Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

I have no experience with them, but a badlands Bulldozer 2 200gn has an advertised G1 BC of .595 (.307 G7). Should be able to get that to 2650 with a number of powders. Need a long mag box for them though.

Been following this thread as I have 338 Federal rebore in progress at JES.

In going through this thread, I seen a few loads that are compromised of the 210gr Nosler Partitions and 8208. I'd be interested in a reference to 8208 and the 210s. Nosler's latest manual makes no reference to 8208 and it looks like all powders they used under the 210 end up being compressed charges.

Hogdon has data for the 210 Swift Scirocco and my Lee number 2 has data for a 210gr bullet. They both say 43.3 and compressed. It's going to be difficult to go over 60kpsi with that bullet and powder combination. My Lee manual says 59,400 with a case capacity of 2.89cc and overall length of 2.82min. 8208 should be a good choice works really well in my Sako with 180-185's

A rarity for me is the 85S will shoot 5 210 SS into a little more than an inch with HLVR so I never shot the NPT's I have. Either bullet should be pretty effective on medium to large game at reasonable range.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

FWIW, I pulled out JBs Gun Gack I and found a load for the 338 Fed w/210 NP using TAC. Gonna use it as a basis (starting lower, of course) and see where it takes me with the 210. Had already planned on using TAC with the Barnes 185TSX/TTSX.

Saw where Peaceman made reference to the 175 Hammer Hunter and Benchmark. Anyone got and load data for the 175 Hammer Hunter with various powders.

I cannot speak to accuracy, but I did work up the 175 HH with both Benchmark and AA2230. The AA2230 was 2900 at 49gn. Primers were starting to show signs of flattening, though not flat by any means. 48.5 in the mid 2800s is probably a very nice place to be.

If anyone has QL and would like to help out, I'd be interested in seeing the results for the 338 Federal, using a Federal case and the 185 TSX with Benchmark, AA2230 and TAC. Same for the 210 Nosler Partitions.

tag

I haven’t scoped mine yet but you’re thinking the same as I. 185’s around 2600’ish or so should be great. Heard nothing but great things about 8208.

I've got a little less than a pound of 8208, and some QL data with 8208 and 210NP that I scarfed via some Google fu. Have yet to see a combination of 8208 and 185 TSX. Unfortunately, 8208 is on the list of hard to find powders. Benchmark, also on the hard side to find, TAC and AA2230 all keep popping up as viable alternatives. I have a pound of each (TAC and 2230) and a LGS has a small supply should either get my 338 Fed perking to my satisfaction.

It may very well be that I save the 210 NPs for my 338 RCM and stick to 185s in the 338 Fed.

I’ve used 48.5 Tac with a 185 TTSX on a few rifles, and 47.5 or 48 of 8208.

I am definitely watching this. I need to get mine scoped up and zeroed. They are a handy little package.

I've tried to make QL useful, but after numerous attempts, I have not been able to make it accurate enough across a wide range of loads. I can get one load to match perfectly, but then I'll change a bullet or powder to another known load and will be very different.

I recently used Benchmark with a 185 GMX (runs very similar to Barnes 185). The Barnes max load is 45.5 (2709) and the Hodgdon max is 44 (2637). At 45.5 I got 2635. Benchmark is definitely my preferred hunting powder for the 180 AB/BT. 47.2 BM 2.87" has been a very good load for me Tikka (2740ish). The Kimber likes 46.5 BM, 2.77" and is 2770. Barnes max load for the 185 TTSX with AA2230 is 49gn (2798). At 48 I was at 2834 in a 22" barrel and a stiff bolt at 48.5. Tread lightly with Barnes load data. I back off closer to 47.

For the 210 Partition 2000MR and LVR are the best for velocity. Get around 2600 with each perhaps a little more with LVR though I've typically had a little better accuracy with 2000MR.

Still my favorite load for hunting is the 160 TTSX with ~52gn of AA2230. I keep fiddling looking for a temp stable equivalent but haven't found it yet. H322 isn't too bad, 2960s. If the 175 Hammer Hunters prove accurate somewhere between 2800 and 2900 that will be what I hunt with next.

I'll chime in on the 185 TTSX, my load is H322 at 44.5 which is 1 gr over hogdon max but their load is only 59,000 psi. Most of Hodgdon data is 59k psi. Benchmark was stupid accurate but I could only get into the low 2600s with Barnes max (45.5). 8208 was very accurate and ran it to 47 grains. H4895 at 47 gave good velocity but 1.5 inch groups. AR Comp was submoa but I could only get 2650. I ran out of powder space before I reached Alliants max.

All told I was able to reach 2700 in my 23" Lilja barrel with several powders, and submoa with several powders. H322 gave me the best of both worlds. I dig the 338 Fed - ALOT.

Compare the Fed running 185 TTSX at 2700 with about any other bullet in the 338-06. The Fed shoots flatter..... Of course load the same bullet in the 338-06 and the bigger case wins - but not by alot. The 338 Fed/185 TTSX in a 6.5 lb rifle is alot of penetration in a ligh rifle and recoil about like a 30-06. It is my 'big' gun.

Man…. Bill you’re selling me a lot. Can’t wait to get mine up and shooting.

Those dang Kimbers are like Lays chips…. It’s getting harder to have just one…. Or two….

The last couple years I have primarily hunted with my Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have learned that while 6.5s work just fine (a couple of mule deer and a 6x6 bull elk), they do not hit with the same authority as a .338. I'll be using my 338 Feds next season. I have a Kimber MT and a T3X. The Kimber is 1 lb lighter. 6lb 5oz vs. 7lb 5 oz. I do like the magazine and the ability to load to 2.94" (2.82" Kimber) of the Tikka. The Tikka was also done with a custom reamer. Basically adding a modern throat design (6.5 CM, all the PRCs, 6.8 Western, etc.) to a 338 Federal. On average I think that rifle shoots better, but that could be due to any number of factors. Next consideration is a new barrel that I can thread for a suppressor. The T3X Superlite barrel is too thin to thread.

Which bullet for the elk and 6.5 PRM?

140 Berger VLD for the Elk and one Mule Deer buck, 139 Scenar on another Buck. All with RL16.

Gotcha, thanks PRM. Which do you prefer out of the two, Scenar or Berger?

Minor edge to the VLD. Maybe... The 139 penetrates more, the VLD does more damage. The shot with the 139 was broadside lung and the bullet had not expanded by the first lung entry, but had by the second lung. Buck ran a bit (50-60 yds?) and died. They both work but it would probably take many more animals to really discern any meaningful difference. Neither results in the same response by the animal as being hit with a .338 bullet.