.338-.308

[tonyjones]

Hello All,

One of the things I've learned here is what a wonderful cast bullet cartridge the
.358 Winchester is. I've been thinking of having one built but here's the deal. I already have a MG Arms Ultralight in .338-.308. This rifle was built before the .338 Federal was standardized, hence, .338-.308. The barrel is a 1:10" twist PacNor stainless match with muzzle brake. I would prefer a slower twist for cast but it is what it is.

I'll slug the bore and make an impact slug and have a custom mould made for this rifles chamber. The rifle weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces with scope and with a narrow fore end is not easy to shoot off the bench but will fairly consistently put 3 shots into 1/2" to 5/8" at 100 yards with 200 grain Ballistic Tips or 210 grain Parttions.

Do any of you have any suggestions to help get me started in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Tony

[HARRYMPOPE]

Roy Smith wrote it up in Handloader magazine about 25 years ago.He may have shot cast in it as he was a cast bullet nut.i probably have the issue if i look hard enough.He also used a 338/7BR called the 338 Manx that is now the "new" 338 Whisper.

[hithard]

I have the 338 fed. 700 remy, 20" pac nor SS super match 1-10, I've only run about 100 j's through it, and then I went to boolits. I have covered quit alot of different boolits here. The 200gr. Ranch dog shoots the best. I will say that my throat is very short as far as cast chambers go. This boolit is only about .020 off lands, which just keeps the GC inside the neck. I have tried loading longer boolits, but they go below the neck and the accuracy is just horrible. The ranch dogs are giving me 1.5 moa.. I'm still working on it..

[x101airborne]

I am doing the 338-06 thing with the NOE 225 gr ranch dog copy.
If you want some, you know how to get me!

[tonyjones]

George,

Thanks for the heads up about the Roy Smith HL article. I don't recall reading it but the Ken Waters Pet Loads article .338-.308, A Wildcat of Merit was a prime reason I had this rifle built. I have HL on DVD so I'll look it up.

hithard,

Thanks. Please keep me posted on your results.

Trey,

After I make the impact slug I'd like to compare it to a cast from your NOE 224 RD copy.

All,

I'm thinking 2400/4759 on the fast side and 4895 should be about ideal. I may try some of the slower powders as well. As to alloy I'm looking at WW + Sn, 50/50- WW/Pb+Sn with possibly some Cu added when I want to push velocities.

Any thoughts? Additional comments are welcome.

Regards,

Tony

[MT Gianni]

The 358 does it's best with the medium burning rate powders, IMO. Check out 3031, AA2015, BC2 and any of the 4064's.

[tonyjones]

MT Gianni,

Thanks. Except for AA 2015 I have all of the powders you mentioned on hand. I'll give them a try.

Regards,

Tony