.338 wm temp stability powders

[RD57]

In my Win Super Grade I've tried RL19, H4350, I4350, H4831, and recently N560, I4451 and RL16. Best results for temp stability was with H4350 shot from 22 to 93 degrees with 200, 225 and 250 grain bullets (all Nosler PT, BT and ABs). The velocity champs were with RL19 and N560 they but did not give the groups I was looking for at 200 yards. I'm growing tired of trying new powders, so I've settled on H4350 for the accuracy, low standard deviation, and temp stability. I was using Win brass weight sorted, and Fed215 primers for all loads.

 

[Jerry Mckenzie]

It will take sone serious looking on the internet but you can find a list of the powders with their sensitivity by degree. I don't remember which site I found it at, but copied as a reference

HS-6 1.21fps per *
H110/W296 1.24 fps per *
Imr4227 1.17fps per *
Lil' Gun 1.31 fps per *
RL10x .71 fps per*
Benchmark .44 fps per *
Imr3031 .73 fps per *
Imr8208xbr .59 fps per *
H4895 .23 fps per *
Alliant Varmint pro .89 fps per *
Alliant AR comp .77 fps per *
Varget .19 fps per *
W748 1.32 fps per *
Imr4064 .53 fps per *
Ramshot Tac .91 fps per *
Imr4895 .87 fps per *
AA4064 1.11 fps per *
AA2520 .98 fps per *
RL15 1.52 fps per * from 50* and up
PP2000MR .99 fps per *
Imr4320 1.32 fps per *
Ramshot Biggame .98 fps per *
H380 1.44 fps per *
VV N150 1.08 fps per *
H414/W760 1.42 fps per *
Imr4350 .64 fps per *
AA4350 .47 fps per *
H4350 .29 fps per *
RL17 1.42 fps per *
Hybrid 100v .78 fps per *
RL19 1.61 fps per *
VV N160 1.24 fps per *
Imr4831 1.19 fps per *
Ramshot Hunter .86 fps per *
H4831 .36 fps per *
RL22 1.71 fps per *
Imr7828 1.36 fps per *
Magpro 1.01 fps per *
H1000 .21 fps per *
RL25 1.59 fps per *
Ramshot Magnum .87 fps per *
Retumbo .49 fps per *
RL33, still trying to get my data for this one.
US869 1.68 fps per *
H50bmg 1.64 fps per *

I would not use this as a final reference, I found it as a good place to start. This advice is worth everything you paid for it.

 

[Kaptoe]

Validation of what I have found from experience with h4895 .thanks for sharing

 

[35 Whelen]

Ok I'm asking about what YOU guys use in your 338WM for hunting in, say, zero to 90 deg. Did you have any issues when it got warm and did you lose a lot of speed (affected your zero) at colder temps? I see lots of folks use what I call the Old Regulars, i.e. IMRs, Hodgdons, Reloder 22 ( and R19) What do you use please? thanks.

I'm glade you did this thread, I did one (All around hunting load for the338 Win. Mag.) and only one reply.

 

[RevJim]

I never thought much about cold temp problems, growing up and living in East, Tx until I was 34. I just always worked up my loads ( via the usual "pressure signs", etc) in the hot summertime. I may have hunted a handful of days that were below freezing, most just "right at" freezing. I did the same thing when I moved here to Utah back in 1990. I never had any issues, but never used any "wonky" powder, in fact, I've always been a big fan of Hodgdon powders. I only had a heat problem with R22 in a .280AI when I went back to Texas (mid 90s) and it was 75 deg, but the load had been worked up about 50 degs. I had a hard bolt lift w/flat primers. I liked R22 in the 300WM very well and in a 224 TTH, down to below freezing w/the 224 TTH. I then tried to use R19 ( 2002) with the .338WM & 185 XLC. It went wonky at 10 deg, but it might have done it at 50 degs because it was so compressed. I couldn't hardly get enough powder in the case for decent speed with that slick XLC. The powder had formed into a solid cake. So, it might not have been "just the R19" cold temp issue alone. However, it spooked me big time! I won't use it in anything but a 240w ( and I don't have one anymore!) I just dropped back to H4350 and killed my elk that year. I had great results and stability with R15 in my old 35 Whelen AI. Also with varget, so the above chart seems to be accurate. I cannot think of any issues I ever had with the IMR powders either. I never liked having a "winter load and a summer load", in anything. So, I will try some of the newer powders i.e. R26 and R17. While I would like to "have" 2900+ with the Barnes 225 TTSX, I don't hunt anywhere or at any distance that I couldn't do the same thing with 2750-2800. So I will just have to see where my best accuracy is. Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[tigerwerkes]

I have a win 70 extreme SS and a Beretta Mato (Dakota) and shoot 225 NABs and RL19 in both. I worked up my loads to hunt avg conditions @~8k' in CO and WY. I'm also in ETex and always put my test batches in the fridge prior to summer range days. For me the RL19 flips like a switch at about 75* and I get pressure signs, but everything below that seems to be flat on ES and velocity. I might try something else eventually but these are so consistent I really don't have much of a reason unless I was heading to Africa or something where it would probably get hot....but then I would prolly just buy a new rifle

 

[Triggerhead Ed]

H1000

 

[Michael Souther]

The Rl powders like Rl19 give some good high velocity. But it's not really temp stable.
H4831 and H4350 give the classic velocity of 2780 fps with a 225 gr bullet. Which while not anything to stop the presses over. With modern bullets is a very good velocity to get the work done that the 338 Win is known for. I'm looking forward to working up a good load for the 225s and 250 gr in my Kimber next winter.
It's kindof hard to beat the 338 for an Alaskan hunting rifle. Or for other big game. I found that it was the by far most popular cartridge for bison hunting and is one of the most popular moose carts up here.
One thing I very much like about it is it doesn't blood shock deer like many smaller rounds.
I used 225 gr bullets for deer more than any other single weight. But also used the 200 gr X bullet @ over 2900 fps . Used the 275 gr @ just over 2600 and the 300 gr Barnes Original RNSP @ as close to 2500 fps as I could get them.
My favorite was the 300 gr as it was extremely accurate in my rifles and if I bumped into a brown bear I wasn't concerned with having too light a bullet.

I agree on the 338 win. never have blood shot a deer unlike 264 and others. will drop anything in the western hemisphere. I built mine way back in a 98 Maier and still top accuracy with a Federal barrel. not sure if Federal is still around. fantastic round.

 

[slv hunter]

I load for a friend's 338wm and it likes H 4350 with nosler partions.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I know this thread is about temp stable powders. But .
I'm going to try some 250 gr Nosler E Tip bullets in my Kimber.
I wish I could find a reliable BC for that bullet.
I'm hoping to get 2700 fps out of them with sub 3/4 moa accuracy.