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Joined: Sep 2002
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Ready to start rolling out some new loads for my new .338 RCM. I have stock piled bullets because of shooting a .338 Win Mag for the past 10 yrs. I have several hundred of the old "X" bullets in 175 gr. and even more 180 gr BT's courtesy of Shooter's Pro Shop. These should be perfect for RCM.

For those that have tinkered with the .338 RCM what were your better loads and powders used?


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Those bullets are fine for practice shooting, but I personally wouldn't use them for anything serious. I shoot 185 TSX's at almost 2900 fps, and 210 TSX's at almost 2800 fps. 200 gr Hornadys are going well too. I've also gotten good results with 250 Hornadys at well more than 2500 fps -- kinda like a 35 Whelen... grin.

As far as powder goes, RE 15 is all you need, though I have shot some with IMR 4895.

I like it a lot, and will like it better when I get the stock shortened and thinned.

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Dennis


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Tried a few bullets and settled on the 225 accubond with RL-17.

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I wasn't a fan of the original X and would be hard pressed to allow one to travel down a good tube anymore. Plus, I used the 175 X out of a 338 WM on elk and just wasn't impressed with the blood trail on one elk in particular. Punched the elk about 125 yds away, bullet was running ab out 3200 out of the 338 WM via R15. 6" fluffy white, and absolutely not one drop of blood, bullet did a thru a thru. Glad we had the white to follow up.

Now the 180 NBT I love, it shoots lights out and will kill like a fiend! I'd buy every one of those I can find. My 338 WSM likes them as does my .340.

Dober


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Dober have you seen any diifference in the way the 180 Accubond acts on game vs the 180 BT?


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I just got one and have been running the Hornday 200 Interlock and the 185 Barnes TSX.

And I have been running TAC. I will retrieve my load data and post it. Hoping some other will do the same.

My RCM accuracy is certainly acceptable, but I am going to bed it ASAP. And for having a good bunch of semi-custom LH rifles, I really, really like this little Compact Magnum.


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Ready to start loading now that the rifle is put together. I have some 180 BT's and 210 Partitions. I have TAC and plan to try that with some of the 180's. I have some H-4895 & Varget and may give those a run too.

Anyone else shooting 210 Partitions? I know the 185 TSX is probably the best overall bullet for this cartridge but I am shooting what I have on hand first.


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nothing wrong with the old X if you have them. Might have to clean a little more, and watch your max loads, but other than that, they will do fine.

I shoot the 185 TTSX in mine with RL15, and never will need another bullet. I wouldn't have a problem using it on elk or bear with those.

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Can you list some charges as much of the data is scarce. I figured the same re: 185TSX. My RCM not shooting as well as I'd hoped. Under 2" but was hoping better.

I have some 210TTSX and they show the most promise, but they were not really in my top 3 hopefuls. Having a hard time finding enough case space left to fit the RL-17. Have to drop down in burn rate.

The 200 Hornadys seem the most consistant after the 210TTSXs.


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Just got back from the range, TAC and the 180 BT's shot well. Right around 1". Plan to try tweaking the load charge a little.

If I can get that level of accuracy consistently, this load will work just fine for what I plan to hunt.

Muzzle blast with the 20" bbl. is noticeable but after shooting it some it is tolerable. This little Comp Mag handles well and should be just the rifle I was wanting.


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I dont have my data with right now but I have gotten excellent accuracy with 180 Noslers and 2520.

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Has anyone measured their 338 RCM's throat? I took a once fired case and modified it to use with the Stoney Point OAL gauge. Checking for rifling lead/throat length I found it has way too long of a throat. OAL with a Barnes 210TSX to the lands is 3.020".
Specs and mag length say no more than 2.830"
That's a loooooonnnggg way to jump.
It do make seating an easy chore, seat to magazine length and hope to find a few loads that shoot well with more than an inch of feebore.
If I can't get good groups with this long throated barrel, I'll talk to Ruger and see if they will do something about it.

I must say though, it seems not many get very good accuracy with the factory loads, but it hung right around 1 1/2" or a little under.


Mark

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