Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338 WM + 225's

I used 72 gr of Rl-22 and Hornady 225s. I also got great accuracy with IMR-4350,but I don't recall the load other than is was about 1 gr below max.

I'm getting an avg. of 2830 fps with a max dose of H-4831sc and the 225 gr. Nosler Partition. Hornady interlocks shoot to the same POI. This load has worked great on a variety of African plains game from Impala to Eland.

H-4350 and 225 TTSX's are very temp. stable and accurate in my rifle.

Gunner-what kinds of temp stability tests have you ran?

Reason I ask is cause I've done some up here in Montana and just wondering how you set up your tests further south.

Thx
Dober

Dober,
It may sound a little silly to some, but I put my test loads in the deep freezer and the others out in the oklahoma sun in 100 degree temps. I figure I have at least a 100 degree temp. difference in the 2 loads, Then hurry over to the chrono and fire away.

Ambient temps on the sidewalk ammo has been up to 130 deg.

The above mentioned load in my 338 WM has only a 31 fps difference, not enough to affect trajectory on the inside 400 yard hunting that I may use the 338 WM in the african heat or out west looking for elk.

Thanks,
Gunner

Thx, was just curious. I normally load up a few with one lot of powder etc and keep some for a summer testing and some for a winter testing.

From my tests 7828 and R17 did very also.

Dober

10-4, been likin what I been hearing on rl-17

I got excellent accuracy with RL22, but the loads were so compressed that the bullets would push up if not crimped. Then I tried Ramshot Hunter. Great accuracy, velocities over 2800, and no compressed powder issues.

405wcf

Only problem with that method is that the temperature of the barrel and chamber have a significant effect, particularly with the rapid heat tranfer of brass. I've tried it and it doesn't work well. I believe one of our posters, Denton maybe, did some tests on this and reached a much more scientific conclusion with his method. I believe he attached temp sensors on the barrel.

My method is to record ambient temperatures in my locale then I did the same in Gardiner, Montana and Cody, Wyoming with the same loads.

Yeah I did my tests in the summer with gun/ammo in the garage over night and then in the winter same thing. Same lots of powder etc..

Dober