I loaded some 185 Gr. TSX's in my .338 Win mag today and used 65 grains of Reloader 15 with a O.L. about .050 off the lands. They shot around 1.5 inches at 100 yards which is respectable. I know all rifles are different but with the TSX's does a faster powder usually work better than a slower one? I read somewhere that Barnes recommended one over the other but I can't remember which type. Thank you for your replies..Tony

Welcome to AR!
It isn't a faster vs. slower powder issue for the 338 Winchester that determines accuracy, rather it is the proper application of powder for the bullet weight being used. You are correct in that you matched a faster burning powder to the light for calibre bullet being used.

Iv, not herd of RL-15 with a .338 win, but never shot bullets that light either. You might try RL-19 and see if you can shrink those groups a little IMR-1350 is a popular choice in the .338 too...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Jones:
Iv, not herd of RL-15 with a .338 win, but never shot bullets that light either. You might try RL-19 and see if you can shrink those groups a little IMR-1350 is a popular choice in the .338 too...tj3006

IMR-1350???

IMR-4350 is quite popular in a .338WM, not sure but this sounds /reads like a slip up. Were you thinking of 3031?

I have never loaded anything that light in mine. Nate

I have never loaded for the 338Win., but I looked on Hodgdon's rifle data page. It shows best velocity and lower pressures than most of their other powders when using H4350 with 185XBT. Their data shows a load of 68.5 grains of H4350 obtaining almost 3000fps. If you are trying to obtain more accuracy, maybe playing with seating depths within the .030-.070 range will help. I have heard reports of seating depth changes helping alot with the TSX bullets. Wish I could help out more than that, but not having firsthand experience with the Winnie handicaps me quite a bit.

I checked and can't find any powder IMR or otherwise with a 1350 designation.

One of the 4350's or 4831's will probably yield the best accuracy. Faster powders won't fill the case as enough IMO. Nate

Paluke,
I have used Rl5 with 180 Nosler BT in my 338 Wm works find I forgotten the combination but my cronie said 3267 and groups were under and inch.
Old Timer

PaLuke,

I've been fooling around with 185TSX's in my .338 - something with a little less kick for my girl. 65gr H4895 boots them out right at 3000fps from my 24" Pac-Nor rebarreled Win M70. They also shoot as tight as I can hold them, sub MOA if I do my part. This is with the recommended .05" off the lands that Barnes recommends for starters.

I load a Lot for the 338WM, I use 200gr Nosler so I don't know how much help this is but... I in the past I used IMR 4831, reciently I used IMR4350 for a BAR in .338WM and that changed the game for that rifle... for the better

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to try the Reloader 15 again and some H4895. I use Reloader 19 for the heavier bullets like 210 gr.Nosler Partitions and the 225 grain Interbonds. When changing the seating depth with the Barnes is it usually better to seat deeper or closer to the lands with their bullets? I'm at .050 now. Thanks again for the replies....Tony

I've shot the 175's-185's a bit in various 338's and always went right to R15.

Good luck

Mark D

PaLuke, I've found better results with TSX's farther off the lands as opposed to closer. I load a lot of these, none in .338 yet--got a 330 Dakota project underway, so soon, but in 5 different calibers I load for, all but one rifle shot better in the .65 off the lands or so range, the one exception was really great at about .45 off, so not a big difference from the Barnes recommended start of .50 back.

Good Shooting--Don