.33 Winchester loads

WD40+21 · April 3, 2012, 11:37 AM

I need a hunting load for a 1886 Winchester in 33 WCF. What powder and bullet would be right?

sc928porsche · April 3, 2012, 12:03 PM

According to "cartridges of the world"
200gr sp................H4895 with 45gr= 2200fps/2150lbs.
200gr sp..............IMR3031 with 40gr= 2100fps/1959lbs

200gr sp.........................factory= 2200fps/2150lbs.

RevGeo · April 3, 2012, 12:12 PM

Data from the Ideal Handbook #38 (published in 1951) for .33WCF:

Jacketed bullets - 200gr:
26.4gr of 2400, 44.5gr of IMR 4320, 46.0gr of IMR 4064, 42.0gr of IMR 3031 -

These are all max loads, so start at least 5% lower. The velocities for all these loads are somewhere around 2000-2300fps, so the modern day .338 bullets available might be a little stout in construction, but I'd load 'em up and shoot them into a wet phone book and see what kind of expansion you get. Probably a round nose bullet with plenty of exposed lead would work best. You're going to have to shop around some, I imagine.

Cast bullets ( great option for this caliber):
195gr gas check Lyman cast - 25.2gr of 2400, 17.0gr of IMR 4759, 16.0gr of Unique. These loads are in the 1700-1900 fps range. Excellent hunting loads for up to 125 yards on deer and elk.

Hope this helps,
George

SHR970 · April 3, 2012, 04:36 PM

Hornady Fourth Ed. Copyright 1991 Pg. 403

Bullet 200 gr. FP. Part #3315 Made specifically for the 33 Win.
Case: Remington
Primer: Winchester

Powder, Min, Max.
H4198, 28.0, 34.5
IMR 3031, 33.3, 40.0
IMR4064, 35.1, 41.2
H4895, 35.1, 45.1
W748, 37.1, 43.2

Per the manual "Because the 1886 action is not as strong as the more modern lever actions presently available, maximum loads listed should be approached with considerable caution."

osprey176 · April 18, 2012, 12:52 AM

Hate to rain on your parade,but I'm pretty sure that Hornady 200 grain flat point is no longer made.I picked up a box many years back for reduced loads in my .338 Win,but haven't found any more for some time.Maybe Barnes Originals?

**Mike Irwin** · April 18, 2012, 03:36 AM

The two people I've known who have loaded .33 Winchester have both used and sworn by 3031.

SHR970 · April 18, 2012, 07:21 AM

osprey176...just quoting from the book...but you are correct. However, if it were me I would substitute the 200 gr. GMX (part # 33104) and work up a load with that. They are made for tube mag guns.

April 3, 2012, 11:37 AM	#1
WD40+21 Junior Member Join Date: April 3, 2012 Posts: 1	.33 Winchester loads I need a hunting load for a 1886 Winchester in 33 WCF. What powder and bullet would be right?

April 3, 2012, 12:03 PM	#2
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	According to "cartridges of the world" 200gr sp................H4895 with 45gr= 2200fps/2150lbs. 200gr sp..............IMR3031 with 40gr= 2100fps/1959lbs 200gr sp.........................factory= 2200fps/2150lbs. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

April 18, 2012, 03:36 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	The two people I've known who have loaded .33 Winchester have both used and sworn by 3031. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 3, 2012, 12:12 PM	#3
RevGeo Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2011 Location: North Idaho Posts: 161	Data from the Ideal Handbook #38 (published in 1951) for .33WCF: Jacketed bullets - 200gr: 26.4gr of 2400, 44.5gr of IMR 4320, 46.0gr of IMR 4064, 42.0gr of IMR 3031 - These are all max loads, so start at least 5% lower. The velocities for all these loads are somewhere around 2000-2300fps, so the modern day .338 bullets available might be a little stout in construction, but I'd load 'em up and shoot them into a wet phone book and see what kind of expansion you get. Probably a round nose bullet with plenty of exposed lead would work best. You're going to have to shop around some, I imagine. Cast bullets ( great option for this caliber): 195gr gas check Lyman cast - 25.2gr of 2400, 17.0gr of IMR 4759, 16.0gr of Unique. These loads are in the 1700-1900 fps range. Excellent hunting loads for up to 125 yards on deer and elk. Hope this helps, George

April 3, 2012, 04:36 PM	#4
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Hornady Fourth Ed. Copyright 1991 Pg. 403 Bullet 200 gr. FP. Part #3315 Made specifically for the 33 Win. Case: Remington Primer: Winchester Powder, Min, Max. H4198, 28.0, 34.5 IMR 3031, 33.3, 40.0 IMR4064, 35.1, 41.2 H4895, 35.1, 45.1 W748, 37.1, 43.2 Per the manual "Because the 1886 action is not as strong as the more modern lever actions presently available, maximum loads listed should be approached with considerable caution."

April 18, 2012, 12:52 AM	#5
osprey176 Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Location: western nebraska Posts: 6	Hate to rain on your parade,but I'm pretty sure that Hornady 200 grain flat point is no longer made.I picked up a box many years back for reduced loads in my .338 Win,but haven't found any more for some time.Maybe Barnes Originals?

April 18, 2012, 07:21 AM	#7
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	osprey176...just quoting from the book...but you are correct. However, if it were me I would substitute the 200 gr. GMX (part # 33104) and work up a load with that. They are made for tube mag guns.