338-06AI New Owner Need Load Data

[levers4life]

Just picked up a custom 03-A3 with a Douglas barrel in 338-06AI. Anybody willing to share some starting load data for 180gr to 225gr bullets? I was thinking BL-C(2) for 180gr class bullets and 4350 for 200+gr as a starting point. Also, any tips on fire forming would be helpful. Do I need to anneal cases before expanding? Thanks for any help. There isn't a lot of info out there that I can find.

 

[Seabeeken]

From an older Speer manual. Find some older manuals, they are full of info. I'd anneal first and check for a donut after forming

 

[Shane Lindsey]

That weight bullet with Varget has been good in my 338 Sherman. A tiny bit more capacity, but did well with the 175/213gr monos.
Not super fast with the heavier, but accurate/consistent. 6.5 Stabal is another one that has worked on the heavier, so your H4350 may as well.

I had to use 270/280/280ai brass for proper length. I think you could just take virgin cases. I necked up to 30 cal, then 35 and back down to 338 to create a flase shoulder and then jammed .010" for fireforming. I used graphite in the necks for all sizing, but did not full length size, just enough in the necks to get them expanded. I annealed after the first firing once formed, then full length sized.

I would imagine you may not need to do all that as your length is the same. I would lube necks and carefully try to expand the necks on a few trash cases (what I did to practice and make sure all was well). I would jam .020" with medium charge weights to form. Maybe just do a few to start with to make sure it is happy, happy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[FEENIX]

Just picked up a custom 03-A3 with a Douglas barrel in 338-06AI. Anybody willing to share some starting load data for 180gr to 225gr bullets? I was thinking BL-C(2) for 180gr class bullets and 4350 for 200+gr as a starting point. Also, any tips on fire forming would be helpful. Do I need to anneal cases before expanding? Thanks for any help. There isn't a lot of info out there that I can find.

It depends on which bullet manufacturer, design, construction, etc.

Which 4350? H4350, IMR 4350, or Accurate 4350

 

[levers4life]

That weight bullet with Varget has been good in my 338 Sherman. A tiny bit more capacity, but did well with the 175/213gr monos.
Not super fast with the heavier, but accurate/consistent. 6.5 Stabal is another one that has worked on the heavier, so your H4350 may as well.

I had to use 270/280/280ai brass for proper length. I think you could just take virgin cases. I necked up to 30 cal, then 35 and back down to 338 to create a flase shoulder and then jammed .010" for fireforming. I used graphite in the necks for all sizing, but did not full length size, just enough in the necks to get them expanded. I annealed after the first firing once formed, then full length sized.

I would imagine you may not need to do all that as your length is the same. I would lube necks and carefully try to expand the necks on a few trash cases (what I did to practice and make sure all was well). I would jam .020" with medium charge weights to form. Maybe just do a few to start with to make sure it is happy, happy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you. I may be over complicating this.

 

[levers4life]

It depends on which bullet manufacturer, design, construction, etc.

Which 4350? H4350, IMR 4350, or Accurate 4350

Looking at the 180gr TTSX and possibly the Speer 225BT I have IMR4350 & H4350 on hand. I've seen the BL-C(2) & Stabal (as Shane mentioned above) show promising numbers for the 180's from what I've seen online so far.
The only info I've seen on the Speer 225's looked good with IMR4350 and RL15 (which I don't have on hand). I appreciate the replies and information.

 

[levers4life]

From an older Speer manual. Find some older manuals, they are full of info. I'd anneal first and check for a donut after forming

Thank you, sir!

 

[Carlos88]

From an older Speer manual. Find some older manuals, they are full of info. I'd anneal first and check for a donut after forming

That looks like Nosler's data.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Two best powders in my 338-06 have always been 760 followed by H4350, Varget wasn't in the running.
In all of my AI's, I start with parent case max loads and work up from there.
Starting loads for 200g bullets would be H4350 63g or 760 62.5g, either giving you above 2700fps in a 23" barrel.
I get 2750fps with 210g Partitions in my 24" barrel.

Cheers.

 

[Seabeeken]

That looks like Nosler's data.

1st pic was speer the rest nosler. Added nosler afterward

 

[Deputy819]

My best accuracy was using H414 combined with the Speer 225gr BTSP. Sure did put the "wallop" on a bunch of deer!

 

[Speedwalker]

I'm using CFE223.

 

[thatguyshm]

My top speeds in the non AI and 225s always came with RL17, with best accuracy being a compressed load. I currently have some 200gr with Staball 6.5 ready to test with. I think my most accurate load was with H380 and some 200gr ballistic tips, so don't be afraid to try some of the old powders that aren't new and cool. Might miss out on great shooting for perfect.

 

[Reemty J]

I shoot a 175HH in mine, 59 grains imr3031, gets me 3127 fps in a 21.5" barrel, 3/8" 3 shot groups @ 100 yards. Hammer has a 180-190HHT in the works that when it is released may be the ideal weight for this cartridge, may also want to look at the 186SH.