.338 win mag help

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ian745

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ok, so i`m reloading for my browning xbolt in .338 winmag, currently using IMR 4350 and 200 gr nosler accubonds, nothing i do can get my groupings under 1.34inch at 100 yards, , ive gone 68 gr to 74 gr and all in between that and 1.34" is the tightest group, , now i have a box of nosler ballistic silver tip also in 200 gr, should i expect the same groupings?. anyone else have experience with either of these?, or is it the time to change the bullet weight and try again?
i know i could just load a bunch and try, but powder is a pain to find on the island, and i can sell a full box off bullets easier then a partial i think, any hints?,
 
I'm brand spanking new to this, so my opinion may sound like gibberish.... but how about trying different brass, powder, primers, etc... Can that make a difference your looking for. I do the same thing with my job, sometimes something doesn't seem like the fix but it works just because the system is so finicky
 
200 grain is at the low end of weight for 338. Everything is hard to find, but if one was going to play with charge weight and the best you are getting is 1.3, i doubt it would be charge weight. If you google up some reviews on accubonds, people either find them very accurate or horrible, it could be as simple as the rifle doesnt like them. My guess would be change projectile. Try some searches and see what other people on other forums are having success with. Then the trick is finding that projectile.

Firstly i would want to eliminate every cheap variable. Is the scope mounted well, what rest are you using, conditions at the range. Eliminate you as a shooter by using a Lead sled or other very stable rest. You are testing the rifle's ability to shoot a specific load, not the shooters ability.
 
My .338's have always preferred a slightly heavier bullet and either H4831 or Re#19...........Harold
 
mbogo3 said:
My .338's have always preferred a slightly heavier bullet and either H4831 or Re#19...........Harold
Click to expand...

I agree with this, and have always felt that the 338 starts at 225 grains.

That being said, I have a 338 that loves both the 210 Partition and the 210 Scirocco.

Reloder 19 is the powder of choice, but is hard to get at present. I also have had great success with H4831sc and Norma MRP.

Regards, Dave.
 
You might want to try adjusting your bullet jump (seating depth). This can make a significant difference in group size. I also strive for accuracy, buy let's face it a 338 WM ain't a target cartridge and any animal you wish to hunt with that 338 won't care if it shoots sub MOA or 1.3 MOA. 1 1/4 -1 1/2" is still well within acceptable hunting accuracy. If you're a hunter don't get sucked in to this 1/4" accuracy vortex.........think about it a bit, 1.3" group at 100 mtrs equates to a 4" group at 300 mtrs and a 8" group at 600 mtrs......that means that the rifle theoretically is capable of hitting a moose in the heart every time at 600 mtrs..............are you?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 338 WM that will consistently shoot 1.3" at 100 mtrs, for any hunting within the maximum range of the rifle and more likely within the maximum range of the hunter.
 
scope was mounted by a trusted store, and sighted in at 100 yd, just looking mainly for other .338 loaders opinions on projectile weights, i`ve heard conflicting reports, one guy says no, 185 would be the best, others say either 225 or 250,

range conditions are calm and cool(west coast winter :p), and range time is always on a lead sled, and ya, the scope is right where it needs to be , jsut trying to figure this loading thing out, something i always wanted to do and now have a rifle that seems to have reloading written all over it..lol that being said, anyone have any luck with 7828?, seems to be a pretty common powder around these parts to source
 
Your rifle is giving you good enough groups for the majority of the hunting situations you will most likely encounter. You have just begun reloading for this rifle and you may find changing powders and or bullets will improve your groups. Try some heavier bullets as you have already started at the lighter end of the bullets available for your .338, may just surprise you!
 
Hi. A lot of guys would kill for 1.3" groups out of a hunting rifle. However, an X-bolt is not a bench rest rifle or any kind of target rifle. It's entirely possible your rifle will not shoot any better than that.
Your Noslers should be very close to that. You load for the bullet weight, not who made it. You do need to load some of 'em and sight in with 'em anyway. So you'll see if your rifle likes 'em or not. Sometimes the bullet can go one way or the other.
No 600 meter shots on any game with any cartridge. A 200 grain bullet drops about 42" out at 500 with a 200 yard sight in.
 
