.338 Win Mag and Heavy for Caliber Bullets

conor_90

conor_90

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I have some IMR 4831 and the intention to cook up some 250 grain + loads for the .338 Win Mag.

At the moment I have some 250 grain round nose Hornady and some 285 grain a-max Hornady. I intend to order some 300 grain woodleighs as well.

Curious if anyone knows of a company that produces a bullet similar to the barnes banded solid in .338 caliber.

I am also interested in a 300 grain load that replicates the performance of lever-revolution or other 325 grain 45/70 loads for use on deer. I am thinking of using the woodleighs for this and trying all three at higher velocities as rounds for larger game/ "guide loads".
 
Woodleigh has their Hydrostatically stabilized solids in .338, and you can get the Cutting Edge Bullet ESP Raptor and use the upside down option. There's probably others, but how many mono solid options do you need?
 
Thanks

As far as I know Trade Ex is the only company in Canada that has Woodleigh Bullets. Is there another dealer not listed on woodleighs sight? The only 300 grainers they are offering are the RNSP (which I intend to order) and the "FMJ". I have some Barnes 225 grain ttsx and it appears the hydro stabilized only come in 225 anyways, I was hoping to up the ante a little.

I will have to check cutting edge out, any suggestions for Canadian dealers?
 
just a word of caution- ck your barrel TWIST- I wanted to go with 300s and the good folks over at sierra told me my browning 1/12 wouldn't handle it- 275 is the upper for that barrel
 
Personally I was not impressed with IMR 4831 in my .338's. At all. Too slow a burn rate, too bulky, and velocity was poor.

I've actually been quite often dissapointed with this powder in most cases, except with cases that hold quite a bit of powder for the bore size (i.e .270 win, 300 win mag), and even then, only when loaded with pretty much a full case of powder did I get good performance.

I'd reccommend 4350 or perhaps one of the Reloader series of powders with a similar burn rate.
 
Thanks guys, I have a 1/10 twist.

Sad to hear that northman, money is in limited supply around these parts so I'm going to have to use what I've got.

As for now its going to see use on mule deer and maybe black bear this season. I don't foresee any work in the north/coast in the near future so I will just get the 250 round noses going at a reasonable velocity and go Elmer Keith on some poor deer and leave the grizzly bear fantasies for later.

In the future I will have to try the 300 grain FMJ from woodleigh, they are advertised as capable of taking near any game or something along these lines by the manufacturer. I will see how they work on the most dangerous game of all, a ply wood box stuffed with an inner tube full of wet newspaper.
 
So you are going 250+ in solids for only deer and black bear? A bit confused, there are a lot of lighter for caliber bullets that would easily handle these two. Even a light for caliber mono metal Barnes. Those large for caliber bullets will hurt on both ends. I can see developing a load that would be grizzly medicine, and simply using a lighter option for everyday. In much the way i have a long range 300 Rum that must be single loaded, and a everyday load that fits the mag box. Simply carry one of your 250+stompers but hunt with lighter. Or am i missing something here?
 
I do not have any 250 solids. I have some round nose 250 grain jacketed hornadies and some 185 grain barnes solids I will load to a moderate for round velocity for deer hunting. I am thinking a lower velocity 250 would be a reasonable brush hunting load.

When I made this thread I was hoping for elk and moose. I am also just curious about bigger loads to use the caliber to its full potential in the future. I don't own any other hunting rifles and don't intend on selling this one. I suppose I could use my zastava 7.62x39 but that is not really optimal for mountain hunting and nowhere near the accuracy of the tikka.
 
Ruger M77 mkII stainless with canoe paddle stock and 24" barrel.

69gr IMR4350, 250 gr SGK, Federal magnum primers, winchester and federal brass. Runs a little over 2700 fps.
 
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