.338 Win Mag Model 70

[Lee Martin]

Endured 22 degree weather today to test my re-scoped Model 70 in .338 Win Mag (the new glass is a 40/44 Weaver, 4 x 12). It shot very well with 250 gr Sierra Game Kings but here's the problem. I loaded the rounds 10+ years ago and can't remember the propellant or charge. Anyone have a pet load for this bullet? I seem to remember shooting either 4831 or AA 4350 but I'm open to other powders.







-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[nolongcolt]

Lee, I had good luck with these loads.. 71.0 grs of Reloder 19, 72.5 grs of Reloder 22 and 66 grs of IMR 4350. Rifle was an older model Ruger 77 with 24 in barrel. Win cases and Win primers.

[bradshaw]

Lee... I'll bet that if you really liked your .338 Win Mag load with the Sierra 250 SBT, it was one of the 4350's----not 4831.

My standard load in the SAKO L61 was: Sierra 250 SBT over 70/IMR 4350, CCI 250 or Federal 215, Winchester brass. Bullet seated long the SAKO 375 H&H magazine, and to just kiss the rifling. 2780-2800 fps. Hits harder at 600 yards than a .308 at the muzzle. That SAKO was good for 3" @ 600 yards. Witnessed recording three shots in 6.5" @ 1375 yards, with time-of-flight around 2.42 seconds, as I recall.

Note: a neighbors L61, w/Sierra 250 SBT over 67/IMR 4350 shot similarly, but hadn't the stomach for my 70 grain charge.

Neither H4831 nor IMR 4831 produce the accuracy and oomph of 4350; can't get enough in the case Have also loaded H4350 in M70 Classic.

I've used both IMR and Hodgdon 4350 in SAKO and Winchester M70 Classic with excellent accuracy from Nosler 200 Bal-Tip, Hornady 200 Spire Point, Nosler 210 Partition, Nosler 225 Partition, and Nosler 250 Partition, as well as the Sierra 250 SBT.

Haven't tried AA 4350, but would in a second. Don't know relationship of the Accuracte Arms to IMR and Hodgdon, but the latter two are right to home in the .338 Win Mag. And I've shot these loads in heat and cold.
David

[bradshaw]

nolongcolt.... My old tang safety M77 shot the Sierra 250 SBT very accurately with IMR 4350. It, also, wasn't interested in H4831. Were I to start cold today, Reloader 19 would be on the short list.
David Bradshaw

[nolongcolt]

I had great luck with R19 in that gun. Used it with the Hornady Interbond 225 gr bullet too and it shot very well. The bullets performance in Africa was not as expected but everything hit properly with one died, eventually. Lost over half their weight.

[Fowler]

I know my Win 70 338 likes H4831 and a 230gr Failsafe bullet. I need to find another box or two of those since they were discontinued over 5 years ago. My supply is gone...

[bradshaw]

nolongcolt.... Taken deer with the H200 Spire Point and Nosler 200 Bal-Tip, which certainly hammers them. Recovered a Hornady 200 SP under hide of off shoulder on diagonal shot in a buck. Richard Beebe of Redding likewise recovered a 200 Ballistic-Tip from a big Saskatchewan buck.

When Nosler introduced the .338 200 Bal-Tip, they made it with 100 grains of core inside 100 grains of jacket, knowing that someone would try it on elk. Nevertheless, Nosler never recommended their 200 Bal-Tip for that application, and neither would I.

In elk class Nosler 210 and 225 Partitions make an honest hole beginning to end. And they work great on deer. Which the hard old Trophy Bonded Bear Claw did not; the TBBC performed better a big animal that put the bullet to work.

If you can't find the 230 Black Talon, try the Nosler 225 Partition, or a Barnes. (The .30-06 has been known to leave 180 Failsafes in deer; you have to get the deer to recover the bullet.)

David Bradshaw

[Ken O'Neill]

I don't need to tell anyone that the .338 Win. Mag. is a fabulous cartidge. I sold my Mdl. 70 stainless/synthetic 3-4 years ago, but in 1994 alone, I took 19 head of African game with that rifle, ranging from a 35lb. jackal hiding behind a tangle of bushes to an 1800+ lb. Cape Eland. I also used it extensively in this country. It's a champion of versatility.

Lee, I always shot the 250 Nosler Partition pushed by H-4831 and Winchester LR or CCI Mag. rifle primers for 2650 fps from my 24" barrel. Because the new owner got all my loaded ammo as well as the rifle, I'm sorry I can't tell you the charge weight. I know I could have loaded it a grain or 2 heavier, but that charge was a sweet spot for accuracy, and I never had to worry about temperature extremes.

[Lee Martin]

Thanks guys. I think I'll try 68.0 of AA4350. Should give some good velocity from my 26" barrel.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[robl]

Lee my last year in AK I planned a hunt off ATVs set up a M-70 just like your in .338 slick barrel comes out of a Kolpin gun boot nicely. As Ken has proven -GREAT caliber. I saw .338 ammo in the remotest spots in AK. it has become the 30-06 of Alaska.

[wildwillalaska]

I have the same gun bedding in a mcSwirly stock. Both it and my Remington Custom Shop Alaskan love 72gr of RL-19 under 250gr Accubonds. Because of how long I can load out the Remington I tried quite a few hotter loadings but never got the accuracy I found with 72gr and since both rifles love the load, I stuck with it.

[Lee Martin]

I've heard good things about Accubonds. I'll have to try those as well.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[Lee Martin]

Quick update. I tried 67.0 of AA4350 yesterday with the 250 gr Sierra Game King. They shot well with 5-shot groups averaging 1.5" @ 100 yards. Not world class but respectable for a stock Winchester. More importantly it consistently returned that spread. I also put a few over the chronograph and got 2,620 fps from my 26" barrel.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"