18 July 2005, 21:29
JohnlyRL-22 in a 338 WM works!
Reading some of the earlier posts regarding the performance of RL-22 in the 30-06 made me decide to give it a try in my 338. I loaded up a selecion of 250 grain bullets in R-P brass with Rem 9 1/2 primers. The best shooting combination was with the 250 grain Nosler Partition which printed a 3 shot group of about 1" at 100 yards. The load chronographed 2710 fps at 15' and was showed no pressure related issues. The Nosler manual show a 75 grain maximum charge weight with this bullet, but I think it would be difficult to get that much powder in a R-P case and still seat the bullet properly. If you're looking for a 338 WM load for the 250 grain bullet that meets or exceeds the velocity of factory ammo and shoots well you might want to give RL-22 a try.
16 September 2005, 21:50
BigNateMy .338 load is near duplicate. I'm using a 250gr. Woodleigh PP over 76gr. of RL22, WLRM's, and R-P cases.
My rifle shoots this load incredibly well. I wish it were flatter shooting but it's not going to happen. It is so good the trajectory isn't a concern. Nate
P.S. My other fav was with IMR4350
17 September 2005, 02:54
GeronomoBigNate, I get the same with the 250 gr. A-Frames. Also my most accurate powder with the 225 gr. TSX's is IMR 4350. I get 2850 fps. and sub 1/2" groups.
Geronimo
22 September 2005, 22:00
aktoklatSince I can not get Norma MRP any longer, looks like I need to check out RL22. My 338WM shot excellent groups with MRP, I hope RL22 can fill the void. Thanks for the info!
24 September 2005, 19:09
Jim KobeI followed Nosler's advice in the reloading manual. I used 76 grs of RL19 behind a 225 gr partition. Worked for me. Maybe it wasn't in the book, but it still worked.
25 October 2006, 04:54
CrosswindGeronimo: What was your imr4350 charge weight with the 225 tsx?
30 October 2006, 04:35
jstevensRL19 with the lighter bullets and RL22 with the 250's has always worked in the .338.