Perhaps I should have posted this in reloading but there seems to be a following of the cartridge here. Could you share your experiences with different powders. That way I can develop a short list and go shopping. I'm expecting to get this rifle shortly from the Smith. It's been a project in the making for four plus years, picking up a part here and there along the way and finally dropping it off to be completed. It's been so long I wasn't sure I'd ever get it done.

Hey ! How about some details here ? whats the action, ? barrel ? stock ?
I read that the same powders that work well with the 30,06 work with the .338,06. IMR-4350 and IMR-4064 would be a good place to start...tj3006

TJ, it's a MRC/Lilja barreled action. I purchased a English blank from Dressels. I had the barrel installed with thoughts of doing the stock myself. I had a pattern in the works and was going to get the blank duplicated. Then I tore my tfcc (wrist ligamnet of sorts) and had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands. I said the heck with it and dropped it off at a local Smith named Arnold Erhardt sp? and he made the stock for me from the blank. I got a peek at the stock with a sealer coat and I'm very happy with it. Way better than I could have done. I was a little worried about the blank, it is probably plain to some people but I like the less is more look. I was worried there wouldn't be much figure in the bottom portion of the butt but it turned out well.

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
Perhaps I should have posted this in reloading but there seems to be a following of the cartridge here. Could you share your experiences with different powders. That way I can develop a short list and go shopping. I'm expecting to get this rifle shortly from the Smith. It's been a project in the making for four plus years, picking up a part here and there along the way and finally dropping it off to be completed. It's been so long I wasn't sure I'd ever get it done.

The one that I've had the most consistent results with is RL19.

here's a few loads to mull over

275 Speer SS IMR IMR-7828 58.0 2,231
275 Speer SS Winchester W-785 58.0 2,192
275 Speer SS Hodgdon H-450 58.0 2,184
275 Speer SS Hodgdon H-4831 58.0 2,304
275 Speer SS Hodgdon H-4831 59.0 2,348
275 Speer SS Norma MRP 58.0 2,421
275 Speer SS Norma MRP 59.0 2,469
275 Speer SS IMR IMR-4831 56.0 2,328
250 Hornady RN IMR IMR-7828 61.0 2,278
250 Hornady RN Winchester W-785 61.0 2,232
250 Hornady RN Hodgdon H-4831 61.0 2,408
250 Hornady RN Norma MRP 65.0 2,532
250 Hornady RN Hodgdon H-4350 61.0 2,534
250 Hornady RN IMR IMR-4831 61.0 2,541
250 Hornady RN Norma N-204 61.0 2,645
250 Hornady RN Winchester W-760 60.0 2,569
250 Hornady RN Hodgdon H-414 60.0 2,583
250 Hornady RN IMR IMR-4350 59.0 2,610
250 Nosler P Norma MRP 64.0 2,551
250 Nosler P Hodgdon H-4350 60.0 2,569
250 Nosler P Norma N-204 59.0 2,632
250 Nosler P Winchester W-760 59.0 2,541
225 Hornady SP Norma N-204 62.0 2,723
225 Hornady SP IMR IMR-4350 61.0 2,710
225 Hornady SP IMR IMR-4320 54.0 2,681
210 Nosler P Norma N-204 64.0 2,825
210 Nosler P Hodgdon H-414 62.0 2,807
210 Nosler P IMR IMR-4350 62.0 2,829
200 Speer SP Hodgdon H-4350 61.0 2,610
200 Speer SP Hodgdon H-4350 65.0 2,730
200 Speer SP IMR IMR-4831 61.0 2,655
200 Speer SP IMR IMR-4831 65.0 2,775
200 Speer SP Winchester W-760 60.0 2,680
200 Speer SP Winchester W-760 61.0 2,693
200 Speer SP Norma N-204 61.0 2,705
200 Speer SP Norma N-204 64.0 2,819
200 Speer SP Hodgdon H-414 61.0 2,743
200 Speer SP Hodgdon H-414 63.0 2,802
200 Speer SP IMR IMR-4350 61.0 2,752
200 Speer SP IMR IMR-4350 63.0 2,817
200 Speer SP IMR IMR-4320 55.0 2,774

Wow.

Jaywalker

I can send you my spreadsheet with data I have collected just remember to reduce all loads by 10% and work up as some are over max in my rifle.

quote:

IMR-4350 and IMR-4064 would be a good place to start...tj3006

That's exactly what I used.

