338-06 Cast Loads?

[Metro]

Hello all,

As this is my first posting i want to thank anyone and everyone that is kind enough to help me in my ways here!

My first delimma is with a 338-06 I am thinking of loading for. The rifle in question is a wondeful Mauser that was built by my father (which you may see post here from time to time!) Anyway... he put a nice barrel on it WITH a NOISY!!!!!!!!! muzzlebreak. It shoots really well (understatement) with Sierra 250GK! The problem is 3 fold... 1 cant find those things easily, 2 cant afford to keep using them up forgeneral fun shooting, 3 the rifle is LOUD and kicks like a whipped mule when not using the break!

So I am thinking of getting the Lee 338 220GC mold and casting for the 338-06. Problem, cant find Data! Want to get a load around 1700-1800 fps. I know I can develop a load with Trailboss for around 1000, BUT want just a little more out of the 220. Going to try for Lyman2 lead but may have to go a little softer maybe 1-20.

I just want a load I can get a modest velocity for so that my daughters and I can play with the rifle for fun . You know those mean rocks that stare at you from 350 yards just have to be taught a lesson!

Thanks again,
RC

[fouronesix]

I don't know about kick out of a 338-06? But you can use 30-06 data with comparable weight bullets and with correct type powders and won't get into pressure issues since the '06 has greater over bore. You could start with about 20-22 gr of 5744 with dacron filler under a 220 cast and do fine. 4759 or 5744 will give you a better range of options than Trailboss.

[youngda9]

It won't kick bad with the l0ad you describe...should be quite mild. I am getting 2209fps with a 358 Winchester with a 232 grain GC boolit. Similar weight and diameter to the boolit you want to use. I use water dropped wheel weight lead with 45-45-10 lube and it shoots great. You should have no problem getting 1700-1800fps with a similar method.

[Metro]

Thanks guys!

[mroliver77]

For them speeds with a gas check boolit 50-50 WW-Lead would be fine. Look up the Universal loads article and go from there.

[TCLouis]

In my 338 Mag I use 39.0 grains of 3031 with the Lee boolit for thumbnail size groups at 50 and 1800 fps and change.
I think as others have said, that you could ratio yourself into a 338-06 load.

I have yet to get the RCBS 200 grain RNFP to shoot decently out of the Maggie, but maybe have not spent as much load development time as I should have to expect success.

Just as the 338-08 was becoming the 338 Federal, someone did a loading article and they used the same 39 grains behind the Lee.

I would suggest sneaking up on it from lower to mid 30s and see what things look like.

[TCTex]

I am currently loading 39gr of RL 7 over one of Tom's finest 220gr 338 molds from Accurate Molds with a Fed Primer. Out of my 15 in Encore barrel I am getting 2078 fps and it is cutting one ragged hole at 100 yards.


FWIW...


Duane


Ps, There is still an active group by with NOE for a 338 mold.

[MattOrgan]

I've had a couple of .338/06 or as my current barrel is stamped .338 OKH. The only mold I've used is the Lee 220 grain bullet. Works great tumble lubed and unsized without a gas check and 10-12 grains of Red Dot for about 1400 fps in my 24 inch barreled Husqvarna. Leaves a light wash of leading with wheel weights that patches out with Ed's Red solvent. Don't discount this as a general practice load for plinking rocks at medium/long range. My other load is 24 grains of 4759 with a gas checked, sized (.338) and lubed for about 1700 fps. This works well in my rifle, start a little lower in yours. Both loads generally group 2 inches or less with the old Weaver K4 with post and crosshair at 100 yards. In Lyman's new 4th addition cast bullet handbook they list both the .338 Federal and .338 Ruger CM and this bullet. You can't go wrong by following the data for the .338 Federal, but the .338 RCM is closer in case capacity with the .338/06. Since the panic hit I shoot only the Red Dot load because it is so inexspensive and works so well.
My Lee mold has worked so well that I've never looked at anything else. Only issue is it is so old it's a single cavity.