My 338 Sherman Shortmag

[Tidesloe]

These work pretty good

Looks like some good adventures youve got going on there. Nice kills man!!

 

[jsmitt6]

Wanted to do an update with the 338SS and Hybrid 100V:

26" Barrel 225 Accubond got up to 2800 FPS without any pressure signs at 63 grains. Didn't load up any more than that but wish I did. I think I could creep it up to 2900 FPS but it might be tough on the brass. Will probably load up H4350 and Varget to see if I can get to my goal of 2900 FPS.

 

[S96743]

So with all the talk about powders my SA 338SS is not quite done yet. I've tried to scrounge powders and managed to find 8# W748 10# W760, 5# n540, 7# n550. What should I be expecting with 250 bergers and or 205/213 hammers and 22" 9.5t 5r barrel. 230 eld-x are non existent. I've looked at the Sherman load data but most of what was posted looks like med length not SA.

What powders should I look at using with what bullets preferably with a starting point. Break in and fire forming will be using Imr 4350 and 185 fusions.

Any advice would be appreciated in these lean times.

S

 

[jsmitt6]

So with all the talk about powders my SA 338SS is not quite done yet. I've tried to scrounge powders and managed to find 8# W748 10# W760, 5# n540, 7# n550. What should I be expecting with 250 bergers and or 205/213 hammers and 22" 9.5t 5r barrel. 230 eld-x are non existent. I've looked at the Sherman load data but most of what was posted looks like med length not SA.

What powders should I look at using with what bullets preferably with a starting point. Break in and fire forming will be using Imr 4350 and 185 fusions.

Any advice would be appreciated in these lean times.

S

I shoot a true short action 338 ss and am shooting 250 Bergers and 225 Accubonds. Yesterday I got up to 2850 FPS with the 225 Accubond at 2.835" COAL and 65 grains of H100V... The 250 Berger is 2.950" COAL and 64 grains of H4350 running at 2820 FPS.

 

[b6graham]

long time Sherman fan chiming in

moving to CO this summer and can finally hunt out west. gonna OTC elk tags and try and find some more stuff in CO/WY/MT

going between 7SS, 300SS, and 338SS (and 300/338 Max and Mega kind of)

always been a fan of a 7mm but something about the 338SS just draws me in.

I shoot PRS with 6Dasher, 7SAW, and 223 so i have a boatload of Varget and H4350

i have several Zermatt Origin short actions so switching a trainer to a magnum bolt face for hunting season is NBD
debating going with their new medium length. but the Max or Mega would be different powders than what i have well stocked and it means new action too

planning on Hawkins Hunter DBM and magazines whether short or medium

am i crazy for just wanting to stick with a 338SS, using varget and 250 bergers at ~2800fps

also debating 26" versus 20". i'm used to carrying around 26-28" barrels and don't think i want to lose the speed going 20" but the portability sounds nice

 

[jsmitt6]

long time Sherman fan chiming in

moving to CO this summer and can finally hunt out west. gonna OTC elk tags and try and find some more stuff in CO/WY/MT

going between 7SS, 300SS, and 338SS (and 300/338 Max and Mega kind of)

always been a fan of a 7mm but something about the 338SS just draws me in.

I shoot PRS with 6Dasher, 7SAW, and 223 so i have a boatload of Varget and H4350

i have several Zermatt Origin short actions so switching a trainer to a magnum bolt face for hunting season is NBD
debating going with their new medium length. but the Max or Mega would be different powders than what i have well stocked and it means new action too

planning on Hawkins Hunter DBM and magazines whether short or medium

am i crazy for just wanting to stick with a 338SS, using varget and 250 bergers at ~2800fps

also debating 26" versus 20". i'm used to carrying around 26-28" barrels and don't think i want to lose the speed going 20" but the portability sounds nice

Love the 338SS for any type of hunting. I used my 26" 338SS on a Colorado Muley at 804 yards this year (deer in profile picture). I, too, shoot the 250 Berger at 2800 FPS (compressed load of 63.5 grains). Absolutely Varget is going to be great. I use H4350 in mine but just found 3 pounds of Varget and am wanting to try that out.. (Maybe on the new 20" 270SS that I am putting together!). You wont miss out with any of those chamberings, they will all smack the crap out of anything you hit them with. Take your pick and enjoy!

