338 Federal Loads

[prm]

Anyone running varget or h4350 in there's? How about lapua palma brass? I have both on hand. Always bugged prm on his builds and loads and the itch to build one goes away and then he posts something like this kimber hunter or tikka sl? Is the LA of the tikka advantageous with the 200 grain bullets?

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Ha ha, my evil plot to keep the cartridge on life support! As for the Tikka being advantageous, I would say it is. Definitely opens a few doors for longer bullets. However, on the flipside, I have always been able to find suitably accurate hunting loads on my Kimber 84M which has always been limited to 2.82".

 

[Jon Boy]

Looking like I have a kimber in 338 fed on the way! Now my dilemma is... the only bullets available that I can find are hammers or cutting edge, and the only powders I can find that would be suitable are LVR and varget. Which dont seem to work well for the lighter bullets. Any one have leads on 200 or 210 grain bullets? Or aa2230 in Montana?

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[35WhelenAI]

Congratulations on the rifle. Order the bullets you can get, the Hammers will punch way above their weight just like any good mono. You may not get deep into shooting the gun, because of the cost of the bullets, but you will be shooting. Midway USA has AA2230 in stock. They also have IMR 3031 and TAC. Bite the bullet and order some, once you are shooting that new rifle, you will be a happy camper.

 

[Jon Boy]

@prm any news on the 175 hammers or CE?

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[prm]

The 175 Hammers shoot well with Benchmark. Benchmark has been available. Getting 2800. I’m sticking with that. BM is a good temp stable powder so should be a great hunting load. I tried X-Terminator but accuracy was not as good. Sure is fast though! AA2230 is also fast.

I’ve seen some 200 SSTs or 200 Hot Cors on occasion. Of course Hammers are always available. For powder, TAC, AA2230, Benchmark, have all been available. LVR is good with 200s as is TAC. I think you be able to find something good.

 

[Jon Boy]

Looking at those 176 ER raptors. Expensive but its not going to get shot often and looks like they will open well beyond 500 yards. Not that this rifle will be intended for that either, but its nice having the ability. I see benchmark is in stock at powder valley as well.

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[35WhelenAI]

What's the expansion window Cutting edge gives for the ER Raptors? Or if they differ, for the 176 you are going to use?

 

[Jon Boy]

What's the expansion window Cutting edge gives for the ER Raptors? Or if they differ, for the 176 you are going to use?

They claim they open down to 1500 fps. Running a quick calc shows they are above that getting launched at 2800. Not much real world info on them though. I guess I'll be the $2 a bullet guinea pig.

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[35WhelenAI]

That's a good low speed expansion threshold to lose the petals if they will hold up their end of it. Thanks for that info.

 

[freddyG]

160 ttsx’s are available now, so that is a great cheaper option.

 

[Jon Boy]

Just found some 2230. I have a couple of 185 ttsx coming with the rifle. Going to start there and see what I come up with. If it looks like its fairly easy rifle to get to shoot ill try the CEB. If its a finnicky kimber ill be looking at other Barnes. Would really like to find some 210 partitions. Just need a scope now

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[freddyG]

Mine has a pretty good kick with full power 200 hot cor bullets. Whatever scope you get, that Kimber will put it to the test.

 

[prm]

It will be snappy with the recoil. Not a big push though. Does seem hard on scopes. For powder, between 2230 and Benchmark you’ll find something it likes. Though I will try the 175 Hammers this year, if I could only hunt with one bullet it would be the 160 TTSX.

 

[Jon Boy]

What everyone running for scopes and rings on theirs? Was hoping to not put a heavy NF on this but its such a bomb proof option.

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[freddyG]

It will be snappy with the recoil. Not a big push though. Does seem hard on scopes. For powder, between 2230 and Benchmark you’ll find something it likes. Though I will try the 175 Hammers this year, if I could only hunt with one bullet it would be the 160 TTSX.

I have read your 338 federal journey on several forums, and want to thank you for sharing all the data. After I break in the barrel, I plan to only use the 160 ttsx. Hopefully my Montana likes them along with a2230.

It started out patterning the 200 hot core bullets, but after about 70+ rounds down the tube, it’s shooting about 1 MOA 5 shot groups. I have tried RL15, IMR 4895, IMR 4198, and TAC. IMR 4198 shoots the 200 speer hot cores the best. It also loves Lapua brass. Other brands of brass don’t work as well.

 

[freddyG]

What everyone running for scopes and rings on theirs? Was hoping to not put a heavy NF on this but its such a bomb proof option.

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I bolted on a 5.5-22 nxs for load development. Kimber part #1001515a bases and .885 NF ultralights.

For hunting, I have some warne maxima bases, same rings, and a 2.5-10x42 nxs.

 

[prm]

I currently have a Trijicon Credo 3-9 with the Mil reticle mounted in a rail with Vortex rings. I like the scope. No idea if it would pass ‘the test’.

 

[Jon Boy]

Just picked mine up. Gunna throw a scope laying around on it and do a ladder test with some 185 ttsx that came with the rifle tomorrow.

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[prm]

Just picked mine up. Gunna throw a scope laying around on it and do a ladder test with some 185 ttsx that came with the rifle tomorrow.

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Love that rifle!

 

[35WhelenAI]

Just picked mine up. Gunna throw a scope laying around on it and do a ladder test with some 185 ttsx that came with the rifle tomorrow.

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185 TTSX will be an absolute terror for anything it is called upon to do from that great looking 338 Federal rifle. 160 TTSX could even be better for ballistics downrange if you get the itch to try it.

200 TTSX from my 35 AI @2940 fps is the holy grail of bullets for that rifle from whitetails to muleys to elk. It can be pushed over 3000 fps safely with newer powders, but no need.

Looking forward to hearing the speed you get from your loads.