24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
4
New Member
New Member
4 Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
First post so bear with me. I live & hunt in central Miss. temperatures during deer season can run from the teens to the 70's in a few days, sometimes in the same day. I have a 700LSS in .338 Rem Ultra Mag I hope to use for "long range" hunting, 400 yds - not to exceed 500 yds. I realize the rifle & I must be capable of delivering a clean kill shot at those ranges SOOOO I am looking for loads for this cal., bullet, and rifle that will give me the requisite accuracy, and the velocity to keep the drop minimal. I particularly like the Hodgdon "Extreme" concept for powders but am open to others (I read the posts about RL22 - very interesting) I have the Nosler handbook and have some loads from other online sources - BUT since "you all" are mentioned in the lastest edition of "Handloader" as a pre-eminent source of information I decided to query the BEST! Thanks HL

GB1

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,416
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,416
I do not know if the 180's are the best choice for the .338 RUM, I know in mine it prefered the longer bullets in the 210-225 range. I think the 225 Accubond would be a great choice for that caliber, I have not tried any yet. I am using Reloader-25 and have not had any temp sensitive issues but I am not dealing with the ambient temps you are. Which ever powder you use be sure to start at the bottom and work up in temps you plan to hunt in. The Reloader-25 gave me the highest velocity of the powders I tried and I use it in several calibers with good success. I am planning on trying Retumbo behind some 250 grainers if I can ever get the time.
The current load I have for my rifle, 210 Barnes TSX, Rem Case, 96 grs Re-25, Fed GM215. Vel.- 3225. Note this is one grain over the published max for the Barnes "X" and your results may vary. Reduce by 10% as a starting point.
I use the Re-22 in other calibers and have had good success with it.

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 525
M
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
M Offline
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 525
45-70,
In my .338 RUM, mine is an LSS also except in a LH version my pet load is a 215 grain Sierra boat tail that I moly coated. This load shoots a single hole @ 100 yards and would be a good load for longer range, it is as follows: moly coated 215 gr Sierra spitzer boat tail, 93 grains of H-4831SC, Federal GMM215M primer, Remington brass trimmed and neck sized, COL: 3.590. Also use a low angle chamfering tool on the inside of neck to prevent shaving off some of the moly coating. I have not had a chance to check this load in my chronograph, but I think it is in the 3100 fps range.

You could use this with an uncoated bullet, but I would load three, three grains under; then three, two grains under; then three, one grain under and check for pressure signs. This is just to be on the safe side. Most of my loads I work up at .1 grain increments, it takes a while, but the end results are well worth it.

I tried the 180's, but I figured that since I shoot 180's in my .300 Wby's, .300 RUM, .30/378 Wby; why shoot a bullet in the .338 Ultra that had a lower BC to shoot as long a distance as I shoot the 30 calibers.

Another good choice is the 225 grain Barnes bullets, I would suggest using the TSX in this weight. I have a .338/378 Wby that I have use the XLC in the 225 grain weight, but last week when I called Barnes to ask them a question about an XLC bullet that I could not find anywhere I was told that are going to phase them out over the next year or so in favor of the TSX. My guess is the coating process costs more, the TSX costs about the same as the old X bullet. In an case good luck on your .338 Ultra!
Good Hunting!
Marcus,

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
4
New Member
New Member
4 Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
Thanks for the replys. I selected the 180gr Nosler BT because the source I had showed velocities over 3500 fps and a 400yd traj. equal to the 165 gr Nosler BT out of the 300RUM and at 500yds it was beating it by 1/2" and I am looking for as flat a trajectory as I can get to reduce the range estimation variable.
I like to sight in about 3" high at 100yds this generally gives the best "point blank" range and "hold even with the back" range. I have a serious problem trying to "guestimate" hold over against a background of trees, sky or ? at an unknown range BEHIND the target.

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,856
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,856
Quote
I am looking for as flat a trajectory as I can get to reduce the range estimation variable.

No matter how flat you make your trajectory, it's never going to be flat enough. At distances far enough where you could possibly benefit from this trajectory, I don't believe any human can consistently estimate range accurately enough to keep you from making a poor shot sooner or later (I know I sure as hell can't)--no matter how flat your trajectory is, it isn't very flat out at those ranges.

Buy a rangefinder if you plan to shoot long distances. Then select the bullet that is the most accurate at long distances, not the flattest. This will increase your chances of success substantially.

