I traded my Santa Barbera Mauser for a very nice Ruger M77 mark II in 338 Winchester.

I'd like to shoot 250-300 Grain projectiles out of it.

Prefer Swift, Partition, Accubond, Sierra Match King and Woodleighs.

Do I need to get the throat opened for longer bullets or maybe another magazine box?

I won't have it for a couple weeks, thanks to California's awesome gun laws.

I can't see where that would be a problem. The 250's were standard fare before the mono bullets existed.

There are some newer bullets with high BC's that need single feeding and are 1.7"-2" long. See Cutting Edge Bullets "Copper Raptors" and "Lazer Raptors" as well as GSCustom.

I don't see why you would,
You might need to seat your bullets deeper than optimum though ...tj3006

I guess I can't get on board with the old school 250, 275, 300 grainers in a .338? I see the .338 pushing cup and core or bonded/ mantle bullets in the 225 range, but that's just me. I took my .338 Win Mag to Africa and slayed 7 head of plains game with 225 Sierra's, I know boring, but I got all exits from everything except a 320+ meter shot on a Blue Wildebeest, recovered that bullet weighing 206 grains after 30+" of Wildebeest at a fairly long distance.
If I were launching 250+ to 300 grain bullets then I'm stepping up to my 9.3 or 375 H$H mag.

I'm kinda with Snellstrom, when I'm shooting my 338, it's with 225 grain bullets, usually either Triple Shocks or Partitions. If shooting 300 grain bullets, then it's gonna be out of a 375.

I too like the 225 grain .338
But if I were after a brown bear I would likely go for a 250, I would never shoot a unwound ed dangerous animal farther than 200 yards anyway , but 300 seems a little heavy to me...tj3006

I must admit I am very pleased with 300grain bullet in .333Jeffery. However I am planning to get 225-250grain spitzer-boattailed bullets to add a little more versatility to the caliber. But so far 200m shots presents no problem.

I usually use bullets for 215 grains to 250 in my .338, but can say that the 275 grain A-Frames hit awful hard at close range. Don't know what they do farther out, the situation has never come up.

I prefer 225 grain TTSXs myself but I think you could shoot 250s, 275s or 300s just fine without any modifications.

A few thoughts come to mind. When I settled on the original Barnes 225 grain Xbullet in the late 1990s, I called the Barnes lab and talked to a gentleman whose names escapes me. I wanted a one bullet solution for all Alaskan game. He recommended the 225 grain Xbullet. I asked him what I would be giving up shooting the 225 vs the 250 and he told me about 100 foot pounds of energy and two inches of penetration.

I remember reading an article by Finn Aagard a long time ago and Finn related in his bullet box testing, either the 250 or 300 grain .338 outpenetrated the 300 grain 375. Can't remember which bullet weight in .338 but that little tidbit stuck with me.

quote:

Originally posted by sep:
I prefer 225 grain TTSXs myself but I think you could shoot 250s, 275s or 300s just fine without any modifications.

A few thoughts come to mind. When I settled on the original Barnes 225 grain Xbullet in the late 1990s, I called the Barnes lab and talked to a gentleman whose names escapes me. I wanted a one bullet solution for all Alaskan game. He recommended the 225 grain Xbullet. I asked him what I would be giving up shooting the 225 vs the 250 and he told me about 100 foot pounds of energy and two inches of penetration.

I remember reading an article by Finn Aagard a long time ago and Finn related in his bullet box testing, either the 250 or 300 grain .338 outpenetrated the 300 grain 375. Can't remember which bullet weight in .338 but that little tidbit stuck with me.

You are correct about 250, and 300 grain bullets for the .338. The bullet weight that was the most widely used several years ago was 250 grains. But some people used 300-grain bullets. In fact, every now and then I read about people who still have some of the old 300 grainers. Woodleigh makes a 300-grain bullet that can be used, and then there is the 275-grain A-Frame. Only the 300-grain match and special bullets designed for long range shots will give you problems.

The average factory load with 250-grain NOS and other .338 bullets is around 2,650 fps, but Federal also loaded the NOS bullet at 2,700 fps (250-Grain NOS HE) several years ago. I still have around 8 of these rounds.

I have settle on the 225-grain TSX (tipped) because it's a good compromise relating to penetration (is a harder bullet), stretching the distance (driven faster). The 250-grain bullet offers greater sectional density, although it's a softer bullet.

Now, of two similar bullets, lets say a .338-caliber 250-grain NOS Partition, and a .375-caliber 300-grain NOS Partition, the .338 bullet has greater SD than the .375 bullet, so the first has the potential for slightly more penetration than the later. As much as the 300-grain bullet is the flagship of the .375H&H, so is the 250-grain bullet for the .338WM.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_SD_list.htm

I have a ton of Hornady 275 grain bullets, and am hoping to find some Woodleigh 275 grain bullets.

Goal is to see how the 300 and 250 grain Accubonds work in the rifle, and if they feed, fit and shoot that will be my primary North America round.

I'd like to shoot 250-275 grain Swifts or Woodleighs in it for Africa. Since distances will likely be closer.

Given your new information I would load for it and see how it does.
I'd first find the lands and then find your magazine overall max and play with seating depth deeper from there.
I've always been a fan of IMR 4350 so I'd be tempted to try that but my Sierra manual shows IMR 4831 is the accurate powder for 300 grain bullets.
By looking at my manual and some experience with the .338 Win Mag I think you'll hit max load before you interfere with powder space by loading the heavies.
Sounds like fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I traded my Santa Barbera Mauser for a very nice Ruger M77 mark II in 338 Winchester.

I'd like to shoot 250-300 Grain projectiles out of it.

Prefer Swift, Partition, Accubond, Sierra Match King and Woodleighs.

Do I need to get the throat opened for longer bullets or maybe another magazine box?

I won't have it for a couple weeks, thanks to California's awesome gun laws.

I had a Win 70 classic stainless 338, with those heavier than 250gr, the bullet was .010" either into the rifling or just off at max mag length.
The throat was NOT what I would call short, either. The worst offender was the 250gr Partition.
The 275gr Speer (no longer made) was not a problem, it was around .040" from the rifling even when loaded to the max mag length.

Cheers.

It has another week of cool off period, I think I can have it about the 6th or 7th.

It is a major pain in the butt here.

The 300 gr. Woodleigh is one of my favorite bullets and I like to open the magazine box and the throat to accept that bullet seated .338 into the case with a magazine and throat to match it...BTW everyone that I've done that way shot the 210 Nosler just as well...I do that same thing with a 7x57 and my 30-06s..It, if effect, allows more powder space and more velocity and it is competitive with the Ackley IMPs in most calibers.

I have a Mauser custom .338 that ustilizes a 375 Swift modified box and lengthed throat, and it shoots right up beside a 340 Wby, but shoots factory ammo, and my std handloads, just as well..

The bullet jump theory with lighter bullets is a myth as far as I'm concerned, its NEVER been a minus with any of my guns so chambered. The myth began with bad barrels not long chambers.

My 338 Win Mag is a 1986 Ruger M77 mk1, currently on its 4th barrel. I have had the magazine box lengthened by 3mm, (1/8 inch) which enables me to seat bullets out a bit further for increased powder capacity. It makes little difference with the lighter weight bullets, but it does help with heavier weights. I have tried Swift A frames, 250gn and 275gn, 250gn Woodleigh PPSN, and Nosler Accubonds, as well as Speer Grand Slams, and 300gn Woddleigh SNRN,and FMJ. With the 300gn SN bullets you can get 2440fps with 70gn AR2213SC (H4831SC)(Caution this is a maximum load in my rifle), 2460fps with 77gn AR2217 (H1000)(Caution this is a maximum load in my rifle), and 2500 with 71.5gn Reloader 22 (Caution this is a maximum load in my rifle). The H1000 velocity is not achievable with a standard length magazine, as you won't get enough of that powder in. You also won't get that velocity with the 300gn FMJ as it is a fair bit longer and uses up powder space. So if you want to shoot both the 300gn SNRN and the 300gn FMJ, then use a powder like AR2213SC as it works on loads of up to 70gn for 2440fps(caution that is maximum in my rifle), and you can back off a little and get the FMJ and SNRN shooting to the same velocity (around 2400fps), and hence the same point of impact. The AR2217 77gn load is the load I prefer if I only want to shoot the 300gn SNRN, as it seems to be more accurate than the others. It is a compressed load and it is a bit further away from max than the others. With the variety of 250gn bullets I get from 2650 fps to 2700fps. Reloader 22 and AR2213SC are my pick of the powders. I like the 250gn Woodleigh PPSN, and Nosler's 250gn Accubond best out of all the bullets I tried. I would probably lean towards the Nosler if I had any longer range shooting to do, but I prefer the Woodleigh for just about everything else. I also tried match bullets, but they end up too long to fit even in my extended magazine. Take care to work up your own load from 4 to 5gn less than those I have listed, as these are all maximum load is my rifle, and you need to start low and work up to a reasonable load in your own rifle, as these loads as given may cause excessive pressures in some rifles.

Thanks to all of you!

I can't wait to pick it up next week. The brass and dies came in a few days ago.

Elmer Keith wouldn't use a bullet less than 250gr in a 338, and liked the 275 and 300gr better.

Wow my faith in Biebs is restored.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I have a ton of Hornady 275 grain bullets, and am hoping to find some Woodleigh 275 grain bullets. QUOTE]
I am jealous. A ton of Hornady 275 grain bullets and a good Ruger 338. Walkin Talkin shootin Iron combo that. Mount a front sight and a rear Peep and wow that would be fun. I made a Ruger Tang Safety into an iron sighted thumper with 275 Speers and 300 Barnes solids many years ago. Had a lot of fun with that rifle. Let me know when you shoot something with it and those bullets!!

Fury 101,
Woodleigh does not make a 275 gr. .338 bullet, but swift does and its a great bullet..Woodleighs 300 gr. RN are awesome buffalo killers and anything in NA including the biggest of bears is duck soup for that big bullet. amazingly enough I have found the 300 gr. RN .338 to shoot much flatter than I would have imagined, as do the 350 gr. 375 PPs..The 250 gr., .338 Win Woodleigh PP is an awesome bullet.

Ray,
I shot a lot of Elmer's favorite 275 speer in the .338 Win Mag and loved them. Killed a fair bull at about 425 yards and that is far enough for me. Shot a cow elk trotting up far canyon slope at about 325-50, not quite 45% away, and misjudged her speed a bit. Had intended to lead her enough to put it behind the near shoulder but landed 20" or so more to the rear. Entered just in front of right flank and came out her neck just in front of left shoulder. Went through her liver and that induced a "Stop, Freeze, Fall" sequence that I can see today. Had intended to lead her enough to put it behind the near shoulder but landed 20" or so more to the rear. Hunting all by myself afoot so had some work to do. Hunting elk alone always induced, "Yes I got 'em" followed quickly by "oh no. I dropped one here!" The benefits of Youth always bailed me out somehow. All that to say, I agree. The big bullets are flat enough for me too.
best regards,

I've had 9 Ruger M77 s in 338 . All with stainless barrels and all but 1 were Mk2 actions. I've also shot many hundreds of 300 gr Barnes Original RNSP in them. The absolute max length I could load them was 3.20" oal because of the throat. So I reccomend throating yours. And get a Lee Factory crimp die!!!!!!!!!!!! If you convert yours to using a 375 HandH mag box and follower and throat it well and deep like Atkinson described you can allow the 338 Win Mag to be all it can be.

Now, whether or not the 300 gr bullets will kill anything that say a 225 gr Barnes TTSX won't is a matter.of conjecture. And the 225gr TTSX has a G1 bc over .500 . At close to 2800 fps mv you would have a viable 1,000 yard steel ringer. And the same load would work great on game.
Is yours blued or stainless?

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
(snip) I'd like to shoot 250-275 grain Swifts or Woodleighs in it for Africa. Since distances will likely be closer.

This was my belief too, but I shot 4 head of game at ranges over 200 yards, off of sticks, in high winds, when I hunted the East Cape. Don't be complacent and be ready for surprises. That's why we hunt, after all.

Two .333Jefferys flanked with a 7x57 and 8x57.

The long 300grain bullet of the Jeffery could kill Buffalo if it wants to...

quote:

Originally posted by sep:

I remember reading an article by Finn Aagard a long time ago and Finn related in his bullet box testing, either the 250 or 300 grain .338 outpenetrated the 300 grain 375. Can't remember which bullet weight in .338 but that little tidbit stuck with me.

It appears that "little tidbit" DIDN'T stick with you!

It was the 250gr. I still have the article.

Personally, I like the 250 Partition in the .338's. Shot a bull moose with it from my .340 Wby at 3000 fps. Range 165 yds.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
The 300 gr. Woodleigh is one of my favorite bullets and I like to open the magazine box and the throat to accept that bullet seated .338 into the case with a magazine and throat to match it...

Would it make sense to lengthen the throat in my old Sako Finnbear? What does that generally cost?

Though the Sako has a long action and magazine, I can't get much in the way of velocity from Woodleigh 300gr SPs because I have to seat the bullets so deep they are taking up powder space. I don't normally use bullets below 250 grains but recently got some 225gr Woodleigh Hydrostatic monos and suspect the throat is a bit short for them, too. Though I measured only .327" dia. ahead of their driving bands, they seem to touch the rifling too soon, with either the cleaning-rod or bullet smoking methods of checking freebore, causing me to seat deeply with them, too. This reduces powder capacity with AR2209 to about 63 grains - back in .30/06 territory.

Even if the bullet is theoretically not engaging the rifling with .327" diameter, if seated out any farther there is a tendency for it to be gripped and for the round to become longer if removed unfired.

If you want to shoot long heavy bullets in a 338 standard magnum action. It always makes sense to lengthen the throat some. You can do it yourself by hand with a throating reamer with a T handle.

You will probably need to lengthen the magazine too. In my rifle the throat wasn't the limitation, it was the magazine. Adding 3mm meant I could seat the 300gn Woodleigh RNSN out far enough to get 77gn AR2217 in behind it for 2450 fps. (this is a max load in my rifle so for safety work up from 5gn below if you have enough powder capacity)

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
The 300 gr. Woodleigh is one of my favorite bullets and I like to open the magazine box and the throat to accept that bullet seated .338 into the case with a magazine and throat to match it...

Would it make sense to lengthen the throat in my old Sako Finnbear? What does that generally cost?

Though the Sako has a long action and magazine, I can't get much in the way of velocity from Woodleigh 300gr SPs because I have to seat the bullets so deep they are taking up powder space. I don't normally use bullets below 250 grains but recently got some 225gr Woodleigh Hydrostatic monos and suspect the throat is a bit short for them, too. Though I measured only .327" dia. ahead of their driving bands, they seem to touch the rifling too soon, with either the cleaning-rod or bullet smoking methods of checking freebore, causing me to seat deeply with them, too. This reduces powder capacity with AR2209 to about 63 grains - back in .30/06 territory.

Even if the bullet is theoretically not engaging the rifling with .327" diameter, if seated out any farther there is a tendency for it to be gripped and for the round to become longer if removed unfired.

Hi Sambarman

Many gunsmiths will have the throating reamer needed to lengthen the throat. I would think the cost would be around $200. If you supply a dummy round with a bullet seated out to your maximum magazine length, they should have no trouble matching that.

I am in Melbourne too, so if you want any recommendations, let me know.

Samabarman - Good advice from Bwana 500. I have had a couple of the old Finnbears and I recall the magazine and action being very long. I'm not certain but think the 270/30,06 mag may have been as long as the 375 H&H mag.

Measure the mag and go from there. Good chance you have at least .250" to play with.

I agree with Ray, if you can gain throat length, its a good thing to do. I wish I would have throated my Ruger's by 025" . I may not have gained velocity. But I would have at least reduced over compressing the powder charge, which would have reduced the extreme spread and standard deviation in the velocity.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I have a ton of Hornady 275 grain bullets, and am hoping to find some Woodleigh 275 grain bullets.

Goal is to see how the 300 and 250 grain Accubonds work in the rifle, and if they feed, fit and shoot that will be my primary North America round.

I'd like to shoot 250-275 grain Swifts or Woodleighs in it for Africa. Since distances will likely be closer.

Never seen Woodleigh's in 275 grain but I have 3 boxes of Woodleigh 300 grain softs and 3 boxes of Woodleigh 300 grain solids on my bullet shelf. To my way of thinking... the .338 really starts to preform when the bullet weight hits 250 grains or more. Not to say a 200 or 225 will not work well. Just that the 250 or larger seems to hit harder at the ranges I shoot.

The 338 Win Mag is doing just fine with a 250 gr Soft Nose and a 210 gr TSX

Pieter

Or 210 or 250 grain NP. Works pretty well with 225 grain Pro Hunters too. 250 grain Swift A Frames will shoot completely through anything smaller than a Rhino. Great caliber, chambered in just about any rifle you can think of.

I love the heavy bullets in the .338, especially for the heavy stuff like Alaskan Brown Bear, Moose, and Africas larger plainsgame.

BUT, never underestimate the wonderful 210 gr. Nosler partition on any game animal, its an awesome bullet..My .338 Long throated rifle shoot the 210 Nosler 3 inches high at 100 and the 300 gr. RN Woodleigh or 275 gr. Speer one inch high at a 100, the best of both worlds..most any .338 will do this IMO or at least so far they have....

I have used the .210 Nosler pretty exclusively for trophy mule deer hunting and bull elk hunts locally, depending on the terrain of course..

The .338 win. is IMO, one of the most useful and performing calibers ever, it rates with the 30-06 in my books as a do it all caliber, actually a tad better, but I hate to say that!

I shot quite a few 300 Woodleighs out of a 24 in barrel, most adv a little less that 2500fps, killed very well...

Ed

I sent 100 old Winchester 300 grn softpoints to my pal in Namibia. Not sure of his load, but he loved them on eland. He also shot a couple big bull girrafes with good success with them. He was very sad when I couldn't find more.

The back 40,
Your buddy lives where 300 gr. Woodleighs are available and some African bullet makers make heavy for caliber bullets in most calibers as far as I know! I like the 300 gr. Woodleigh even a better than the old WW stuff was..