Lee .338-220-R

[DonH]

Anyone use/have an opinion on this bullet? I'm contemplating using it in a .338-06, subject to diameters being correct..

[BruceB]

After using three Lyman designs, plus one LBT and one NEI, I find that the Lee 220 is simply the best .338 design I've found to date.

Now that Lee has begun making their rifle designs in two-cavity format, I'll be getting the .338/220 design in that formulation one of these days.

Based on my experience, you won't be giving up anything to the more-expensive designs by trying out the LEE.

Go to the softnose "sticky" on the "MOULDS, Maintenance and Design" forum, post #14, for an extreme close-up of the Lee .338 in softpoint form.

[Andy_P]

A good bullet to use in the M95 Steyrs which often exhibit groove diameters in the 0.332" range. This bullet will size down to that diameter nicely.

[Nardoo]

Don,

I use the Lee in my Winchester Model 70 338WM. It shoots well with H4895 at around 1800 fps with WW plus 2% sn but I must admit I have done no load development at all.

The mold is a beauty to use too. A friend also has this mold and his boolits are quite different, having a different shaped point and and are 1 thou smaller on the driving bands.

I would recommend this mold if you have a 338WM - not sure about the 338/06 but with fingers crossed it should be OK.

Nardoo

[DonH]

Nardoo;

Admittedly the .338-06 isn't talked about much on re; cast bullet shooting but I have one that isn't being used otherwise so why not give it a try? The parent .30-06 has a great reputationn with cast bullets so I see no reason why th e.338 should nort do as well. With J-bullets the 10" twist seems to like the heavier range of bullet weights somewhat better. The twist could handle 300 grainers easily but the 220 is a starting point and is readily available.

Each mould is individual but what does an as-cast bullet from your mould measure?

Don

[Nardoo]

Don,

They weigh 220 gns, are 1.062" long, measure .341" on the driving bands and have a .328" nose section.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_1519Small.jpg

Hope this helps
Nardoo

[DonH]

Yes Sir! I will be doing a cast of the chamber/ throat/bor within the next few days. Those dimensions give me some info to go on.

I lost most of my vision a couple of years back so for the most part my hunting days are over. I am back to shooting albeit with high magnification scopes and mostly from the bench. I contemplated what to do with the .338-06 then had a uereka moment- cast bullet shooting! I'm up for a challenge.

[Nardoo]

Don,

Go for it! If I lived on your side of the world I would send you some to try but perhaps that would take away some of the pleasure you have in front of you.

To get some higher velocities than me, water drop your boolits or use a harder alloy. I have great luck with Kangaroo lube. If you pm me your address I will send you some from down here.

I wish you well.

Nardoo

[DonH]

Just afollow up on this thread. I had a chamber/bore cast done on the rifle mentioned above. The cast revealed the throat to be .3416 or .3417, groove dia. .3405 and bore dia .3310. I have obtained a current copy of the Lee C338-220-1R. Bullets cast of WW measure .3315 on the nose (bore-riding) portion and .3415 on the driving bands. Good fortune!