338 Calibers I've shot

[Joe338ST]

The 338's.jpg

I just enjoy shooting 338 Cal rifles....with a muzzle brake of course!

The following are some maximum suggested loads and should be worked up to with caution - looking out for pressure signs.... Start with loads 10% lower and work up...

The 338 Win Mag - takes 250grain pills for 2600fps using 67.5grains of AR2209 in my R8 rifle - exceptionally accurate load. I have an R8 barrel.

The 338 RUM - takes 250 grain pills - It loves AR2225 and 101 grains should get you 2965fps, and 300 grain pills should give 2660fps behind 90.5grain AR2225. I have shot one on a Stiller action - but DH338mag is about drive a 338RUM on a R93 platform.

The 338 Lapua Magnum - takes 250 grain pills and using 98 grains AR2225 will give you 2850fps, whereas 94 grains of AR2225 will drive 300grain pills to 2650fps. Velocities can be improved with single feeding and bullet seating further out....Sav338 has one...

The 338 Lapua Ackley Improved - will generally drive 300 grain pills to 2950 fps using AR2225 (will need to work up the load but I've read 100grain of AR2225 can give over 3000fps if bullets are seated long and are single shot), and I have heard of reports of 3150fps using Alliant Reloader 33.... I have just got my hands on my custom barrel in the R8 platform...

My 338 Snipetac is in a heavy Stiller 408 action and drives 300 grain pills at 3272fps using 140grain AR2218....It is a hot load, and the brass has the extractor groove just starting to imprint on the case head in warmer weather....on my Bertram brass....

The 338 RUM outperforms the 338 Lapua Mag with 250 grain pills.....but is on a par with the 300grain pills. The 338 Lapua Ackley improved has 10% more powder capacity than the 338 Lapua Mag due to a straighter wall (less taper), and steeper shoulder with shorter neck. Looking at load data the RUM tends to be loaded hotter as the case is narrower and bolt face has more steel around the case head than the Lapua....

Looking forward to working up a good load in the 338 Lap AI.....Just need to have reloading dies made for it....

[Vaughan]

That was interesting, for me, given my total ignorance of the 338s. Am I right in thinking the 338WM doesn't much differ in performance to the 9.3x62 with 250gr pills?

[Joe338ST]

That was interesting, for me, given my total ignorance of the 338s. Am I right in thinking the 338WM doesn't much differ in performance to the 9.3x62 with 250gr pills?

The 9.3x62 is no slouch with 250gr pills and runs them at around 2450fps and for stalking is on a par with the 338WM.. It's greater diameter reduces the BC compared to a 338 caliber pill supposedly reducing effective range. The 338WM is flatter shooting.

I have a 375 H&H that I run with 301gr TUGs using 78 grains of AR 2209 powder at around 2550fps.....which has been my Sambar stalking rifle. I have since moved to the 338WM in the Blaser as my preferred stalking caliber....and my son stalks with the 375 H&H in a Winchester pre-64 action.

[Gun Barrel Ecologist]

Old post revival:
If you can get a secondhand .338 win barrel rather than prize a 9,3x62 out of a mates claws, can the ideal 9,3 load of a 250 Accubond at 2500 be replicated? And can it be done in a shortened 50cm barrel?

[Zboneee]

Good info here! Thanks. I have a 338 WM barrel in the R93, and a 338 RUM on a custom Weatherby MkV action. I've always wondered how RUM really compares to the Lapua. Loading manuals give the edge to the Lapua, but your experience is different. BTW I shoot the RUM without a brake, and 10 or 12 rounds in a shooting session is plenty!