Any 338/06 loads

I run a full case of IMR 4064 under 225 grain partitions or Hornady Interbonds & SSTs. It’s near maximum, but no pressure signs in my rifle and signs along just shy of 2700 fps. It was the first powder I tried and had good results so I haven’t bothered trying anything else.
 
First off, if you're only going to use 185 grain bullets, why did you bother getting a 338-06???? Anything less than 225 grains and the original 30-06 outperforms it in almost every way.

The main reason behind the 338-06 whose parent was the 333OKH was to deliver HEAVY bullets at moderate velocities without excessive recoil from a beltless standard length/diameter case.

I really like the 338-06, to the point I have three of them. All of them are more accurate with longer for diameter bullets. The best overall bullet has been the 225grn Hornady Interlock flat base spire point. It goes all the way through any game animal it hits out to 400+yards. You can eat right up to the hole.

2 each Winchester Mod 70s, Ruger #1.

I've tried lighter bullets just to get better velocities. Poor trade off IMHO. That velocity bleeds off very fast because of the poor ballistics.

Some of the new powders work very well.

Your question is at least specific to cartridge and bullet weight, which helps. Now, you don't suggest which powders you already have on hand. In reality, there isn't a lot of difference between the best choices that your rifle or the game will notice as far as performance goes. What you missed was the rifle action it would be used with. There is a huge difference between my model 70s, which like the same load and the Ruger #1 which likes a hotter load.

You will want a fairly fast powder.

The powder I chose for light bullets was Reloader 15 over CCI magnum primers. I started with 62.0 grains under the 185s available back then.

I presume you will be using the Barne's 185ttsx?????

Now I would suggest starting with Reloader 17 which is very similar to RL 15.

I played with H380 but wasn't impressed with the results. CFE 223 might also be a good choice as would W748.

BE CAREFUL. I know the ttsx bullets aren't cheap but it would bode you well to get in lots of range time and work up a good load your rifle likes. Just because a load works well in my rifle and is safe, doesn't mean it will work well or be safe in your rifle.
 
 
I use 185 tsx for now because first recipe in my rife gives me under 1/2 moa with IMR 4064 and 3005 FPS (hot). But throttled down to 2950 with no pressure.
I tried 200 accubonds but accuracy not there. I tried 200 Interlocks with IMR 4064 and getting under 1 moa so kept it as plinker or for back up.
Havent completed ttsx 185 test yet.
I also havent started my 225 accubond test. Hopefully in spring.
I thought the 185 tsx is like shhoting a 200 or 225 cup and core bullet because of retained weight.( If that make sense)
 
louism said:
I thought the 185 tsx is like shhoting a 200 or 225 cup and core bullet because of retained weight.( If that make sense)
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Correct, and the added velocity is a plus, as well.

There are lots of options with most cartridges and the .338-06 is no exception. Use what you want to use.
 
I used to also use the 185 ttsx but with rl 15 it is a very good bullet and I found it to be the most accurate in my 338-06 loaded up like that it’s a great hunting round I used it on moose elk mule deer bears no problems no wishes for anything else in that cartridge
 
Tony Im with you.The 185 has worked for me but limitted in range (as far as mushrooming).Im limited to about 300 yards max with tsx.
Past that wont really open up. Thats why Im looking for cup and core bullet/loads.
 
louism said:
Tony Im with you.The 185 has worked for me but limitted in range (as far as mushrooming).Im limited to about 300 yards max with tsx.
Past that wont really open up. Thats why Im looking for cup and core bullet/loads.
Click to expand...

FYI - the majority of cup n' cores fail to open reliably below 1900 fps, and the TSX is (claimed by Barnes) to be effective down to 1800.

If you need better long range (low speed) performance your best bet is probably the Speer BTSP or an annealed Hornady SST or Interlock, which are pretty-much the softest .338 projectiles you will find.

