Just looking for some loading ideas for a new toy.
Specifically if anyone has used 250gr. Kodiaks, or 230gr failsafes.

I wish I had something to help you out but out of all the guns I own and load for I don't bother with two of them, .338 win mag and .375 H&H mag. Both of these guns shoot Federal classic factory loads so well I don't mess with it for now. The .338 is shooting the federal 225 grainers in a 3 shot .264" group. Pretty good for me, I won't try to beter them until I need a tougher bullet for Africa.

I load either a 225 gr Hornady Spire Point or a Barnes X bullet over the book max of IMR-4350. Shoots great in my Tikka. Work up to the load that works in your gun.

quote:

Originally posted by A. Fleming:
Just looking for some loading ideas for a new toy.
Specifically if anyone has used 250gr. Kodiaks, or 230gr failsafes.

Funny you should mention the Kodiaks. I have a box of these exact bullets on the shelf. They make 'em here in my hometown - Juneau. I have given up on them. Their QC ain't the best. I tried the 250 grainer at the channelure they provided. Bullet get jammed into the land - i.e won't chamber. I tried some of their 270 gr .375 bullets also. I prefer the 250 gr partition in .338

That said, the load I like for 250 gr jacketed .338 bullets is: Fed 215 & 73.0 gr H4831SC.

MM

P.S. - If you want the rest of my Kodiaks, I'll do some horse tradin' with ya.

My .338 seems to like RL-19 Best...tj3006

250 gr nolser pt imr 4350 max load pull the triggart and get out your gutting knife'''' remeber do your hunting before you pull the triggart not after
SJR

Mine shoots the barnes 300 grn fmj and originals to about 1/2 MOA, using RL-22. RL-19 shoots just about as well, federal match primers is about all I use, magnum for the 338, although I'm not convinced they make that much difference. 250 grn gamekings are not quite as accurate a the 300, and there is probably a better choice if going after bear. Find what works for you. But here is a place to start. I'm sure there out there but don't hear much about a 338 that just will not shoot.......scratch that, nobody talks much about their guns that won't shoot.

I own a Remington 700 SST/SYN W/DBM in .338wm.

I would not part with this rifle for 5x what I paid for it. So far I have shot reloads out of it with bullets from:
Seirra
Speer
Nosler
Hornady
All types in weights from 200 to 250 grains. I have never had one group larger than 2.0" and that includes the only factory loading I have ever shot out of it. At present my four favorite loads are the fallowing:

225 grain Hornaday Interlock
74.5 grains RL-22
Federal #215 primer
Winchester brass NK sized only
OAL 3.340 as measured with SP comparitor
This is a superb performer consistant sub MOA.

225 gain Nosler Partition
75.0 grains RL-22
Rest same as above
Again was a suberb performer and was/is my elk load of choice.

225 grain Nosler Accubond
75.0 grains RL-22
Rest same as above.
When I shot my first three shots at 100yrds with this reloading and I looked through my spotting scope at 47x I was at first quite upset that I could only see two holes barely touching, leading me to believe the third was off paper. I then walked down range to see what was up. I nearly did back flips all the way back to the bench when I saw that actually two of the thee formed one larger hole and the third was actually touching the first two!
I should have stoped right there and saved that target for fraiming, but I proceded to fire the remaing nine reloads at the same target for a total group size of 1.727"-.338"=1.389" for a trewlve shot 100yrd group fired from a hot barrel.

225 gain Nosler Accubond
72.3 grains RL-19
Rest same as above.
This loading is so close in performance to the Accubond using RL-22 I dont know wich to use. I guess the RL-19 as it is faster.
Twelve shots here at 100yrds formed a 1.758"-.338= a 1.420" twelve shot group.

Keep in mind this is a 100% factory rifle.

One of the main reasons I chose a rifle in .338wm was its well deserved reputation as having superb accuracy equal to the legendary 30/06 but with LOTS more punch, on both ends that is.

I have an older Ruger 77 in 338 with a long throat. This rifle has always been a little fussy about which bullets would group well. The old 275 gr Speer shot real well and was great moose stopper. Good luck finding any of those bullets now.The other load that was particularly good win cases CCI250 primers and 75 grs of H4831SC under the 250 gr Sierra. The 250 Partion can be substituted for almost as good groups.That is near max in a long throat so work up carefully with your 250 bullets. Hope that helps

Right now, my .338 WM shoots a 1/2" group @ 100 yds. Load is 70.2 grains of RL-22, pushing 225 grain Hornady SST's.

mike

My sako likes 210gr barnes XLC with a max load of H-414. Over 3000fps and end to end on elk with sub moa accuracy.

MFH

Has anyone else tried the Hornady 225 gr. SST"s? I can't seem to find any info on them, or from people who've used them.

They're quite accurate out of my rifle, but I'm curious to hear what other people have to say.

mike

I've played around with mine a little bit but have been to busy lately.
My load for it is a 250gr Woodliegh PP over 76gr (I think)of RL22, WLRM primers in, Rem NP brass. Work up to this it's about max in mine. They'll land on top of each other if I do my part. Nate

quote:

Originally posted by cndrm:
Has anyone else tried the Hornady 225 gr. SST"s? I can't seem to find any info on them, or from people who've used them.

They're quite accurate out of my rifle, but I'm curious to hear what other people have to say.

mike

I've been working with a box of them, but so far I haven't had much luck. So far, I'm getting better accuracy with their old 225 Interlocks. 72.5 gr. of RL 19 gets me sub MOA; with the SST's, I get closer to 3". Go figure!

I'm using Win brass & WMR primers....what are you using?

Tumbleweed, My rifle is a Ruger M77/MKII (old style), w/ Bushnell elite 3200 10x32 MD scope.

I'm using Winchester brass, CCI magnum primers, 70.2 grains of RL-22, lightly crimped, shooting @ 2613 fps. yielded .5" group @ 100 yds.

I'm not sure exactly why, but the SST's might just like flying a little bit slower.

mike

My favorite Bear Load:

338 Win
225 Barnes TSX
Reloader 19 @ 75.3
Fed 215 Primer
WW Cases

I use RL19 and generally 250 Partitions in my .338's. I have some Kodiaks 200 on up to 250 and look foward to using the 250 this spring. RL 19-no other powder is needed for this wonderful caliber.

By the way I have used the Kodiaks in my .457(aka.45-70)mag. as well and what a bullet it is. Nothing wrong with the Kodiaks-a very good bonded bullet.

Ever thought about downloading? Using Seafire's recipies with Blue Dot you'll find some new and axciting applications for your thunderstick!

I use the following

Winchester brass
CCI#250 primer
225 grain Hornady sst boattail

with 72.2 grains of IMR-4350
This load chronographs at 2900 fps from my Ruger m-77 MkII.


Don

Thanks for the load data!