.338 Win Mag Hand Load

CK1 · August 13, 2007, 08:44 PM

First, I'm not a reloader but I'm looking for a little help.

I've got an H.S. Precision PHR in .338 Win Mag. I've got a friend who will hand load for me but wants to know where to start. I'm looking for anyone with experience with this caliber on where to start hand loading.

What works and what doesn't?

Thanks.

Sevens · August 13, 2007, 11:51 PM

NO experience with this beast. My suggestion would be to go here:
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Hodgdon's web site lists recipes for every caliber using their powders. And since Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester powders are all coming from the same company now, you get quite a display of recipes that use many different powders and bullet weights, styles, etc.

This won't replace some real-world experience, but it's at least somewhere to start trying to build a load.

WIL TERRY · August 14, 2007, 12:22 PM

You have purchased a 338WINMAG rifle of some repute in which you want to use handloaded ammunition, you have never even tested it with factory ammo, but your friend is gonna handload ammunition for you, but he hasn't a CLUE where to start. YEEGADS !!!
First off, find a new friend since the words LOADING MANUAL do not appear to be part of his " expertise."
Secondly, only that rifle can tell you what it likes best, " what works and what doesn't." There are no shortcuts and we cannot do your work for you.

Bottom Gun · August 14, 2007, 02:52 PM

I hae found the .338 Win cartridge works best with slower powders like IMR4831.

I use 73.0 gr of IMR4831 with a Nolser 210 gr Partition bullet and a Winchester primer. This is a moderate load. You can load hotter than this but I don't ever load to the maximum for my rifles.

This load works well in my Finnbear and my BAR.

FWIW, an excellent factory load is the Remington 225 gr. It shoots < MOA in my BAR.

Hope that helps.

CK1 · August 14, 2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

You have purchased a 338WINMAG rifle of some repute in which you want to use handloaded ammunition, you have never even tested it with factory ammo, but your friend is gonna handload ammunition for you, but he hasn't a CLUE where to start. YEEGADS !!!
First off, find a new friend since the words LOADING MANUAL do not appear to be part of his " expertise."
Secondly, only that rifle can tell you what it likes best, " what works and what doesn't." There are no shortcuts and we cannot do your work for you.

First, you have no idea if I have tested it with factory ammo. I have and found a load that works pretty well (sub-moa). My friend is an avid hand loader and he wanted to try to cook up a load for my .338 that is better than what I found. My thought was on a forum as large as this one, just maybe someone had found a load that worked in a PHR or had some experience with powders/bullets that would be beneficial. That would be a STARTING point.

Quote:

Secondly, only that rifle can tell you what it likes best, " what works and what doesn't." There are no shortcuts and we cannot do your work for you.

Really? I didn't know that!

Thanks for the input Sevens and Bottom Gun. That's what I was looking for.

CK

temmi · August 16, 2007, 01:03 PM

Not that I want to hurt anyone’s feelings… I find it hard to understand your friend… it is not unusual for a Hand Loader to get a new caliber and need to work up a load….

Given you have used Factory ammo and have had good results I would start there…
The 338WM (Which I own and Hand Load) is an odd bird. With bullets from 180Gr to 250Gr…. What do you want?

That said, I get about .5 inch groups with some case prep and the 200gr Nosler BTs & IMR4350 as listed in the Nosler manual for 2900 Ft/Sec

August 13, 2007, 08:44 PM	#1
CK1 Member Join Date: December 25, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 48	.338 Win Mag Hand Load First, I'm not a reloader but I'm looking for a little help. I've got an H.S. Precision PHR in .338 Win Mag. I've got a friend who will hand load for me but wants to know where to start. I'm looking for anyone with experience with this caliber on where to start hand loading. What works and what doesn't? Thanks.

August 13, 2007, 11:51 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	NO experience with this beast. My suggestion would be to go here: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Hodgdon's web site lists recipes for every caliber using their powders. And since Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester powders are all coming from the same company now, you get quite a display of recipes that use many different powders and bullet weights, styles, etc. This won't replace some real-world experience, but it's at least somewhere to start trying to build a load. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 14, 2007, 12:22 PM	#3
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	Let Me See If I Understand This Right.... You have purchased a 338WINMAG rifle of some repute in which you want to use handloaded ammunition, you have never even tested it with factory ammo, but your friend is gonna handload ammunition for you, but he hasn't a CLUE where to start. YEEGADS !!! First off, find a new friend since the words LOADING MANUAL do not appear to be part of his " expertise." Secondly, only that rifle can tell you what it likes best, " what works and what doesn't." There are no shortcuts and we cannot do your work for you.

August 14, 2007, 02:52 PM	#4
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	I hae found the .338 Win cartridge works best with slower powders like IMR4831. I use 73.0 gr of IMR4831 with a Nolser 210 gr Partition bullet and a Winchester primer. This is a moderate load. You can load hotter than this but I don't ever load to the maximum for my rifles. This load works well in my Finnbear and my BAR. FWIW, an excellent factory load is the Remington 225 gr. It shoots < MOA in my BAR. Hope that helps.

August 16, 2007, 01:03 PM	#6
temmi Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 531	Not that I want to hurt anyone’s feelings… I find it hard to understand your friend… it is not unusual for a Hand Loader to get a new caliber and need to work up a load…. Given you have used Factory ammo and have had good results I would start there… The 338WM (Which I own and Hand Load) is an odd bird. With bullets from 180Gr to 250Gr…. What do you want? That said, I get about .5 inch groups with some case prep and the 200gr Nosler BTs & IMR4350 as listed in the Nosler manual for 2900 Ft/Sec