338 Fed - 1 in 10" twist bullets

Nomo4me · November 30, 2009, 06:57 PM

My Sako 85 is bedded right and the bore is clean but it's shooting the 180 grain Nosler AB poorly in several loads tried. The twist is 1 in 10". Would the 200gr be more likely to produce good results with that twist? I wanted the 180 gr to work for farting around at the range.

Thx

Mike

**Unclenick** · November 30, 2009, 09:39 PM

10" should be very happy with 180's. Some other issue is at work. How does it shoot other ammo? Also, what have you done to work the load up? Take a read of Dan Newberry's site if you aren't familiar with working up accuracy loads? It is perfectly possible to get a load combination that isn't getting the bullet out at the right time in the barrel's recoil-induced muzzle deflection, thus being exceptionally inaccurate. A different powder or charge weight may do just fine.

Nomo4me · November 30, 2009, 11:11 PM

I'm wondering if the chamber neck might be oversize: necks from the fired cases measure .371 - 373".
This 85 is a real beauty but I bought a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 with Burris FF2 3x9 for $500 Saturday and it's sub-moa with factory ammo with scant recoil and much more fun to fart around with at the range - which is my primary usage.

If the Sako 85 puts up too much of a fight in grouping I'll be tempted to move it along for what I have in it.

I

GeauxTide · December 1, 2009, 01:41 PM

I consider the minimum weight for a 338 to be 200gr. My 338-06 loves Hornady and Speer.

**Unclenick** · December 1, 2009, 02:37 PM

Mike,

The fired case numbers could be big if the neck on the brass is thinner than normal? Measure the OD of a neck with a bullet seated in it. A lot of commercial chambers run 2-4 thousandths bigger.

You might try semi-neck sizing. Use your regular FL sizing die, but only run the case in far enough that the sizing die is touches down on the sides. You should wind up with a neck resized most of the way, but not all the way to the shoulder. The short unsized portion helps center the bullet in the bore.

Also, you didn't mention if you'd measured loaded cartridge runout? That can make quite a difference to the accuracy of shorter bullets.

PTS1 · December 2, 2009, 12:04 PM

My Sako 85 in 338 fed does not like the 180 grain accubonds. Best I was able to do was 1.75 inch groups. Loves hornady 200 grainers over 46 grians of Reloder 15. .5 inch groups on that load.

Nomo4me · December 2, 2009, 10:38 PM

Thanks for the post & load. My bedding is muffed though so I'll address the fact that the action slops around freely - fore & aft, in the stock before I head back to the loading bench.

oneoldsap · December 7, 2009, 08:55 PM

I have a .338 Fed. barrel off a Ruger 77 and have been thinking about putting it on a 760 Rem. pump . I was thinking a 210 Gr. bullet should work well in the brush . I have a .358 Win that is a 1-12" twist and it loves 225 Gr bullets , sub MOA . So I should think 1-10" in the .338 should work fine. Try a 210 and Post how that works out .

November 30, 2009, 06:57 PM	#1
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	338 Fed - 1 in 10" twist bullets My Sako 85 is bedded right and the bore is clean but it's shooting the 180 grain Nosler AB poorly in several loads tried. The twist is 1 in 10". Would the 200gr be more likely to produce good results with that twist? I wanted the 180 gr to work for farting around at the range. Thx Mike

November 30, 2009, 09:39 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	10" should be very happy with 180's. Some other issue is at work. How does it shoot other ammo? Also, what have you done to work the load up? Take a read of Dan Newberry's site if you aren't familiar with working up accuracy loads? It is perfectly possible to get a load combination that isn't getting the bullet out at the right time in the barrel's recoil-induced muzzle deflection, thus being exceptionally inaccurate. A different powder or charge weight may do just fine. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 1, 2009, 02:37 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Mike, The fired case numbers could be big if the neck on the brass is thinner than normal? Measure the OD of a neck with a bullet seated in it. A lot of commercial chambers run 2-4 thousandths bigger. You might try semi-neck sizing. Use your regular FL sizing die, but only run the case in far enough that the sizing die is touches down on the sides. You should wind up with a neck resized most of the way, but not all the way to the shoulder. The short unsized portion helps center the bullet in the bore. Also, you didn't mention if you'd measured loaded cartridge runout? That can make quite a difference to the accuracy of shorter bullets. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 7, 2009, 08:55 PM	#8
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	.338 Fed. I have a .338 Fed. barrel off a Ruger 77 and have been thinking about putting it on a 760 Rem. pump . I was thinking a 210 Gr. bullet should work well in the brush . I have a .358 Win that is a 1-12" twist and it loves 225 Gr bullets , sub MOA . So I should think 1-10" in the .338 should work fine. Try a 210 and Post how that works out .

November 30, 2009, 11:11 PM	#3
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	I'm wondering if the chamber neck might be oversize: necks from the fired cases measure .371 - 373". This 85 is a real beauty but I bought a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 with Burris FF2 3x9 for $500 Saturday and it's sub-moa with factory ammo with scant recoil and much more fun to fart around with at the range - which is my primary usage. If the Sako 85 puts up too much of a fight in grouping I'll be tempted to move it along for what I have in it. I

December 1, 2009, 01:41 PM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I consider the minimum weight for a 338 to be 200gr. My 338-06 loves Hornady and Speer.

December 2, 2009, 12:04 PM	#6
PTS1 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2006 Posts: 246	My Sako 85 in 338 fed does not like the 180 grain accubonds. Best I was able to do was 1.75 inch groups. Loves hornady 200 grainers over 46 grians of Reloder 15. .5 inch groups on that load.

December 2, 2009, 10:38 PM	#7
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	Thanks for the post & load. My bedding is muffed though so I'll address the fact that the action slops around freely - fore & aft, in the stock before I head back to the loading bench.