Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

Been scouring the site for 338 Fed loads and found a few, but the one year search limit hinders things. Looking for what has worked for you, or not. Velocities, powders, barrel lengths, etc.

I'm starting with Ramshot TAC and 210 Scirocco IIs and 200 Hot Cors in a Ruger M77, 22" barrel.

48 gr of Reloder 15 pushing 185 gr TSX and 200 gr Hornady Interlock bullets. Gives between 2550 and 2600 fps out of my 18.5" Ruger RSI. And both groups go under an inch at 100 yards, and both bullets kill deer very nicely.

Dennis

I found my notes on load development for my 338Fed. Rifle is REM 600 with a 21" barrel. All brass is resized RP 308WIN with CCI LR primers. It was shot at 100yds on a cool 50degF day with less than 5kt wind (at my back) in GA.

RL-15/185gr TSX (All loads grouped 1.5 to 1.75")
46.0gr: 2584, 2551, 2573
46.5gr: 2659, 2631, 2632
47.0gr: 2687, 2680, 2697

RL-15/200gr Hornady SP (All loads right at 1")
46.0gr: 2474, 2519, 2510
46.5gr: 2541, 2551, 2514

RL-15/210gr NP
44.5gr: 2412, 2372, 2366 (3" group)
45.0gr: 2409, 2385, 2399 (1.5" group)

WIN748/200gr Hornady SP
49.0gr: 2505, 2524, 2506 (1.0"group)
49.5gr: 2515, 2494, 2500 (1.5" group)
50.0gr: 2532, 2538, 2535 (2.5" group)

WIN748/210gr NP
45.2gr: 2430, 2425, 2411 (0.8" group)
45.7gr: 2485, 2459, 2485 (1.0" group)

IMR4895/200gr Hornady SP (All loads less than 1")
46.0gr: 2491, 2493, 2501
46.5gr: 2528, 2508, 2521
47.0gr: 2553, 2546, 2555 THE WINNER

I also tried the 185gr TSX with WIN748 and IMR4895. The results are not worth posting. Very inconsistant MVs and groups. I was torn between the 210NP/WIN748 load or the 200SP/IMR4895 load. In the end I went with the latter since I use IMR4895 in my 7mm-08 and 223. Commonality of components helps especially with the prices lately. I hope this helps...

41 gr 4198 185 TSX = dead Elk

My best efforts were also with RL15...

I ended up running 46 grains of it under Nosler 210 Partitions in Federal 338 brass (mostly from Fusion loads) with Federal 210 spark plugs. In both my 22" barreled guns it was just under 2500 FPS

I just received a box of Barnes .338 185 TTSXs to try out. Plan is to try H4895 and TAC initially. I noticed Ramshot listed the Fed 215 Magnum primer for TAC. I asked them about it and it turns out that is a typo. The testing was done with Win WLR primers. So, just a heads up. Not sure it really matters too much as long as you're working up. JB's article on loading the 338 Fed also listed the use of Magnum primers, maybe there is something to it, who knows. Also going to try the Scirocco IIs. Will go with whatever shoots better. Each of these bullets has an excellent BC (.432 TTSX and .507 SII) and will make the most of what velocity the 338 Fed has.

That's interesting...I've not used magnum primers in my .338 Fed, nor have I had any difficulty exceeding factory loads and showing good accuracy with standard primers. In fact, I've loaded a bunch of .338 RCM loads with standard primers, to see if I really need magnums with them.

Maybe I'll stick some magnum primers on .338 Feds and see if it matters... .

Dennis

I think JB used the Magnum primers because Ramshot listed them, albeit mistakenly (I'll have to re-read the article and check that, don't want to speak for him). JB achieved some nice velocities though, so maybe it's worth trying. I'm going to start with my standard BR-2 for now. But, I do have a couple hundred 215s sitting around all bored...
Edit: I think I'll work up the 185 TTSXs with BR-2s and 215s at the same time. See what happens...

Finally got my Ruger 338 Fed back. Shot 185 TTSXs, 200 Hot Cors and 210 Scirocco IIs with TAC today. The 185s loaded to 2.88 OAL shot very well. 47.9, 48.2 and 48.5gr were .47", .9" and .53" for 3 shot groups. The 210 Sciroccos shot well at 47gr of TAC (.78"), but not well anywhere else (1.5"+). 47gr was as high as I went with the 210s. The 200 Hot Cors were not impressive ranging from 1.3" and up. Next step is to get the chrono out and see what I'm getting out of the 185s.

