Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

Why not 8208 with the 160TTSX? They worked well for me and velocity was good.

I did try that with this rifles previous barrel and it worked well. 2900FPS and good accuracy. At the time though, AA2230 was really fast and really accurate (those Barnes loads may be a bit sketchy...). I plan to re-try the 160s with 8208 and with Benchmark though. Just started with H322 since I hadn't tried it before and it's a faster burning powder than 8208. Edit: Nirvana in the 338 Federal would be a temp stable AA2230. Really gets great velocity and accuracy with 160-185gn bullets.

UPS delivered the box of 200 NBTs. They have he gray tip so they appear to be the SilverTip without the black coating.

What powder(s) are you going to try?

SFD, yeah I got some of the same in 7mm a bit back. They shoot exactly the same as the ,'normal' colored one. Just have to be careful about mistaking them for AB's. I took a sharpie and colored the tip just to avoid that mistake.

An observation, the 180 BT/AB are, in-theory, the same except for bonding. When shooting, I've found the BT gives slightly higher velocities and they aren't the exact same shape. Have to adjust die a little to get the same seating depth. Close, but not identical. Not sure if that applies to the 200BT/AB, just something to consider.

I have some 200 Ballistic Silvertips already. I got 2600 FPS using 52 grains or MR2000. I also have TAC and xbr 8208.

Speer has some new load data that indicates Alliant Power Pro Varmint can get over 2700 with. 200 Hot Cor. I’ve found Speer’s data is a tad conservative making all the more interesting.

https://www.speer-ammo.com/download.../338_caliber_338_dia/338_Federal_200.pdf

Federal claims 2700 fps in their factory 200 gr loads. I never chronographed one.

The 200 fusion is a legitimate 2700 ft./s. The 200 trophy copper is not. The 200 Trophy Bonded Tip is somewhere in between.

I never shot the federal fusions over a chronograph but I will offer this in my Sako 85 they deliver the most recoil of anything I have tried in the firearm fired to date. This is including the 210 NPT, 210 SS, 225 HIB and the 215 SGK all were worked up to max loads with H LVL.

If I ever go hunting moose at closer ranges the 210 SS or the 185 TSX will be it for me. The 200 fusions were not as accurate in my firearm as my reloads of late. I changed the synthetic stock on mine to a MCM hunter I may try them again to see if that helped. It definitely helped my reloads.

I've got a few hundred down the pipe now and accuracy has worked out better than I thought it would when I first shot the firearm.

Good luck and shoot straight all

Bob

New to the .338 federal and reloading as well. Just got set up on both. I have a 20” savage hog hunter. Really like it.

I’m reading back over this whole thread. Lots of good info here. I’m starting with 200gr interlocks. I have star line brass, cci 200’s, and varget, w-748, and mr2000. Forgive me, I’m green. But I’ve noticed that the varget info, Nosler lists 41, Speer 45, and Hodgdon lists 42 gr as a start. To work up safely, where should I start?

And has anyone used the 200 woodleigh on anything larger than deer/hogs?

For a new rifle I’d probably start about 3gr below max and go up in .5gr increments to max looking for any signs of pressure. I’ve never had any issue with Hodgdon max loads.

Great! Thank you. And thanks for everything on the previous pages. Good stuff here.

Capn,
I found trouble getting enough Varget ( AR 2208 ) in the case, and switched to Benchmark, then BM 8208 with the 200/210gn bullets with 210m primers. Win 748 worked pretty well too, and fits in easily.
I,m mostly using the 200gn Woodleigh for everything now, as they work so well on everything I've put them into, including Fallow deer and Sambar stags that are noted for their toughness. The 200 NAB have worked very well on the same animals also, but they were a bit hard to source here a while back, and about double the price of Woodleighs.
Good luck with it. Those woodleighs will knock the snot out of those porkers, no worries! The 180's would work too, if they shoot well in your rifle.
Cheers, Jack

I really really like the look of that 200 gr woodleigh. I’m a big fan of cup and core bullets, and woodleigh has a stellar reputation. I’m also liking the 210 partition. I think those two will do nicely for my needs. If either shoot well.

I’m wondering. Is 2600 a realistic goal from a 20” barrel? I know that’ll be warm, but the fed doesn’t seem to suffer as much from bbl length as others do. If not I’ll just adjust expectations accordingly.

2600 should be doable with a 200gn bullet out of a 20" barrel. Won't have much to spare, but I doubt any critter will know the difference. Certainly with Leverevolution, TAC, 8208, H4895, from my experiences.

So how was your experience with 2000-mr? I read the whole thread, and I know it came up but can’t remember if you used it or someone else did.

And keeping in mind I’m new to all this, what are the temp issues with spherical powders and what temps are considered low?

This really is the most info on this subject I’ve found anywhere, thanks again.

Midway has .338/200 grain Hornadys on sale!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...iameter-200-grain-spire-point-box-of-100

Used them on Kudu, Mtn Zebra and Red Hartebeest. No recovery from Hartebeest (heart, he went about 30 yards), No recovery from Kudu (double lung went 80ish and was bedded down dead on his "feet"), Zebra didn't take a step from where he was hit. Bullet found on far shoulder 94% retained weight.

I like them well enough I bought 3 more boxes when I got back and they were on sale.