A do it all bullet for a .338win mag

We have learned through experience in various calibers that the Hornady Interbonds really aren't that consistent and accurate, particullarly compared to the Nosler Accubond. If you want to play with very accurate loads try these. My rifles shoot them into sub-1" 3 shot groups at 200 meters. 225 Accubonds, 76.0 Re22, Fed 215, F-C Nickel Cases; 180 BT or Accubond, 66.0 Re15, Fed 210M, WW cases; 225 Hornady Spirepoints, 61.0 Re15, 210M, WW cases. The 225 Accubonds velocity is 2850 fps, the 180 is 3000 fps, and the 225 Hornady is 2650 fps. Both 225's shoot very close together at 200 meters in my rifles so I use these loads for hunting and practice because I don't have to change the sight in. Good luck, Steve
 
I have used the 225 and 250 gr Nosler Partition on both deer and elk, and would use the 225 in longer range situations, No problems with either loading, Interesting the number of excellent bullet choices in this fine caliber. I really need to try some of these new bullets such as the 225 Accubond or 215 TSX.

Now that I think of it, the best bullet performance/shortest tracking job/least meat destruction have come from the 225 nosler in 338!
 
I haven't tried the Hornady 225 Interbond,they were hard to find in Canada when I was working up a load,but the 225 Accubonds are very accurate.That's something I can't say about the Partions.Hornady 225 FB were almost as accurate as the Accubonds.
 
Finally got out to try .338

It took a while, but I got to the range the other day for the Tikkas first shoot.
The gun felt fine, but I was not all that impressed with accuracy, although I only tried one powder and bullet. The first problem I encountered loading for this gun with 225g Interbonds is that the bullet is quite long for the weight due to boatail constuction and polymer tip. The mag is the limiting factor for this rifle and I went as long as I could at 3.350" oal. I used the bulk WC-852 that I got from Higgies, it is equivalent to H-450. I tried 72,73, and 74g, and got these repspective velocities 2605, 2650, and 2670 @ about plus 4 C. The 73 and 74g loads were compressed, as I said this seems like a long bullet. The best accuracy was around 1.5". I have RL-22, IMR-4831 and 4350 on hand so perhaps I'll try those and see if I can get better accuracy, or I'll switch to maybe a 225g Interlock or 210g Partition. The more conventional lead bullets should help keep overall lenght down as this magazine doesn't allow me to seat the bullet anywhere near the lands with the Interbonds.
 
IMR 4350, H4831 and Reloder 19 are among the top powders for the 338 Winchester. (You should be getting close to 2950 fps with the 225 gr) H450 is not a great choice unless you have tons of it on hand. The top velocities capable with it and 225 grain bullets in the 338 WM are 50- 100 fps slower than what the 338-06 can do.
 
Accubonds are long bullets as you found out too and will intrude deep into the case. I'm limited to my magazine OAL of 3.360". I load the 225gr. Accubond with IMR4831 and found the load is quite compressed. Also, the velocity lags by about 60fps compared to other "regular" 225gr. bullets I load. So I can save you the trouble of using IMR4831, 73gr. My next powder to try with these long bullets is going to be H4831 short cut. I'm hoping it will take up less room in the case.

I've also loaded up some using IMR4350 but haven't had a chance to chrony them yet, maybe this weekend, but I'm not expecting to achieve regular 225gr. bullet velocities with the Accubonds they're just too long. Accuracy hasn't been great either, could be copper fouling in my barrel though. I thought it was clean until I tried some WipeOut, it seemed really fouled according to the color.

Those Barnes TSX's 225gr. are even longer than the Accubond, I would go with the 210gr. TSX. That may be my next load development.
 
I'm pretty sure the 210 TSX's will be longer than the same weight of Nosler partition due to their all alloy construction. If I go lighter, I'll definately be going with partitions. I'm thinking 4350 may be the way to go with the 225 as it has a faster burn rate and should yield higher pressures with the lower case volume.

Homesteader
 
Homesteader said:
I'm pretty sure the 210 TSX's will be longer than the same weight of Nosler partition due to their all alloy construction. If I go lighter, I'll definately be going with partitions. I'm thinking 4350 may be the way to go with the 225 as it has a faster burn rate and should yield higher pressures with the lower case volume.

Homesteader
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Yes, the 210gr. TSX's will be longer than a 210gr. Partition (which is a great penetrator too), about the same length as a 225gr. Partition, IIRC. I think the 210gr. TSX would be the better light bullet for bigger game, moose and bear from what I hear. I have shot a few deer and couple black bears with the 210gr. Partition, never found one, big exit wounds. More meat damage than a 225gr. Hornady SP, which is why I switched.

I thought the same thing when I loaded up some IMR4350, it's a faster powder which takes up less space and creates higher pressures. Keep in mind the long bearing surface of the 225gr. Accubond, which will increase pressures alot more than say a "regular" 225gr. Hornady SP.
 
Update, better late than never

Well I finally got out with my .338 again. My intial testing had discouraged me so I took the rifle to my buddy and he bedded the action which seemed to have a fair bit of play in it. It performed excellent this time out so I'm not sure if the bedding made the biggest difference or the new load. I didn't have any of the previous loads along with me to test. The best of the loads I tested was the 210g nosler partition with a healthy dose of IMR 4350. This load is a smoker in everyway. The temp was -10c the chrony gave me an average of 2940 with 15 shots and all five groups were between .5" and .75".
This will definately be my hunting load this fall. To top it off this gun with Zee rings and 2.5 X 8 leupy doesn't feel any heavier than my Winchester Featherweight.:D


Homesteader
 
338

Sounds like you found a nice load, accuracy is more important that velocity and that load sounds accurate. I have shot a 338 for 33 years and I find H4350,H4831 to work well, the latter for 225gr and heavier. My favorite load is 78gr H4831 with a 225 accubond at 2950fps and shoots under 1'' any time.
 
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