I have two great loads for my .338 Win Remington 700 rifle. Both loads are pretty accurate and shoot in the .4's and .5's for 3 at 100. I cannot complain at all about that. I am shooting 69.0 of H4350 with a 9 1/2M, and 72.5 of RL-19 and 215GM's all in Weatherby cases. All loads used 225 Hornady Interlocks (flat base)

The question I have deals with the great difference in FPS with this cartridge. By some manuals these are 2750ish loads some closer to 2800.

Magazine data, such as Brian Pearce's in Handloader and others get alot of loads cracking 2900 fps. Is this normal? Or are they really pushing it? I occassionally borrow my co-workers chrono, but have not used on this caliber yet. I honestly feel that the difference between 2700 and 2900 is like comparing two different cartridges.

Both your loads are a little on the light side. You can go up to 75.0 grains of H-4350 and up to 78.0 grains of RL-19 (but I have no idea what sort of accuracy you will get with those loads in your rifle).

I've found IMR-4350 to be my selection for your bullet weight.

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http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

I guess you officially rate a "Sir" from me. Thank you Sir. I had actually ran into a link for your pages on another site, and what a suprise. I just want to ask if it was an internal calling to display such a large portion of a lifes work for everyone to pilfer for free?

Jessee, I've owned, loaded for and shot game with three different 338's. I prefer 22" barrels on a 338 Win Mag, 225 gr. bullets and H4350 as THE POWDER for the Win Mag. In the Hodgdon "Extreme" line H4350 is "temperature stable." That is it's unaffected (nearly) by extremes of heat or cold... here in Montana that's very important. IMR powders will not do that for you.

As to loads, 70.5 to 71.0 gr's of H4350 and 225 grain bullets (Hornadies or Noslers) is maximum in my rifles. With a 22" barrel I get 2,850 fps. That's good enough. Ricciardelli's load of 75 gr's would damage my rifle (and possibly me!) and be extremely dangerous. That's not to say it's not safe in his rifle, but in the three 338's I've owned that load would be grossly over-maximum.

Brad A.

I have to agree with Brad on this one.

The load that Ricciardelli is recommending would cause BIG problems in my .338 Win Magnum.

I went on an elk hunt last fall and spent considerable time working up a load for my Remington 700 Classic that is chambered for .338 Win Mag.

I settled on WW cases, a Fed 215M primer, a charge of 71.5 grains of H 4350 powder, and a 225 Nosler Partition. This load gave consistantly great groups in my rifle and chronographs at 2880 fps.

That is all the powder I dared use in my particular rifle. In fact, here in CA when it was a real hot day it showed the first hint of pressure signs with that load.

It sure killed that bull nicely in New Mexico, though.

Hope this helps, R F

RF, you've gotta love the 338 Win Mag, eh? It smacks the h**l out of elk. I'm in the process of getting my fourth! It's one of my real passions amongst big game rounds... it just works so well.

Brad

Would love to see a picture of your bull.

The .338WM does the same to moose, Brad. It just flattens them for me.

I use a Ruger M77 MKII, and its barrel is on the "fast" side with IMR4350, RL-22, and RL19. With 230-grain FS bullets (Lubalox, or moly coated), I use 73 grains of RL-19, and a couple of grains extra with RL-22. I use a chronograph to watch the velocities carefully, and so far I haven't gotten any signs of excessive pressure from my rifle. I do start low and approach maximum slowly.

A friend of mine uses a grain or two more than I do. He uses RL-22 and 225-grain bullets.

[This message has been edited by Ray, Alaska (edited 03-08-2002).]

Brad:

You express some concern that a velocity spread between 2700 and 2900 quoted by various sources appears excessive. Actually, this is well within the range of variation of one barrel/chamber combination to another. Each rifle is a rule unto itself. That's why factory ammunition is a compromise at best and handloaders must tailor their loads to their guns.

Out of my 24.3 inch Sako, I get about 2925 fps with a 225 grain Nosler propelled by original surplus 4831. For bullets of 225 and up in the .338, I feel that 4350 is just a tad fast for the best pressure/velocity ratio (in MOST guns). I would suggest trying IMR 7828 or RL 22, but if you're really getting half-inch groups with your present load, I'd leave well-enough alone.

Stonecreek... Nowhere did I express concerns about velocity spreads. Nowhere. Where did you come up with that?

I've been at this long enough to understand velocitiy variations between different barrels. Go back and actually read my post. Sheesh.

As to RL22, In my several 338's it's never outperformed H4350 (not IMR) by more than 20 fps. Since H4350 is temperature stable and RL22 IS NOT, I stick with the Hodgdon product. If we're talking IMR, I'd go with RL22.

Brad

I have been reloading for a year and only loaded a few batches for my M70 338. Using Rem cases, WLRM, Hornady 225 gr and H4350 I shot several groups under 3/4" and one 3 shot group that measured 9/16". Seemed to like different amounts of powder equally well. I stopped at 70 grains. No pressure signs, just haven't gotten back to the project lately. I haven't tried other components for it, but will be loading w/ Noslers for my fall elk/deer hunt.
Sounds like you have had similar sucess w/ your 338. I really enjoy shooting it.

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Shane Marquardt

Brad, I think Stonecreek mistook you for me, being the original poster. I know I probably shouldn't mess with the accuracy I'm already getting. RL-19 is usually a faster load in all books and my 72.5 load is just as accurate as the 69.0 H4350 load.

I loaded some 73.0's and (5) 74.0's. Kinda scared and I may pull the 74.0 loads. I have been reloading for over 15 years, but generally, the books are pretty close, and if my primer pockets loosen from being too hot, I back off a grain or so. There is a huge difference in the RL-19 loads. Some books stop at 71.1 as max. I think 78.0 is quite a bit more than 71. I do realize that each gun is a tad different, but how does every body else tell?

I can see when primers are flat and the crater flows back out. I also know that there are archived pages and pages in this BBS of people measuring belts or webs and remeasuring afterwards. I have a nice idiot proof electronic mic. I feel that I can crush or vary the reading by +.001. I just don't feel that this is an accurate way of measuring pressure by expanded cases when the control of error is the same as the expected expansion. I am sure that there are people with lesser knowledge and experience working up loads until the bolt sticks, not really my version of "Scientific Method".

Through about 8 or 9 different barrels, all 23", I've had variances in maximum velocity using 225g Noslers, from 2790fps up to 2920fps. My current load is 71g of Vihtavouri N160 which yields great accuracy @ 2920. I had better luck with both velocity and accuracy using RL22 with most all the other barrels.

Jesse: Don't forget that right here in this forum a great amount of reloading data can be found. Scrol down the page and "click" on "accuratereloading.com" Once there, look for the "Reloading Pages."

Jesse... I see that now. Thanks. I'm obviously tired and testy!

Brad

Bob338, I have and use both RL powders. Do you care to list which loads you used? I personally thought that RL-22 was too slow for the shorter .338 case, but I just study everyone else and what the magazines say. I guess you are kind of what I am descibing....2790-2920 is kinda alot between rifles. Maybe if we rounded the numbers like car salesmen, it doesn't look as bad 2800-2900.

'Scuse Me! I did address Brad when I meant Jesse. Sorry for the confusion!

Stonecreek, absolutely no apology neccessary! I've had the thought I shouldn't read and respond to these posts when I'm overly tired!

Brad