What powder do you guys like to use in your 338s? And what temps do you normally hunt/shoot in? I'd like to use one powder for the 225 Barnes from zero to 90 degrees w/o being slower than 2900. Is it possible? thanks.

I like H-4831 behind the 250gr. Nosler. I have used it in Alberta in the fall (below freezing) for Moose and Black Bear, Alaska for Caribou and Zimbabwe in October (100 degrees) as a light rifle on a Buffalo hunt that I used on Kudu, Warthog and Baboon. Never had any problem with temperatures that I know of, but then never chronoed the load after initial development. The velocity swing would have to be tremendous to have any noticeable affect at normal hunting ranges.

RL22.

A bit higher muzzle speed using Re22 with 265gr AB LR (0.732 G1 b.c.) compared to Re19 which provides better accuracy at 2600 fps muzzle speed from my .338 WM Ruger Hawkeye.

https://shop.nosler.com/accubo...in-bullet-100ct.html

I use H=4831sc with 225 Gr. Hornady and Nosler Partition bullets. Velocity runs around 2,800 fps with the book max load.

My favorite powder for the .338 with 250 gr bullets used to be H450, it worked so well but was discontinued. Later on I started using Re22 and that is what I am using now. Lately I have been playing with Re23 in my .270 and if it behaves as well in the .338 I expect that is what I will be using in the future.
C.G.B.

Wow, talking 338 Win Mag! Sweet.

35 years ago everything was 250NP and IMR 4350. Yes, it worked, even on buffalo. But I regress.

I've loaded for three 338's in the past decade or so. My favorite powder has been Rel 17 with the 225 grain TTSX.

However, the different rifles had slightly different chamber sizes that would show up when measuring case head expansion just above the belt. I tended to aim at 2825-2850 fps. The tighter chambers liked 69.0-69.5 Rel-17 and the larger chambers liked 70.0 to 71.0. It is a stunning plains game load. We have not recovered a bullet this decade.

Here is an impact on the lower half of a hartebeest heart:



275 yards lasered, 3/4 frontal presentation, impact inside the front of the animal's left shoulder and out the far right ribs. The animal did a drunk walk for about a 30 yard circle.

For Africa it is hard to ask for a friendlier plains game load. You can take that to the freezer.

My load is with a 225 grain Sierra and uses over 70 grains of IMR4350 which was not a max load in my rifle but a very accurate load. My 21" barrel averages 2845 fps with this combo.
I shoot it from sub zero temps to mid 90 degree temps and never had any issues with point of impact, hang fire, over pressure or whatever.
I shoot this load in Colorado and took it on a plains game hunt a few years ago. Works flawlessly wherever I take it.

225 Hornady Spire Point, 73.5 gr Reloader 19. Roughly 2800 fps and very accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Knight:
What powder do you guys like to use in your 338s? And what temps do you normally hunt/shoot in? I'd like to use one powder for the 225 Barnes from zero to 90 degrees w/o being slower than 2900. Is it possible? thanks.

225-250g anything(except cast) over a case full of IMR 4831

I've used IMR 4350 with various 225 grain Barnes bullets. I've used this powder for 5 different 338 WMs. Velocity in my last remaining 338 WMs is 2776 fps for my 24 inch Vanguard and 2848 fps in my Model 700 with 26 inch McGowan barrel.

I live and hunt in Alaska. So, the temperatures I hunt in aren't very hot. IMR 4350 is a single base propellent and in my experience has pretty good tolerance to temperature sensitivity. Brian Litz gave the following rule of thumb for powder temperature sensitivity:

Good double base powders-1 fps per degree farenheit
Average single base powders-0.3-0.5 fps per degree farenheit
Best single base powders-0.1-0.2 fps per degree farenheit

https://precisionrifleblog.com...reme-vs-imr-enduron/

Exceptional accuracy with R19, NP 210, 225gr bullets in all two of my rifles.

Handloader magazine listed the following 225gr Nosler Partition data:

225gr Nosler Partition
Winchester brass
RL-19
Start at 74.0grs and work up to 78.0grs
Velocity = 2930 - 2940fps from 24” barrel.