Unfortunately, I recently moved, and my stuff/notes are still packed away somewhere.

One thing I did notice, at least in my gun, was that the faster (closer to max loads) it shot, the better it shot.

Take Rob1SG up on his offer!

He sent it to me a few years back. Quite extensive, and gives you info on LOTS of options to try....

I have a 338 wildcat so close to the -06 version that I'll recomend Rel15 and IMR4350 that work very well for me. At the velocity you'll be shooting I can also recomend the 200gr nosler BT. This bullet has really impressed me the last couple of years in testing it but I was leary about using it on game until a couple weeks ago when I put one clean through a black bear. They are nothing like the small caliber BT's.

Well I hope that helps. And remember, there are no bad calibers that start with .338.

I did a LOT of reading/research before building the one I had, and IMR 4320 was a choice powder.

414 did not give ME the velocities I wanted.

200/2909
210/2790
225/2670

all with 4320 and .5 MOA the norm, with 6x42

According to the very thorough Ken Waters article in Handloader #126 March\April 1987, WW 748 and 760 are the overall best.

"Despite IMR-4320's fine performance with 200 and 225 grain bullets, and IMR-4350's win with the heavyweights, W-760 and W-748 stand out as the best candidates for the title of all-around powders."

"There is no need for bullets heavier than 250 grains in a 338-06. Better leave those of 275 and over for the magnums."

It is a bit dated as RL15 and VihtaVuori N550 as well as H-414 and Varget are not listed. They all worked well for me.

I just shot mine again, it is a two inch rifle with 210 nP and 4064 or H414. My best has been Ramshot Big Game with a 210 TSX, way under an inch and 2800 fps. Looks like Vapodog has all the info you need. His shows a bit more velocity with the same loads than mine, but that's nothing unusual, different rifle, chrono., etc.

I am sure MANY powders work well, but 4320 as you said does well with 200-225, I would seriously look at 4064 with 180 and 200, and for 250s, 4350 would be likely better and I hear 414 does a very good job, I just did not have the load density or accuracy nor velocity with the loads I shot with 215/225,

I stand corrected on my above post, I was shooting 215's at 2790, not 210's, not that it is much different.

The 200 ballistic tip at 2900 is amazing for deer, look at down range performance. Perhaps a 300 mag/wsm would equal or better way out there.

Rob1SG, that would be appreciated.

I'm seeing a pattern on some of the powders and that is what I was looking for. I also see quite a range of choices also. I haven't loaded for a lot of rounds that liked anything faster than H4350, most of my loading has been handled nicely with H4831, R22 and a few others. I'll go thru all the suggestions and narrow it down to three powders or so. I'd hate to have to use too much of the stuff that it doesn't like for fertilizer.

The heavy .338-caliber bullets are great for close shots. In fact, you can go up to 300-grain bullets for close range shots where you want maximum punch and penetration. That's the principle used in the design of the .338 Sabi, which is the African version of the .338-06.

An excellent all around bullet for the .338-06 is the 210-grain Partition, but i would imagine that a 185-grain Triple-Shock should work very well.

I narrowed down the 200 ballistic tip for deer, and the 225 partition for elk. The 210 PT is a great bullet I hear, but there was only 1-2" more drop at 400 and the energy was obviously greater, but a good bit better trajectory than the 250's.

I truly feel the 200 is a 400 or better deer round and the 225 to about the same on Elk.

The 200 really put the hurt on a few deer I took with it. Spoke with someone reputable, used a 338-06 w/225PT on elk, about 385 yds or so, off shoulder and stopped just under hide, dead real quick......

I am looking at the 338 Federal to replace it for my needs and using the 200 Hornady (less costs, and close to ballistic tip performance within the range I will use it).

quote:

Originally posted by Rob1SG:
I can send you my spreadsheet with data I have collected just remember to reduce all loads by 10% and work up as some are over max in my rifle.

Real good advice. I've got a .338-06 with a real short box, and have to keep the OAL a touch below SAAMI Spec. As a result, the one max load I tried showed some signs of pressure.

Dean

Had Remington introduced the 338-06 back when they came out with the 35 Whelen noone would know what a whelen was.....Someone would comment on the 35 Whelen and everyone would go...."What's that?"

