Does anyone have a load that has been accurate with 250-grain bullets in the 338-06 (or 338-06 AI)? People report that IMR 4320 does not group well with 250-grain bullets in this cartridge. Would Reloder 15 be a good one to try, or is it too fast for a 250-grain bullet?

I would try Reloader 22 first, then Reloader 19. Elmer Keith used IMR 4350.

I would try something in the 4350 to RL 19 range with the 250's. RL 15 in the lighter bullets is great.

Thanks, guys; your information was helpful.

BigBrass

Never believe "they say"!! IMR-4320 has always worked great in my 338-06's with the 210 and 250 Noslers as has IMR-4350...You have to try it in YOUR rifle, all rifles are different to one degree or another as to what they will shoot....

I don't shoot the 338-06 anymore, decided the 338 Win would do anything the 338-06 would do and a lot more, on the same action.. I built a number 338-06's over the years and tested them all before they left here and I always liked 4320, as it definately got the highest velocity and good accuracy...

Used the 338-06 for years, stay with IMR 4320 or RL 15 for all your loads. The 250 grain Sierra is perfect as well as the 225 grain for this rifle.

Sierra 250 grain SBT, WLR primer, 58.0 grains W760, Weatherby brass. 3/4 MOA at 200Y. MV 2550 fps in a 24" barrel.

BigBrass, for what it's worth I was talking to Dave Brown at Sierra a couple of weeks ago and he gave me their recommendations for the same thing for a project I'm going to be working on this summer. He recommends 61.2 gr. of RL19 for 2550 fps with a 250 gr. Game King. His first recommendation for a .338-06 was the 215 gr. Game King with 65.8 gr. of RL19 for 2700 fps. These are both maximum loads. Hope this helps.

Thanks, guys; I will try those loads.

BB, I was out the other day w/ mine & was breaking 1/2" w/ 250gr Speer GS over 61gr RL19 for just under 2500fps from my 22 1/2"bbl.

Fred338: Thanks, I will definitely try that combination (working up from a starting charge, as always).

H 380: 62 grains, CCI /LR primer.
250 grainers: 2650 to 2700 fps in a 24 inch barreled Winchester Model 70

Seafire: Thanks. Is that a compressed load?

BigBrass:

Yes that is a compressed load, but if you are use to using H 380, It presents no problems at all.

I stumbled onto using H380 in my 338/06 and it gave me more consistent velocity and accuracy than any other powder. In fact the only other powder I ever load in it besides is IMR 4064.

The reason I use the 4064, is check the reload manuals, but 50 grains of it give right at 2500 fps with anything from a 200 grain bullet to a 250 grain bullet. So therefore I don't have to adjust the scope when using the 200s or 250s or 225s.

When I elk hunt with it, I use the 250 grain round nose if I am deep in the brush. When I switch to open country I use the 225 or 210 grainers.

I load up about 25 rounds of the 250 Round Nose and then 25 of the 225 grainers ( Hornady's) each season.

( I am still a believer that nothing is any better for performance than the old Round Nose stuff on game. Range limitation is the only detractor).

I just returned from 11 days in South Africa hunting a variety of plainsgame on some large properties in the Western and Northern Cape provinces, and a couple of national parks in the Free State. The .338-06 load I described above was extremely effective.

I shot clear through two Eland. Two rounds went clear through broadside on a double shot. On the other animal two rounds went clear through BOTH shoulders. I think that is sufficient penetration for anyone.

On bontebok at 280 yards, the SBT design limited drop to only 6" with a 200 yards zero, and the bullet completely penetrated lengthwise through the animal and made a good exit wound. On a couple of wild dogs, the terminal effect was instanteous as well.

This bullet in the .338-06 I think is equal or superior to any other. Sierra apparently produces this bullet with a an extremely thick jacket and hard 6% antimony core. The results are fantastic, as is the accuracy.