I am currently reloading for my 338 federal. Using Hodgdon's Data with the 180gr accubonds, I find that the H4895 powder to be a little too compressed for my liking.

BL C2 powder shows 50 grains and no compression with 2712 fps. My question is, has anyone ever tried this powder? How is the accuracy with this powder?

My other option is also the H335. Does anyone have any experince with this one?

Thanks,
Mike

I've used BLC2 in quite a few applications over the years, but never in the 338 Fed (don't own one). As far as it being an "accurate" powder, well that's kinda' hard to say. There are a lot of variables involved, which I'm sure you are aware of. I can say this, I have a Remington 40X in 222. With that rifle, BLC2, and 50gr Bergers, I can expect 5 shot groups under .5" regularly. Best group so far with that rifle and load has been .206". Still trying to get into the "ones". Bottom line, BLC2 is a pretty good powder choice.

I've used BL-C2 in a 338-06 A-square, 3gr below max Hodgdon's 180gr data with a 180gr Accubond gives me a little over 3000fps in a 26" barrel, very accurate. I often wonder about the temp sensitivity of this powder, but haven't read of or had any issues with it myself.

Mike,

I just went to the range today testing some 338 Fed loads.

I used H4895, Varget, AA5744, and AA2015 under 200 grn NBTs and 200 Grn Hdys. The 2015 loads showed the most promise when speaking of speed and accuracy in this particular rifle.

With Varget and H4895 I couldn't get enough in the case to give an acceptable velocity, alittle too slow for this round.

The 2015 gave nearly a full case with max listed loads under the 200 HDYs and a full case when under the longer 200 NBTs. The velocity was over 2500 with 200s when 43.5 grns of 2015 was used.

The only descent groups I got out of several different combos were with the 2015 under 200 Hdys but, this Tikka is not proving to be accurate at all so far.

I think I will try the H335 next.

Good Luck

Reloader

Thanks guys,

I researched more and suspect that BL C2 may have more sensitivity to temperature. It may be a moot point, but I'm the type of guy that if that's in the back of my mind I won't shoot well so I believe I'll pass on that one.

Reloader, my sentiments were the same with H4895, I actually ended up searching on this forum and found an article where Charlie Sisk had built a rifle and using 42 grains of RL 7 with 180gr ballistic tips achieved 2815 fps. I may try that as well.

From Hodgdon's site, 47 grains of H335 with 200 grain Hornady SP's would get 2606 fps. and it's not a compressed load. I have some 200 grain Nosler Ballistic tips which I'll try this load as well.

It doesn't matter to me wether 180's or 200's are in my rifle, the difference in speed and drop out to 300 yards are minute. I'll end up shooting what my rifle likes best.

BL-C2 (same spec as WW 748 and WC 846) does well in cases of the capacity of the .308 (parent of your .338 Fed). I use it successfully in .308, .300 Savage, and 8x57. On the other hand, H-335 (same spec powder as WC 844) was designed for the .223 and exhibits some odd burning characteristics as the case size increases. I have not had a good luck with it in .308-size cases as BL-C2.

Like the Craigster says !.I don't own a Federal
I do how ever own
.338 Win Mag and .338Lapua .

I have found Blc-2 ball powder to be REAL accurate as well as H335 in certain calibers they are real hard to beat !. Sorry don't know about the Fed cartridge ...

I just may still give BLC2 a try, if it works for some, it may just prove to be the trick.

I have a little RL 7 left, some RL 15 and Varget. I'll shoot and chrono those, then the barrel should be broken in then I may just try the BLC2 and H335 if nothing else proves well.

Thanks guys,
Mike

I've tried h4895, blc2, w748, and h335. Not gettiong good accuracy with any. h335 the best so far. I have some loads loaded long, to .030 off the lands w/h335. Will try these next.
Dan

This cartridge is going to be just like the 8 x 57... powders that work well in the 223, work real well in the 8 mm Mauser...giving more velocity than the standard mid burn powders like 4895, 4064 etc..

If loading a 338 Federal, I'd try working up loads using RL 7, IMR 4198 and H 4198...RL 7 and IMR 4198 would be my first two picks..

Even trying out some H4227 and IMR 4227 would yield some good results I bet..

VitaVourhi powder also has some powders that are in the RL 7, 4198 burn rates that might work quite well...

The case is too short for medium burn rate powders, but then the bore diameter would allow faster powders to be used, to give more velocity...

I think RL 7, RL10 and IMR 4198 are going to be found to be "the" powders for the 338 Federal...

Accurate Arms powders,( of which I don't use much of, based on availability locally) that yield high velocities in the 223 ( like 2230, 2015, 2460 etc) might also be good performers...

This cartridge is going to like fast powders better than the slower ones...

I have been reloading only for about say 6 years. I only go by textbooks for fear of having an accident.

How do you guys know which burn rate would suit a particular cartridge? I wouldn't know where to start or guess. Is it case volume, bullet weight or a combination. Once you have decided on a certain powder, how do you know how much to start with?

For example, Seafire mentioned some of the AA powders. If you wanted to try to use one of their powders and you have no load data to go by, where would you start?

Thanks for the help,
Mike

Mike, go to AA's site they have data for this round.

I went up to their max charge of AA2015 under 200 without pressure under 200s(they have 43.5 listed as max).


I'm going to try and work up to 44 and 44.5 grns. That is going to get close to compression in this case but should be just right under the Hdy 200s. I'm getting the best accuracy so far with 43.5 grns of 2015 under 200 Hdys. It's the only powder I've tried that gave over 2500 fps with 200s and I think it will easily get me alittle over 2600. If I hit 2600 and get sub MOA, I'll be well satisfied. I think these 200 HDYs bumping along at 2600 from the muzzle are going to flatten whitetails on sub 200 yard shots.

The R7 certainly perks my interest.

Good Luck

Reloader

for the best info...

a forum member who hasn't been around for a while... but maintains the best site on the web for load data in my opinion...

http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm

good old Steve Riccardelli!


also...

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/AccurateGuideV3-2.pdf


OR....

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/newCalibers/338_Federal.htm

RL 15 shows some promise according to Alliant!


and Finally, Ramshot Load Data..

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadguide/2007/338%20Fed...20Ramshot%20only.pdf