Been out of the gun thing for while. Last time I was knee deep in powder, the 7stw was the next big wildcat, and plastic stocks were gaining aceptance.

Well, I finally have enough time to work up some new loads with new bullets(Barnes Triple Shocks 225gr).

Now the last time I worked with X bullets in various forms, we would start low and work up, and just watch the chronograph. Sometimes we would make book velocity before pressure started, sometimes not.

Well the new tx bullets supposedly have the pressure glitches worked out.

Assuming this is the case, I am leaning towards RL-22 powder that has been in the attic for 8 years. I have kept it in a cooler, so moisture and sunlight should be minimal problems.

Federal magnum match primers.

So far as cases, i have heard good things about Nosler brass. If it's worth it, I will go there(Is Midway still in business?). If not, in the past I used WW cases with good results.

I would figure 2850-2900fps muzzle velocity.

Anybody hear any problems with my game plan so far?

Has there been any huge gains in components in the last dozen years? Or should I just expect the same as ever?

Thanks for the help. I know we are covering a bit here, but I wanna make sure nobody invented a better wheel before I jump back into things.

Mark

flatfish, I think you're on track with your plan, except for the guess at velocity, I don't have one, so you could be exactly right there, I just haven't got a 338 WM, so don't have an estimate on velocity. Midway is still in business and I use them a lot. I have used a good bit of the Nosler brass, and it is good. I don't know if there is a discernable spec difference between it and the WW brass, I use a fair amount of WW, and it has always been consistent good brass for me. The nosler brass may take a hair less prep, so that's good.

I've found seating depth affects accuracy as much as almost anything, especially with XXX bullets. I end up well off the lands with most bullets actually, for best accuracy, but especially with the XXX's. Magazine size usually dictates the starting COL for my rigs, but I often end up backing up from there (shorter COL) for best results.

Good Shooting--Don

I use Rel 22 with 225 TSX, and have found it to work well.

I've found magnum primers are not needed, Fed 210 work very well.

Seating depth is not as critical as with the old X bullets.

I have been very pleased with the quality of the Nosler brass. It is more expensive, but IMHO well worth the money for a hunting rifle that is not shot a great deal.

I would also encourage you to purchase the Barnes manual if you are planning to load Barnes bullets. It has excellent information on loading them and specific recommendations for powders by caliber and bullet (amongst all the listed powders) that I have found to be very useful.

Additionally, the Barnes website has some information specific to loading for the TSXs that is must read information before loading them.

Regards,

LWD

RL19 gave me better accuracy in my 338 with 225 gr TSX. I get an average of 2825 fps with 75.5 gr RL19. That is way over book max but I worked up from below. I have always found RL19 to be slower than the books show, like H4831.

However, with each new bottle of RL19 or RL22, I load a single cartridge 2 grains lower and add .5 grains in each successive single cartridge until I work back up to my established load. That way if I get a fast bottle I can find out before it is too late and lock the bolt or blow a primer.

Nosler lists RL19 as the "most accurate powder tested" and it says right on the bottle it is "the powder for the 338 win mag".

I load for a friend's Sako 338 that prefers IMR4831 with the 225 gr TSX.

Each gun is different.