338 Sherman & 175gr Hammer…?

[Shane Lindsey]

I have Shooters World Precision and CFE223 loaded up to shoot tomorrow. SWP is right below Varget on the burn rate chart and CFE223 showed high velocity with a 160 Barnes on Hodgdon site for a 338-06.
we shall see.

 

[wilkup]

Can't wait to hear! You trying the 175gr HHs this time around? I can get CFE223 from my shop too, so if it hits the numbers for you, I'll be buying all they've got
Please post a photo of the loaded rounds if you get a chance?

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Yup. 175 HH

 

[Shane Lindsey]

As requested:
.338 Sherman with a 175gr Hammer Hunter. This is .050" off the lands and as you can see the boat tail is high above the neck shoulder junction. That's a good thing because even these faster powders are eating up capacity.

Will edit with my load findings later.
Shooters World Precision 59.5-63.5gr.
CFE 223 62-66gr.
Each are one grain increments for velocity/pressure testing. I don't think I will get to the top of these based in what I am seeing with this cartridge and the heavier pills, but would hate to not hit pressure and have to go back out not shooting groups.

Report back later.

 

[wilkup]

As requested:
.338 Sherman with a 175gr Hammer Hunter. This is .050" off the lands and as you can see the boat tail is high above the neck shoulder junction. That's a god thing because even these faster powders are eating up capacity.

Will edit with my load findings later.
Shooters World Precision 59.5-63.5gr.
CFE 223 62-66gr.
Each are one grain increments for velocity/pressure testing. I don't think I will get to the top of these based in what I am seeing with this cartridge and the heavier pills, but would hate to not hit pressure and have to go back out not shooting groups.

Report back later.

View attachment 335227View attachment 335228View attachment 335229

Sharp looking round! I wonder if you could seat them out a bit longer to get a little more case capacity. I've been loading the 117HHs to 3.38" in my 270 and then crimp them. The 117gr in 270 is 1.22", compared to 1.24" in the 338's 175gr.
I wonder if that might give you a bit more capacity to hit the velocity we're after…

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Was able to shoot these this morning. Pleasantly pleased. CFE 223 will get some more work. SWP is probably good for fireforming and the garden.

Here are my results. This older Savage shows ejector print and not sure if it is pressure or a rough bolt face, since I don't have pressure gear, I will default to keeping my melon where it is.

I definitely think this cartridge is doing better with the lighter pills in this rifle.

22" Savage Prefferred Barrels.
Peterson 270 Win brass
CCI 250

175gr Hammer Hunter
Shooters World Precision
59.5gr 2966 FPS. Cold/Clean bore
60.5 2964 very faint ejector shadow starting
61.5. 3022 very faint ejector
62.5 3054 slight firing pin hole flow
63.5. 3076 faint ejector, primer slight flattening out, firing pin hole slight flow

CFE 223
62gr 3065 FPS primer slight flattening out, firing pin hole slight flow
63 3092 primer not as flat, firing pin hole flow
64 3144 slight ejector print/ shadow slight flattening of primer, pin flow
65 3158 slight ejector print/shadow, slight flattening of primer, pin flow Probably max.
66 3212 slight ejector print/shadow, primer not as flat, pin flow but this case looked better than 65 grains.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Sharp looking round! I wonder if you could seat them out a bit longer to get a little more case capacity. I've been loading the 117HHs to 3.38" in my 270 and then crimp them. The 117gr in 270 is 1.22", compared to 1.24" in the 338's 175gr.
I wonder if that might give you a bit more capacity to hit the velocity we're after…

Not much more bearing surface for these already. I haven't crimped as some have, but may work on that with a load.

 

[ButterBean]

Not much more bearing surface for these already. I haven't crimped as some have, but may work on that with a load.

I'd keep all the PDR bands in the case mouth as well if it were me