Has anyone worked up a load for the lighter Barnes pills? Interested to see if anyone has given this a spin. Thanks.

I used a 210g Barnes TTSX for my African Safari in 2011. It performed perfectly. Out of the 13 animals I dropped, I got only one bullet back and it was picture perfect.

The caliber isn't the 338 Edge, it was the 338 Federal, and the load was Alliant Powder Pro 2000-MR, Federal 210 primers, Federal cases, at 52.7 grains; it is a compressed load. I chronographed 2625 fps.

Back in June 2011, initial 2000-MR load data indicated I would get 2800 fps with 225g Barnes at a max of 53.0g of powder. Starting load was 48.6g. However, I was never able to duplicate the advertised velocities. I spoke at length with the factory rep on this but I noticed a few months later, they reduced the max velocity to 2740 fps. I just checked the website and it now lists 2540 fps with a max of 49.5g of powder for the 225g bullet.

So the load I took to Africa is probably too hot, even though the bullet is a bit less weight. I think I was one of the first to experiment extensively with this powder, given what the factory rep told me. I sent him all the chronographed data I had.

When I do my next safari, I will need to rethink this load a bit. I shot it June 2013 and I am still getting sub MOA accuracy at 200 yards with the rifle, a SAKO 85S.

The 338 Federal was not a caliber I would run out and buy as I won this rifle in an SCI raffle. But now that I have used the 338 Federal extensively, I like it and I would definitely buy a rifle in this same caliber today.

Thanks for the reply/data. I hope to get some time at the bench this weekend. I appreciate it.