Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

"Lilja 84m mod taper at 23""

Hey Bill, what diameter did that finish at?

Picked up a donor Montana for such a project.

Measured at 0.611 at 23" vs 0.560 at 22" for the original.

Comparing 84m in 308, 22" factory barrel with the 338 23" Lilja 84m mod, both set up identical (Talley LW, 2-10×42 NF SHV)

308: 6 lb 10.5oz
338: 6lb 12.6oz

By my calculations, my 308 will weigh 6lb 14oz with a 23" heavier contour barrel - meaning adding a larger contour and 1" barrel would add ~ 3.5 to 4 oz.

The biggest bonus is the way the Kimber Montana 84m handles with a longer/heavier barrel. And it still weighs less than 7lbs. Through all this, I've found 7lbs to be about perfect for me.

Post results please when you get them. 8208 will be the next powder I might try with this bullet.

As a side note, another thing I noticed with the 23" heavier contour barrel with the 338 - less muzzle jump, by alot. The 22" thin contour would jump 6-8" when shot off the bags. The 23" comes much more straight back with 2-3" muzzle jump.

Shooting offhand and in field positions, the crosshairs seem to wander less with a slight weight gain in the barrel.

Rocket science I know......

Shot this load again in 34 degrees.
Velocity 2,665 Standard deviation of 9 fps. About a 2" group of nine shots but I'm sure I wasn't shooting it well. Has anyone tried this with 8208?

I shot the 185CX with 8208 in lake city brass at 47.0 (~2710 fps) and 47.3 (2732 fps) through an Savage MSR 18" barrel

185 fusion with 8208:
46.5 - 2674
47.0 - 2682
47.5 - 2704

This rifle really likes the factory 210 partition loads and shoots these sub moa at 2510 fps.

I recently picked up an MSR 10 as well. What is the load that it likes with 210 partions?

Actually, a 210 @ 2500fps is a Bad A$$ round all the way out to 350 yds, No Bull, Bear, nor Boar would bounce one off without an "Uh-Ohh...That hurt" !

It was the factory Federal load. I haven't tried to replicate it with the partitions.

210 Partitions over runs at Midway. $56 per 100.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025228479?pid=360995

It has been great reading this thread. I have used my 338 Fed for too many deer to count with the 200gr Hornady SP. I cannot believe this thread is 12 years old!

I am getting a Lilja #2 barrel installed on my Rem 600 and I just heard that it will be done in a week or so. Now for load development to start all over again. Looking forward to getting it out on the range!

Following this thread as I have a Rem 660 on its way to JES for a rebore to 338 Fed. Found a couple boxes of dust covered Fed Prem w/185TSXs in an out of the way gun shop, to try when it comes back. Plenty of 308 brass that can be necked up and some 210NPs stashed from when I had a 338-06.

That sounds like it is going to be a cool one.

Good score on the 185 TTSXs.

I was going to grab some 200 grain Tipped Bear Claws and I’ve not found them for less than a 100 a box. Need to neck some stink out of some 308’s…

Just watched an episode of Modern day Mountain man. The client killed a 9' grizz with a .338 Fed and a 185TTSX. thinkshot was right at 200yds, first shot bear was dead on its feet running, second shot flattened the grizz. The guide was very impressed with hunters shooting, the cartridge, and also was happy with his choice of bullet.

Can you share the name of the specific episode?


Also, for good loads, a 175 Hammer Hunter with Benchmark seems quite good. Just over 2800fps.

The 185 Federal Fusions shoot very well with a mild load of 47.7 TAC at 2.775”. Only 2670, but very accurate.

Saw that one myself. Good hunt.

PRM,
For the Hammer load, how much powder for Benchmark did you use and what length of barrel? I'm looking for a 600 yard round for sheep hunting and the cutting edge bullets and possibly the Hammers may have better lower velocity bullet performance.

I used 47.5 Benchmark. That also was 2810 with the Cutting Edge bullets. I only had 5 of those left so limited testing. BC is better with CE so probably a better place to start (est. .398 vs. .368). How high of an elevation will you hunt? The Hammer load will get you there at 10-11k which is where I elk hunt.
46.5 H322 is 2800 with the Hammers, though I have not tried for accuracy yet. Plan to try AA2230 next. That powder will definitely produce higher velocities, just a matter of whether it turns out accurate.

FYI, the Modern Day Mountain Man episode with the 338 Fed is "Alaskan Adventure Hunting: Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, Dall Sheep, Moose, Caribou - Season 6 (Part 2)" around the 1:25 mark. I've had good luck with the 185 TTSX on a bull elk, whitetail, and hog.

Not nearly that high. 3500’ tops. I played around a little with 230 eldx’s and velocity was about 2450fps if I remember right. The high bc gave it some legs though. Had to use a long action bolt stop on the tikka but accuracy wasn’t great.