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Hello:
OK, new guy here.
Over a decade of hankering for a 338-06 to compliment my 270 M70 Featherweight and months of winter time study and pondering lead me to a 20" SS/SYN Hawkeye in 338RCM. The package just made darn good sense.
I called Hornady and asked specifically if they will continue to support this round before buying the rifle. The response was "you bet, it's a popular round for us".
Of course as we all know the shelves are bare at the LGS! So I have a pile of standard LR primers and IMR4350. Hogdon has H414 a favorite for this cartridge which is No. 92 in Lymans 49th and IMR4350 is No. 93 for burn rate.
So my query: anyone used IMR4350 in the 338RCM? Any ideas, advice and suggestions on where to start. Any theoretical reason why IMR4350 can't be used in this round?
Been a while since any posting on 338RCM, does anyone care to post their latest and greatest loads, hunts, pics?
I like to search and read before I join up a forum and post. Unfortunately that usually results in specific and esoteric questions that receive little if any response. Kind of like this one.
I hope that doesn't put anyone off since I'm new here. I'm really a nice fellow, a little redneck but a nice guy anyway.
Steve Oregon
Last edited by ol_skool; 04/14/13.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I have been using the 338-06 since the early '90's and really see no practical benefit to the Ruger version so I cannot help your specific question. Cheap brass, easy to build a light, easy to pack rifle and not limited to the short action bullet lengths particularly when bullets seem to be getting longer. My Rem 700 based rebore has taken a fair amount of game and is easy to carry too.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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I have one of the Ruger compact magnum rifles, now in a McMillan stock.
I have not done a full load work up as the rifle showed up right at hunting season last year. I found good velocity and reasonable accuracy (5 shots ~1.25) with BLC(2) and 200 hornady and 210 NP. When I get back to it again I will pick up with the BLC(2)
Haven't tried 4350. I would see what loads are out there for 338-06 and 338-06 and use them as a guide as your work up.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
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All depends what bullet you are using. I think there is data on reloadersnest and also an article on realguns with data. I used Varget with 185 grain bullets. Ruger has phased out quite a few guns in the rcm calibers and I dont know of any other makers using them. I had one, but only had the choice of one gun in lefty. It worked well, but wanted to go a different route and stainless so I sold it and moved on from that caliber.
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EdM: If I had a 338-06 I wouldn't get a 338RCM either, why bother, right? But...I didn't so I did!
KenMi, noKnees: Thanks, I'll try something here soon, see what happens.
Steve Oregon
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I'd be interested in powders and charge weights if its not too much of a hijack. I really like my rifle. Wish it was a touch faster though
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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Jesse Jaymes:
Do you have any data you care to suggest?
Steve Oregon
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I jusr went back through my resources and remembered I got my data from the Hodgdon website. They have quite comprehensive data for this round, in all bullet weights from 160 up.
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My chrono numbers are not close. They tested 24" tube. Quite a difference to the 20" Compact barrel.
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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My chrono numbers are not close. They tested 24" tube. Quite a difference to the 20" Compact barrel. I'd be interested in loads and velocities if you don't mind letting on... Unfortunately I don't have anything to offer you, I don't even have dies yet. Steve Oregon
Last edited by ol_skool; 04/15/13.
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185 TSX w 56.0 Varget = 2704 av ES 22 185 TSX w 57.0 RL15 = 2692 av ES 88 200 Hornady Spire w 56.0 Varget = 2691 av ES 22
Notes say ejector marks on 185/56 Varget combo
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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200 Hornady Spire w 56.0 Varget = 2691 av ES 22 I intend to work on 200gr AB and 210gr PT's. Nosler has that fps for the 338-06 in a 24" barrel with these pills. This is what I'm after right there for the little Ruger. Steve Oregon
Last edited by ol_skool; 04/15/13.
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I forgot they made 200 Accubonds. I had a screamer group last fall on a random shooting session down a power line. Used 3 older 200 grn Ballistic Tips at 253 yards. Was 1.75". I had found the bullets in an old Sample Pack. I'll have to revisit those in an Accubond.
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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ol_skool,
I put together a 22" #2 Lilja on a M77 tang safety with McMillan ultralight stock. Tried a few light bullets but settled on the 225 accubond. RL-17 worked the best for me. Lengthened the mag box to 3.1" with loaded ammo approx. 3.050". This rifle handles 61 gr of RL-17 for vel of 2750 fps. Your results may vary.
For what it is worth. I also made a long throated 338 RCM to shoot the 300 gr berger hybrids. Using a LA. 56.5 gr of RL-17 with a 30" barrel vel 2550 fps. It is a lot of fun to shoot and has some serious downrange energy with minimal wind drift. Can shoot quite a few rounds before the heavy barrel gets warm.
I think RL-17 is the perfect powder for this size case. Might be worth a try.
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Campfire Outfitter
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185 TSX w 56.0 Varget = 2704 av ES 22 185 TSX w 57.0 RL15 = 2692 av ES 88 200 Hornady Spire w 56.0 Varget = 2691 av ES 22
Notes say ejector marks on 185/56 Varget combo Something not right there, that's slower than a 338 Fed with the 185s. What barrel length? I know they added some longer barrels to the RCM lineup.
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ol_skool,...I think RL-17 is the perfect powder for this size case. Might be worth a try. Sounds good. I'll give it a try when the shelves aren't so bare. Steve Oregon
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Not being a smart azz but I think what's not right is the majority of shooters don't chrono and believe book specs.
Rifle is a factory Ruger .338 RCM Compact with 20" tube. I think I chrono'd factory 200 SST Superformance and it cracked 2700 but didn't average it.
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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Shooting at 1659ft elevation. All sessions above 32 deg F
Please God, give me some good tags this year....
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Not being a smart azz but I think what's not right is the majority of shooters don't chrono and believe book specs.
Rifle is a factory Ruger .338 RCM Compact with 20" tube. I think I chrono'd factory 200 SST Superformance and it cracked 2700 but didn't average it. I chrono every load. Multiple times. When I said not right, I was implying that maybe the powder is not a good fit, that's all. I have a 338-06 that will not meet book numbers so I realize rifles vary. Regardless, a 200gn .338 bullet at 2700ish is going to kill what it hits.
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