I only hunt Alaska and have been banging away with a .338 Winny since the early 70's. For years I used a 250 grain Nosler Partition and RL19. In the late 80's I switched to the 250 grain X bullet and RL19 and for a couple of years I used the blue coated 225 grain X bullets. All of this while using WW brass and WLR primers. My factory .338 barrel on my customized "Stainless Classic" Mod. 70 seems to shoot all the bullets I feed it very well.

A couple of years ago I switched to the 225 grain TTSX bullet, Ramshot Hunter powder, Norma brass and Federal Gold Match 215 primes. I'm getting about 2,836 fps mv according to my Pact chronograph. I could probably drop down to the 210 TTSX bullet and be happy.

Just curious what the rest of you .338 users are loading.

I shot the 210TTSX over 65gr of RL15 for right at 2,900 from a 24" M77. A 22" 700 shoots 200gr Ballistic Tips / NAB over the same powder charge for 2,850. Speeds are decent considering slower burn rate stuff requires another 10gr and doesn't yield a ton more velocity. The 210TTSX load was safe in my rifle, but work up.....

I use a 200 grain Accubond and 65 grains of RL15 for about 2850 fps in my M70 with a 24 inch barrel. It shoots well and recoil is fairly mild.

I don't have a .338 at the moment. Generally RL19 with Nosler 225 grain accubonds or partitions, though.

The only gun I've ever owned that shot Barnes X bullets well was a SS Ruger .338. It liked the old un-banded boat tail 210 grain X with H4350.

Tom

My 338 loves 225 grain North Forks and 74 grains of RL-19. About 2800 fps. Shes not too bad to shoot...

This is for my wife’s Win. Model 70 SS push feed, 24” barrel. This load appears to be OK in her rifle....you know the drill! Federal Safari nickel brass, Barnes 225 TTSX, RL 22 - 78.5 grains, Federal 215 primers, muzzle velocity 2950 fps. This has accounted for numerous one shot kills, from antelope to moose, at ranges from 30 or so yards to a measured 400 yards (after the shot). memtb

Have used a bunch of loads in mine since building it in the late '80's--and rebuilding it in the early 90's, with a different barrel and stock. Have used it on animals from whitetail does and springbok to Alaskan moose and Cape eland, but encountered some problems with temp-sensitive powders, both in North America (cold) and Africa (heat) so kept experimenting. The first truly temp-resistant handload used was 250 Nosler Partitions with enough H4831SC to get around 2700 fps from the .22" barrel (the charge has varied slightly over the years), but lately have been getting good results with Big Game and various 200-210 grain bullets.

However, as with some other cartridges I KNOW the Partition works very well, so if using the .338 on something really big, would probably go back to the old standby. The only one that's stayed in any animal was the bullet that hit a small thorn-branch in Namibia, entering an eland just behind the shoulder sideways, cutting a perfect silhouette in the hide. That bullet still did enough damage that the bull only went 100 yards before stopping, head down, whereupon another 250 through the lungs dropped it right there.

I tried a few different powders in my 338wm and settled on RL17 pushing a 210gr Partition velocity is 3023fps avg from a 24" barrel. My load which was developed in 80-90degree temps is right at max which seems where all Alliant reloader powders give their best accuracy in my rifles.

My current load with the Hunter powder gives very good 100 yard 3 shot groups. Ain't like I ever shot any thing 3 times though. Though I am content with the load, I wish I would of tried Big Game powder, I heard it is even better then Hunter when it comes to temps.

I was hoping to get the velocity's I wanted, which was over 2,800 fps mv. Neither H4350 or H4831sc would do it in my rifle with a 23" barrel.

I get 2800fps using IMR 4451 with a 225gr Barnes TTSX but have to use a drop tube to get enough powder in the case. Love that bullet! 24” barrel.

Have used the 338 Win for years while living in Alaska with a range of bullets including 225gr Interbonds, 225 and 250gr Accubonds and 275gr A-Frames with fine results.