I'm with everyone else on this one. I load my 338 WM up with 210 Partitions. Because my rifle is for shooting big fuzzy critters I don't much care about how accurate it shoots. Mine gets about 1.5" groups at 100 yds and that's fine for a big game rifle that's used to shoot moose and elk. I'm sure the 200 grain Accubond will be a great performer on game. This is all assuming that the intended use is big game. If you are wanting to use it as a target load I think you have made a poor choice in bullet :)
 
Never had good results with 200 grain Hornady bullets but the 210 Nosler was very good, the 225 grain Hornady was better but the best accuracy came from the 250 grain Nosler PT loaded to the nuts with IMR4831. Velocity exceeded the book values and 3 shot groups around 2" at 200 yards were common.
 
You will get a lot of different opinions and none are wrong. Different guns like different loads. For me changing bullets makes the biggest difference in accuracy. Generally if you choose a match bullet like Sierra Match king, Hornady A-max, Berger you will get the best consistency and potentially achieve the best accuracy. That is what load development is all about. I just wet through 100 SSTs in my 30-06 and could not get them to group consistently under 1.5", some were over 2". Switched to Berger VLDs and every group came in at an inch or less at 100yds, three groups in a row at 300 yds all under 2". I was amazed, didn't know I could do that my self. If the load development is running out of room for improvement, change the bullet or powder. I have a Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather in 338WM and it is not picky, which is rare, shoots everything between 1" and 1.25" at 100 and 3" groups at 300.
Good luck
 
I'm going to go against everyone else here.

I understand that it's a hunting rifle, not a target rifle but why not try to ring out all the accuracy you can get from your rifle.

I havent owned a rifle yet that I couldnt get to shoot acceptable enough for myself.

Lots of time it's just a matter of trying different combinations until you find something your rifle likes.

I'm also in the same boat with trying to find a load combination that my 338wm likes. I've tried a few different powders
and bullet combinations without much success. I had to shelf the rifle for a bit due to frustration but it's one I'll
come back to at a later date and work on again.
 
Close range group shooting with hunting rifles has become an informal sport in and of itself. Much of it is pointless; although it isn't a bad test of a rifle it isn't much of a test of a load at all. Fun though.

That aside, the easiest way to get small groups out of a rifle is to start with a very simple flat-based bullet. If a rifle won't shoot a flat based Sierra it is unlikely to shoot anything. There's nothing wrong with the IMR4350 you are using.
 
I am on my second 338, now a Browning A - It and the Remington 700 both liked 210 Nosler P. 250 Gr Hornady were good out of the first one and this one likes 250 gr accubond. You will notice recoil with the 250's off the bench, and as said it is not a bench rest caliber. I have used a bunch of 200 gr Hornadys's for some less expensive target practice. My next exercise will be with 185 Barnes TSX, just because I have them. Powders, IMR 4350 -IMR 4831 - Right now I would have to check my notebook as to which I thought the best
 
I had the same "issue" with my X-bolt in 30-06. Check to make sure the barrel isn't contacting the stock.
Mine was and once I fixed it, it went from inch and a half groups to under 1/2 inch with the same load.
 
I've had several 338's and they all liked different bullets. I would suggest you seat the bullets out as far as the magazine will allow you . Powders in the 4350,4831 and RL19 are all capable of excellent accuracy. Some rifles prefer a bullet with a slightly shorter Ogive. If you insist on shooting lighter bullets try the 200 gr Speer. If that doesn't improve your groups try a heavier bullet, 210, 215 225 gr. I had an old Ruger that shot terrible groups with light bullets but would group 250 gr sierra's and partitions under 1 1/2 in groups at 200 yds.
 
Try a Limbsaver Sharpshooter X-Ring barrel deresonator ( helps to improve your accuracy and dampening barrel-whip. It delivers sub minute-of-angle groups, even with over the counter ammunition. ) In brackets is their words.
Give it a try, I put one on my Tikka T3 in 338 WM and I was getting under an inch 3 shots with 200, 225 and 250gr Accubonds. It did tighten up my groups and they clover leafed instead of stringing after I put it on. I think its around $30. Couldn't hurt to give a try.
 
I've had good success with 210 pt and imr 4350 out of a rem but haven't tried anything lighter. The gun also shoots 250gr grand slams at max loads of 4350 very well but the recoil is definately noticeable with this load.
 
Bailey100 said:
I had the same "issue" with my X-bolt in 30-06. Check to make sure the barrel isn't contacting the stock.
Mine was and once I fixed it, it went from inch and a half groups to under 1/2 inch with the same load.
Click to expand...

Xbolts are supposed to be factory tested as sub-moa guns before they leave the factory, so there is no reason the OP shouldn't be able to achieve that as well, it's just a matter of finding the right combo.
 
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