I went through the same dilemma with my 338 Federal, and ended up choosing the 200gr Woodleigh Weldcores at ~2700FPS as a do-all 300-325 yard round (they are still going over 2000fps at 325y). If/when I want to reach further than that with the Fed it'll be annealed 200gr Hornady Interlock SP for me.

Actually, Partitions are notoriously soft in the front section, so a 210gr Partition might be worth considering. Not quite as easy to push as fast, though.
 
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Louis,

I just looked on the Hogdon site and they list a load for 200gr cup n' core at 2850-ish FPS.

Hodgdon BL-C(2) .338" 3.310" 55.0 2,700 52,500 PSI 59.5 2,856 62,300 PSI

You could throw a 200gr Woodleigh in there and still be pushing 2031 FPS at 400 yards. Woodleigh guarantees excellent expansion down to 2000, and the bullet is stellar, by all accounts. Made specifically for the .338-06 and .338 Fed.

http://woodleighbullets.com.au/bullet-lists/traditional/338-375-list

Cat # 56D

$42 CAD for a box of 50 at TradeEx.

Oh, and you'll see that Woodleigh makes a 180gr Weldcore as well. You can get that going blistering fast and reach out even further. Worth playing with, IMO.
 
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I have never had a 338-06, but have experience with larger 338's....338 win mag, 340 wea, 338 lapua.

The smaller case means infringement on powder space for large bullets, or faster small bullets with poor ballistics. Hard compromise.

For a resource, i would suggest Nathan Foster's excellent ....terminal ballistic studies. Might give you a insight into bullet choices based on lower speeds. Bullet performance on meat and bone are much more important than a number on a chronograph. I remember that some bullets for the 7x57 performed better at those lower speeds than at 7 mag speeds.

My default bullet for larger 338 bores is the 250gr partition. Trying the 225gr partition, would be my first choice.

Good luck with your search.
 
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interesting on woodleigh bullets and annealing Hornadys.
Stout enough for moose at distance?? They average around 800 plus lbs here in Quebec.
 
louism said:
interesting on woodleigh bullets and annealing Hornadys.
Stout enough for moose at distance?? They average around 800 plus lbs here in Quebec.
Click to expand...

The Woodleighs are plenty stout enough for moose. Bonded, and stout like a Grand Slam but open up more reliably at lower speeds than Grand Slams.

Think of it as a Fusion for moose and elk, but still appropriate for deer.

I'm not sure about the annealed Hornadys yet. I have tried annealed SSTs (in .270 win) on big mule deer at distance and they worked very well.

I think the Woodleighs are a really good match for what you want to do, but pushing them much more than 400 yards (2000 FPS) will reduce expansion. I'd say 450 would be the max.
 
Well if your hell bent on expanding I’d try the accubonds next never did even bother trying them in my rifle but have good results in a lot of other cartridges I really wanted the 210 partition to be my bullet in this cartridge but it shot like poo
Your Mileage may vary I’ve found the 225 accubond a nice bullet in other 338 cartridges
 
ironsighter said:
Louis,

I just looked on the Hogdon site and they list a load for 200gr cup n' core at 2850-ish FPS.

Hodgdon BL-C(2) .338" 3.310" 55.0 2,700 52,500 PSI 59.5 2,856 62,300 PSI

You could throw a 200gr Woodleigh in there and still be pushing 2031 FPS at 400 yards. Woodleigh guarantees excellent expansion down to 2000, and the bullet is stellar, by all accounts. Made specifically for the .338-06 and .338 Fed.

http://woodleighbullets.com.au/bullet-lists/traditional/338-375-list

Cat # 56D

$42 CAD for a box of 50 at TradeEx.

Oh, and you'll see that Woodleigh makes a 180gr Weldcore as well. You can get that going blistering fast and reach out even further. Worth playing with, IMO.
Click to expand...


In my 338-06, 55 grains of BLC 2 pushed a 185 GMX at 2842 FPS
 
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