26 Nosler Wildcats - 33 Nosler (338)

[Deleted member 46119]

Testing day but...

I forgot my Pressure Trace II. Oh well, I'll have to go shooting again. Darn, I love when that happens.

24" barrel

Load data
Bullet: Hornady SST 225
COAL: 3.385
Powder: IMR 7828 SSC
82 grains, 94% case capacity, 2707fps
83 grains, 95% case capacity, 2762fps
84 grains, 96% case capacity, 2847fps
85 grains, 97% case capacity, 2873ps
86 grains, 98% case capacity, 2963fps
87 grains, 99% case capacity, 2979fps
88 grains, 100% case capacity, 3045fps There was actually a little space left.

This series was very close to QL prediction.

I don't think this is max. No ejector marks rounded primer.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I'm getting PMs regarding progress, performance and estimations for different bullets.

I know PMs are "private" but when the questions and responses will help us all, I think publishing them here is a good thing.

I used my 338/26-Nosler for my cow elk hunt. Power is amazing, accuracy is very fine even with very quick load development. A 185 TTSX at 3280 removed about 1 foot of back strap on the far side.

FWIW: it is not the same as the SAMMI spec. The SAMMI spec shortens the case the same way they did with the RUMs.

If It Were Me: go with a 338/26-Nosler not a SAMMI spec 33-Nosler.

...I have followed the thread about your multiple wildcats off the 26 nosler and I was wondering if you had made any progress on the 35 or 33 cal versions. I'm in the market for a new hammer and I think those are both good candidates so I was curious...

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Re Reamers: After recent discussions, I am more inclined to go with Manson than PTG. However, you might get them faster from PTG. Make sure you review the reamer print before accepting it. You want a 338/26-Nosler. I can give you my reamer print number for your order. You might even want a tighter neck than I got. If you like I would be happy to review the reamer print prior to finalization.

Re Go/NoGo gauges: get the standard 26-Nosler. There better not be any difference or you are not a neck up and go chambering.

Re Dies: At the moment, I am forming brass using WSM neck and body dies. Then making sure that the OD is correct using a RUM body die. I had a resize reamer made for the 338. Once I get a die made with this reamer I will figure out how to convert it to a bushing die. Worst case, I use it as a bidy die for the sub 338 calibers and bore out the neck for the +338 calibers.

BTW: There is a lathe sitting on a pallet waiting to go onto the now installed pedestal. My smith wants me to start learning how to do this stuff myself.

Re 338/26-Nosler velocities: 24" barrel
185 Barnes TTSX 3100-3300fps easy. Actual velocities.
225 Hornady SST 2700-3100fps easy. Actual velocities.
For 250s I only have a very educated guess until tomorrow when I shoot them with a Magneto Speed and Pressure Trace II but until I get that data, Berger 250 OTM 2700-3000fps. Estimated velocities.

I've done my 358/26-Nosler design and it will be a necked up 26-Nosler. The SAMMI 35-Nosler may not be the same. I am working on CEB to make a ~320 grain bullet. The design shows a 320 CEB MTH with a BC of .86 being able to go 2450-2750 from a 24" barrel. Add 25fps per inch and a 28" barrel should be able to make 2850fps. I would be happy with that.

Where would I go about getting the reamer gages and dies? For the 338/26? And what kinda of velocity could I expect with the heavier 225s and maybe 250s? And do you have any info on the 35? Sorry for the 20 questions I'm just curious. Thanks for your time

Keep the questions coming. It makes this project more fun than the pure engineering exercise.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Testing day but...

This time I forgot my PC so no pressures

24" barrel

Load data
Bullet: Berger OTM 250 Grain
COAL: 3.530
Powder: IMR 7828 SSC
79 grains, 91% case capacity, 2635fps
80 grains, 92% case capacity, 2644fps
81 grains, 93% case capacity, 2673fps
82 grains, 94% case capacity, 2742ps
83 grains, 95% case capacity, 2747fps
84 grains, 96% case capacity, 2767fps
85 grains, 98% case capacity, 2866fps, QL prediction for this load is 2868!

This series was very close to QL prediction with some deviation but when I looked at the OBT the loads that were off were also way out of a an OBT node.