The 338-06 is everythjing the Whelen was supposed to be when Remington bought it to us.

I'm hoping the 210 NP's shoot but I'm not real picky about the bullet, anything between that and the 250 including Hornady bullets will make me happy. The TSX will certainly get a shot as I've had such good luck with them too. I never thought I'd buy another Barnes bullet but gave in and tried them and they shot very well in my .270.

I DID try Hornady 225's, accurate, but there were some that had separation of core in the backstop, but worse was the Sierra 215, though in fairness-I hear the 250 Sierra is one tough bullet. My thought, just use a 225 partition (x or other premium might be equally good) and have the best combo of trajectory and on target energy. Just my .02

Mine likes Varget and either the 200 Hornady SP or the 210 Partition.

Dempsey, I,ve been shooting a 338/06 for over ten years and it's one grear round. I've killed 10 of the large African antelope and two elk with it using the Barnes 200gr X bullet. I've also shot a moose with it in WY with a a 210 Nosles par and a few deer with 200gr Hornady's. I also shot two reindeer with the 180 nosler BT.
The new Barnes 210 TS may be the best single bullet to use in 338/06 if it shoots well. The next best may be a 225 TS or the 210 nosler part. My mail load has been 58gr of IMR 4064 with the 200gr X bullet @ 2,820 from a 22 inch barrel. This load shoots well under an inch in my gun. I will have to try the new 210 TS as the 200gr X's have been discontinued. Good luck with your rifle, you will love it

My .338-06 has been doing well for me now about 10 years as well. I have taken game from Duiker to elk & Zebra. My go to bullet is the 210grNP @ 2750fps. Best accuracy is w/ RL15, IMR4320 & H4350. The rifle is als0 very accurate w/ any 250gr bullet I have tried @ about 2450fps. H4350 & RL19 are best under the 250gr. Sadly it won't shoot any 225gr load well.
This is a great round for general big game hunting just about anywhere. You can make it into a comfortable 8# rifle & not have it bash you to death. IMO, hits much harder than an 06 & flat shooting enough w/ lighter bullets to reach 350yds w/o any real problems.

I have mostly used Rel 15 and Varget with 200gr Hornady's, 210gr NP's and 210gr Barnes TSX.

Rel 15 approx 56gr 2725 Horn 200gr SP
Rel 15 approx 56gr 2730 Nosler 210gr Par
Varget approx 56.5gr 2850 Barnes 210gr TSX
Those powder charges are off the top of my head.
the Varget load is max in my rifle.

I played around with some 230gr Failsafe and some 180gr Nosler BT's (discontinued) but I would have to look that info up.

I just picked up some:
180gr Nosler AB's
275gr Speer semi-spitzers
225gr Winchester PP
250gr Hornady RN
250gr Hornady FMJ
Plan on working with the 338-06's alot this summer and playing with different powders etc.

I currently own three 338-06's.
Model 700- 22" Pacnor barrel- Mcmillan stock
Model 7600 pump rebored to 338 caliber
03A3 Springfield- 23.5" Pacnor- with walnut monte carlo stock

quote:

Had Remington introduced the 338-06 back when they came out with the 35 Whelen noone would know what a whelen was.....Someone would comment on the 35 Whelen and everyone would go...."What's that?"

The 338-06 is everything the Whelen was supposed to be when Remington bought it to us.

I agree 100% with that statement, although it may be fightin words to the Whelen fans.

I think Remington made a huge mistake by not introducing it. They would've had serious competition for the 338WM.

I look at the 338-06 vs the 338WM the exact same way I look at the 30-06 vs the 300WM.

SD-very well said, you may wanna give H4350 a go with the 200 weight and heavier slugs. It is really perking in my OKH.

I also tend to look at the OKH vs the WM about like I do the 308 vs the 06.

Mark D

I like 60-61gr of N-550 and Big Game with 210 and 225s.

Most of this post was done while I was gone, out shooting Sage Rats this past weekend ( and thursday and Friday)....

a lot of powders work in the 338/06, but I still have preference for H 380 and W 748.... both are the cross between great accuracy and great velocity...

Contrary to the slower powders that are commonly suggested with this wildcat, with its large opening on the brass ( 338) and its bore capacity, it is almost exactly like the 8 mm Mauser, which is a large version of the 223...

