New Build .338-06 - Range Results
After this year’s monster deer season in Kansas with my Savage F Class .308 (168 Berger Hunting bullets – 4 killed from 330 to 500 yards) I decided to step up on my caliber for a medium to long range hunting rig. The .308 did fine, but I need something with more energy. After researching all the .338’s flooding the market, I decided that was ticket. However, I wanted one that was efficient and I didn’t have to feed 100 grs of powder too nor did I want a muzzle break.
The .338-06 was the choice I settled on. If this performs as planned, I’m never looking back… I’ll still stick with my 6.5 Sweede in Texas. The Hornady brass I’ll neck up from .30-06, the bullet will be the Hornady 225 gr Interbond (Not SST), BR2 primers and Alliant Power Pro 2000MR or 4000MR (still pending load data from Alliant). My calculations should put me at 2700 fps without any issues. Load development results to follow.
Here’st the spec’s:
Action: Savage Model 111, LA, Center Feed DBM
Trigger: Rifle Basics
Lug: NSS
Barrel: Shilen Select Match, 26 inch, Varmint Contour
Stock: Hogue Over Molded, full length 7075 aluminum block (skim bedded)
Base: Weaver 20 MOA
Rings: Leupold QR
Scope: Nikon Buck Master 6-18 Fine Cross hair with target dot and target turrets
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/.../338-06jpg.jpg
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
The Range Results:
After some interesting results, here is my current load. Still have some testing to do on others, but I'm very confident in this one out to 500 yards.
Case: Hornady .30-06 reformed
Primer: BR2
Powder: Alliant Power Pro 2000 MR
Charge: 55.5 grains (disclaimer.... for "my rifle")
Bullet: .225 Hornady Interlock
Vel: 2690 fps
Group size: Sub 3/4 inch MOA at 100 yards.
Group confirmed at 200: 1.5 inch
Group confirmed at 300: 2.75 inch
Group confirmed at 400 (by another shooter): 3.5 inches.
Will try the SST, InterBond and Nosler next.
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...groupjpg-1.jpg
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
Under 1 MOA at 400 yards with what's considered a non-premium bullet: good job!
Kevin
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
Thanks Kevin! Already got folks taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd dibs for it. My brother is one of them!
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
Glad to see you were able to complete this project so quickly with good results! I got comparable results with Interbond and Interlock (cheaper) bullets, and H4350 and H414 both performed well. About any loads I tried with these worked great, except using Accubond. The 338-06 is a great round, and sure bucks the wind! Since I didn't sell my barrel and reloading stuff I'll probably hold onto them for another day (wife doesn't pay that much attention to this stuff anyway ;D ).
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
Thanks Charlie.... I've got a couple folks looking real hard at it. If they jump, I'll get in touch with you. They wanted shorter barrels.
Re: New Build .338-06 - Range Results
VERY nice lookin' & shootin' rifle!
What exactly would NOT fall to that thing? I can't think of anything on this continent that I'd balk at chasing w/ that rifle/cartridge combo!
Good shootin'; thanks for sharing. In my mind, that cartridge & 225s go together like PB&J.