I don't think this is max. No ejector marks rounded primer.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

24" barrel

Load data
Bullet: Nosler Partition Gold 250 Grain #52280
COAL: 3.530
Powder: IMR 7828 SSC
79 grains, 91% case capacity, 2597fps
80 grains, 92% case capacity, 2630fps
81 grains, 93% case capacity, 2653fps
82 grains, 94% case capacity, 2670ps
83 grains, 95% case capacity, 2730fps
84 grains, 97% case capacity, 2742fps
85 grains, 98% case capacity, 2774fps

This series was slow compared to QL prediction. Why is one bullet dead in and another bullet so slow. Good question.

I don't think this is max. No ejector marks rounded primer.

 

[novaman64]

24" barrel

Load data
Bullet: Nosler Partition Gold 250 Grain #52280
COAL: 3.530
Powder: IMR 7828 SSC
79 grains, 91% case capacity, 2597fps
80 grains, 92% case capacity, 2630fps
81 grains, 93% case capacity, 2653fps
82 grains, 94% case capacity, 2670ps
83 grains, 95% case capacity, 2730fps
84 grains, 97% case capacity, 2742fps
85 grains, 98% case capacity, 2774fps

This series was slow compared to QL prediction. Why is one bullet dead in and another bullet so slow. Good question.

I don't think this is max. No ejector marks rounded primer.

How many more FPS do you think you would gain with a longer barrel, like a 28 or 30"?

 

[Timber338]

24" barrel

Load data
Bullet: Nosler Partition Gold 250 Grain #52280
COAL: 3.530
Powder: IMR 7828 SSC
79 grains, 91% case capacity, 2597fps
80 grains, 92% case capacity, 2630fps
81 grains, 93% case capacity, 2653fps
82 grains, 94% case capacity, 2670ps
83 grains, 95% case capacity, 2730fps
84 grains, 97% case capacity, 2742fps
85 grains, 98% case capacity, 2774fps

This series was slow compared to QL prediction. Why is one bullet dead in and another bullet so slow. Good question.

I don't think this is max. No ejector marks rounded primer.

My guess to the lower velocity here is in differences in bearing surface. The 250 Berger is a very small bearing surface so should push out faster than the partition. When you have your pressure system running it would be interesting to compare both bullets with the same powder charge. I'm sure that would start to shed some light.

Great stuff, thanks for posting.

Also, are you shooting these loads with or without a muzzle brake? I would assume that the 26 nosler case exceeds the level that you can comfortably shoot an unbraked rifle in any caliber.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

How many more FPS do you think you would gain with a longer barrel, like a 28 or 30"?

100 to 150fps maybe more.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

My guess to the lower velocity here is in differences in bearing surface. The 250 Berger is a very small bearing surface so should push out faster than the partition. When you have your pressure system running it would be interesting to compare both bullets with the same powder charge. I'm sure that would start to shed some light.

Great stuff, thanks for posting.

Also, are you shooting these loads with or without a muzzle brake? I would assume that the 26 nosler case exceeds the level that you can comfortably shoot an unbraked rifle in any caliber.

Bearing surface friction. Cool....

I started off shooting the 338 without a brake. Not fun. It's only a barrel diameter brake on a Weatherby #2 profile. Not much but just enough to allow me to keep my eyeballs on the same side of my glasses as my ears.

All 4 of them have brakes.

 

[wilkup]

This has been dead awhile but I was curious if you've gotten a chance to try anymore bullets in this cartridge or if you've upgraded the barrel to something longer yet...?

Still kicking around the idea of your wildcats. Any idea what the Barnes TTSX 210gr would run in a 26" barrel?
How about a Nosler AB 225gr?

 

[Deleted member 48126]

Can you run a 300 grainer? Can you pull data on it before testing? Thanks you're thread has been extremely informative.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I'm pretty sure I shot 210s but I can't find the logs. TTSX 210s could run ~3100fps in a 26 inch, Nosler AB 225s should go ~3050.

My chamber is throated to short to shoot 300s but at something reasonable for a seating depth 2650fps in a 26" barrel is certainly possible. Nothing near what a RUM, Edge or Lapua can do but that's not what it's for.

I'm keeping the 338 the way it is. Might make another one for longer bullets.

The 308/26-Nosler will get a Proof Research barrel. One of the 300Weatherbys is going to become a 28-Nosler with a proof research barrel.

The Remington test mules will go on the block for sale.

 

[deno]

Done any more testing with this cartridge?