Dennis:

I believe the magnum primers are used in non magnum cartridges when ball powder is used, for more complete combustion, as ball powder is more densely packed. I'd quote a source, but I can't remember where I read it. I believe it was in relation to W748 powder, but if I am not mistaken, isn't TAC also a ball powder.

47grs H4895 was THE load for my Sako 85, with 210gr TSX (2625 fps) and 215gr Sierra (2600 fps). I now have a m77 Hawkeye SS, haven't done much loading for it but picked up a box of 185gr TTSX today. Looks like the ideal 338f bullet!

As soon as I can, I run the 185 TTSXs through the chrono. If they run ~2700 or greater they will definitely be my go to load. Excellent BC, good reputation for effectiveness, less recoil than the heavier bullets (not a big deal, but noticeable) and they are quite accurate in my rifle.

For feral hogs I like to use this load. Rifle is a Savage Model 11 with a 24 inch PAC-NOR Supermatch, 3 groove, 1-10 twist barrel.

Bullet: Nosler 180 gr. AccuBond
Powder: Hodgdon H4895 46.0 grs.
Primer: CCI-BR2
Case: Federal
LOAL: 2.810 (2.161 base to ogive with Stoney Point)
Velocity: 2611 fps (SD 7.87)

And for whitetail.

Bullet: Hornady 200 gr. SP Interlock
Powder: Hodgdon H4895 47.8 grs.
Primer: CCI-200
Case: Remington .308 Winchester Reformed
LOAL: 2.895 (2.228 base to ogive with Stoney Point)
Avg. Velocity: 2636.69 fps (SD 8.48)
Comments: Jam length is 2.251 with this bullet (base to ogive with Stoney Point Gage). This LOAL used for magazine fit, 0.023 bullet jump.

Got a young eight point last year with my Savage and the Hornady 200 gr. SP Interlock.

I have

TAC
AA-2230

200 SST
200 Interlock
215 Sierras

Anyone load any of these combos for the 338 Federal?

Limited data points, but I did finally get to chrono samples of TAC with a 185 TTSX and 210 Scirocco II

185 TTSX - 2725 (48.5 TAC, BR2 Primer, 338 Fed brass)
210 Scirocco II - 2560 (46 TAC, Fed 215M primer, 308 Lapua brass)
A Federal Fusion went 2635.

ScottfromDallas,
I've been trying to get the 200 SSTs to shoot with TAC but have not had much luck. Got one group just over 1", but the rest are quite unimpressive.

So far have only worked with the 200gr hornady sst and the 200gr nosler accubond, both over 47gr of varget, the sst was extremly acurate but failed my bullet test miserably, blowing up. The accubond held together with a perfect mushroom and a good base behind it, but for some reason my kimber doesn't like it at all, tried h335 and 748 with same poor accuracy results. Since I hunt deer in brown bear country want a good balance of expansion/holding together. Just bought some 225 accubonds and will see today how they do. Would have preferred to stay with 200gr as like the fusion load for when hunting islands that don't have bears. Been charged twice, almost lost last one, stopped 4ft away. Extremly happy with my kimber 84m, accurate, light and very little recoil. Curious if any one else shooting a kimber has had any better results with the 200gr accubond.

I'm not a fan of the Hornady's SST either. Why not try a standard Hornady 200gr SP, a 185gr TSX or 185/210gr TTSXs? Even the 210gr Nosler Partition. Another powder suggestion is IMR or H 4895. I think Alliant is coming out with some new powders that might work too.

RH

The 200 SST failed at 338 Fed velocities? That's not good. I have the 200 SST, but they shot miserably on my initial attempt. Admittedly I have not fiddled with seating depths to see if I can make them better. The 185 TTSX has shot so well with TAC I quit trying other things. Shoots great and less recoil than the heavier bullets. 2725 without even the slightest hint of pressure. I will try the 200 Trophy Bonded Tips once they are available as in my mind a 200gn is just right for the 338 Fed (based on nothing mind you). Although, all my ballistic nonsense charts (I like to over analyze) tell me the 185 TTSX ought to put as much smack (official effectiveness term defined however I want at the moment) on the target as the 200 given my projected 200 velocities of 2620-2650. If I just 'have' to use a heavier bullet I have a load with the 210 Scirocco II that shoots VERY well at ~2560.