338-06 loads

kell2784

kell2784

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
74   0   1
Location
keeping dry in Terrace
I've been reading a little about loads for my upcoming 338-06 that is being built. I will probably be using H4350, but am wondering about any other powder/load combinations that people like to use.
I will also be using necked down 35 whelen brass. Some say this isn't the -same as using reg. 30-06 necked-up cases??? I would think that the 338 neck should be pretty standard necking up or down. I've read that necking down the 35 makes a 'tighter' neck. I'm thinking not?:confused:

So in actual fact, she will be a 338 whelen. (not that it's that different:rolleyes: )
 
I found necking .35 Whelen down produced cases with uneven neck thickness. Necking 30-06 brass up works well.

The 338 Whelen is quite different than the 338-06.

The best powders in my 338-06 are IMR 4350, IMR 4064, Reloder15 and Winchester 760
 
[QUOTE='Boo]
The 338 Whelen is quite different than the 338-06.

The best powders in my 338-06 are IMR 4350, IMR 4064, Reloder15 and Winchester 760[/QUOTE]

Isn't the 35 Whelen case a necked up 30-06 case? I don't mean to sound dumb, but how would a 338 whelen be different from a 338-06. (besides the name)
 
from a 24" custom Rem 700

200 gr. - Nosler BT @ 3.325", 55 Varget ~ 2744 fps
- Nosler BT @ 3.325", 55.0 grs RL15 ~ 2743 fps
- Nosler BT @ 3.325", 64.0 grs. H4350 ~ 2806 fps

210 gr. - Nosler Partition @ cannelure, 53.5 grs. Varget ~ 2632 fps

225 gr. - Hornady Interbond @ 3.38", 50.0 grs. Varget ~ 2477 fps
- Hornady Interbond @ 3.38", 61.0 grs. H4350 ~ 2677 fps avg

250 gr. - Hornady Interlock @ 3.33", 59.0 grs H4350 ~ 2539 fps
- Hornady Interlock @ 3.33", 48.0 grs. Varget ~ 2306 fps
- Hornady Interlock @ 3.33", 48.0 grs. RL15 ~ 2314 fps
 
62 grains of IMR4350 225 Hornady or Nosler 3.350" 2675fps in a 22" barrel

you need a drop tube to get this much 4350 and seat the bullet. loose it almost comes to the mouth
 
I have worked only with 225 Hornadys. I have a standard length 3.400 30.06 box on my FN.I used small capacity once-fired Federal 30-06 cases,as I have bunch.The perfect casefilling powder for me was two grains faster than a 4350class and four grains slower than a 4064class.The only two in that burn rate are N-550 and Big Game. Max load for N-550 was 60.0/61.0 depending on lot# for 2620/2640. My load is 61.0 Big Game for 2630. 22" barrel.

The case demensions in Hodgdons manual are for an AI case,so I wouldn't trust their numbers. Gun & Ammo used a strain guage and got 2650 as max for 225.
 
[QUOTE='Boo]The 338 Whelen has a blown out case and a Gibbs type shoulder.[/QUOTE]

All you ol' graybeards are probably laughing at my dumb questions, so here's one more. If the 338 whelen is blown out, I'm assuming it's AI already. Is the Gibbs shoulder the 40 degree?
;)
 
My 338-06s are just standard taper 30-06 cases necked up. I suspect from several different reamers I've seen and used includeing my own, that is the norm, butttt? I have not noticed any measureable difference in neck sidewall thicknes when sizeing down 35 Whelan brass or 30-06 brass. I do find that whichever brass is used that they all need to be trimmed to the length of the shortest piece of brass after its been trimmed for concentricity. Every different run or maker of the brass seems to make it a different length with each production, very close, but with a custom chamber, not close enough for me. As for loads, my rifles like maximum loads:

225grn Hornady spire points - 63grn Rel 19 - 250 CCI magnum primers, not the fastest load out there 2600=fps, but very accurate

225grn Speer SPBT #2406 - 62.5grn V-N160 - 250 CCI magnum primer - 2600= fps very accurate
- 62 grn H414 SL10 from Higginsons. Virtually identicle results as above, just incredibley low priced powder and very consistant.

I tried IMR 4064 and Rel 15, but couldn't get good load density or consistancey in velocity or accuracy.

bearhunter
 
The rifle in question will finish at 22 inches. This seems to be a good length for bush hunting scenarios. Any longer, I don't think performance makes it worthwhile. What tube lengths that you guys are shooting out of?
 
This is not 7mmSTW type cartridge,22" is plenty.But it's a lot flatter than you think. The .338 225gr bullet is the same as .308 180gr. A 180gr out of a 30.06 is considered a flat shooter,a easy 300 yarder. My 30.06 180 load goes 2740,my 338-06 225 load goes 2630. What's that,an inch at 400 yards?
 
I have a couple of rifles chambered in 338-06. One is a Ruger #1 and the other is a Winchester Mod 70. I use a Higginson powder, H4350 OEM, that is equivalent to V-N160. I started with 55 grains and worked up to 62.5 grains. Even at 62.5 grains, there weren't any visual pressure signs. I also use new 30-06 brass to neck up, trim all cases to same length and fireform with the same load as I hunt with. There is little or no accuracy change when fireforming. I also won't give you an OAL as I don't know how your particular chamber measures out, suffice to say, seat your bullets out until they touch the lands, then back off appx .005 inch. I finally settled on 60.0 grains for both rifles (used the same reamer) as the increased charge didn't make any noticeable change to accuracy. One other thing, a long drop tube must be used even for the 60.0 grain load. Groups from both rifles are sub moa if I do my part. Another powder I use is Higginson H414 SL10, very similar results as above. This powder is very close to W760, just a little slower but very consistant. Again started at 55 grains and worked up to 60 grains, again safe in my rifles. For both powders I used CCI 250 mag primers and 225 grain hornady spire point and 225 grain Speer SBT bullets. Both are excellent on everything from deer to moose elk and bears. bearhunter
 
Last edited:
I will get my chamber measures tomorrow, so that will my starting point. I will probably be using H4350 or RL15, behind Nosler partitions 225 grn. The RL15 will be used for fireforming. Next on my list is getting a drop tube. A lot of people's opinions are that it makes a tremendous difference.
 
I have some of that oem H-4350,it's got big kernals,like the IMR stuff. I tried IMR stuff in my 338-06,it was a bit faster,and W-760(H414),both times when I compressed the load it went slower:confused: .In the Federal cases 61.0gr of even N-550 or ball Big Game takes some dropping .

I used the Hornady 225 on a 1000# moose,he didn't even finish his step.
 
Last edited:
4064, 54.0 gr lightly compressed under a 225 Hornady Interbond will get you ~2730fps from a 25" barrel. Very accurate from my gun, too.
 
ken, take a look at the loads Bartell posted, those are from my rifle. the 250gr IL's and 225gr IB's being the most accurate (with H4350). (Sub MOA)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom