Started load development for a BC elk hunt this fall. TSX bullets arrived first, so that's where I started. North Forks (the bullet I really want my rifle to like) should be here Mon.

I had H4350 & RL22 on the shelf, so I started there. Results with the RL22 (210M primer per mnfctr rcmndtn) were poor, five shots in 3.5" at 100. This was with 76gr @ 2790fps.

The H4350 (215 primer) did better. Five rounds in 1.8" at 100. This was with 72gr @ 2830fps. With some tweaking, this could be my hunting load.

I'm anxiously awaiting the North Forks. I will try the H4350 with them, but I'm toying with the idea of picking up some H4831 and or some RL19 to try with them too. Anybody have any experience with this bullet? Any powder recommendations? I understand that every rifle is different. Just trying to get lucky and start with the "right" powder for the NF. The rifle is a Sako Finnbear chambered in .338 win mag. I would like to achieve 2800fps.

Thanks for any and all advice.

NF
Start with 68 grains RE19 and work up from there. Expect to stop somewhere in the low to mid 70s.

H4831SC w/drop tube and 100% full will not reach your goal. I haven't tried it, but doubt RE22 would be worth trying for the same reason.

Haven't played with H4350.

The first thing that comes to mind when I read your post is that you used 210M primers with the slow burning RL22 and the magnum 215M primers with the faster burning 4350. I would have switched those around if I used a 210M primer at all.

IMO, the 338 win mag definitely falls into the category of needing a magnum primer, especially with a large load of slow burning powder. That may be why you got the poor results and slow velocity with the RL22.

That being said, RL19 has always yielded noticeably better results with the 225 gr TSX. My load is 75.5 gr but you should start lower and work up. I got about 2850 fps which is just fast enough for great performance and long brass life.

Thanks for the quick response guys.

The primer selection was straight out of the Allient and Hodgdon manuals. Allient does not recommend 215s for a lot of their magnum loads, including RL19 & 22 in the .338 WM.

I will report back next week with my results. With any luck that 225 North Fork and RL19 is going to be the ticket to sub MOA.

My Rem 700 likes 70 gr IMR4350 with CCI 250 primers. 2850fps and extremely accurate. This is with 225 gr. Nosler AB's. But as you say each rifle is different.
I tried the original Barnes X bullet (in another rifle) but had poor accuracy. Once I tried the AB's and found them to be much easier in developing loads, I never bothered trying the TSX's.
You probably already know this but, there are so many variables in achieving accuracy. Finding the right reloading recipe is only a fraction of it. Make sure your barrel is really clean. Try some factory loads to get an idea of the rifles potential and then build on that.
If your TSX or NF's fail in the accuracy department you should give the AB's a try. They work well on elk.

IMR4831

Nimrod:
The load I use in my Ruger .338 mag. is 72.5 grs. of Rldr-22 and a 225 gr. North Fork. My velocity is 2800 from the chrono. I easily get very close to 1" groups with this load and since my scope is a 1.5 -5x variable, I suspect I could get even better groups with a higher power scope.
This load works very well on moose so I can't believe it wouldn't be fine for elk. After penetrating from the left front quarter to the right rear hind quarter on my moose last Sep., the bullet weighs 218 grs. and is a perfect mushroom. What's not to like?
Bear in Fairbanks

Try the RL19 and the 225 NF, and start at 68 grains, 71 is about all mine will take with this bullet. I haven't chrono'd them yet, but will slam a moose and a couple caribou with mine this Sept.

you can back off one or two grains of powder,useing federals 215 magnum primer,with your reloader-19 and reloader -22,magnum rifle magnum primer for me,did you jump that tsx 50 thousants off your rifleing, thats what barnes suggests,regards and good luck jjmp

Yup, I loaded the TSX .05 of the lands as suggested. Like I said, this load shows promise. I like the TSX and shoot it exclusively out of my .308.

As for the .338, I'm really wanting the NF to work. Mike had 50 of them on my porch this afternoon. Work has me tied up, so I probalby won't be able to get to load them up and burn some powder until the weekend.

I will let you know what I find.

Over the weekend I did a pressure check with RL-19 under the 225gr North Fork and the 225gr Hornady Interlok (both seate .025" off the lands, both with Win cases and Fed 210 LR primers - Allient does not recommend magnum primers with RL19).

I started at 68gr with both bullets. 72gr of RL-19 put the NF at 2805 fps. I did not proceed to 73gr.

73gr of RL-19 put the IL at 2790 fps. I did not proceed to 74gr (2800 fps is right about where I want to be).

I then loaded up five rounds of each and went to the 100 yard bench. I first shot the NFs, (between each round I played around with some loads I'm working on for my .204 Ruger). Velocities were as follows: 2781, 2787, 2819, 2811, 2800. Group was nonexistant, more of a shotgun pattern, about 7 inches. Hmmmmmm??? What the heck???

I then went to the IL and did the same thing, 5 rounds alternating with my .204. The velocities were: 2777, 2776, 2793, 2791, 2791. The first four rounds measured 0.8 inches. I pulled the fifth one and opened it up to 1.4 inches. I felt better knowing that I hadn't forgotten how to shoot my .338, but still puzzled with the NFs.

Called Mike at NF and he was a great help. He did not feel that there is anything I could do with the RL19 to get it to tigten up that much. Recommendation was to try H4350 or some H4831. I have some H4350 on the shelf, so I'll start there. Just goes to show you, any one rifle....

I'll let ya know how the H4350 works.

WOW, what a difference switching to H4350 made! Loaded up the 225gr North Fork, 215 primer, and one round at 68 and 69gr and three at 70gr and went to the range. I did the same with the Hornady Interlok – just one grain higher (69, 70 ,71)

H4350 took my 6-7 inch group with the NF/RL-19 down to sub MOA!

68gr 2738
69gr 2808

70gr – 2877, 2867, 2875. This group measured .72†SWEET!

The Interloks shot great too.

69gr 2796
70gr 2858

71gr – 2908, 2918, 2892. This group measured 1.2†Not Bad!

Both loads are hotter than I like. No signs of pressure, but too hot for my taste. I’m going to back down to 69gr with the North Fork and 70gr with the Interlok. That should put me right around 2800/2850. Can’t wait to get back to the bench and roll some more. The NF is already there, and I’m confident with a little seating depth tweaking I can get the IL down to sub MOA too. Heck, maybe just dropping a grain will do it?

Very interesting though. The Interlok shoots sub MOA out of my rifle with RL-19 and it looks like it is going to do the same with H4350. The North Fork on the other hand shoots sub MOA with H4350 and shotgun patterns with RL-19. Ya just never know. For some reason, my bore, Mike’s bullet, and RL-19 just do not get along.

With any luck I will report back in Sept. and let ya know what they do to a big ole BC bull elk. I have complete confidence in this bullet.

I can’t say enough about the customer service at North Fork. Class act. I didn’t have to talk to Mike Brady very long to figure out that this is a guy who takes great pride in his work and wants his customer to be happy. I’ve called Barnes, Nosler, and Sierra in the past and gotten some great info. from their ballisticians. But to be able to talk to the actual craftsman, the man behind the bullet if you will…. Very nice.

Still love the Interloks for practicing all year (and truth be told I’m sure they’d be fine on game too), but I’m done looking for a .338 hunting bullet. I’ve got enough 225gr NFs coming to last me a good long while. It hurt, but as they say… buy the best ya can afford and ya only cry once It’s not like they’re going to get any cheaper. Sorry, just practicing my mantra for the wife when she gets the credit card bill

Nimrod,
I'm loading some 338 mags for my friends trip to africa. First time for me loading for the 338. My first loads with the Barnes 210gr TS with 69gr IMR 4350 and 71gr IMR 4831 both of these loads shot under an inch. I set the bullet .050 off the lands and used Win lr primer. May be I just got lucky.