Loads for the .338 Federal

Cole

Cole

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
33   0   0
Location
Cranbrook B.C.
Just wondering what the best powder is for this one that ALL OF YOU have found. I will be starting to load the 200gr Hornady SST Interlock bullets first and will play with others as time and $ allow.
I am really looking forward to getting some 160gr TSX's and seeing how they do in my T3. I already know that my gun does not like the Accubond bullet at all, 4-5" @100yds is not acceptable.
I might give the 210 Nosler Partition a try, when I can get some.
All I have on hand for powder that is for the 338fed is IMR4895 for now.
And yes I want all of you to chime in on this one.!!
 
I load 338 Fed for my hunting buddy and so far the best powder for Hor 200gr IL is Ramshot TAC for speed & accuracy, it is also temperature stable. Good choice would be Win 748 and Rel 12, all of them will fill the case and you can newer have the problem with compressing the charge. IMR 4895 will also work. My 2c....
 
I have tried 200 sst and 180 accubombs and 210 partition and the best shooting bullet I have found is 215 sierra game kings. I have only tried reloader 15 and varget for these bullets. The load I have been using and gives me a 1.5" 5 shot group is the 215SGK with 43.5 gr RL15 in my Tikka t3. This was my first load and bullet combo and I wanted to get somthing a little faster and flatter and that is why I have tried all the other stuff but the groups were 3" or so with every other load. I haven't chronied the load with the 215's but I think they are on the slow side.
I'll keep trying to get the magic combo eventually.
 
I tried Varget and IMR 4895, both gave the same velocities with 200gr and 225gr interlocks, but the 4895 showed less pressure signs.
 
Does 47 gr of IMR 4895 fit into the brass without compressing the powder using a 200 gr bullet OAL 2.8 in, like for a Tikka.
 
I use 185 TSX and 47 grains of Varget with a CCI 250 2740 fps and roughly .75" out of a Tikka T3. I seat so the rounds JUST fit the mag. This is a compressed load, but works very well.
 
I ran some 338 Fed loads over the Chrony Yesterday.
47gr H335 ave 2738 fps.groups 1"@ 100YD, 2.25@200yd, 4"@300yd
46gr R15 ave 2509 fps.1.25@ 100, 2.75"@200, 5"@300
Playing with H380
47gr ave 2388fps
48gr ave 2457 fps
group 2.23" @100yd.Based on these groups I didnt test past 100. will continue to
work up the H380 load to see if groups shrink.( this was a very mild load)
It was an exreamly windy day (gusting over 50 Km/h left to right)
rifle is Tika T3 Light 22 "bbl.no signs of high pressure.
bullets were 200 gr Accubond ( know Your rifle does not like Accubonds but you can
use other 200gr) Started loads 3gr under these loads and worked up 1/2gr .YMMV
 
"...without compressing..." Compressed loads are nothing to worry about. In any case, 47 grains of IMR4895 is a compressed load. IMR4895 is compressed with any .338 Fed bullet weight.
47.0 is the max load for a 200 grain bullet with IMR4895. Did you work up the load using data out of your manual or just pick one?
"...160gr TSX's..." No IMR4895 data given on Barne's site. Limited and old(2007) data there in the first place. They want you to buy their manual. Might be IMR4895 data in their manual though. They do say to contact 'em for data. email@barnesbullets.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom