Last November I had a complete shoulder replacement and would like to use reduced loads for my 338 Winchester model 70. I have plenty of 250 grain Nosler partition ammunition but the surgeon said to avoid using that except in emergency and that's exactly what I want it for since I spend a bunch of time in winter on trails with sometimes angry moose and always in grizzly country. I have used one or another 338 Winchester Magnum's for 30 years and although I don't anticipate shooting it very much on a regular basis but I do like to carry it in case I really need it. With significantly reduced loads as well as a good shoulder pad and recoil pad I'm sure that I'll be able to shoot the rifle just to stay familiar with it.

After months of watching and waiting, I finally located and purchased a couple of pounds of IMR 4895. I called Hodgdon and got the data for reduced loads using Hodgdon 4895 for the 338 Winchester Magnum but was told that IMR 4895 cannot be used for reduced loads. Hodgdon 4895 according to the tech is suitable for reduced loads all the way down 60% of Max loads and I would like to start with something that would get muzzle velocity for 225 grains down to about 2000 ft./s to see how my shoulder likes it when I'm using a good shoulder pad and a recoil pad on the rifle. (I like my hearing the way it is and using ear protection in emergency or wearing them continuously given the weather conditions here is just not feasible. Shooting left-handed is a very short-term solution since that shoulder needs replacement also.)

I had resigned myself to waiting until I found Hodgdon 4895 but I'm beginning to wonder how different the powders really are for making up reduced loads. When I did searches on the Internet apparently this is a question that is not settled principally because Hogdon has not tested the safety of IMR 4895 with reduced loads. I am not interested in being the test object myself but I'm puzzled since people who do know powders claim that the two are very nearly identical and differ principally in color.

Has anybody here had experience with reduced loads using IMR 4895 with a 338 Winchester Magnum?

I would NOT use IMR4895 with significant reduced loads, just as the Hodgdon tech stated.
H4895 is formulated specifically for this use.
Just because the numbers are identical does not mean the powders will behave similarly. I have used H4895/2206H here in Australia, where it's manufactured, and it does what is claimed.

I have had the same surgery as you and I don't have any problems firing my 338, 375, 416 or 505 cal rifles, a good recoil pad goes a long way to dampening stiff recoil to managable levels.

Cheers.

If all you want is 2000 fps there are better powders than H4895 for reduced recoil. I use BlueDot with 200s at around 2400 fps with low recoil and good accuracy - and safety. H4895 is a good powder but even SR4759 is a better choice for the OP's velocity window.


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SR4759 is the easy way to load midrange and cast bullet loads and keep the case full at the same time. Naturally they quit making it, since those that should have been buying it, weren't.

I found this: https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4...%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

looks like 35.4 gr of H4895 is where to start with a 225 gr bullet.

Load Data Members
Selected Metallic Loads
.338 Winchester Magnum (Reduced Recoil Loads) Reloading Data
Printable Version
Load Image
Warning! Notes: Source: Handloader Issue #258 - February/March, 2009
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
225 Hornady SST IMR IMR-4064 56.0 2418
Remarks: 100-yard group (inches): .71
225 Hornady SST IMR IMR-4350 57.5 2107
Remarks: 100-yard group (inches): .60
225 Hornady InterLock IMR SR-4759 31.0 1863
Remarks: 100-yard group (inches): .31

Read more: http://www.loaddata.com/member...20Data#ixzz36eLdA8gK

For angry bear that need to be stopped at close range the last thing I would worry about is my shoulder, a shot or two is unlikely to injure it and if it does it can be fixed..Its hard to fix being et by a bear! Go with full power loads for that.

Thanks for all the advice. I feel like I've hit the jackpot at this forum since I've been asking various people who tried to be helpful, but I had not really gotten direct answers to my questions. Most importantly, I was amazed to learn from 416RigbyHunter who actually had shoulder replacement therapy that he was able to fire heavy recoiling rifles. (I do have a really good recoil pad on the rifles.) I had not encountered a single other person on the various hunting forums who actually had full shoulder replacement.
The surgeon who did the repair at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota had told me I could shoot a centerfire okay but I don't think he was familiar with firearms and had only heard the question very recently. As 416RigbyHunter knows, one doesn't want to have to repair that surgery! I won't be firing any 416s but it will sure be great to be able to use the 338's. Even though it recoils harder than the autoloader Browning, I'll start by using the Winchester model 70 bolt action and using 4064 and 225 grain bullets to do downloads until I get more confidence. I prefer the Browning and when I get used to the idea of shooting the full loads that the BAR requires I'll carry it.
I do appreciate the advice about killing the bear rather than let him tear the shit out of me and I had one really scary experience that ended well (but led to the immediate purchase of the autoloader Browning 338) so I agree completely with that view.