You guys have been a great help with my other questions on the new 338 now I have one more. I m
ready to start working up a couple different loads and it seems the Nosler partitions are the common choice. Just would like to know what some of the Bullet-weight/powder/primer combinations that you like?
Thanks again
Ray

Hvy,
I don't have any experience with the .338, but in my other calibers the Barnes TSX has grouped very accurately and performed quite well on game. A friend here in town will use nothing but IMR 4350 and Nosler bullets in his .338. Mark Young, formerly of Dillingham, and current resident of AR has done quite a bit of work with the .338 and I'd think would be willing to advise you a little. Maybe I'm wrong, but Mark seems to enjoy fooling with guns or hunting or reloading or something like that

There are so many good bullets/loads for the .338WM that you may want to tell us what game hunting you intend to use your .338 for.

For example, a 250-grain Nosler Partition loaded to produce from 2,650 to somewhere near 2,700 fps is an excellent combination for Alaska game, including bears.

For the largest bears alone, the same weight bullet (Nosler, A-Frame, Kodiak, etc.), should be fine. However, a 250-grain Triple Shock, 275-grain A-Frame, Kodiak, and even a 300-grain Woodleigh are better.

The 210-grain Partition seems to be very popular with deer to elk hunters in the lower-48. If you want more penetration from a 210 grainer, then you could use a 210 Triple Shock, or even a Scirocco.

If you want greater penetration than the 210 grainers, then you could use the 225-grain A-Frame, TB, or a Barnes Triple Shock.

That said, and assuming that you are in Alaska, the 250-grain Partition should be a great all around bullet, and very popular with Alaska moose, bear, and caribou hunters. It's one of my favorite for moose hunting, but I will try the 225-grain Triple Shock next year.

I use RL-19 with bullets around 225 grains in weight, and RL-22 to RL-25 for the heavier ones up to 300 grains. There should be some reloading data at the home page of this forum.

Here you go (.338WM) data:
www.accuratereloading.com/338wm.html

Just keep it safe and don't get too excited about velocity. A 250-grain partition out the barrel somewhere under 2,650 fps is plenty fast.

225gr. TSX, Winchester cases, Fed 215gm, and IMR - 4350. I use to mess around with multiple loads but in this one I dont see an application that it wont suit.

HBH

quote:

Originally posted by HvyJet:
You guys have been a great help with my other questions on the new 338 now I have one more. I m
ready to start working up a couple different loads and it seems the Nosler partitions are the common choice. Just would like to know what some of the Bullet-weight/powder/primer combinations that you like?
Thanks again
Ray

250g Hornady SP,CCI 250 or Fed 215, 69g IMR4831 = 2600fps

Hey guys
thanks for the great info....I was a little vague i guess but it brought out the best in all of you- especially Ray....just what i was looking for and a great place to start. I looked at the loads/data in the other section on this site and it is very detailed alright but, i wanted to also hear from your field experience. I m ordering dies and components this weekend so I wont have a range report for a few weeks but i ll let you know what I end up with. I m looking for the all around bullet and load but will also be loading for more specific AK game.
Thanks and all have a great weekend...
Ray

HvyJet,

As Scott King said I worked with the 338 a good deal. I came up with 3 loads in my last 338 a Custom Mod 700 from Brown Precision that all worked very well. The accuracy is not tack driving but adequate from a featherweight rifle at just over 7 pounds with a 2.5X8 Leupold mounted.

210 NP
76 GR. RL-19
W-W cases
Fed 215 primers
OAL 3.43"
2920 FPS
1 MOA average for 4 three shot groups

225 SAF
76 GR. H-4831
W-W cases
Fed 215 primers
OAL ???
2840 FPS
1.25 MOA average of 4 three shot groups

250 NP
76 GR. H-4831
FED cases
Fed 215 primers
OAL???
2760 FPS
1.25 MOA average of 4 three shot groups

This is from a 22" No 3 Shilen barrel that I had a full pound of weight turned off of.

My data is 10 years old or older but all the components are still available and of course anyone should drop back a few grains before trying any of this. I think now if I was fooling with a new 338 I would try the 210 and 225 TSX first. It might just be all you ever need but then again there still is no bullet that makes the NP obsolete.

