338 Federal Handloads

[Jason1290]

Hello,

I've recently acquired a Ruger M77 stainless in 338 Federal. Been doing some research online about people's hand load results and on game performance. I'm surprised there isn't more out there. Just curious if anyone has some info they'd like to share on hunting big game with it, what their results were and some good bullets/powders to start with.

Thanks.

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[2ndtimer]

Our best loads were with the Nosler 180 gr Accubond pushed by IMR-8208XBR, tops in velocity and accuracy. Ramshot TAC also worked decently (since IMR-8208XBR has recently disappeared from the market).
Planning on trying some Speer 200 gr Hot-Cor bullets since Midway has them on sale for $19.99 for a box of 50. Not sure the .338 requires premium bullets at the comparatively pedestrian velocities it achieves.

 

[Jason1290]

Thanks for the info,

I read that imr 8208 and Tac work well with bullets in the 160-200 grain class. I have 1 pound of 8208 I've been sitting on. Don't want to burn through it searching for loads. I've also heard that AA2230 has some impressive accuracy and velocity with the lighter bullets also, just not very temp stable. I have some 200 hot cors and some 180 accubonds I think I will try to find an accurate load with both projectiles. I'm really interested in the 160 and 185ttsx. Do you have any experience with either of those?

 

[2ndtimer]

Thanks for the info,

I read that imr 8208 and Tac work well with bullets in the 160-200 grain class. I have 1 pound of 8208 I've been sitting on. Don't want to burn through it searching for loads. I've also heard that AA2230 has some impressive accuracy and velocity with the lighter bullets also, just not very temp stable. I have some 200 hot cors and some 180 accubonds I think I will try to find an accurate load with both projectiles. I'm really interested in the 160 and 185ttsx. Do you have any experience with either of those?

I have a two boxes of the Barnes 160 gr TTSX bullets, but haven't loaded them yet. Looks like Hodgdon Benchmark might be a good powder for them (along with the unobtainable IMR-8208XBR and equally rare H-322).

 

[Jason1290]

Yeah I'm keeping my eyes out for either of those that's for sure! My current load is the 160ttsx over 52 grains of accurate 2230. 2.820 oal. Shoots about .75 moa pretty consistent and the es and sd are great!
More muzzle energy than a 7mm rem mag is pretty incredible out of this little package.

 

[2ndtimer]

Yeah I'm keeping my eyes out for either of those that's for sure! My current load is the 160ttsx over 52 grains of accurate 2230. 2.820 oal. Shoots about .75 moa pretty consistent and the es and sd are great!
More muzzle energy than a 7mm rem mag is pretty incredible out of this little package.

Thanks for the tip. I don't have any Accurate 2230, but I do have a pound or two of Ramshot X-Terminator around here somewhere. And since they currently show identical results for loads with either, I might give it a shot. Apparently the slightly faster burning powders might be better suited to the 160 gr bullet. As for the 200 gr Speer, I plan to try TAC and IMR-3031. Now I just have to steal the rifle from my son to test the loads. (He shouldn't complain too loudly, since I bought it for him. He stole my Leupold VX-2 that sits on it…)

 

[Jason1290]

From what I hear, ramshot bought accurate and the x-terminator is the exact same powder as 2230. Tac should work good for the 200 grain Speer. I haven't played with them much and don't have my notes in front of me at the moment but I experimented with leverevolution and the 200 hot cor and got pretty decent accuracy and around 2700 fps. I'll have to look at my notes and get back to you. Pretty cool you load for your son, what rifle is it?

 

[2ndtimer]

From what I hear, ramshot bought accurate and the x-terminator is the exact same powder as 2230. Tac should work good for the 200 grain Speer. I haven't played with them much and don't have my notes in front of me at the moment but I experimented with leverevolution and the 200 hot cor and got pretty decent accuracy and around 2700 fps. I'll have to look at my notes and get back to you. Pretty cool you load for your son, what rifle is it?

Ruger Hawkeye stainless all weather. Not a tack driver, but a competent hunting rifle for shots under 300 yards.

 

[Jason1290]

I love mine. Great hunting rifles!

 

[Val1884]

46.5 gr of 748 with 200 gr accubond is 1/2-3/4 " as long as I do my part in the Tikka lite. Not as fast as factory ammo but bears an elk haven't noticed.

 

[Jason1290]

Thanks Val, I don't think it makes much of a difference over in our neck of the woods where the grass grows tall and the snakes don't bite!

 

[Val1884]

No not really. Furthest shots with the 338 fed has been 311 an 325 yds. I got back beautiful mushroomed bullets that performed perfectly.

 

[Jason1290]

Those are great results! What rifle do you have? According to nosler that load should be around 2500fps out of a 24" tube. Have you ever chronographed yours?

 

[Val1884]

Tikka t3 lite " thumper" yes chronograph'd them few years ago it was around 2575 average if I remember right. It's written down somewhere in my notes

 

[Jason1290]

That's perfect! I don't see a reason to shoot anything else! Is that tikka factory chambered in 338 fed or did you have someone do a rebore?

 

[Val1884]

Factory rifle they arnt common at all. Best all around pnw big game rifle.

 

[Jason1290]

Man what a gem! If you ever want to part with it please let me know! I'd make it worth it for you if you wanted to trade.

I agree. It's a very slept on and underrated cartridge.

 

[Val1884]

Nah I'll die with it. Just got it cerakoted for our non stop monsoons . Start watching gunbroker they pop up.

 

[Jason1290]

I don't blame you one bit! I'll keep an eye out thanks.

 

[Jason1290]

Just a heads up guys. Midway has 338 federal fusion 200 grain in stock if you can believe it!