I have hunted with the 338 win mag 32 years it's awesome .I like reloader 19 and 22 but I am going to try imr4350 I heard it's awesome .I used r15 for less recoil but it was not accurate but kicked
Way less. I am 56 now hope I hunt with
The 338 win mag at least 10 more years .

I used old ww2 4831 for years, but old age and laziness turned me to RL-22 and RL-19 simply because velocity was equal and it metered so much easier and accurately with out the cutting one gets from 4831..

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I have hunted with the 338 win mag 32 years it's awesome .I like reloader 19 and 22 but I am going to try imr4350 I heard it's awesome .I used r15 for less recoil but it was not accurate but kicked
Way less. I am 56 now hope I hunt with
The 338 win mag at least 10 more years .

dgr416, you should be good for more than 10 more years with a 338. Ray, in this thread, is in his 80's and still like the round.

As for powders, it depends on the weight of bullets. If you're going with 225 grain or less, like the 225 TTSX or 185 TTSX, then you will probably find Rel-17 to be both accurate and with top velocity. Rel-16 is newer and will provide almost the same results in a more temperature stable powder, although even R-17 is moderately temp-stable.

I am getting to the point of only being able to shoot 225 grain or less in my 338 win mag ruger. The 250 grain knock the heck out of me in my ruger 77 now .I need just a little more weight to the rifle for the bigger bullets or a muzzle break.The r15 kicks way less because of ten grains less powder but I have not found the right bullet that powder likes. I shot a bunch of deer with 200 grain hornady bullets with r15 but they shot 4 inch groups .My rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups with Winchester power point 200grain factory ammo .i have shot lots of under an inch groups at 200 yards with that rifle with that ammo .

A cup full of RL-19 and a 225 gr Nosler accubond is elk poison..RL-17 will get me another 100FPS, but I have maybe a 400 rounds of 225 gr. Accubonds loaded with RL-19.. and 5 lbs of RL-17 just waiting..

So no one really had cold weather velocity loss with R19?

I shoot RL19 with a 210 Partition. 75 grains gives me 2860 FPS out of my 700 classic and about 1 MOA accuracy. That's one grain below Nosler's max. It doesn't get that cold in Alabama so I can't comment about velocity loss!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Knight:
So no one really had cold weather velocity loss with R19?

Of course they have but they might not know it or care.

For "normal" ranges, for which the 338 is typically used, it probably matters very little.

Maybe try some Reloder 16.

Zeke

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I am getting to the point of only being able to shoot 225 grain or less in my 338 win mag ruger. The 250 grain knock the heck out of me in my ruger 77 now .I need just a little more weight to the rifle for the bigger bullets or a muzzle break.The r15 kicks way less because of ten grains less powder but I have not found the right bullet that powder likes. I shot a bunch of deer with 200 grain hornady bullets with r15 but they shot 4 inch groups .My rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups with Winchester power point 200grain factory ammo .i have shot lots of under an inch groups at 200 yards with that rifle with that ammo .

My comments may be off base, but do go to your concern about recoil. I used to load for my 338WM, but nowadays I shoot factory ammo. When I handload, I’ve been a fan of IMR4350. My 338 is a model 70 that I’ve been shooting for 35 years and I’m a big believer in fiberglass stocks to absorb some of the recoil. I’m partial to Brown Precision stocks, which I have on several rifles. I’ve shot bullet weights from 210-250 and finally settled on 225’s exclusively. The big thing I’ve noticed lately is that the Barnes VorTex ammo with a 225 grain TTSX seems to recoil noticeably less than just about any other load I’ve shot in the past. It’s pretty much become the only load I shoot in my 338 these days. It’s accurate, deadly and quite pleasant to shoot. If recoil is a concern (and you’re willing to shoot factory ammo) you might give it a try.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I am getting to the point of only being able to shoot 225 grain or less in my 338 win mag ruger. The 250 grain knock the heck out of me in my ruger 77 now .I need just a little more weight to the rifle for the bigger bullets or a muzzle break.The r15 kicks way less because of ten grains less powder but I have not found the right bullet that powder likes. I shot a bunch of deer with 200 grain hornady bullets with r15 but they shot 4 inch groups .My rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups with Winchester power point 200grain factory ammo .i have shot lots of under an inch groups at 200 yards with that rifle with that ammo .