Mark

Hvyjet,
You've been given lots of good info already by other members. I shoot a Browning Stainless Stalker with 26 inch barrel. My rifle absolutely hates 250 grain bullets regardless of maker but loves 225 grainers. So my pet load has become the 225 grain Barnes X. I haven't tried triple shocks yet because I still have several boxes of the old flat base X-bullets left. I use CCI 250 primers and 67.5 grains of IMR 4350. I started using the Barnes X in the mid-late 90's and have had excellent results with them. If my rifle liked em I would exclusively shoot 250 grain bullets. FWIW, when I first started reloading X-bullets I called Barnes and spoke with one of their lab technicians. I told him I wanted to hunt all Alaskan game with one bullet weight in my 338 Win Mag. He suggested either the 225 or 250 grain grain bullet. He thought both would be acceptable for a one load gun in 338 Win Mag. I asked him what I would be giving up shooting the 225 grain bullet vs the 250 and he said in the lab the 250 produces "about 100 ft lbs more energy and two inches more penetration". I don't see that as much of a difference but if my rifle would shoot 250 grain bullets accurately...thats what I would shoot. Hopefully, my next 338 Win Mag will have a preference for the 250s. Good hunting!

Mark,
Thanks for the added info...I just ordered two boxes of the 250 gr nosler, Hodgdon 4831 and Fed 125 primers to start with.
Sep,
Thanks for the Lab results on the 250,,,it sounds like the perfect bullet for what i ll be doing so hopefully my rifle will like em!
Best Regards
Ray

My favorite .338 load is WW cases, Rem 91/2M primers, 74 grains H4831 with a 225 grain Hornady. Using a bullet comparator, seat the 225 TSX to the same comparator OAL. As Ray said, use 250's on bears.

What is a Fed. 125 primer?

Nosler 250 Partition
73.0 gr H4831SC
Fed 215
Right around 2,600 fps in my rifle

Haven't changed the recipie in a while. If it ain't broke, it don't need fixin' or switchin' to mono-metal.

MM

I,ll try not to stir the pot too much. My exposure has mainly been with Ruger m77 mk II in 338 win mag. My current one is also. As I,m always in Brown Bear country with very high population densities I,ve always gone with the heavier 338 bullets. The Rugers love them as they have a 10 " twist of the 11 338 win mags Ive had only one of them I didn,t shoot . A model 70 win stainless. It had a 12 " twist and I didn,t want to re build all my hand loads so I got rid of it.The other 10 I shot some to a lot . My first one I ran something like 15 pounds of powder thru. I was never satisfied with the consistency of the 300 gr barnes origs.But the 275 Kodiak was and I think is the perfact bullet for half of all alaskan hunting with the 338 win. With 4831 I got 2660 fps with the 24" barrel and about 2630 with the 22 "on my current one.The original load was too hot. but with moly coating I now get about 2610 and no pressure problems. It produces fairly consistent 5/8 " groups @ 200 meters. and is easy to shoot as it has a cob on it.My other load which wasn,t as accurate but still ok was the 200 gr. X bullet @ 2900 fps. I called it my Prince Of Wales load as it would have been ideal for wolf . worked well on deer and black bear and genral blasting . The 200 gr Horn, & Speer bullets are great for cost affective blasting ammo. The 338 win is a great round. But its not a big bore. But it doesn,t need to be. I like the 358 norma and 9.3x64 Brenneke better but have never had either yet. My next and probably final 338 will be another RUM.Its pretty wowy eee kazowy. But the 358 STA is more efficent and probably a better round. I would like to try the Hawk heavy bullets in the 338 win also.. Have fun .. gumboot out

The 338 load I've been using lately is with the 225 grain Northforks. They work subperb and working up a load was simple as they are an accurate premium bullet and the surprise was that they in fact foul the bore about 1/2 what all the other bullets do. I will use only Northforks in my 338.

For factory ammo I've had very good results with the Remington Safari Grade cartridges loaded with 225 gr. Swift A-Frames. Very accurate out of my Ruger 77 with consistently high weight retention.

I like these loads for my .338WinMag rifles:
73.0 / IMR4831 / 225 gr. Hornady SP @ 2850 fps
72.0 / IMR4831 / 250 gr. Hornady RN @ 2750 fps.
.

I gladly will share my favorite 338 WM load. Please remember I worked this load up to my rifle and you must start 2-3 grains lower for safety's sake.

Nosler 250 Gr. Old Style
WLRM Primer
Norma MRP 75.0 grains
Cases Winchester
Chronographed Velocity: 2770 FPS

This load has shot Sub-MOA at 200 yards and has taken BB, Moose, Caribou & Dahl Sheep.

