What is your favorite .338 load.....

[jonr]

I am fixin to start reloading for a M-77 .338 I just got.
I am trying to come up with a few lower recoil loads to use
for practicing with the rifle.

With that said, what is your favorite .338 load  for practicing?

Has anyone tried to Barnes 160 grain bullets, if so with what success?

Thanks!

Jonr

[Ron T.]

I've used 75 grains of IMR4350 with a CCI 250 Magnum primer in Winchester cases behind the Nosler 210 grain Partition bullets as a hunting load for many years in my pre-64 Model 70 "Alaskan" Winchester with it's 26" barrel.  It's a "stout" load, but reasonably accurate and very hard-hitting with the above bullets at 3,020 fps.

Lately, I have also reloaded and shot some 200 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips using the same load and found that load reasonably accurate as well at 3,064 fps.

However, this load may NOT be safe in your rifle, so "work up" to this load with caution.

Good luck with your .338 Win. Mag... it's a fine caliber that can easily take any North American big game as long as you can take it's considerable recoil.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[old06]

Winchester case, federal 215 primer, speer grand slam 250gr, and work your way up with IMR 4831 that is my hunting load. My breakin and get use to load is winchester case, cci 200 primer, Hornady 200 gr interlock,and work your way up with IMR4350.

[Jim n Iowa]

This is one of my favorite rifles to shoot a Ruger  m77 mk 2/ B&l 4000 elite scope I havn't been able to take advantage of its potential in hunting as of yet. I have been on some deer hunts to neighboring state and Its impressive. (high power not allowed in Iowa for deer) I use it also for coyote gun at this time of the year. so I am at the range working out with the 338 and 7mm mag using light bullets. Those that tell of no problem with recoil with these rifles have not sat down at the bench and hugged this rifle for +60 full house rounds. I don't like to down load in powder, find the right combo and stay with it. For me its easy, my hearing is gone, use a Walker quad muff.
Have had luck with a 200 gr Speer #2405,IMR4831 68.5, and IMR 7828 73.5  COL 3.300
Not a bad grouping's, but I think the Sierra 215 would work better.
Jim

[Jim n Iowa]

jonr
Sorry I rambled on so, as I forgot to mention that I put a muzzel brake on the rifle. Its a dream to shoot now. the gun is very similar to "pre 64" winchester model 70
Jim