My comments may be off base, but do go to your concern about recoil. I used to load for my 338WM, but nowadays I shoot factory ammo. When I handload, I’ve been a fan of IMR4350. My 338 is a model 70 that I’ve been shooting for 35 years and I’m a big believer in fiberglass stocks to absorb some of the recoil. I’m partial to Brown Precision stocks, which I have on several rifles. I’ve shot bullet weights from 210-250 and finally settled on 225’s exclusively. The big thing I’ve noticed lately is that the Barnes VorTex ammo with a 225 grain TTSX seems to recoil noticeably less than just about any other load I’ve shot in the past. It’s pretty much become the only load I shoot in my 338 these days. It’s accurate, deadly and quite pleasant to shoot. If recoil is a concern (and you’re willing to shoot factory ammo) you might give it a try.

Do you know the velocity of the Barnes 225gr VorTex load?

H4831 and a 250 grain partition or Barnes X.

Cold weather velocity loss under the worst of circumstances has no effect of POI or killing effect that I can find..Ive done a lot of testing and found its pretty much a farce someone made up going to extremes that may only exist in the North pole, but if you ask a eskimo about it he will give you a funny look..

I also don't buy that fiberglass stocks reduce recoil, except by weight reduction and that's minor IMO..A light weight piece of French Walnut for instance is said to reduce weight but in all cases its minor at best..Stock design is being cheated by such statements!

Back in 2002, I had a load worked up in a 338wm and the Barnes 185 xlc. It was such a slick bullet that to arrive at any real speed I ended up with a severely compressed load of R19 ( I forget the charge now) 10 days before my December late season cow elk hunt we had a cold front come in with lots of snow. I checked my zero at 10 deg. I had patterns and over 150fps slower speeds. When I pulled the bullets, the R19 had formed a solid cake, had to dig it out with a screwdriver. I ended up using H4350 with the 185 xlcs. Now, it spooked me on R19, though it is my favorite in the 240 Weatherby. I think the fact that it was so compressed, along with the cold temps or in spite of it, was the real culprit.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_TX:

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I am getting to the point of only being able to shoot 225 grain or less in my 338 win mag ruger. The 250 grain knock the heck out of me in my ruger 77 now .I need just a little more weight to the rifle for the bigger bullets or a muzzle break.The r15 kicks way less because of ten grains less powder but I have not found the right bullet that powder likes. I shot a bunch of deer with 200 grain hornady bullets with r15 but they shot 4 inch groups .My rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups with Winchester power point 200grain factory ammo .i have shot lots of under an inch groups at 200 yards with that rifle with that ammo .

My comments may be off base, but do go to your concern about recoil. I used to load for my 338WM, but nowadays I shoot factory ammo. When I handload, I’ve been a fan of IMR4350. My 338 is a model 70 that I’ve been shooting for 35 years and I’m a big believer in fiberglass stocks to absorb some of the recoil. I’m partial to Brown Precision stocks, which I have on several rifles. I’ve shot bullet weights from 210-250 and finally settled on 225’s exclusively. The big thing I’ve noticed lately is that the Barnes VorTex ammo with a 225 grain TTSX seems to recoil noticeably less than just about any other load I’ve shot in the past. It’s pretty much become the only load I shoot in my 338 these days. It’s accurate, deadly and quite pleasant to shoot. If recoil is a concern (and you’re willing to shoot factory ammo) you might give it a try.

Do you know the velocity of the Barnes 225gr VorTex load?

According to Barnes, the velocity of their load is 2,800 FPS. In my rifle, it shoots well and gets great penetration.

Ray, I wouldn’t expect you to believe that a foam filled fiberglass stock absorbs recoil. Kind of a modern concept for you, I get it.

