Loads for 348 Winchester

[reb henderson]

I need some recommendations for cast bullet loads for my winchester model 71 in 348. I will be using rcbs 200 grain FP, gas check bullets. Lookingfor a deer/ hog hunting load. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Reb

[Tatume]

I used the RCBS 348-200-FN bullet and a light charge of H4895 for 1750 fps. My load notes say "Very Accurate." It is safe to reduce H4895 to as low as 60% of the max load listed on the website.

https://hodgdonreloading.com/

[15meter]

Shamelessly copied from Loaddata.

Just a straight cut and paste does not bring over the nice spacing, hopefully you can decipher this mess. Hope this is a start for what you are looking for. May want to try and find a PDF of Lyman #45 or earlier on line. They probably would have what you are looking for.

Good luck working with obsolete cartridges can be a challenge. I've done a fair number of them over the years.



Warning! Notes: All primers CCI 200 except CCI 250 used with W-748. All groups three shots at 50 yards chronographed with PACT at 10 feet. Velocities from 20-inch carbine. Li. - Linotype; a.c. - air-cooled; w.c. - water-cooled; w.w. - wheelweights with 25 percent pure lead and 2 percent tin. Although loads tested proved safe in author's rifle, handloaders should exercise caution in load development. Start with a 10 percent reduction in powder charges. (Handloader Issue 148)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
250 LBT IMR IMR-3031 46.0 2,181
Remarks: 3 in.; a.c. w.w./9 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-3031 46.0 2,192
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; 1.75 in.; a.c. w.w./9 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-3031 45.0 2,152
Remarks: poor; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-3031 45.0 2,159
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; .75 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-4350 52.0 2,108
Remarks: .75 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-4350 53.0 2,140
Remarks: 1 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-4350 54.0 2,195
Remarks: poor; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT Accurate AAC-3100 57.0 2,033
Remarks: 1 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT Accurate AAC-3100 58.0 2,060
Remarks: 1.5 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 LBT IMR IMR-4831 59.0 2,045
Remarks: 1.5 in.; w.c. w.w./20 BHN
250 Barnes Accurate AAC-3100 56.0 2,039
Remarks: 1.25 in.
250 Barnes Accurate AAC-3100 59.0 2,134
Remarks: .5 in.; very accurate
300 Hoch IMR IMR-3031 42.0 1,913
Remarks: 1 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch IMR IMR-3031 44.0 1,961
Remarks: .5 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4350 54.0 1,966
Remarks: 1.5 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch Accurate AAC-3100 53.0 1,763
Remarks: 1.37 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4831 53.0 1,642
Remarks: .625 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4831 55.0 1,691
Remarks: .875 in.; a.c./14 BHN
300 Hoch IMR IMR-3031 42.0 1,943
Remarks: 1.62 in.; a.c./20 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-3031 43.0 1,955
Remarks: 1.75 in.; a.c./20 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4350 55.0 2,024
Remarks: 1.87 in.; a.c./20 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Accurate AAC-3100 56.0 1,903
Remarks: 1.87 in.; a.c./20 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4831 56.0 1,790
Remarks: 1.87 in.; a.c./20 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Winchester W-748 48.0 2,084
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; 2 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Winchester W-748 49.0 2,139
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; 1.87 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Winchester W-748 50.0 2,187
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; 1.25 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4350 54.0 2,027
Remarks: 1.25 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4350 55.0 2,059
Remarks: 1 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch IMR IMR-4350 59.0 2,210
Remarks: 2.25 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Winchester W-760 54.0 2,071
Remarks: 1.25 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Winchester W-760 54.0 2,033
Remarks: five grains of Super Grex over powder; 1.125 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.
300 Hoch Accurate AAC-3100 59.0 2,019
Remarks: .75 in.; w.c./28 BHN-Li.

Lee data

250 Lead Accurate AAC-4350 49.5 1947
Remarks: start load; min OAL: 2.800
250 Lead Accurate AAC-4350 55.0 2212
Remarks: never exceed; min OAL: 2.800; 23,700 psi
250 Lead Accurate AAC-3100 54.0 1874
Remarks: start load; min OAL: 2.800
250 Lead Accurate AAC-3100 60.0 2130

[15meter]

More from the same source:

Warning! Notes: Handloader issue No. 224
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
170 Lyman 350447 Hodgdon H-4831 54.0 1,979
Remarks:
200 Hornady FNSP Hodgdon H-4831 64.0 2,350
Remarks:
200 Hornady flatnose IMR IMR-3031 46.0 2,354
Remarks:
200 Hornady flatnose Hodgdon H-4895 49.0 2,367
Remarks:
200 Hornady flatnose IMR IMR-4064 50.0 2,365
Remarks:
200 Barnes X-Bullet IMR IMR-4350 60.0 2,597
Remarks:
200 Hornady flatnose IMR IMR-4350 61.0 2,559
Remarks:
250 Barnes Original flatnose IMR IMR-4350 55.0 2,231
Remarks:
250 NEI cast flatnose gas check Hodgdon H-4895 42.0 2,087
Remarks:
250 Barnes (Original) FNSP Hodgdon H-4831 61.0 2,151
Remarks:
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-3031 33.0 1,662
Remarks:
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-4895 37.0 1,728
Remarks:

[15meter]

Looks like some of Ken Waters' work:

Might also want to pick up his "Pet Loads" book. Expensive but has bunches of stuff in it.

