338 win mag 225 tsx IMR 4350 question (with BAR sidebar)

[GSoD]

Hey all,

First - if you run this combination - what load are you running? The data I got from Barnes showed 67.5 as the max load. But I seem to see alot of Internet posts showing loads in the low 70s? I only ask because the groups seem to be getting smaller as the charge goes up, but I don't want to be breaking any safety ceilings.

Second - if you shoot a Browning BAR - would you be happy with a best of 1.5" at 100 yards and 2690fps? I'm coming from the precision side where this would send me back to square 1 and try a different bullet. But this admittedly isn't a precision rig, so should I be happy with this or move onto something like a Accubond?

 

[Machinist]

67.5

I use this load in my x- bolt and it has excellent accuracy with the tsx and ttsx .225 grainers . i went up as high as 69.0 and i found that the group opened up a bit so i am sticking with the 67.5 , i played with the seating depth and that made a significant difference in grouping i have found in my rifle .040 " off the lands works best , i use a bullett comparator for all of my measureing and neck size the cases with the redding dies maintaining a .002 " neck tension. hope this helps

 

[Andrzej]

I am loading 338 Win Mag with TTSX exclusively as BC is .514
and TSX BC is only .386
my load to go was from Internet and it is 75.3 gr of RL19.(Alliant site listed max at 78.0 grains)
1" at 100 from hunting position is good for me...

As for IMR 4350 Barnes lists 67.5 as max and most accurate with 225 gr. bullets.

I am using Hornady SST as practice bullet and it has similar BC to TTSX and is not as expensive.

Andrew

 

[t-star]

again, the 338 is designed for 250- 275 grain bullets at 2600 fps- that's what the bar is designed and set up for- i've run nothing but sgk250 and 275s since 1990 and get 3/4 to 1 inch groups at 100 in my bar- it's when you operate "out of the envelope" that you end up either paying in accuracy or wear and tear if you operate on the other side of the envelope- remember where the 338 comes from - it's a 458 that was DESIGNED for big bears and elk- necked down to 33 caliber- you run into the same thing if you run 30 cal 110 grain bullets( 30 carbine) in a 308

 

[Clark]

From my 2008-12-11 range report:

E) 338WM BAR Type I 24" made in Belgium assembled in Portugal in 1990, Vari II 2x7x32, Limbsaver large pad unground 9.25 pounds as tested
250 gr Nosler Gold Partion, moly 69 gr H4350, 3.34"
2604 fps
2640
2629
0.97" 3 shot group at 50y