I just started loading for my new .338 Win Mag with my preferred bullet, Barnes 225gr TTSX. I started with H4831sc because I use a lot of it and have good supply. I've gotten excellent accuracy but I'm over max and running out of room and just barely marking 2700fps out of my 24" barrel.
This is one rifle that temperature insensitivity does matter( late season elk in NM and nilgai in S. Tx.). H4350 is not available so what powder should I try now? Has anyone tried one the Enduron powders in this caliber?
You might try Ramshot Big Game. Their data shows 69.7 grains gets 2,827 fps with the Barnes 225 MRX. I know, not the exact same bullet but should be pretty close.
Then there is Ramshot Hunter which they show data for the 225 TSX, 74.8 grains max, giving 2,831 fps.
The IMR powder to try would be 4451. Hodgdon data shows a max load gives a velocity of 2,777.
I don't know- I think you might want to stick with the 4831. Even if you can gain 100 fps it's not going to provide a significant advantage in the real world.
Reloader 19 or 21......
I've used nothing else.
I'll try some 4451. I just worked up a load for a .30-06 with some Hunter and as has been posted here it really works well, it was hard to get for a while. Have not used RL 19 but RL-15 has had a great deal of lot to lot variance for me. I don't want to dip into my limited supply of H4350.
RL-17 will give you all the speed you want plus room to seat those long 225 TSX's.
hidalgo, Getting 2950 fps, from my wife's rifle (according to my chrno). Fed Prem. Nickle brass, Fed 215's, RL 22. Above suggested max., so I hesitate to list. But, no apparent pressure in her rifle. memtb
That is a HITTER of a load right there buddy! I like that.
Reloader 19 or 21......
I've used nothing else.
You made me look to see if 21 was something new I missed.
Hidalgo, with RL 19 I get 2900 FPS out of a 23" barreled M-70.
That load was based on an article by Brian Pearce in Handloader magazine IIRC.
I use 73gn of H 4350 with the 225 TSX and TTSX bullet for 2875fps and 2842fps respectively.
I load 76gr of RE19 in my 338 with 225gr Accubonds, I get 2890fps from my 26" barreled Model 70 Extreme Weather.
It is by far the fastest and most accurate powder I've used in the 338 and 30-06.
Cheers.
hidalgo,
I second the suggestion of Ramshot Big Game, as it's a spherical powder only slightly faster in burn-rate than H4350. The small granules take up less room in the case, and in my tests it's been just about as temp-resistant as H4350 at temperatures from zero to 100 Fahrenheit. (Apparently many of the posters somehow missed your requirement of temp-resistance, since several of the powders suggested are pretty sensitive, especially to cold.)
IMR4451 is a great powder, one I've now used to replace H4350 in half a dozen cartridges. So far it's provided essentially identical results with very similar powder charges, and like H4350 is also "short cut," so meters well, and also contains a decoppering agent. But because it's so similar to H4350 I doubt it would get the velocity desired with the 225 TTSX, because of the same space limitations.
Well I don't know if all your rifle is able to do is 2700 fps with some decent accuracy, I would just go put game on the ground with it and not loose any sleep over it. I shoot the 210 gr Bullet out of my 338 WM, at about 2800 fps or so, I had no problem killing everything I shot with that rifle and load, seems to me that you are chasing the dragon on this one. I use to be the same way, now I just settle on a bullet I want to shoot and as long as it gives me reasonable accuracy and velocity I don't care! If I want more that what a Winchester version of the 338 gives then there is the 330 Dakota!
Thanks for everyone's suggestions, I'm going to try some 4451 and also some Big Game. The 225 TTSXs are very accurate with H4831sc but I'm only getting 2750fps which I can live with. I also bought a box of 210 TTSXs. I've started using 168 TTSXs in my .300 Win Mag with good results so the 210s may be the answer.