Powders that work well in a 223, will also work well in a 338/06....

We are all programmed to use slower powders, because of lower potential for overpressuring our loads ( to make lawyers happier) and to use more powder ( making powder vendors happier)....

I like to load up the 338/06 at times to go retro and meet the specs of a 33 Winchester...

SR 4759 works great for that application...
200, 225 or 250 grain bullet in the neighborhood of 30/30 speeds....works better than many people think, will definitely do the job on anything within 200 yds ( okay, people always argue everything with " what about big bears?" so don't use it on them, to make them happier)

I LOVE my 338/06... would never be without one!

cheers
seafire

quote:

I will have to try the new 210 TS as the 200gr X's have been discontinued.

Donato,

You can still buy the 200 X bullets directly from Barnes for $30 a box. Spend more than $50 and they ship for free. I just bought 5 boxes. Here's the link:

http://www.theextremehunter.com/site/448423/product/X-33882

quote:

I can also recomend the 200gr nosler BT

Sorry I forgot they don't make 'em anymore. The Accubond should be good though.

Dempsey,
I snet you a PM but it wasn't answered about the spreadsheet. If you still want it my e-mail is rob1sg@aol.com

Does anyone have any data on the Hornady 225 gr Interbond in the 338/06? I will trade a box of Barnes 338 185 gr XLC bullets or Barnes 200 gr X bullets for a box of the Hornady 225 gr Interbonds if anyone is interested.

Doug,
Can't give you anything on the interbond but I have used the Accubond in 225 with IMR 4320, 52 gr. chrono'd 2713 fps in my 24" bbl. Please remember to reduce this load by 10% and work up as always

Rob1SG

Thanks, must have not made it thru. I'll email you when I get home, at work now.

Thanks for the info Rob.

For a 338.06 using 225gr bullets in a standard lenght action,3.340", to fill the case you want a powder that is four grains slower than 4064 and two grains faster than 4350.Or a powder that can be used at the top of it's sweet zone,4320 is such a powder.Neither Varget or 4064 worked for me at higher velocities such as 2550+

quote:

Originally posted by downwindtracker2:
For a 338.06 using 225gr bullets in a standard lenght action,3.340", to fill the case you want a powder that is four grains slower than 4064 and two grains faster than 4350.Or a powder that can be used at the top of it's sweet zone,4320 is such a powder.Neither Varget or 4064 worked for me at higher velocities such as 2550+

Have you checked the Nosler 5th Edition Reloading Guide for 338-06 A-Square Load Data for 225/230gr partition & ct fail safe respectively:RL 15 Max 50.5=2570fps;IMR4320(most accurate powder tested)45.5 2321fps;IMR 4064 Max 50.5 2532fps;IMR 4350 54 2396fps; H414 Max 60.0 2595fps & AA3100 53 2242fps all of these are the most accurate charges of powder for these bullet weights using Win LR Primer.I've learned Nosler loads are accurate in my 06's,300wm,45lc,454casull,etc.

Yes,but I'm not sure those are pressure tested results. The 338.06 A-Square is rated at 64,000PSI,magnum territory. When Guns and Ammo did an article on the cartridge they used a strain gage,they suggested 2650 for a 225gr bullet.This is consistant with Accurate's 2620 at 55,900PSI with their 4350. Hard data for the cartridge is very limited.Hodgdons list 2700+ but their drawning is of a A.I. case.? How else do they get 64gr in a 30.06 case? I found with compressed loads,760,IMR4350,and H4350, my velocities dropped even with magnum primers and roomier Winchester cases.
I ended up using Big Game at 2620 with my 22" barrel.N-550 behaved very well up to that point as well.Velocities and charges will vary with lot #s,rifle bore,freebore and chambering.
This might be a case for A.I. ,not for velocity,just powder flexablity.

Rob1SG, thanks for the data and thanks to everyone for the good info and discussion. I should be picking up the rifle in a month and look forward to getting it rolling.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Does anyone have any data on the Hornady 225 gr Interbond in the 338/06? I will trade a box of Barnes 338 185 gr XLC bullets for a box of the Hornady 225 gr Interbonds if anyone is interested.

The Hornaday 6th edition reloading guide lists loads for the 338-06 using 225gr super shock tip and spire point and no loads using inter bond are listed for the 338 win mag.they were listed for handguns and some rifles .