Good luck in your quest!

Hvy - This is easy. A 225 gr. Northfork in front of about 73 grs. of Rldr-22. I seat the bullets 0.010" off of the lands as measured to the ogive and always run the loads thru the chamber to be sure things are working properly. This load is more accurate than Partitions and performance on game is superb. Got a bull moose this last season and found the bullet perfectly mushroomed just inside the hide on the right rear quarter. He was quartering towards me with his left shoulder when I shot. The recovered bullet weighs 218 grs. and, as mentioned above, is a perfect mushroom. Try 'em, I'm sure you're gonna like 'em. Bear in Fairbanks

Hey folks
I ve been offline and this is the first chance to check in. I really hit a homerun I think on the 338 based on all of the help found here. Thanks a million! I m going to print all of these replys to keep a hard copy of on the bench.
Ray

I had to jump in here not because there has been any lack of good info but I haven't seen my favorite .338 bullet mentioned.
I use a 250 gr. Sierra b.t.s.p. The jacket is thick enough that it will just punch through a fox without blowing up the pelt and still opens up just right for deer.
Don't think this bullet is too light for big bears. I've shot at least four brown bears with this bullet one of them at full charge and I have never seen any lack of performance or penatration.

My load is 69 gr. IMR 4831 and the 26 in barrel gives me 2850 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
It produces fairly consistent 5/8 " groups @ 200 meters. and is easy to shoot as it has a cob on it.

Gumboot:

5/8" groups at 200 meters (219 yards) is equivalent to shooting .28 inch groups at 100 yards - or 1/4 MOA. I find that a little hard to believe. Does it do that consistently?

I thought all you guys were shooting 5/8" groups at 200 meters!

My favorite load is a 225 grain North Fork with 75 grains of Norma MRP and a Winchester magnum primer. Gives an honest 2850 fps from a 23" barrel. This is a killing combination on everything you would care to try.
This is what I use in my rifle and yours may/will be different so reduce the powder charge 10% and work up slowly.
You will not find a better big game bullet.

I've used my .338WM on a few Alaska hunting trips. An excellent caliber for Alaska hunting. For moose I like the 250 grain Swift A-Frames, and on lesser game the 225 grain Swift A-Frames. I've recovered a couple Swift bullets and have gotten >95% weight retention both times. I've had great results with IMR-4831 powder in Winchester brass using Fed 215M primers. If I ever go after Alaskan Brown Bear I would like to try a .35 caliber, maybe a .358 Norma or something else in a .35 dia. Good Luck

Woody

What I shoot in my 338 is the 210,225.& 250 Noslet partition bullets. I also shoot Hornady bullets 200, 225, & 250 gr. They are not as fast as the nosler bullets. The Nosler Accubonds
are pretty fast FPS.

i HAVE SHOT 3/4"GROUPS WITH MY 338 WIN MAG IN MY rUGER STAINLESS AT 200 YARDS a bunch of times.I used the older factory loaded Remington 225 gr factory loads.They use to use Speer Gran Slam bullets .It shot 7/8" in my winchester stainless with a boss at that distance.All my rugers will shoot under an inch at 100 yards at 100 yards and most will shoot clover leafs .I like the winchester 200 gr power points for deer and moose and black bears.I do like the 250 gr noslers for bigger stuff.

I have no experience with Alaskan game what so ever but My Ruger stainless Laminate .338 winnie will put 3 woodleigh 225 gr protected points on an inch at 110 paces............it may be a bullet worth looking at for you guys, woodleigh also make a 300 gr soft .338 along with a full metal jacket one.

AZ....My 338 stainless model 77 has been trued up and so is more consistent than I am.. It isn,t any tighter grouping at a hundred yards than at 200 meters.......... 275 gr Kodiak Bonded Core sptz . 70.5 gr IMR 4831 fed 215 prime. fedral brass.. Chronographs 2620 avg velocity with extreems about 25 fps each side........Since discovering how accurate that rifle was I don,t shoot it much and have now traded it off for a 458 that I really like....ALL my m77 mk 2 ,s have been VERY accurate with 275- 300 gr bullets........The 300 gr barnes has shot into under 3/4- and often 1/2 " groups @ 100 paces and this is over more than a decade and 8 or 9 different rifles......The reason I prefer the ruger to the win or rem is the 10 " twist instead of the 12 " Plus they are just TOUGH......

