried. Power Pro 2000MR was not impressive. Run out of space, Clearly they used short bullets and roomy brass to develop their book loads.

210 TTSX/Lapua Brass/215M/2.88OAL/2000MR
49.5-2500
50-2523
50.5-2525
51-2535 *very compressed, no room for more, no pressure signs

210 TTSX/Lapua Brass/215M/2.88OAL/TAC
45-2511
45.5-2535
46-2598 No pressure signs

210 TTSX/Lapua Brass/215M/2.88/H4898
44-2457
44.5-2541
45-2537
45.5-2575
46-2574 (odd velocity jumps, but worth playing more as there were no pressure signs)

185 TTSX/Lapua Brass/215M/2.88/Tac
48.5-2747

180BT/Fed brass/BR2/2.87/Tac
48.5-2759

I guess the 2000MR powder doesn't outperform TAC. I'm really surprised about the 210 TTSX with 46 grains. That's great velocity. Is it compressed much?

I'm going Saturday to chrony about 10 different loads. It's finally not raining. I'll post the results Sunday.

The 46 TAC with the 210 TTSX isn't compressed much. At least I don't recall it being so. Could probably go a bit higher without problems. The 210 TTSX is a very looong bullet so it is a worst case scenario for the 338 Fed. 46 was 2570 with the 210 Scirocco II also. 2.88 is max mag length for my Ruger, that's why I'm using it. I think I'll load for groups around 46gn with the 210 TTSX and see how they shoot. A 210 TTSX at ~2600 would be a pretty decent load!

Finally was able to chrony some loads today. Was pleased with results. Lighter bullets did really well with 2230, heavy bullets really like the new Alliant MR powder.

200 Factory Fusions- 2695, 2698

185 TTSX, 48gr of 2230, Fed brass, 2.87 COL- 2801, 2836

210 Partition, 47 gr of TAC, Fed brass, 2.82 COL- 2583, 2568

180 NBT, 53 gr of MR2000, Lapua Brass, 2.87 COL- 2720, 2738

210 Partition, 52 gr of MR2000, Lapua Brass, 2.82 COL- 2649, 2663

200 SST, 52 gr of MR2000, Lapua Brass, 2.88 COL- 2641, 2663

200 Interlock, 52 gr of MR2000, Lapua Brass, 2.85 COL- 2632, 2663

180 NBT, 48 gr of 2230, Lapua Brass, 2.87 COL- 2774, 2810

160 TTSX, 52 gr of 2230, Lapua Brass, 2.85 COL- 3046, 3058

2230 and the 185 TTSX is nice. As is the 210 Partition load. I have not even considered the 160, but that looks pretty interesting. Probably not bad at all with recoil too.