I recently tried a new handload with the 250gr. Nosler. The load was 71.5gr. H-4831, Fed. 215 in Rem. cases. This is the top load in the Nosler manual and is listed as 2780 fps. My chrono said it left at 2550 (at ten feet from the muzzle) Anyone got a load with H-4831 that gets close to Noslers velocity. My rifle is nickle plated and always seems to be slow in the velocity department(I guess due to the decreased resistance). I had no signs of pressure and am a little suprised there is that much discrepancy (230fps). Oh, by the way, it did shoot into one big ragged hole at 100yds. I am happy about that. Now, if I can just get the velocity up with out opening up the groups I'll be in good shape.
Doug

You might try working up a little higher with that load. Check for pressure signs of course but use the chrony as a guide.

I always check every manual I can look at with that powder and bullet weight. Then I check stevesreloading pages before working up my loads.

http://stevespages.com/338_2_250.html

Try 73, 74 and 75 grains of H-4831. Pressures are safe, and your barrel will like one of those loads. I usually just dump 74 grains of H-4831 into the brass (I favor Winchester) and light it off with either a WLRM or Fed 215 primer. Be sure and use a Lee factory crimp die. The 338 Win mag is not really a Magnum round. It is basically a 30-06 proportionately moved up from .308 diameter to .338 diameter.

Avoid RL-22. It will give you more precision, i.e. tighter groups. Those groups will move around much more with temperature changes. So H-4831 is like a competitor that usually comes in second in any given event, but is so consistent that it takes the overall title. Since point of impact doesn't shift, the H-4831 gives you better absolute accuracy.

The 250 grain bullets are the way to go. They move a bit slower, but with more momentum. They are less blown about by the wind, and cause less meat damage. I used one as my go to gun when I lived in Alaska. If I was mucking around in the alder thickets along the salmon streams within 75 miles of the salt water I used a 416. If I was going for caribou where the grizzly density was low/open country I would borrow a 257 Weatherby or use my 7mm Rem Mag.

A good case can be made for the 338 Win Mag as the ultimate one gun for all of North America outside of varmint shooting.

It is not as finicky to load for as the 300 magnums can be. It is just very reliable and predictable; an old friend.

Life is good,

lawndart

I've always had good luck with RL-19 and the 338. My favorite 250gr load is 71.1 of RL-19 WW brass and WLR primers. Reloading books tend to be very conservative nowadays. A friend of mine showed a a book from the early 60s and the loads were hotter, sometimes quite a bit. jorge

Has any one tried the new 180 gr. nosler accu-bond's in the .338 WM.

I would load 3 rounds with .5 grain increases up say 2.5 grains, if you still see no preasure signs and the graoups stay good you are doing fine. My 338 likes RL-19. One thing i keep in mind with my .338 is that I use it for elk hunting witch has a much bigger kill zone than a deer. I like moa loads for deer but i will settle for 1.5 in an Elk load...tj3006

For some reason H4831 and H4831SC have always given me lower velocities in the 338 Win. Mag. than many of the reloading manuals have indicated.

I've had the very best luck for velocity and accuracy with IMR 4350, IMR 4831, H4350, and Reloader 19. I like powders that don't fill the case so much, especially when loading 250 gr. bullets. In my opinion IMR 4350 is the classic and best 338 Win. Mag. powder, especially with 250 gr. bullets. Load density is just about perfect for the capacity of that case.

I get over 2700 fps. with IMR 4350, Winchester cases, Federal 215 primers, and 250 gr. Nosler Partitions as per Nosler's guidelines for the 338 Win. Mag. in their most recent loading manual. This represents more velocity than with H4831, and this load is less dense as well.

I get the same accuracy with Reloader 19 and about 30 fps. more velocity compared to IMR 4350, but this requires 5 more grains of powder and the use of a long drop tube to get it into the case. It's just not worth the trouble......

AD

The old standard load with H4831 and a 250 grain bullet in the .338 is with 74 grains and a Nosler partition. The 2550 fps is just what I would have expected with 71-71.5 grains. 2780 is quite a bit optimistic with a 71.5 grain load in my experience.

jstevens,
I will work up to 74 grains if I can. What kind of velocity does it usually give. I am almost positive it will be quite a bit lower in my barrel though. Thanks
Doug