sako 338 fed pet loads

[trkyman1]

Anyone have a favorite load for this gun/caliber? I only shot federal fusion 200gr with it and they group around 1 1/2 inch.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  When I had my last .338, my best loads came with reloader 19 and 200 grain Speer for light game and 210 Noslers for every thing else. It turned out to be a very, very heavy load. I followed Bob Hagel's methods for determing a top load for my rifle. It shot fast, hit hard and was very accurate, but it also kicked hard. I liked 19, 4350, and Imr 4831.

[Happy]

If you can get some Tac powder this would be the powder to use . I can not get it in Ontario
I started with H335- 47gr, H4895-47 gr, and Just got some W748 for 50grs to use with a 200 gr Speer bullet.
Data used can be found on line .
I might settle with the 210 Nosler to 215 gr Serria. bullet for moose . Yet to work up loads. The 200 gr. bullets gets the nod from speer , so start here  for deer and bear maybe move up for moose and the like . Using 308 Brass stepping up to 338 cal is a brezze with pre lubed and slightly flared necks.
I just got  a Tikka T3  and not had the chance to work up many loads . You groups seem to be in line for this round as this is what my rifle does . I have read this is in line with the round , how ever things might improve as the rifle settle in. The 3006 started to improve after about 150 rounds fired . 
The rifle being lite , has a lot of reciol , more than the 06 I find , so invested in a Limbsaver pad . I am sure this and less rain / wind will inprove the shooting too.
Hope this might help or at least gets you started .  I do not find much on the 338 F on line .
Maybe some experiance on game with this round , some reports will be found on line

[trkyman1]

I was planning on loading the 200gr. speer for an all around bullet. If you shoot some critters with it please let me know how it performs. I bought the fusions to shoot and get some brass before I handload. I love the looks of this cartridge and see myself using it often.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Sorry, When I made my reply I thought the .338 in question was a .338 win. I have never owned or shoot the .338 Fed. My mistake.

[Happy]

The federal fusion bullet is rated as an excellent deer bullet . Reloading the 200 Gr. speer should also be very good on medium sized game from what I read . The 215 serria probably will be the same as the 358 is to the 225 Serria . ( reloaders seem to favour this bullet when reloading the 358W) It might not start off as fast as the speed of the lighter bullets , but then retain velocityof 2000 FPS to 300 Yrs, while the 200 Gr would be closer to 1900 FPS at that distance . So that is were I got the idea of settling with the heavier 210 to 215 gr. bullet .
Here in North Bay district , Moose and black bear the the game with some deer now moving in . So you would want the most thump for your buck. Then one load for goes all game.
We will watch the forums . Some one is going to report a bang flop on a big bear , moose, or elk  . We are just starting to hear some  reports on game with the 358 W boys , so likewise we should hear some good things with the Federal 338 too.
Happy                 

[trkyman1]

Yes I agree time will tell. I wish I had more critters to hunt.

[Happy]

We have moose , deer and bear . Some upland birds . While I would think there are lots of deer and hogs where you are .
Then we got a few gravel pits where we can shoot a few when we feel the need .

I understand the hogs are as plenty as our wolves , and you may shoot more than one . For us you may harvest maybe only one, so most shooting is on paper.
You might save for that special trip North . It is beyond our means , and there is the concern of the meat being spoiled for the long trip home from North Quebec or North West .Never Hunt for Pelt and horns -leaving the meat .

[jumpsteady]

180 grain Accubond over 43.5 grains of IMR 4895 shoots great in my ruger.

[Happy]

Handloader Magazine #254 Aug 2008 had an intersting article on the 338 F and they compared the round to the 358 W.
If you can - find the article on the web as it is good reading
 
Here are some loads with Ramshot  Tac as per this article

Bullet                            Charge =grs                           Vel .                                Group
160 Barnes  T T S             Benchmark 49.gr.                 2,961                                   .81
180 Nolser Ballistic tip         Tac  49.                            2,819                                 1.25
200 Hornady Sp                 Tac 48.5                            2,708                                1.62
210 Nolser Partition          Tac   46                              2,566.                                1.22
225 Nolser Accurbond         Tac 44.                             2.463                                 1.94
200 Fusion factory load                                              2,736                                 1.18




Jumpsteady  your 1mr 4895 load is not far from the min. load of 42. gr. going at 2373 FpS.The max load 47.0 gr. Going @2624.
Is this the best load    Load your gun shoots or are you using this load for mild pressure? Recoil should be mild.
This is not far from a 356 Loador a hot 35 Rem load.
I think W748 might give you more speed and still retain that low pressure level

[jumpsteady]

It shoots quite well there. I have not begun to push the loads yet. I am also doing the mild load thing. Only have the money for 1 rifle so if I keep the pressures down the wife can also shoot it at a deer while I am using the .357. Plus the load is 2 for 2 on deer last year. both at about 175 yards, both bang-flops.

[Happy]

It shoots quite well there. I have not begun to push the loads yet. I am also doing the mild load thing. Only have the money for 1 rifle so if I keep the pressures down the wife can also shoot it at a deer while I am using the .357. Plus the load is 2 for 2 on deer last year. both at about 175 yards, both bang-flops.

Great if it works !!  The 338 does have a bit of a thump     How much bullet drop ?