.338-'06 loads?

[Schwag173]

I'm scratching my head on this one, guys.  I've tried loading everything between 200 and 250-grain bullets from four maufacturers with IMR4064, IMR4350 and Vectan Tu7000 powders.  My best group was a pathetic 2 inches.  Any recommendations for other powders?

[KillBilly]

What is your twist rate? Have you tried any Nosler bullets?

[runningboard]

not the same but close, I read once about a guy who had similar problems with his 35 whelen and he solved it by crimping the bullets slightly. it was in big bucks magazine and he was about ready to sell the gun because he couldn't get it to shoot to his liking and then tried crimping and it improved immensely. worth a try

[JLS]

I use Barnes 185 grain TSX, and Reloder powder.  I'll have to look, but I think it's R-15. 

[runningboard]

oh yeah, good point. the best powder in my 35 whelen ackley improved is RL-15

[AWS]

If it's a new barrel it might take a few rounds to settle in, all the scope mounts and ring tight.  Now I'm not trying to be a smart ass but are you a sub 2" shooter with a hard kicking rifle?  I don't shoot near as well with my 358 Norma or 35 Whelen as I do with a 308 or 22-250.  It wasnt that long ago that a 1" gun was a rare rifle and a 2" rifle is still a 300yrd big game rifle.  You can almost cover five shots at 300 yrd with the palm of your hand out of a 2" rifle.

AWS

[bod]

My 338-06 is a mauser action and a E. R. Shaw stainless barrel and my load is hornady 30-06 brass necked up nosler 225 accubond 60 grains of ramshot Big Game and a cci 200 primer consistant 2670 fps and moa at 200 yards still going 2000 fps at 400 yards.

[sakoshooter]

Have you tried different seating depths? Try two different depths exagerated like .010 - .020 off the lands and .150 and try em. Make sure those action screws are darn tight.

[Schwag173]

I haven't tried all the powders I could have, but I was expecting to hit upon at least one that would work by now.  I think I'll try experimenting with the seating depth and just see what happens.  I should have thought of that already because that was how I stumbled upon the load my 7mm Weatherby shoots so well:  I accidentally loaded three cartridges too short, but thought 'what the hell' because nothing else was working.  Deep seating the bullets gave me sub-MOA (4.5" @ 500 yards).  Funny how things work out sometimes.   

[Hornseeker]

The seating depth WILL make a difference. I am setting mine just dern near on the lands nowawadays and getting good results (3006, not 338-06)...

When you say you are trying different powders, are you trying different charges of each powder? Personally, I'd pick one powder that is generally accepted, then load 5 different weights, all with same seating depth... see which of those five shoot best. Then I'd load some up with that weight of powder but I'd try seating the bullets different depths.... My bet is it'll be best when they are snuggled right up tight to the rifling....

Keep us posted. I am considering putting a 338 barrel on my old 06'.... I need to look a bit more at the numbers.

Ernie

[JLS]

Enrie,

The 338-06 is an elk killing SOB.  I think the Barnes 185 TSX is absolutely ideal for this gun.  The diameter of the expanded slug is amazing.  I usually recover them because of that, they end up under the offside hide, usually about 3/4 of an inch in diameter.  The ballistics are good enough to do anything within my self imposed range of reason (400).

Maybe try a faster burn powder.  I never tried IMR 4350.  I used 4320 with pretty good results with a Hornady 200 grain Interlock.  I think I used the 4320 with a Nosler 210 Partition, and it was a pretty good load too.

Disregard if you already know this, but I usually do as Ernie said, and load about five to six different charges of the same powder in equal increments between minimum and maximum loads.  Shoot groups with each, and you should see a definite "sweet spot" for the charge.  Then, tinker from there with seating depth or slight adjustment to the charge weight.

[fremont]

Some good advice here already....and some deja vu!

1. I own a 338-06AI built on a Mauser action.  24" ER Shaw (2 1/2 contour?).  I've shot a range of bullets, but tend to stay between 210 Partitions and 230 Fail Safes these days.  I currently like the 215 Sierra GK.

2. I would personally take a 210 Partition or 215 Sierra Gameking and see what your maximum overall length is.  (Lots of articles on the web on how to do that.)  I use a pencil to hold the bullet against the lands and a 1/4" dowel.  Make sure it's a) within the stated maximum COAL and b) fits in your magazine well.

3. Look at a medium burnrate powder like RL-15, especially for some of the bullets on the lighter end of the .338 spectrum.  I use it for both this rifle, as well as my 35 Whelen Ackley.  It is a tremendously versatile powder.

4. Borrow/buy a chrono.

Good luck!

[Bigshooter]

I have a M70 with a 25" lilja barrel on it in 338-06.  I shoot a 210gr nosler partition with 58grs of accurate arms 4350.  With a solid rest it will almost shot one hole groups at 100yds.  It is by far the most accurate rifle I have ever shot.