Hi Guys- I have a problem with my .338 that is perplexing hope someone can help. It is a Tikka m695 that was rechambered from 7mm mag to .338 mag. My problem is that it will shoot very well until I get close to max pressure and then throws the bullets all over the place. This only occurs so far with Nosler 250gr, which I prefer to use. I am not new to reloading, the rifle is pillar bedded, free-floated etc. I did note that it has a long throat and I am seating the bullet to Nosler's recommendations. Can this be the problem? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks-Karl
.338 with max loads
- Thread starter hermie
- Start date
Nosler's seating recommendations mean very little,since they didn't develop the loads in your gun.As well some guns will not shoot certain bullets well even with milder loads.
I would find out where the bullets are seated in relation to the lands to start with,and then try adjusting the seating depth.That may or may not help though.A change in powder may help,or you may have to either use milder loads,or try another bullet.
I would find out where the bullets are seated in relation to the lands to start with,and then try adjusting the seating depth.That may or may not help though.A change in powder may help,or you may have to either use milder loads,or try another bullet.
That being the case,it is obviously not a gun problem.You can either load partitions mild and have good accuracy,load them hotter and give up some accuracy,or load a bullet that shoots well at higher velocities.
Obviously the gun doesn't.
That doesn't sound like a problem to me, other then: 1) You are reluctant to accept that certain bullets shoot better then the one you prefer. 2) You are chasing max' velocity with detrimental results.
What I would ask is, are you using a Chrony to test the velocities you are getting (with any of these loads)?
What I would ask is, are you using a Chrony to test the velocities you are getting (with any of these loads)?
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
Most .338 owners that I know have told me that their rifles actually prefer max or near-max loads. I know mine does. It sounds like you just need to either 1 - change bullets, 2 - accept that those Nosler 250's aren't going to go as fast as other 250's, 3 - experiment with bullet seating and specifically longer seating almost into the lands.
On a sidenote - I've used Sierra Gamekings, 250's, for a couple of decades in my M70, always at book max pressures, and they are extremely accurate and have never failed me on game. In fact, I liked them enough that I now use Gamekings in my 8mm mauser and 375 RUM. They also have a very good BC and in your .338, they'll carry over 2000 ft/lbs out to 500 yards. Maybe consider giving them a try.
On a sidenote - I've used Sierra Gamekings, 250's, for a couple of decades in my M70, always at book max pressures, and they are extremely accurate and have never failed me on game. In fact, I liked them enough that I now use Gamekings in my 8mm mauser and 375 RUM. They also have a very good BC and in your .338, they'll carry over 2000 ft/lbs out to 500 yards. Maybe consider giving them a try.
Mine's a one bullet gun (long throated mag let out) it was set up for 250 Noslers at 3.495" O.A.L. luckily it shoots them. Nothing else except the 210 Federal factory load. Won't shoot handloaded 210s. Try a ful power load of IMR4350 or Rel.22 if no luck go 210-225 TSX.
Karl, I would try adjusting my COL according to the chamber's throat depth first, and see if that improves your accuracy. If that doesn't work (and it may, but you also may end up with a cartridge that is too long for the magazine, even though it is accurate), a primer change as suggested may help. I am curious about the powder type your using, I didn't notice it in your post. With 250s, 4831, 450, and RL22 work best for me in this caliber. In my current 338 (a Ruger 77 tang safety model), I get better accuracy from the 210 Noslers over RL19 at 2900 fps or so. With 250 gr bullets, mine likes Speers best. Considering that you will only be pushing 2700 fps from a 338 Win Mag and a 250 gr bullet, a general style of bullet (as opposed to say a Nosler or Barnes) will work on pretty much any North American game. I am away now, same as you, but when I get home I'll email you my data, and you can sift through it for what may work for you. - dan
No worries I have lots of magnums that do this, my 7mm rum, and 30-378s, and my 350 mashburn all behave the same with slow powder and near max and compressed loads.
I am usually 1.0 to 1.5 grains below the max on these.
Just as a few mags I have like my 300 wm and 300 wby like max and slighty above max loads..
each gun, each barrel each chamber wants or likes different stuff, it could not be more appearent than when I ordered 7 years back 2 new 7mm Rums off by 3 numbers built togeter and one likes a max load with 140s and the other a reduced load with 160s,, go figure.
I am usually 1.0 to 1.5 grains below the max on these.
Just as a few mags I have like my 300 wm and 300 wby like max and slighty above max loads..
each gun, each barrel each chamber wants or likes different stuff, it could not be more appearent than when I ordered 7 years back 2 new 7mm Rums off by 3 numbers built togeter and one likes a max load with 140s and the other a reduced load with 160s,, go figure.
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What others have already said..one of the reasons some folks prefer Partitions is because they are constructed differently than other bullets ....their construction effects pressure which can impact the choice of powder etc. It also effects their behavior when loaded to different pressures and velocities. I am not sure it is worth getting worked up about or spending too much time trying to change the behaviour....if you are getting 2600-2700 fps that is fine for anything you might tag in North America with that bullet....and maybe much more than needed for a lot.
The fact that the serial numbers only differ by three numbers only tells you that the receivers were stamped at very close to the same time.The barrels may have been rifled with different buttons,or the chambers formed with different reamers.But you are certainly correct that each gun has it's own preference for loads.
Thanks for all the help guys, I havebeen using Fed 215 primers and as I said <h4350 and RL 19. Will try adjusting the COL, and yes <i have been using a chronograph. Funny thing is the rifle will shoot the 225 Accubonds well, maybe will have to wait for the 250 Gr AB and try them out. Thanks-<karl
This is very true that alot of guys do not realize, the recievers could have been built 1 year before in a long action and only assembled when ever out of a batch of stock, bolts ect....
But I wanted one for my old man, which he laughed at and said you keep it,,, actully he found the recoil a bit to sharp and I understand that, so thats why I own 2 of them.. It was a good plan at the time..
However it worked out I have one that shoots 140s and one that shoots 160 very well,, now if I could only find out where to find some old H870 powder!!!! which they both like.
