Hi all,

I'm rethinking some of my loads for my 338-06. I'd like to get as close as possible to 2800 fps w/ a 210 grn TSX or Nosler Partition. Not wanting to go buy 4 different types of powder to experiment with, which 2 powders and loads would you recommend I start with to achieve my objective? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Brian, you'll get several diff. recommendations but I have been using RL15 & the 210grNP for years. From my 22 1/2"bbl. I can get 2750fps w/o bending anything, accuracy is moa. I have been recently shooting H4350 & getting about the same vel. w/ a bit better accuracy. There are several good powders that will get you the vel., IMR4064, VV150, H380, IMR4320, accuracy will vary though.

fredj338,
Is RL15 temperature sensative like RL22. I used RL 22 in my 300 WM, but went back to H4831 due to point of impact changes at different ambient temps.

Brian: My standard load for the .338-06 is 61.0 grains of H4350 under a Barnes XLC 210 grain bullet. Out of my 24" Bullberry barrel this loads does just over 2800 fps. I tried some of the TSX and had to back the load down to a point that I was getting about 100 fps slower.

quote:

I'd like to get as close as possible to 2800 fps w/ a 210 grn TSX or Nosler Partition. which 2 powders and loads would you recommend I start with to achieve my objective?

You're not being unreasonable here but I'll give you three powders to do it with.

IMR-4895, Varget, and RL-15

Start any of them at 50 grains and work up.

Are we assuming that the reason you want 2800fps is for a flatter trajectory? If it were me I would get my best two accurate loads together and actually shoot the TSX and NP at 300yds. You may find that muzzle velocity may not be as evident over a longer distance. If your looking for something at 400yds the differences will most likely be very apparent.

Brian-

Good choice on bullets for the 338-06!

Try IMR 4064.

I'm not a hotrodder, but my rifle tends to shoot better the faster it goes (heavier loads) for some reason.

Since the day it was built, my 338-06 AI has not taken a back seat to the 270Winchester. By that I mean recommended SAMMI pressures. If you can safely handload the 270 to 65K psi in a turn-bolt action, then by God I'm not about to stop at 60K psi in deference to some vintage '06 chambered model 1895 Winchesters.

Reloader 15 is a good choice. So is hi-energy VihtaVuori N550. .0005" case head expansion equates to 60K psi.

Depending on your quarry, Barnes makes some deadly 185gr X bullets. They approach 3K fps molycoated.

Brian, I haven't noticed POI changes @ 100yds in mine & I have shot it -5deg to 110deg. Now out to 300yds, maybe. Radkins' load is the current one I am playing w/ & will probably use next elk season. It's very uniform w/ some compression under the 210grNP. BTW, I have taken game from deer to elk & zebra w/ the 210grNP @ 2750fps. I have only ever recovered one bullet, that was from a big bodied Kudu bull shot front to back @ 120yds or so. The bullet stopped at the last rib on the far side, perfectly mushroomed, just like bullets I have shot into wetpack. That's almost 36 inches of penetration thru heavy chest muscle. Pic of the bullet, right is from Kudu, left is from wetpack:

quote:

Originally posted by brianbo:
Hi all,

I'm rethinking some of my loads for my 338-06. I'd like to get as close as possible to 2800 fps w/ a 210 grn TSX or Nosler Partition. Not wanting to go buy 4 different types of powder to experiment with, which 2 powders and loads would you recommend I start with to achieve my objective? Thanks in advance for your replies.

IMR 4320 will get you there......

quote:

.0005" case head expansion equates to 60K psi.

Why coitinley it does!

I have been trying H380 lately and can push a 210 TSX at 2775 without any problems. Start at about 56 gr and work up.I also have been working with Big Game but haven't put it over the Chrono yet but 59gr is accurate in my rifle I think you could safely go to 61 and maybe more with this powder. Do a search and you will get a lot of info.

Thanks for your replies. I should say that my objective was to get > 2700. I've recently shot some of A-Squares 338-06 200 grn ballistic tip ammo rated at (2750 fps) in a new 338-06 that I just received and it put 5 shots in .75 inch at 100 yards. So now I know there's faster and more accurate loads out there than what I was shooting in another 338-06 w/ 210 NP at around 2600 fps. That's what prompted my question in the first place.

That said, the powders I will investigate are
IMR 4064
H414
RL 15
H380

I have had the best luck with Big Game, I'm using 62 grains with the 210 TSX for right at 2800 fps. Load a grain more with a Nosler for the same velocity. It also goes through a measure slick as hell and is not supposed to be temp sensitive.