I just picked up a Browning Abolt in 338 RUM. I think this will make a great long range big game rifle. I'm planning on shooting either the 210gr or 225gr Barnes TSX or the Nosler 225gr Accubond. I'm pretty new the the 338 and was wondering what everyone recomends for bullet selection and load data.

thanks

Big case means big bullets for me. A Nosler partition gold (250 grn.) will open for smaller game and penetrate for bigger. As for long range hunting 250 Sierra GK. For long range target shooting then 250 Lapua Scenar or Sierra 300 MK.

Great round , I have one in 700 ss/syn . I love it. For hunting I load 210 and 250 Partion's, H1000 with the 210's and Retumbo for the 250's. With a Max charge of H1000 the 210 partion's average 3170 fps with the chrono 15-20 ft from the muzzle. With 250 Partion's and Retumbo I worked up to 1 gr under max no signs of pressure but when I chrono'd it , it was shooting 3065. That seemed a little quick to me so I settled on 2grs. under Max that chrono'd 3004. The only game I've shot with it was a Whitetail that dressed a bit over 200 lbs. with a 210

to continue, dang thing posted before I was done . I have found the Ultras (300 and 338) very easy to get up to speed with Retumbo.I just picked up some 225 Accubonds to play with too. Good luck hope you enjoy your's as much as I do mine . KHH

I have a 700, I have used the 225 TSX and gotten them under .600. I tried both Retumbo and H1000 and found the H1000 to group better and no difference in velocity. When I load for the 275 A- Frame then Retumbo really comes alive. I have killed 2 elk and quite a few deer with it. One of the elk was at 510 yards....

There seem to be a lot of anti-RUM folks around here but I really love mine and the harsh recoil is merely a myth it just takes a little getting used to.

IV

Thebear
I don't have a 338 RUM but it's on my list. I do have a 338 Laupa that is verey close to the RUM balisticly. I would recomend a modern bullet for these modern rounds. The nosler partion was a grwat cutting edge design 40 years ago. They were the only controled expansion bullets at that time but they have been passed buy by the new monolithic bullets.
like Barns TSX.

The partition will lose around 30% of it weight when penatrating a tough target. A 250gr partition will usually weigh 175gr after the shoot.

A barnes 225 TSX will usually weigh 225gr after the shot, or if you really want a 250gr 338 bullet Barnes just added one to the TSX line.

I would sugest that you also look at the new barns MXR which is a X bullet which features a heavier-than lead tungsten core in its base along with a Delrin tip. Which results in a higher C and better long range preformace. Sound like it's made for the RUM and the Laupa.

I'm going to leave the classic ammunition and rifles for those that enjoy them. I can understand nostalgia I still have a 1950 Jeep that I learn how to drive in, but I don't depend on it every transportation.

He who moves not forward goes backward! A capital saying!

Dr B

So far I have only used one load out of it. 103gr of Retumbo with 225gr Accubond. This load clocks right at 3140fps out of my friends Rem 700. I got a limbsaver recoil pad and had a muzzle break installed. It weighs right at 8 1/2 lbs. I'm looking forward to trying it out on moose next week. We have a late cow season and a recent break in the weather will be nice, -20 gets cold quick.

Another good bullet is the Northfork. I use the 225 grain Northfork in my 330 Dakota (.338 caliber) at MV=3050fps. It is very accurate.

Nice looking rig, Thebear! Good luck with the moose. My dad has had good luck with the 225 AB in his 338 RUM.

In my 338 RUM I shoot the Nosler, Speer, Swift,
Serria, and Hornady Bullets. I shoot them all at Max and under volosity. I've checked these bullets out to make sure they wouldn't come apart at High FPS.

RL-25 with the 225gr and lighter, Retumbo with the 225gr and heavier.
Retumbo easily produces 3000+ with the 250 Nosler and 3150+ with the 225 grain bulllets. Accuracy is usually under MOA.

Rl-25 is good for 3150+ with 225 grainers. RL-25 velocity variation is near zip (with this bullet wieght), but I have noticed substantial variations from lot to lot. Accuracy is usually outstanding with most guns (I have tested) holding around 2.5 inches at 300 yards.

I don't know what happens to group size when the temperature changes but I am willing to bet the Rl-25 load opens up while the Retumbo is fairly stable. I shot one test target last winter (-2F heavy snow falling) with 25 rounds loaded with (conventional) 225gr X bullets and from 96 to 100grains of Retumbo (5 each). The total group measured under two inches.

Good luck with your new toy!

Jamie

Try the North Fork .338 bullets in 225 and 240 grains, very accurate and tough bullets. The Barnes 225 grain TSX also should be given a chance. I don't shoot the RUM but have shot the .338 Win, Lapua and .340 Wby for years. Good shooting.

In fps I get with my RUM is With the 200 gr bullet it goes 3200 fps with Max load of RL25.
With my 225 gr bullets it goes 3150 with max load of RL25. With the Nosler 250gr bullet it goes 3058 fps with max load of RL25. The 180 gr bullets go 3200 fps with max load of RL25.I just had this rifle's action bedded and shot the 250 rounds to check volosity and all rounds went into the same bullet hole

I used Barnes 225gr X-bullets purchased from Midway as bulk bullets. They were very accurate with RL-25, chronoed around 2985 fps consistantly. Groups were .62 or less, depending on me and how much I shot that day. I used my 700 Remington in Namibia this past August and everything went well. Shot a steinbuck at 25 yards and it didn't blow the animal apart. Shot kudu and gemsbok and the bullet performed perfectly. Recovered bullets from gemsbok at 212 gr and 224.8 gr. First gemsbok ran 20 yards and dumped, 2nd gemsbok ran 60 yards and went down. Used same rifle on springbok at 350 yards hit the neck(I was actually aiming there by the way) and it disappeared so fast I though I missed. Got complete pass throughs on mountain zebra. It's good that you got a Sims recoil pad, it does help. If you are using Barnes or other "super" premium bullet I don't think it would be necessary to go with a 250 gr bullet ever. I'm going with a little lighter bullet from now on if I'm using a Barnes. If the bullet holds together and you put it in the right place I think the performance would impress most people. I have some copper fouling, but it hasn't affected my accuracey and I've got easily 500 plus rounds of the Midway bulk bullets through my gun. I just have to scrub a little bit, for me the bullet performance is worth the extra effort. The fowling may affect the smaller bore rifles more so than the large and medium bore. My experience is the same with the 35 Whelen and the 375 H&H.