Advice for new guy? .338 win and reloads

[waterdoctor]

For 99% of my hunting two .338 bullets work for me.  The old 200 gr balletic tip and the 210 gr. Barnes boat tail.  I worked on the loads so they shoot to the same point of impact out to 300 yrds.  I use H-4831 SC. 

[copasj]

I want .338 because I plan to visit my dad in GA and actually hunt feral hog. Gotta have a bigger gun than his 30-06 lol

Definitely bigger, but I wouldn't call it cheap.  .338 Win reloads are going to be kicking at the heels of .308 or 30-06 factory core-lokts as far as price is concerned. 

I was tossing cases after 3 or so reloads of my .300 Win Mag.  Case life was pretty short in my experience.

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[carpsniperg2]

I was running the 225 AB'S in mine and they really shot well.

[huntnphool]

I'm looking to buy a Savage Hog Hunter in .338 win. Looking for any info from someone who owns either this model or any .338 win. I would be using this gun as a coyote exterminator/ deer gun. I understand .338 may be considered overkill for these but it is what I've got in mind. Also, I'm looking to start reloading since modern ammo is a lot more expensive than the old mil surplus for my mosin. Need a good starting point on a kit or a cheap way to assemble an effective kit for .338. Thanks for any help!

I've got a nice .338 for sale. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,105784.msg1379382.html#msg1379382

[yorketransport]

Definitely bigger, but I wouldn't call it cheap.  .338 Win reloads are going to be kicking at the heels of .308 or 30-06 factory core-lokts as far as price is concerned. 

I was tossing cases after 3 or so reloads of my .300 Win Mag.  Case life was pretty short in my experience.

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I don't think that a 338 is that much more expensive when you look at similar quality components. The brass will be the most significant investment and that's about $35 per 50. I averaged 5 loads per case on my last 338 Win. I doubt that this rifle is going to be shot a whole lot anyways. Probably less than 100 times per year. So figure  50 pieces of brass will last two, maybe three years. Add bullets at 30-50 cents each, primers at about 4 cents each, and then about 25 cents for powder. I would say you can load up ammo for less than $.90 a shot. More or less depending on components. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Andrew

[Maligator]

You will end up saving money reloading for the 338WM as opposed to buying factory ammo for it. Besides, you get to tailor the load for that particular weapon. Lee makes some good entry level gear for reloaders at a really good price. Just buy a few reloading manuals, Barnes, Nosler, Lyman 49th, whatever brand you plan on shooting... I would also suggest the book: The ABCs of Reloading... Good book, very informative and an easy read.

Good luck to you in this new adventure...be warned that many people find it becomes a new "hobby" 

[CAMPMEAT]

Would the LEE 50th anniv. Kit be a good start? $119 at local Cabelas. I'm looking at picking it up and practicing before I even get my rifle. Good brands of powder to start with?

I bought the Hornady Lock-N-Laod, look those up online. $300ish

[eburkett]

Bought the Lee single stage press kit today. Looked up some info and made ten target rounds. Used 63gr of Hunter powder, CCI primers, Winchester brass, Hornaday 200gr SP. Won't even be able to test them till I buy a gun but it isn't too expensive to practice making a few at a time. I was in a hurry earlier so I couldnt look up what powder was suggested so I just grabbed that Hunter on advice of it being cheaper target powder. Is this batch going to be absolute dogs*t?

[Huntbear]

Kind of putting the cart before the horse there aint ya? 

And what load data did you use?  What COL did you load to?  I have never used Ramshot Hunter for a .338, seems like it would be a bit fast burning.

CCI primers?  Magnum Primers? 

Seems you want to toss money down the toilet so to speak, go for it, but I wonder why post you were wanting help with reloading if you are not going to even bother looking up and writing down the powders, and bullets recommended by the guys who reload for this caliber religously??

Be very careful with new loads... especially since this is the first time you have done this... I have seen a couple of guys go to the hospital for shooting over or under pressured loads.

[SquirrelHunter]

I use the ramshot hunter ball powder, with sci magnum primers and winchester nickel plated casings. I also use the lee aniversery reloading kit. Where did you get the 63 grains of powder recomondation from? Did you measure your neck size, overall length, bullet seat depth? I've got a. 338 and I triple check measurements, that's a big round to blow in my face.

[eburkett]

Huntbear,
Yes cart before horse.

I used the load data that came in my Lee kit book. Said max was load was 70gr powder so I went 63, COL is supposed to be 3.280. The slight blunt tipped rounds I used measured at 3.255 consistently. I don't plan on using the Hunter except for the first loads, just wanted to practice with all the supplies. And yes I should have waited till this afternoon when I wasn't rushed so I could pull up this thread and get those recommendations for powder and all. The CCI primers are for magnum rifle cartridges. I understand the dangers of randomly experimenting with explosive components and that is why even though I have already made 10 rounds I came back to ask if they would be considered terrible and need to be discarded.  I did flush some money today by not being patient but I wanted to get some hands on practice before I got the rifle. I know myself and would be even more impatient if I had a way to test rounds therefore I would like to understand how the reloading process works and then take the suggestions I have received and tailor my cartridges to the rifle I purchase. Hope none of this comes off as being an ass. Thanks for the help.

[eburkett]

Data book said 70 was max so take 10% off to start with. Again these rounds made today will probably be disposed of but I had fun just getting a small amount of hands on. I'm going to wait until I can get doublenasty out here to help me before I try and make anymore.

[SquirrelHunter]

I use the hunter ramshot 4350 ball powder and love it

Id recommend getting a good book if you haven't already.
Any questions just PM me, if you want help with the whole process shoot me a pm later this week.

[yorketransport]

I think you did alright. Ramshot has load data available on their website and they list the min charge as 65.9gr of Hunter for a 210 Partition and a max of 73.2gr.  Seems to me like you just loaded some 338 Federal level loads. Those should be great for breaking in the gun and getting it sighted in.

Now go buy the gun so you can start shooting!

Andrew

[eburkett]

SquirrelHunter, I sent you a PM yesterday