I have been actively fighting an FN .338-06 for a while now, it just plain wouldn't go under 2 inches with a lot of lateral dispersion with 210 Noslers. I tried 4064 and H414, both were so bad I even bought another set of scope mounts which was a waste of money. The scope had just come off another rifle, so I was fairly sure it was OK, although this made me think a parallax problem was a possibility. I've had great results with Big Game in a 9.3x62 as has everyone I've visited with, so thought I'd try it. I originally had the idea I could use as much as I do in the 9,3x62 with a 286 NF, but stopped at 63 grains and just under 2800 fps. This was a big change, consistent triangle groups in the 1.25 in. range, not great but compared to 2.5 a hell of a nice change. Since it looked like a powder that would work, I dug out some Barnes TSX's in 210 grain, lowered the charge one grain, another one I lowered 2 grains and tried them. The two shots with a grain difference in powder slipped into one hole at 100. This morning I loaded 6 more with 62 grains and hoped like hell this wasn't a fluke. I shot another 4 shots with the 210 partition and BG went into 1.220 center to center, which was all I had loaded with the NP's. This was about typical performance, certainly not bad, but this was a rifle that was bedded, floated Douglas barrel. My next two 3-shot groups with the 210 TSX were .402 and .332 in. one-holers! Looks like this will work. I have a feeling the rifle needs a longer bullet, I had already bought some 225's and 250's, but like the 210's for general use.

I've got a 24" Lilja barreled M70 in .338-06 wish I could recall the twist rate. Anyway....210's didin't shoot well for me but the 225's and 250's DID. Especially 250 NP's. My 100 yd groups barely opened up at 200 yds.

FN in MT

My .338-06 has been very picky about what it likes to shoot. I have really good results w/ the 210grNP w/ RL15 but lately H4350 is giving me rounder groups w/ fewer flyers. Various 250gr bullets are all good shooters over RL19 or H4350. Now when it comes to 225gr pills, I can't get them to shoot much better than 2moa. I have gotten several good groups from 225gr Hornady's but I have to drop vel. down to 2500fps or so, might as well shoot the 250gr @ that speed.
It sounds like you have found that magic load, so now you are set.

RL15 was the next powder I was going to try after the Big Game. The only reason I tried the BG first was I had just loaded some 9.3x62's so it was already in the powder measure to throw 65 grains, so it took very little adjustment. A couple of people have told me RL15 is the powder for the .338-06, it certainly is good in the .375, 9.3x62, I even get great results in my Mod 94 .30-30.

Boy,do I have an answer for you,Yes.FN/Shilen,that's important because others who use the long actions like M-700 and post '64 M-70 can simply seat long and use a 4350.I have used Big Game with 225Hornadys, a match,nice full case,very lineral powder.With the 210 I got a great load with N-550,no chrony data,though.Ussually Partions don't group for me! The lots of N-550 I used for the 225s started opening their extreme spread at 2620 and 2640 respectively,(60 or 61 gr)Hope this helps.

I will have to get some and give it a try....

The stories you gentlemen are telling us about your 338/06, make me need to appreciate mine a lot more....

I haven't gotten bad groups out of mine with any powder bullet, combo YET...

I haven't tried TSXs, only some partitions, Sierras and Speers, and Hornady's bullet weights in 338, along with 200 grain ballistic tips...

MY powder of preference for accuracy and velocity has been H 380, followed by W 748... and as a standby, IMR 4064 because 50 grains of it, gives 2500 fps, regardless of bullet weight....

I also download it to the old 33 Winchester standards with SR 4759... and IMR 4198....for about 2250 fps....when I am feeling nostalgic...

Personally I love mine, it is a Winchester Model 70 with a 270 barrel that bored out to 338/06 when it was new...with a Boyd's Laminate Stock on it....and a 2 x7 Leupold Shotgun scope...

I am going to go shine it a bit and show it some appreciation now that I know your guy's 338/06 aren't as accomodating as mine is...

cheers
seafire

The only bullets I've had problems with are the Barnes 210gr XLC. They shot consistent as heck with all powder charges. Right around 6-8" groups.

I also played around with some 230gr Failsafes that a friend gave me to try.

I have had real good luck with Barnes 210gr TSX's, Nosler 210gr Partitions, Hornady 200gr SP, Nosler 180gr BT's (no longer made).

I have used Rel 15, Varget, and some IMR 4064 with good success.

I don't have any 225's on the reloading bench, but I am planning on working up some loads with the 180gr accubonds, 250gr Speer Grand Slams, 250gr Partition Golds I picked up on sale from Midway and some Speer 275gr semi spitzers this summer.

I have 2, 338-06AIs, one has a 24" barrel and shoots very well with IMR4350 and 210gr partitions and 200gr Hornadys...the other rifle has a 19" barrel and prefers IMR4064 with the same bullets...

Zeeriverrat