338-06 Bullets and powder selections.

[bksmith]

I'm curious to see if anyone has reloading data for RL 15.5 for the 338-06. There are loads for RL 15 but not 15.5. Has anyone used the hornady 230 grain eld-x in this caliber with any success.

 

[RegionRat]

I no longer load for 338-06 and TS15.5 wasn't around yet when I did.

However, when it comes to TS15.5 you can try to use RE15 data and know that you will be a little slower.

 

[bksmith]

Thanks, during the shortage we will call it. I was unable to aquire rl15 and rl15.5 was available. Reloading data has been slowly coming along but nothing is available for the 338-06 in the books or at reloaders web site. Coupled with the fact I want to use a bullet that hornady didn't include in their bullet selections for the 338-06.

 

[RegionRat]

If you do your work-up slowly and follow along with a chronograph you will see that the TS15.5 loads track well enough with the RE15 loads, they just start gradually falling behind by a small amount by comparison.

In typical 556 loads, it takes a few more tenths to bring the speed up to level. One problem is that for the 77 - 80 grain weight class bullets, the 556 case can get you to compression loads pretty quick.

With some of the 338-06 loads, there is still room in the case depending on how you seat the bullets. I was at or near 3.4" and had a little space with this 180 grain back when I tested RE15 and got results similar to this:



Based on other work with TS15.5, I would expect it to take up more space to get to the same speeds.

 

[WV Hitman]

I've used a .338-06 JDJ Encore handgun for years. Had excellent success with 185 gr, Xs & 200 gr. Hor. FPs.
Always IMR 4831 without problems.

 

[bksmith]

Guys thank you very much. It's been my experience with mid weight to heavy bullets, slower powder that fills the case usually gives me the better groups. I will start with a minimum charge for rl15 data and work my way up.

 

[BobT]

My favorite loads in the .338/06 were with IMR 4350 and the Nosler 210 grain Partition. I started out with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip and had one come apart so I called Nosler and got Chub Eastman on the phone, he sold me on the Partition and I never looked back. Of course now that Nosler has started making their bullets out of gold I might look elsewhere for projectiles.

 

[bksmith]

My favorite loads in the .338/06 were with IMR 4350 and the Nosler 210 grain Partition. I started out with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip and had one come apart so I called Nosler and got Chub Eastman on the phone, he sold me on the Partition and I never looked back. Of course now that Nosler has started making their bullets out of gold I might look elsewhere for projectiles.

Midway had overstock 338 nosler 210 partions for less than 50 dollars a 100 count box a few months back. I purchased a couple boxes then went to get more and the prices had went up.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

My favorite loads in the .338/06 were with IMR 4350 and the Nosler 210 grain Partition. I started out with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip and had one come apart so I called Nosler and got Chub Eastman on the phone, he sold me on the Partition and I never looked back.

Chub Eastman was a neighbor, and I worked with his wife, Gloria. Great folks.
When I built my .338-06AI, he suggested using 4320 with the 210gr Partitions. He was right, my Chic Donnelly built M70 10T shoots my hunting load into .3" - .5" right at 2,770 fps and I've never lost a bull after a hit with that load. Steve Timm was also a proponent of the caliber, who also mentored me during the build (two knowledgeable gentlemen, both now gone).



There are of course a plethora of possible loads for this caliber; this is what's worked for me.

 

[BobT]

Chub Eastman was a neighbor, and I worked with his wife, Gloria. Great folks.
When I built my .338-06AI, he suggested using 4320 with the 210gr Partitions. He was right, my Chic Donnelly built M70 10T shoots my hunting load into .3" - .5" right at 2,770 fps and I've never lost a bull after a hit with that load. Steve Timm was also a proponent of the caliber, who also mentored me during the build (two knowledgeable gentlemen, both now gone).



There are of course a plethora of possible loads for this caliber; this is what's worked for me.

I wish I could have known Chub personally but that was the only time I ever spoke to him, fortunately we had a long and very interesting discussion. How good it must have been to have him for a neighbor!