A recount was required ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 9 Ruger 338 win mags .. 1 , 338 RUM .. 1,338 Win mag model 70...Never shot......Ak shooter,,, I have shot alot or 300 gr Seirra BTSP bullets in the 375,s and always liked them... Your load sounds like the probably very top of the everything considered ALL AROUND ALASKAN caliber and load......

Gumboot458
I also shoot the 300gr.B.T.S.P. Sierra in my bolt action .375. I shoot 270 gr Hornady's in my Ruger # 1 .375. Both rifles have taken several bears.
My preferance is still the .338 for everyday all speacies Alaska hunting. It's a little boaring in that it's middle of the road but that's what makes a good all around rifle.

AnotherAZwriter,

So I guess a .338 caliber, 225 NAB, at 3350 FPS, three shot group into .57 inches at 400 yards is just too hard to believe!

A 5 shot group, same load as above, at 600 yards into 2 inches is simply evil!

I do understand.

72.9 gr of H 4831, Hornady 225 gr, WLR Mag primers, Win brass, Ruger Satinless rifle gives 1/2 inch gps at 100 yds, all day. that's with a B&L 2 1/2-8 scope.chaz

quote:

Originally posted by ceg1963:
AnotherAZwriter,

So I guess a .338 caliber, 225 NAB, at 3350 FPS, three shot group into .57 inches at 400 yards is just too hard to believe!

A 5 shot group, same load as above, at 600 yards into 2 inches is simply evil!

I do understand.

CEG:

I have a custom rifle in .300 RUM that has put 5 shots into 2 1/4 inches at 700 yards from the sitting position - with a bipod and sling. I once shot a 3/8 inch group at 200 yards shooting sitting with nothing more than a sling.

When I shot competitively (if any of you guys in AK served in the Army in the mid-80s then you might remember the Captain that always won the Alaska Army championship - that was me) I once hit a quarter taped into the 400 yard bullseye 4 of 7 times - with open sights.

What does all of this mean? You can sometimes get lucky. Ceg, you know you can't shoot a .57 inch group all the time at 400 yards. If you can, you need to be a competitive shooter - you will win all the marbles.

Coincidentally, I have a Brown Precision .338 that has a 2.5x-8x Leupold. I have an identical load to Mark Youngs 250gr. Nosler Partition load. The only difference is mine is in Remington cases. Its a hammer and the velocities are the same. Excellent load. Maybe the only one we need.
Doug

AnotherAZWriter,

You are correct.

But all I ever needed was once!

V/R

A world record holder shot my 1000 yard bench gun at 500 yards for a guy thinking of buying it. He shot a 10 shot group at 500 yards into a tight two inch group. The guy didn't buy the gun, either.

I am brand new to the .338 game but I have what I think will be a great all purpose load. Win. Brass, Federal magnum primers, 70.0 grains of H4350 and a Barnes 210 grain Triple Shock. The average velocity was 2900 fps, the extreme spread was 13 and the S.D. was seven. It printed a couple of 3/4 inch groups and all cold barrel shots were right on the center line of the target 2 1/2 inches high at 100. I have not shot it at any thing but paper yet. Can't wait to try it on a mule deer or elk.

338 Win for everything in Alaska Load!

225gr TSX
Reloader 19 @ 75.0
Fed 215GM Primer
FC Brass

My favorite bullet for my 338 RUM is the 225gr Nosler Accubond and the Speer 200gr Hot-Cor SP
Bullet. The 225gr bullet shoots a 7/8" three shot group at 200 yds and the 200gr bullet shoots a 5/8" three shot group at 200 yds.
I use RL25 powder for the 225gr bullet 98grs
for the 200gr bullet 98.9grs

I bought my first 338 Win Mag about 20+ years ago. I have used three different powders but have mainly stayed with one bullet. The bullet of choice for me is the 250 gr Nosler Partition. The first powder I used was the MR3100 when it was a surplus powder and could be had cheap. Since then I have used IMR4831 and H4831. I push the Nosler at about 2750 fps.
None of my loads are over what can be found in reloading manuals. None are excessive. The manuals I Mainly use are Speer, Hornady, and Lyman. The second bullet I use is a Hornady. That bullet may be good for everything but so far I have only used the Nosler on big game.
That bullet will penetrate! I once shot a very old bull elk with that bullet and it traveled the length of the bull. No further shots have ever been needed, just one bullet each time.

Using any of these three powders (the original MR3100 is no longer available) I have been able to get sub MOA.