Update on my load development, based on range session yesterday.
Sako 85 Hunter in 338 Fed, Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50. 22+ inch barrel (570mm as I recall).
Loads tested and results, five shot groups. 55-60F and mostly overcast, light winds (+/-7mph). Federal once fired nickel plated brass, trimmed to 2.005". All loaded to 2.127 to 2.129 to the ogive, using my Hornady LnL Comparator. About 2.825" COAL as I recall. Every load tested below is a compressed load.
185g TTSX, 47.0g Ramshot TAC, CCI LR primer = Avg 2557fps, spread 43fps, std dev 23fps, 2.8" group w vertical stringing 185g TTSX, 48.0g Ramshot TAC, Fed 9.5 Mag primer = Avg 2609fps, spread 29 fps, std dev 12fps, 0.9" group 200g Accubond, 48.0g Ramshot TAC, Fed 9.5 Mag primer = Avg 2597fps, spread 18fps, std dev 9fps, 1.3" group 185g TTSX, 50.0 CFE 223, Fed 9.5 Mag primer = Avg 2597fps, spread 61 fps, std dev 25fps, 1.1" group (only a 3 shot group, since the first two were just off my target) 200g Accubond, 46.0g RL15, CCI LR primer = 2473fps, spread 17 fps, std dev 7 fps, 2.2" group (quite a compressed load)
No signs of pressure at all with any of the loads. Primers all nice and round, easy to eject, etc. I'm happy with the velocity, now I just need to dial in the accuracy.
I'd really like to shoot the 200g Accubonds given my experience with these bullets at this sort of velocity - I think ~2600 is a little slow for the TTSXs. Appears I'll be doing more testing with the 200 AB/48.0g TAC combo - with magnum primers and regular primers and varying the seating depth. I think I can get the accuracy where I want it by varying the seating depth. Which reminds me, I need to get these two fired cases off to Hornady to use with my OAL gauge.
Given these results along with my previous results, I'm even more convinced the Federal factory loads with the 200g TBTs are loaded hot.
