Headed to Africa next year. Plan to shoot my 338win mag with 225gr Swift A-Frame bullets. With the high cost of the bullets I do not want to go thru 27 powders and such to find a good load. Does anyone have a load they use/like for this combo which I could start with to test? Thanks.

PS Also using 100 and 120gr A-frames in a 25-06 and a 257Roberts. Last using 120 and 140gr A-Frames in a 6.5X55 chambering in a Tikka. Any ideas?

After trying a bunch of powders in four different 338 Wins...I would start with Reloader 22.

Start at about 75 grains and work up. I honestly don't think you can get enough RE-22 into the case with a 225 grain bullet to hurt yourself or the gun. The A-Square manual ran up to 81 grains, although I have no idea how they got that much in the case.

If this helps, I get an average velocity of 2830 fps with H-4831sc and 225 gr. Nosler Partitions. Worked great on African plains game up to Eland. I tried the A-frame but gave up on it after experiencing high pressure signs before reaching the max powder charge recommended for that bullet. I switched to the Nosler Partition and didn't have any problems. Your mileage my vary.

338 WM .Imr 4350. Start at 67g and work up.
25-06. 120g, H4831. Start at 48g and work up.
These 2 powders "should" work w/ both cartridges. If you can get the H to work in one of them, I would try it in the other also.

I've found that my .338's do well with powders that most people would assume to be too slow. I've had great results in terms of both accuracy and velocity (with 225 grain Noslers) using H-4831 (NOT IMR-4831, a much faster powder). RL-22, being of similar burning rate, would probably also work fine, as would IMR-7828. I have no trouble reaching 2900 fps with a 225, but rifles, barrels, and bullets will vary, so you should be happy with anything 2800+ that shoots good groups.