Prior to my last trip to South Africa, I wanted to try something new so I loaded 185gr Cutting Edge Copper Raptors over 72gr H414 at just under 3100fps. Two of us used them on kudu, two waterbuck, blue wildebeest, two impala and two blesbuck. Shortest shot was 40yds (impala) and the longest was 330yds (wildebeest). All were one shot kills and all bullets exited with incredible trauma. The four large animals went a combined 6yds after the shot.

As MuleDeer has stated numerous time in his writings, the advances in bullet performance has opened the door for 185-200gr .338 pills to work phenominally while improving trajectory and decreasing recoil compared to the classic 250gr loads.

This season, just bc I'm predisposed to want to try new stuff, I'm hunting the 225gr CEB Copper Raptor over 76gr RL26 with 3.410" COAL. Haven't chronographed the load yet but should be north of 2800fps.

I’m on my third 338 WM. first was a push feed M70 with after market synthetic stock - a friend had to have it, next is a M70 Classic (still have) and I had a 338 700 BDL which I sold in the fire.
Each one got fed basically the same load, 250 grain Nosler Partitions and H4831 or H4831sc. I also have shot cast bullets in them as practice loads.
So far I have not ‘needed’ anything bigger than a 338 with 250 grain Partitions. Though I have bigger — wishful African trip.

I never considered using the 338 as an all around rifle. But it certainly could be.

During the recent powder shortage, I tried H1000V behind the 225 gr. Hornady SST. My Ruger Mk2 stainless loved that load. Not as well as the Federal safari loads with the 250 gr. partition, but close.

With my Rem. 700, 24" barrel, 71 grains RL16 I'm getting a little over 2800 fps. Got some Barnes 185 tsx bullets to try when I get a chance.

I have a bull/elk hunt coming up in late Nov here in AZ.

My load is Rem brass/Rem primer/225 AB/RL19 71.0 for 2,975 mv. Very accurate.

I also use a 250 NP and RL26 for 2,800 mv for stalking in thick junipers where I might get an odd angle shot.

71.3 grains of Accurate 4350 behind the 210 TTSX has been my go to load for moose hunting for about 5 years and has proven accurate and incredibly lethal. Going back to it next year after a not as decisive kill with a 6.5 Creedmoor this season.

Oh boy, you did it now!

I am getting very good accuracy with the 185gn TTSX and H 414 at 3160fps. (24 inch barrel)
The standard TSX version also shoots as well at this velocity.

Also getting good accuracy with the 285gn TSX and the 265gn LRX using Reloder 26 at 2500fps and 2580fps respectively.
John

you guys might think this is nuts but I wish Browning would build Browning BLR S.S. in a 338 Win. Mag. with a 24 inch barrel ,I think Browning would sell a bunch of these rifles. I own a few 338 rifles and it is a heck of a cartridge ,smacks animals hard.

Would you mind sharing your recipe for 250 gr NP, RL26 and 2800 FPS?

https://www.speer-ammo.com/download...er_338_dia/338_Winchester_Magnum_250.pdf

Norma MRP gave the best accuracy and highest velocity with the 210gr Nosler Partitions I have been
using. Highly recommend it, in my 338 Win Mag.

I have always used the 210 Partition with 72 grains of IMR 4350. I kills hell out of the 120lb Whitetail deer I shoot with it.

Thank you!

Hey Hanco, I believe you have a good white tail load there! But, if old Elmer was here he would suggest you leave that light bullet in favor off at least a 275 grain Speer! LOL

Don't get me wrong, it worked just fine, but not quite the lightening bolt from the heavens that the 210TTSX has been for me and this bull was swimming in the river before expiration with a 127LRX. I'll take the 6.5 hunting anytime on land but near water give me the 338!

1Akshooter,

Was doing some research for an article on the .338 Winchester Magnum recently, and came across an article by Elmer about the then brand-new .340 Weatherby Magnum. He suggested Nosler would need to produce a 300-grain Partition to withstand the increased velocity....

Is there much of a difference in penetration between the 210 & 225 PT's?

I've had a half dozen 338's & it's a fabulous chambering.

Unless you're interested in turning it into a 1500 yard target rifle, the 210 & 250 Nosler have never left me want anything more, but surely nothing wrong with either of the Barnes versions.

