Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL-17 and 338 RCM with 225 Accubonds

Finally got around to working up a load with the 225 accubonds. It was too easy. Starting load of 56 gr and worked up in 1 grain increments. 61 grs yielded 2750 fps @ 70 degrees. Groups size is consistently under 1/2 MOA.

The rifle is an old M77 tang safety with a box magazine that was modified to allow a LONGER OAL of approx 3". Approx OAL is 2.980"

Other details: Virgin Hornady 338 RCM brass trimmed to 2.000", Fed 210 primers, barrel is 22" long. Chamber reamer, PT & G. Hornady dies.

Update: I posted an issue a few months ago. After talking to Lonnie at Hornady and Dave Kiff at PT & G, I was able to resolve the issue of improper sizing and excessive case stretching. The Redding FL die didn't resize the brass properly. Switching to the Hornady FL die solved that part of the problem. An additional issue was the short "end of chamber" which was 2.020". New brass is approx 2.010". All new brass is trimmed to 2" for this rifle.

That's nice. The 225 AB shoots well in my 338-06 at ~100FPS less than what you are getting. Can't imagine much you couldn't hunt with that load. How's the recoil with that rifle and load?

Recoil? The rifle weighs 7 lb 6 oz. It hits me a harder than my 8 lb 7 rem mag with 150 nos bt going 3300 fps. According to a recoil calculator the 338 RCM generates around 32 ft/lb of recoil. The 7 mag around 25 ft/lb

For grins I crunched the numbers for my 300 RUM and it has the same recoil in Ft/lb. (10 lb 300 RUM with 200 gr accubonds going 3200 fps)

calculator:

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

That's definitely beyond the "pleasant shooting" threshold! Thinking I would try some 185s or 200s and throttle it back just a tad (critters will be just as dead).

Recoil isn't that bad. It won't be used except occasional practice and big game hunts. I do intend to make up a milder 180 gr load as well.

I have another rifle that really has the recoil: 8 lb 375 Taylor with max loaded 260 accubonds at 2775 fps produces 40 ft/lbs! That is right on the edge of my tolerance.

TAG.!

I wonder what the recoil was on my old 358 WSM. I worked it up with some RL-17 to 72 grains under a 250 gr NPT to 2800 even. Stock design made it quite shootable. Nothing like my ultra light single shot Turkey gun with a 2 oz load. That was just mean.

Wow talk about dredging up an old thread!

That 338 RCM now is shooting the 300 gr Berger OTM, seated to fit and feed from 3" magazine.
54 gr of RL-17 fed 210 standard primer virgin 338 RCM brass. Velocity 2350 fps

I know it sounds crazy but this bullet will work well on big game like elk down to velocities of 1975 fps and it will exit too. That makes it useful for shots longer than I would take on elk, 600 yds.

Recoil has increased slightly but still tolerable.

^^^ You LOVE this cartridge huh?

I have the stuby Hawkeye Guide in a Lefty. It's a suuuuper handy rifle. Haven't used it in a few years tho. Have drawn no tags to warrant the rifle. Laid in some brass. In all of your notes.....I don't think I've ever gotten over 2650 with 185 TSX to 200 Accubonds. Haven't dicked with it in a long time. But know I was put off by the lack of factory numbers in my loads.

Pick me a powder for 180-200 grains please?

Jesse James,

Thanks for mentioning the handiness of the little Guide Gun.
The velocity issue is something that has led me to reconcider going 338 WSM.
With out hot rodding it, it'll do 2750 w 225's. That has been my goal, and the RCM just won't get there.

I know this isn't RCM stuff, but I am back to the drawing board with my Tikka t3x 270 WSM and a probable JES rebore to .338"
Since it feeds off the top/center/straight, the Tikka is a good match in the feed dept.
Plenty of brass available in AK and less expense than RCM as well as not being quite as large and punishing as the 338 WM.

But again this is not RCM stuff (not wanting to hyjack).
And here's my sole reason. The RCM won't meet my criteria of a 225 TTSX/225 SAF at 2750fps. One of those two will cover my needs out to as far (300 yds and still expand positively) as I am comfortable shooting Moose and Caribou, and Brown Bear up close and personal will dig deep.

And I do hope you'll find THE powder for those bullets.

When I ran the old 358 WSM I started out with slower burning powders, it only ran slightly faster than my Whelen loads. Then I met up with H-4895 and got amazing velocity (right on the heels of the 358 Norma) and accuracy.

I do like the concept of the RCM. Our late friend Dennis (Mule Deer) spent a lot of time goig over that cartridge with me. And for a compact 338-06 +P it's a very cool design.

In both my 338 RCM,s 20" Ruger Hawkeyes, 1 RH & 1 LH Load that works great in both.

CCI 200 Primer, Horn Brass, RL 17 61 GR, 225 GR Nosler Part or 225 GR Nosler Accubond, around 2600 FPS

That is a pretty solid load right there.
If I didn't already have the WSM chambered T3x rifle, I could be persuaded with by RCM .

So pretty much what I'm gathering from this is that I'm wasting my time working up 338RCM loads with W760 and that I need to rundown downtown to H&L and grab some RL 17??

I'm not KK Alaska, but my finding has been that RL 17 is THE powder for the chunkier bullets in the 338 RCM.
If you are not satisfied with your current load you might give it a try.

Good to know! I've been wanting to run the 250gr Hornady RN in mine. Was hoping to get 2500fps out of my 20" barrel.