 

[TexasTB]

I also shoot a 7mm SAW and 338SS on a bighorn origin action with Switchbarrel configuration. Accuracy is very good on both. Varget is my powder of choice, however also have used IMR 4166 with success. Shoot Hornady VldX 162 g in 7mm Saw (20" bartlein barrel) @ 2750 fps) and 230 VldX in 338SS (22" Brux barrel @2890 fps). Shorter barrels because I shoot suppressed…

 

[b6graham]

I also shoot a 7mm SAW and 338SS on a bighorn origin action with Switchbarrel configuration. Accuracy is very good on both. Varget is my powder of choice, however also have used IMR 4166 with success. Shoot Hornady VldX 162 g in 7mm Saw (20" bartlein barrel) @ 2750 fps) and 230 VldX in 338SS (22" Brux barrel @2890 fps). Shorter barrels because I shoot suppressed…

i run my 7SAW at 2840 with 162 eldm. 27" benchmark 8 twist. but it's a heavy varmint profile. might hunt with it this year if i don't get a 338SS (or other variant) built in time, but don't exactly look forward to lugging it around

i'll have a TBAC Magnus by hunting season so that would work for a 7SS or 300SS but not the 338SS. not sure i want to run a 9" can on a 26" barrel in the woods either

 

[UCzO___]

Is there an optimal barrel length? I am looking at a hunting rifle and wonder if 20" is too short. Will be hunting at ranges inside of 400yds. Looking at a Hornady CX 250gr bullet with Superformance or Varget.

Also what twist rate would you recommend?

Thanks,
Tommy

 

[ruby76]

Is there an optimal barrel length? I am looking at a hunting rifle and wonder if 20" is too short. Will be hunting at ranges inside of 400yds. Looking at a Hornady CX 250gr bullet with Superformance or Varget.

Also what twist rate would you recommend?

Thanks,
Tommy

Testing was done and down to 22" seemed to be the cutoff between too short and reduced speed. I'm now at 22" and a 10 twist and shoot 225 Barnes ttsx, likely going to try 210 ttsx next to get a bit more speed. A 250 mono seems quite big for this case, and may need more twist but not sure.

 

[Deleted member 109523]

Is there an optimal barrel length? I am looking at a hunting rifle and wonder if 20" is too short. Will be hunting at ranges inside of 400yds. Looking at a Hornady CX 250gr bullet with Superformance or Varget.

Also what twist rate would you recommend?

Thanks,
Tommy

I don't see a 250 CX listed. I see a 225. If so, I imagine a 10 twist would work. They don't list a twist rate for it.

 

[elkaholic]

I don't see a 250 CX listed. I see a 225. If so, I imagine a 10 twist would work. They don't list a twist rate for it.

10 twist will run a 250 Berger.
A lot of guys use 9.3-9.4 though

 

[UCzO___]

I don't see a 250 CX listed. I see a 225. If so, I imagine a 10 twist would work. They don't list a twist rate for it.

You are correct. Saw this at Midsouth and assumed it was real.

375 Caliber .375 Diameter 250 Grain CX 50 Count

375 Caliber .375 Diameter 250 Grain CX 50 Count by Hornady Midsouth now carries the 375 Caliber .375 Diameter 250 Grain CX 50 Count Bullets from Hornady. The CX (Copper alloy eXpanding) bullet from Hornady represents the most advanced monolithic hunting bullet on the market. Its optimized...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

Sounds like 22" 1:9 might be my setup. Thanks for all the input.

Yeah, I just saw my mistake. .375 vs .338.

Thanks again.

 

[KMG]

Is there an optimal barrel length? I am looking at a hunting rifle and wonder if 20" is too short. Will be hunting at ranges inside of 400yds. Looking at a Hornady CX 250gr bullet with Superformance or Varget.

Also what twist rate would you recommend?

Thanks,
Tommy

I'm running a 25" 9.3tw with the 250 SBDII in 338ss & RL17 @ 2800+. Ran it over 2900 for few firings but only got 4 reloads before pockets were toast. Still plenty of horse power behind a 250 mono. Good luck with your build.