I do believe the shock waves in a stock cab lessen recoil .I have a Winchester model 70 wood stock 416 rem mag . It kicks more than my kevelar stocked 416 which weighs two pounds less. I tried cheap plastic stocks on my 338 they knock your teeth out .A more ridgid stock that fiberglass or kevelar seem to kick less.Its opposite of what it should be but they work .They don't make those for my old ruger 77 so I have to use the wood stock .
I have not loaded any 338 win mag that matches the accuracy of factory ammo yet .My gun is really
Picky but it is super accurate
And never failed me in 32 years .
The 338 win mag to me has way more
Knockdown power than
The 300 win mag .I had both gave my 30pwin mag away .It was not that much
Better than the 3006 to me .

I get 3041 fps with Norma MRP and 210gr Nosler partitions. Very accurate.

Care to share your charge weight?

Also Mr Atkinson- how much R19 did you normally on average use behind a 225?

I love RL 22 as it gives me the best accuracy and velocity with multiple loads in multiple rifles. That being said, it’s very temp sensitive. In very cold temps, ie. 0 and below, you’ll not only experience significant velocity loss, but can also have point of impact shifts. I’ve personally experienced up to four inches at 100 yards.

One easy solution I used last winter was to just keep a few rounds in in an easily accessible inside pocket and only load when ready to shoot.

RL 17 is very temp stable and great in the .338 with light bullets, but I haven’t tried it with anything over 200 grains.

Load was 78.5gr of Norma MRP, 210 Nosler Partition Federal 215 primers, 3.300 OAL win cases. My barrel is fast so keep that in mind.

I like Varget!
225 Barnes TSX has been medicine for elk and African plains game. Sako action, Lilja barrel, and my barrel doesn't do well with the lighter bullets, like 210. Does well with 225 and 250, shooting 3 into MOA with both.
My load has been 3.325" OAL, W-W case, Fed 215 GM primer, 62.0 grains Varget, Barnes 225 TSX. Chrono at avg of 2730. Put 3 shots into 1 1/4" at 200 yards. consistently 3/4" or less at 100. Temperature insensitive, which I like as well.

Not bad results using IMR4064 and Hornady 250gr SP listed in Hornady Handbook No.3. Economical on powder, could be useful as a reduced load for off hand shooting practice. 100 and 200 meter off the bench groups shown.

For many years I've used IMR4350 with 225gr Swifts. I use IMR4831 behind 250gr Swifts.
Used to have a slow twist Browning that liked IMR4064 with Speer HotCore 200gr.

Jim,
My load has always been 75 grs. of RL-19 with any 225 gr. bullet and on occasion 72.3 with 250 gr. bullets, most loads are in excess of 2800 fps give or take 50 fps..

Ive not used 185 gr. bullets in the .338 preferring to use that weight in my 300 or 30-06..

As to powder caking, most powders will do that to one degree or another depending on climate but even in arid Southern Idaho in time..I also use 76 grs of RL-22 with 250 gr. bullets..POwder caking is mostly caused by using a powder that compacts the load to start with, and the longer it sits on the shelf the more compact it becomes, Ive never experienced other than slight, with my R-19 loads. Most powders will cake at least lightly in time on the shelf. Compaction is really not a problem within reason..

I have found below zero weather in an Idaho elk camp will make velocity changes, but they are insignificant from a hunting standpoint and never changed the POI of my riles..Ive shot my 06, 300 H&H, ,404, and my 470 in both 8 degree zero weather and and 105 degrees at my house some years ago..It simply hasn't posed a problem for me, never was more than 76 FPS and that is of no importance under any circumstances that I can imagine..

Could it be that some are blaming a change of zero on the powder charge as opposed to slight stock warpage, natural hunting abuse that occurs for unknown reasons only known by the Red Gods of Huntingdome! How in the course of a hunt can one determine the exact reason of a rifles problem other than the obvious?

Yes DLS I am on the wicked side of old fashion, but being around a long time can be positive in rare cases! But I must take into consideration that your from Kalifornia!