IC B2

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 2
My 338RUM likes IMR7828 with both 225 Accubonds and 250 NPs

Tony

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
4
New Member
New Member
4 Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
I am looking at H4831SC. One source shows 99.0 gr max @3443 but lists accuracy load as 95.0 grs @3290. Another source shows 101.0 grs for 3467 getting 0.31" group size and 100.00 grs (no vel. listed) 1.06" group. I know I can get more velocity from other powders and I am open to suggestions, but it is an "Extreme" powder and a 0.31" group would indicate a potential for excellent accuracy. I'll just have to pick a couple of powders work up slowly, and check accuracy.
Comments please.

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 4
S
Campfire Outfitter
Campfire Outfitter
S Offline
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 4
Did you mention BT's . Never, no-way, are you crazy. I don't reccomend BT's they are unreliable bombs, esspecialy at high velocitys. Go with anything but a BT. Use any bullet with a good reputation. I like any of the bonded bullets. If your like me and have the respect that the animals you hunt deserve, please use a reliable bullet. Also it seems to me the purpose of a .338 rum would be the fact that you can use a heavier bullet and still get .300 rum type performance. Go with a bullet at least 200 grs. or bigger. (confidence kills) CD






Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
4
New Member
New Member
4 Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
Thank you for your comments. I was unaware of the problems with the BT's, local info, and some online discussions gave me the impression the BT's performance was acceptable for whitetails in the 150 to 300 lbs range at ranges out to 500/600 yds or more. I did have a discussion with a friend about the performance of the BT's at close ranges and the possibility of "explosive" expansion. He indicated he had read some where the .338/180 BT's had been the most difficult to get to "work right" and that he might have some reservations about them at close range/high vel. I appreciate your input and will watch the performance if I get the chabnce to use them but I will also look into other options - what is your opinion of the new Accubond? I would really like to see a partition boatail bonded ballistic tip, now that would answer ALL my needs - maybe Nosler or somebody will develop them.

Last edited by 4570Forever; 05/24/05.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 4
S
Campfire Outfitter
Campfire Outfitter
S Offline
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 4
4570, I hope I didn't come across like a a$$. Just do your self a favor don't use BT'S. I'm sure they perform great at exteneded ranges and slower velocitys, but it's when that buck or bear or elk appears at 100 yds that you better pray. In a perfect world you could shoot all your animals at 300yds and your Bt's would probably perform well. But we all know it's not a perfect world. My brother shoots a .338 and shoots failsafes, has been bang-flopin for over 15years. Never once a failure and can eat the meat right up to the hole. I shoot Accubonds in my -06 and 7-08. Don't have very many kills with them. Never recoverd a bullet yet. Bang-flopin so far. They seem to perform like a partistion.






IC B3

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
4
New Member
New Member
4 Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
You didn't. You came across as someone genuinely concerned for me the hunter and the game I hunt. I appreciate the "heads up" and will be very aware of the perfomance or lack of at ranges less than 150 yds. if I get "lucky". Perhaps these BT's are improved since they are the last made - I called Nosler about availability when Midway advised "discontinued by Mfgr" and Nosler told me the .338 - 180 gr BT's were discontinued. I figured they just wanted to sell the more expensive .338 - 180 gr Accubond - but maybe it cured problems with the .338 - 180 BT's. Thanks again for the input. HL Perhaps

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 38
J
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
J Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 38
4570 forever,

I shoot a M700 LSS 338 RUM w/ a Leupold VXIII 2.5x8 scope.
Here isa load that shoots very well for me and would give you impressive results downrange for deer.

200 gr Nosler BT
RL22 90.0 grs
R-P case
Federal GM215M primer
best 3 shot group @ 100 yds .325"

Hope this helps you out.

Regards,

JD338


Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
AX24


666 members (1Longbow, 1337Fungi, 1936M71, 10gaugemag, 1234, 02bfishn, 81 invisible), 3,894 guests, and 813 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums82
Topics1,230,280
Posts19,258,014
Members75,102
Most Online28,956
Jan 26th, 2025

×

 


Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2025 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Playwire

Advertise on this site.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0
(Release build 20240826)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 8.3.16 Page Time: 0.282s Queries: 37 (0.159s) Memory: 0.6737 MB (Peak: 0.7365 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2025-02-14 21:53:34 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS