Load for .338WM

Blackcloud

Blackcloud

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Last night I though I would try and whip up a different load for my .338. Normally loading 250 gr Nosler Partition.

I had some RL19 laying around so I looked at the recommended charges in my Speer reloading manual and decided to try the 225gr Nosler Accubond. Manual is 13th edition, recommeded 74 - 78C grns of RL19. Decided to start at the bottom. With 74 gr loaded into a prepared case, it appeared to have no room what so ever for the bullet to be seated??? :eek:

I can load a 3.40" OAL round in the mag of my .338 compared to a factory loaded at about 3.28". At 3.40" I would be frightened to seat the bullet any deeper than 3.4". :eek:

As I have very little experience with RL19, though Iwould seek some advice prior to continuing.

Thanks
 
That sounds like a helluva lot of RL19 to me....Noslers book uses a starting load of 68.5 gr. and a max of 72.5 gr.

The 72.5 gr load is their 'accuracy' load, and in my experience it is.
 
Lyman #78 shows a max charge of 75.0 gr of RL 19 (compressed) as their max charge for 225 gr. bullets in 338 WM, but they use a different bullet.

Have you tried a powder funnel drop tube or tapping your brass to help your powder settle in the case? It might help make more room in your case for the bullet. The Nosler Manual shows that about 73.0 grs of RL 19 is about as much powder as one can fit in a .338 case without it being a compressed charge. Nosler uses Winchester brass for their .338 WM tests.... perhaps the brass you are using has smaller internal volume?
 
I used to shoot 78.0 RL-19 (Hercules, not Alliant) with 225 grain bullets in a 338 WM for around 2925 fps. you need a drop tube to get it all in.
 
Oh, I put it in with a drop tube,,,

The 72.5 gr load sounds more reasonable. When I looked at the speer book I started right at the lowest recommended charge. When I filled the first case I sat there looking at it scatching my head going "where the hell is the bullet going to go"?????????

I did some 73 gr rounds as well. I think I will ditch the 74 gr and start lower and see what happens.

Thanks,
 
I currently am loading 225gr Nosler Parts under 67grs IMR-4350 and have Chrony'd this at avg. MV of 2800 fps.

Question: I want to go to the 250gr Speer GS and I wonder what should I take for a starting load, assuming I stay with IMR-4350?

Listings from various manuals for IMR-4350:
Speer #13:
225gr min 65 max 69
250gr min 65 max 69

Hornady 6th Edition:
225gr min 57.2 max 68.6
250gr min 58.9 max 67.8

Nosler 5th Edition:
225gr min 67.5 max 71.5
250gr min 64.0 max 68.0

Hodgdons No. 26:
225gr min 66.0 max 71.0
250gr min 65.0 max 70.0


I'm thinking 65.0-66.0grs for a starting load!? :confused:
 
Gunsmoke did you Chrony that load?


FWIW my 225gr Nosler load is pretty good, it avgs 2800 fps MV and is accurate. I have put 7 rounds into 1.5" with that load. 5 shot group is around 1.25".


I just want to go to a bigger bullet... so I'm looking for 250gr load info.


Thanks, Jim. :)
 
I'm using 70 gr. of H-4831 / Win. brass / CCI mag primers with 250 Nosler Partitions.

It's not a 'balls-to-the-wall' load, but it shoots under MOA for me. I haven't chrono'd them, but a 250 Nosler at anything faster than a trot will still go right through most anything.

If we both ever get to the range at the same time, you can try out a handful of mine and save yourself the trouble of cooking up a test batch.

My old SAKO is awful short in the throat, so you might be able to seat a bit farther out. I still have a box of old original Barnes 300 gr. 338s, but they'd work better in a long throated rifle - they are looooong!
 
Gunsmoke said:
The load that I have tried in 338 WM and worked fine was:

225 Hornady SP
72.5 gr Reloader 19
Fed GM215M primers

my 2 cents,

Gunsmoke
Click to expand...

I've also used that exact same load, and found it to be very accurate. It's my "cheap for practicing" load...;) ...
 
Tumbleweed you might laugh but I never play with C.O.L.! :eek:

I just seat any caliber I am loading to factory length, since I basically just load for hunting I am not fussing C.O.L.

It just has to feed well and be around 1" for a 5 shot group and I'm happy! :)

With my old M700 .30-06 I can get sub 1" groups for 5 shots and my M700 .270 Sendero will also do that. Handloads of course... :)


FYI, I have 8x57; .300H&H; .338WM & .458 Lott loads built to Chrony and test.

Jim. ;)
 
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