With 210's, RL-19........as much as you are comfortable with, but I get slightly over 2900 FPS from a 24" barrel.

For 225-250's, I like RL-22 better & get right at 2750's FPS with the 250's & RL-26 might be better yet, but I've not tried it. Norma MRP performs the same as '22.

MM

73.o gr H4831SC /Fed 215 / 250 Partitions was my go-to load for my .338.

I use a load that I got off this board from Mule Deer, 65gr R15 and a 200/210gr Nosler. Has never not worked, from doe pronghorn to bull elk and cow bison.

I used 225-grain Partitions and RL22 for Roosevelt's elk in Washington. Worked like a champ. Velocity was about 2,850 fps IIRC.


Okie John

I’ve been working up a couple loads with the Swift Scirocco ii 210 gr. Haven’t shot any game with it yet but in both my 338 WM and 340 it’s shooting just over 1/2 in both. Anyone have specific experience with the 210?

Hey smallfry,

A guy that posts on here some times loads that 210 Scirocco in his .338-06 at around 2,700 fps mv. The monster brown bear he helped take down with them thought they were more then adequate!

I am sure they work pretty well. Both rifles shot them well and I was getting decent velocity. I figured I’d get a slower velo than my 210 gr partitions but that isn’t the case. I know with the Swift A frames they seem to drag a lot in my bore. I carried them this morning out poking around for elk. Hopefully we will see.

I believe it. That's why I'm taking my 338 in the morning

Looking at these bullet weights and speeds associated with them, I can’t help but ask myself how I’ve overlooked the 338. By comparison a 200 grain accubond out of a 338 is within 100 FPS of a 200 grain accubond out of my 300 RUM. All while burning considerably less powder. I do understand the .308 caliber bullet has a higher BC, but damn what have I been doing with my life???!!!

Don’t worry plenty of people will tell you not only have you not missed out on one but if you buy one it will be the biggest mistake of your life.

My favorite was Re 19 and a 210 Nosler...

When I had my 338s I used the Hornady 225 grain( came apart pretty badly) 210 Nosler partitions (worked great) and 250 Nosler partitions (Also worked great) I don't remember the load weights but I know I used H4831 AC3100 mostly.

I used 225g TTSX in Alaska when I went up for caribou and moose. It did well on the caribou, but never saw a bull moose. A couple days ago I checked the loads I have for my .338, 225g TTSX and 250g NPT for an upcoming elk hunt. I must have been having a good day because the groups were .5" for both and the loads fell into the same spot. This rifle has always been accurate, but like I said it was an especially good day.

???

With the 200-210’s I used R15 and Varget. Velocities are about 90 FPS less than top available with other powders but recoil is much less. I felt that less recoil was worth the slight loss of maximum speed.

LOL. It is rather efficient for a "magnum". Really more of an overgrown 30-06 when it comes to bore/case capacity ratio, and that is not a bad place to be for most hunting. I can't see a good 210gr premium at 2,900fps bouncing off anything when a 180gr 30-06 at 2,800 is known to be a reliable killer on moose on down.

As of late, 70 gr RL-17 under 250 gr A-Frames for 2745 fps in a 22" barreled M-70 Winchester with great accuracy, same load ran near 2800 form a 26" barreled Kimber 338 WM, it shot great too.

72 grs of either H or IMR 4350 under the 225 TTSX was a very good load too.

As was RL-22 under the 250 A-Frames for 2780 fps and the mighty 275 SAF's for 2700 fps, a real barnburner load with the 275's at that speed.

A long time ago- around 1994-1995 I did some penetration tests with 180, 200, 210, 225 and 250 grain loads. I used my 23 in barreled Model 70 SS Classic in and AHR stock by McMillan. I can't find my notes but my foggy old memory says the 210 Noslers and 225 Noslers differ very little in penetration. I only went with 225 grain bullets as my SOP because the weight was available from many manufacturers. I use the Hornady's only for practice, they are too soft for my taste.

FWIW the 250 grain loads seemed to kick more than the others by a large amount. I have not shot them since.

Gary