Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338-06 Load Data

Helping out a good friend. He is trying to find a suitable load for a finicky 338-06 using 200-210gr bullets. He's tried quite a few powders, but I thought I would see if anybody has load data using RL17 & possibly H4350 in those bullet weights.

A starting load with estimated velocity in a 22” barrel would be appreciated.

He’s already tried RL15, Varget, BLC2, 4895, and W760. Thus far BLC2 has produced the best groups.

Thanks much

I shoot the 210 partition over a max load of IMR 4320 right out of the Nosler manual. I tried IMR 4350 but it was a compressed load and I didn't care for it too much.

Here is what I did for my 338-06 and I used both 200 grain Accubonds & 210 grain Partitions with H4350.

This process especially works well when having trouble finding a load. I have typically found that the most accurate loads are somewhere above mid point of the range and below max, but you never know.

I loaded 2 rounds each @

58
58.4
58.8
59.2
59.6

I loaded 3 rounds each @

60
60.4
60.8
61.2
61.6
62.0

I run two Audette ladder for the 58-59.6 loads @ 200 yards. I don't expect for the accurate load to be there but this serves two purposes 1) a safety check for pressure and 2) confirmation that there is not a accurate load down in the lower part of the range.

I then run the Opitmal Charge Weight protocol for the 60-62.0 loads @ 100 yards.

If you are not familar with those techniques there is a lot of information via a google search, and if there are still questions; send me a PM and your or your friend's cell # and will be happy to walk you thru it.

Try a stiff charge of H 380, and crimp it....

Most accurate and with highest velocity combination out of mine... Model 70 with 24 inch barrel.

if you just want consistency, 50 grains of 4064, with a 200, 210, 225, 250 grain bullets will ALL yield right at 2500 fps MV.
and the POI, is within less than an inch at 100 yds... at least with my Model 70.

My 338-06 was a Remington 700 Long Range 30-06 rebored by JES.It is one of the best shooting rifles I own.I really like the 200gr bullets,both the Silver Ballistic Tips and Accubond.My rifle shoots them both same POI.It's accurate with several loads.I have found it shoots well with so many powders,but I keep going back to Big Game because it always groups so well with it.I use the WLRM Primer and resized Winchester 30-06 once fired cases necked up on all of them.Here is my load data.
180gr Accubond 58.0grs Varget 3010fps
180gr Accubond 60.0grs Big Game 2940fps
200gr Accubond 60.0grs 760 This load grouped good just never got a velocity on it
200gr Accubond 62.0grs H4350 2740fps
200gr Accubond 63.0grs Hunter 2730fps
200gr Accubond 59.5grs BLC-2 2830fps
200gr Accubond 56.0grs Varget 2849fps
210gr Partition 54.0grs Varget 2721fps
200gr Accubond 59.0grs CFE223 2807fps
200gr Accubond 59.0grs Big Game 2812fps
200gr Accubond 61.0grs Accurate 4350 2661fps
210gr Partition 59.0grs Accurate 4350 2777fps

My rifle likes 56 grains of CFE 223 and the Federal Bonded bullets.

Well
I know you said 200 - 210 grain, however
Sierra 215 grn boattail using IMR4350 at near max load data from the Sierra manual, gives my A & B 110 action 3 shot clover Leafs off sandbags at 200 yds.
According to Sierra this 215 is good for all lower 48 critters.
Good luck

Like the OP I had inconsistent accuracy and was not reaching the target velocities in the 200 and 210 grain bullets. It wasn't until I went to 250 grain Partitions that the rifle really settled in. I was setting up for a bushveld hunt in KZN where shots over 200 yards would be very rare so I didnt feel disadvantaged. The rifle is a post 64 Winchester push feed rebored by JES. The load that preformed the best was 58.5gr H414 with the 250gr Nosler Partitions. Velocity was 2490 fps. Good luck with your load development.

Like BigBullet and the OP, I've had trouble getting accuracy and velocity from 210 bullets. Damn I wish I could get 210 TTSXs to shoot fast and accurate! 225 ABs shoot lights out with H4350. Accurate with 2720 fps. 250 gr bullets shot MOA as well. Like BigBullet, I too had success with H414/Win760, but with 59 grains. H380 shot equally as well with the 250 grain bullets.

338-06 - 25 inch barrel - 62 gr Re 17 - 200 gr Speer hotcore = 2830 fps average...

Like Santiam I use RL17. I've found RL17 to be a very good powder when used with the 338-06. I do have the Ackley version though. Accuracy and speed are excellent. I use 62.0gr along with the 210gr Swift Scirocco. Through the chrony it registers 2865fps. Good luck.

62.0g R17 with a 210 partition gives me 2760fps.

Trey

I use 61gr of Big Game and a 225gr Interloc , 2650fps out of a 22" barrel. I'll likely switch to Accubond next loading.

I’m thinking that a 225gr Accubond at 2650 would be a fantastic load. Maybe pair it with a 225 or 250gr Partition, just for special occasions. 🤔

Mine like 210 partitions at max plus a little loads from nosler book of 4350.

Anyone try Winchester Staball MATCH POWDER? Wondering if it’s an appropriate burn rate?

When I had mine built a couple of decades ago, I had access to a surplus extruded powder that was made in Scotland. It was "two grains faster than 4350 ". So the perfect powder is two grains faster than 4350 and four grains slower than 4064. Big Game