Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338-06 AI loads

the 338RCM/338-06AI/338-06 Are all very close in case volume. It shouldn't be hard to work up 338-06AI loads from either 338-06 or 338RCM data.

The case capacity diff between the AI and RCM is around 2.8% and using MD's 1/4 theory the RCM is just about 18-20fps faster than the AI. Likewise the AI is about 15fps faster than the 338-06. Folks who report much bigger differences are likely doing it with higher pressures.

338RCM =72g H20
338-06AI= 70g H20
338-06 = 68.4g H20

I have used a couple of powders but in the end settled on BLC (2). It gives good velocities for me with 200 and 210g bullets in my two RCMs. Its not supposedly a very temp stable powder but as my rifles are moose rifles and eastern moose are generally hunted in moderate temperatues so its its worked well for me.

Hodgden has data for both 338-06 and 338RCM for lots of bullets so you can split the difference to get 338-06AI data.