Warning! Notes: Winchester 120 primers used in all loads; Winchester-Western cases used with all loads; Accuracy Classes: A+ = 1 1/2 inches or smaller; A = 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches; B = 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 inches; C = 3 1/4 to 4 inches; N.C. = not chronographed (Handloader Issue #62)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
170 Lyman 350447 IMR IMR-4227 25.0 1,864
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.795; accuracy class: C
170 Lyman 350447 Winchester W-680 27.0 1,947
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.795; accuracy class: B; good load
170 Lyman 350447 IMR IMR-4198 33.0 2,085
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.780; accuracy class: A; very accurate with good velocity
170 Lyman 350447 IMR IMR-4350 52.0 2,114
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.795; accuracy class: C; highest cast bullet velocity - MAXIMUM
170 Lyman 350447 Hodgdon H-4831 54.0 1,979
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.800; accuracy class: A; most accurate cast bullet load
241 Lyman 350457 IMR IMR-4198 27.0 1,711
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.710; accuracy class: C
241 Lyman 350457 Hodgdon H-4831 50.0 1,879
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.705; accuracy class: B; good load
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-4198 25.0 1,520
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.790; accuracy class: B
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-3031 33.0 1,662
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.790; accuracy class: A; most accurate heavy cast bullet load
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-3031 35.0 1,784
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.790; accuracy class: C
250 Lyman 350482 IMR IMR-4895 37.0 1,728
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.790; accuracy class: B; favorite cast bullet hunting load
250 Lyman 350482 Winchester W-748 37.0 1,678
Remarks: overall ctg lgt inches: 2.785; accuracy class: C

[Rick B]

Had a 200 grain RCBS mold. It did very well with F210 and 53.0 grains of H4831. LBT Soft Blue Lube. Look at 15meters post above. 54.0 of H 4831 with the Lyman 350447 187 grain bullet, was the most accurate. 54.0 grains produced 1979 fps. Should work well on game with a 12 bhn bullet. This load really makes the steel plates dance. Recoil isn't bad either.

Most experts recommend medium burning powders in the 348. I have always had outstanding results with H4831!
Rick

[Tatume]

Unfortunately, Reb may not be able to get H4831 either. Although I've not used it in the 348 Winchester, H4350 is available and recommended by Hodgdon. I've used H4350 in the 30-06 with cast bullets and had good results.

https://hodgdonreloading.com

[Rick B]

Living close to Bruno's Shooters Supply in Phoenix. It's amaziing the selection of powder they currently have. I guess I'm spoiled in that regard.

About the time I started casting for 348 W a friend gave me 3# of H4831 in the old cardboard cans. After a evening of rereading Ken Water's Pet Loads article. I initially loaded H4831 with the now discontinued Hornady 200 grain. Load shot exceptional at 100 yards. Shooting cast was next. Tried 53.0 of H4831 with the .348 200 grain RCBS was also a winner.
Rick

[reb henderson]

Here is the bullet I am using. I bought them from a supplier. They are 200 grain rcbs FP, have a BHN of 13, Lube is LBT BS, size 348.
I think they actually weigh around 207 grains. Looking through my available powders I have 3031, imr 4350, H4350, small amount of imr 4831. In pistol-shotgun I have some red dot and 2400 along with a few others Any of yall load this bullet with any of those powders? As I said, really looking for a hog-deer load.

[rintinglen]

4350 did not work well for me. My best results have been with WW-760/H-414, but of the powders you have, I think your best results will be with 3031. Ladder up from 35 to 45 grains and I suspect you'll find a good load.


If you decide to get a mold, I strongly recommend the Accurate 35-220B (the A,B and C differ only in the length of the nose). I have that and the RCBS molds and get slightly better accuracy from the Accurate design. I strongly disapprove of the Lyman 350-447--it didn't shoot well at all from my rifle, frequently giving groups double or more the size of the Accurate and RCBS boolits. (4-6+inches versus 2-3 1/2", 3 shot 100 yards)


A fun load which has worked well for plinking/practice (though it shoots way low) is a 358-429 sized .350 over 13.0 grains of Red Dot or 20.0 grains of 2400. Light recoil, adequately accurate, no gas check needed and it feeds well in my 1950 Winchester. And you can use the boolits as cast in your .38

[RickinTN]

I hope that .348" bullet works OK in your rifle. I believe conventional wisdom says to use bullets sized to .350" for the 348. Let us know what your results are.
Good luck, and take care,
Rick

[reb henderson]

I bought these already cast. Hopefully they will work out.