I've been working with a new 338-06, trying to find a good all around type load. Tried 4 powders with the 210 Partition and have 3 of them under 1.25" for 3 shots at 100. 4320 may be the most accurate of the bunch, but 54 gr. only gave a bit over 2600 fps. Big Game and RL-15 both are 2750+ and 1-1.25" accuracy which is about all I can hold with this much recoil(7.5lb rifle with scope and rings). I've yet to check at 200 and 300 yards to see if the groups hold up to hunting accuracy, but right now I think I've found a couple of go to loads. There seems to be several 338-06 users on this forum, I'm curious as to what everyone uses for practice loads. With the 210 Pt. running $40+ per 50 and seemingly never available as 2nds, I'm thinking of getting some 200 Hornady to try out for practice and deer. I've thought about getting a mold and building some heat treated cast bullets for it, but this is the wrong time of year to be melting lead!

I am also a big fan of the 210grNP @ 2750fps in the 338-06. Kills everything w/ authority from deer to elk & large African plainsgame. My goto powder was RL15 now it's H4350 using a compressed load. The vel. is still 2750fps but accuracy is more uniform for me. A great practice bullet that shoots very close to POA w/ the 210grNP is the Speer 200grSP. Cheap & accuracy is quite good.

It won't be off that far from point of impact...

but a good hunting load, or good budget practice load in mine...

200 grain Hornady or Speer..

1. 35 grains of SR 4759...

that will give you an MV of about 2400 fps..

in my rifle you can walk that up to about 5 more grains for another 100 fps...

2. some more easier recoiling loads with the same bullet weight, is using 40 grains of RL7 or either one of the 4198s... work up from 35 grains just to make sure your rifle likes it..

3. a third nice trait is 50 grains of IMR 4064...

the neat thing about this load.. with a 200, 225 or 250 grain bullet.. you are averaging about 2500 fps.. regardless of bullet weight..

it is accurate and also flexible..

although those 210 grain partitions are excellent.. with a 338 bore, the need for a premium bullet is less critical than it is in a smaller bore, to have excellent performance..

I shoot the SR 4759 loads with the 200 grain Sp Hornady a lot.. in fact for nostalgia, come hunting season, I've been known to carry a that load with a few of the old 200 grain FN that Hornady use to make for the old 33 Winchester...

I sure wish that hadn't quit making it.. that is both a fun and quite capable load...

2400 fps in my Model 70 with a 24 inch barrel..

Thanks guys, I'll probably go with the 200 Hornady for a practice load. I sure need to work on field shooting positions with this one, been working with the small bores most of my life and this is a lot more gun

Hello Guys
I to have been shooting a 338-06 this summer.
I have found IMR 4007ssc powder to work real well in my rifle , with 180 and 210 noslers. With the 180s and 59.5 grains I'me getting around 2850 fps. Groups are .60-.75 at 100yrds.
Still working on the 210 loads, but there looking real good so far.
Slenk

quote:

Originally posted by ole_270:
Thanks guys, I'll probably go with the 200 Hornady for a practice load. I sure need to work on field shooting positions with this one, been working with the small bores most of my life and this is a lot more gun

then definitely get use to it by using SR 4759..

you can start out with loads as low as 15 grains of it with no problem and then work your way up as your tolerance for its recoil comes on line...

I'll also agree with Slenk...4007 would be a great burn rate for the 338/06