Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 30-338

I've recently aquired a 30-338 built on a Mauser 98 action. It has a bull barrel marked with the caliber and "R. A. D." I have had the wood stock refinished and a Limbsaver pad installed. Now I'm ready to develop loads for it. Any ideas in this regard would be appreciated. Thanks. [color:"#666666"] [/color]

Sierra No. Five has 30-338 data.

John

AZ, I used 308 Norma data when I started loading for mine back in the '80's.

SS

Mine works well with anywhere from 66 to 70 grns of IMR4831 behind a 180 gr Nosler. Maybe a little more accurate with Sierra BTs but I work up what I hunt with.
The 70 gr load may be a little <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> on the hot side.

Az DPD,

I made one up a couple of years ago with a M77. Took a different approach with this one. Shortened and lightened the stock, lopped the barrel to 21". The intent was a tree stand rifle for SC.

Here are some of the loads that proved to be accurate:


150 nosler BT, Fed 215 mag primer, 76 gr of H4350, vel 3425

165 nos BT, fed 215, 72 of H4350 vel approx 3250

180 sierra prohunter, fed 215, 73 gr IMR 7828, vel 2950. This is a mild load and fun to shoot.

165 hpbt sierra gameking, fed 215, 70 gr of H4350 vel 3050

Hope that gives you some ideas.

AZ DPD, considering upgunning to a 30 cal mag and 308 Norma/ 30-308 is looking good. In the Oct. -Nov. 1997 issue of" Handloader" magazine is pretty informative article. If you send me a pm will mail you the article. Says it is the twin of the 308 Norma and loading data is in the Speer manuals. Author gave the example of 300 Win. loaded with 76.2 gr IMR4350 behind 150 gr bullet at 3300fps and 30-338 using 74gr of IMR 4350 at 3400 fps with the same bullet weight. MG

AZ,

I have a custom .308 Norma Mag built on a FN M98. I believe that this is that close to the 30-338 (if not identical) that you can use the same loads, but it would pay to double check first. It is built in the classic tradition as the follwing photograph shows:



Recent (late last year) load development with 180gr Hornady SPBT (stock # 3072) and 75grs AR 2213SC (repackaged for the US market as H4831SC), stnadard LR primers and Norma cases gave an average velocity of 3,104 fps (out of a 24" barrel) and excellent (< 1") accuracy. Further load development with 76gr AR 2213SC (hot load) gave an average velocity of 3,153 fps and .705" 3 shot group @ 100 yards. See target below:



This is a great big game calibre and load.

Cheers & God bless,
Magnum308

Beautiful grouping....

The 30-338 and 308 Norma are very similiar but NOT identical
the shoulders are different. I have a 30-338 built by Dan Lilja
back before all he did was make barrels. It is fond of H4831
with 165 to 180's and H1000 with 200's.