H4831 .338 win mag

Yesterday, 08:14 AM Originally Posted by saucierredneck Manuals vary greatly by manufacturer, as much as +5 grains for maximum loads, guess ill start low n work up

69-71 grains seems to be pretty close to maximum average, guess ill start at 66-67 and work up

You should never do anything else.

That is the reason you need several manuals, and also why it may not be the wisest move to ask on the internet for load data. Guys on forums may be really good sources of information, but guys on forums may be idiots too, so the best bet, if you are going to figure out how to set off a minor explosion next to your face, is to get some scientifically tested data, and use it carefully.

Your load, once you get it worked up safely, will indeed be a very effective "heavy rifle" for anything in N.A.

Yesterday, 09:26 AM Originally Posted by saucierredneck Manuals vary greatly by manufacturer, as much as +5 grains for maximum loads, guess ill start low n work up

69-71 grains seems to be pretty close to maximum average, guess ill start at 66-67 and work up

Which is why I use the bullet makers data.

Saves me some workup time

Better safe

Just me

Snake

Yesterday, 09:51 AM Location: Western South DakotaOriginally Posted by saucierredneck Manuals vary greatly by manufacturer, as much as +5 grains for maximum loads, guess ill start low n work up

69-71 grains seems to be pretty close to maximum average, guess ill start at 66-67 and work up

Rifles vary greatly and so do the loading manuals. Further manuals have mistakes. For instance, one of my manuals shows a larger powder charge and higher velocity in the 35 Remington than they do in the 358 Winchester.

There are a few factors that cause changes in pressures, perhaps the most important is the length of freebore or distance rifling starts from the chamber. Another is change of bullets. I have loads in my 350 Magnum for instance that are fine with one bullet manufacturer and high in another's.

So, you've come to the right conclusion, start low and work up - AND I noticed with some of the older powders there are great variations in pressure depending on temperature if you're going to hunt in the summer heat, make sure your loads are tested at the same temperature. With a 338 and those bullets, I'm confident you won't be shooting prairie dogs. But are you taking these loads in Africa, for instance. Say Joe has a load he uses in Alaska with the same rifle powder and bullet as you, but you're going to Africa and the temperature is going to be 80 degrees hotter where you're going...

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Yesterday, 08:09 PM I have some data that may help you. My rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye in Stainless. The barrel has been firelapped in the Beartooth method. Do not trust my results. This is only what I got in my rifle.

Brass is WW. Primers are WW mag. Powder is H4831SC. LOA is 3.278". Fully .3030" off the lands.

70.0gr of H4831SC gave 2,399 fps with an es of 19 fps

73.0gr of H4831SC gave 2,497 fps with an es of 31 fps

By my way of measuring comparative pressures the 70.0gr load was under max and a soft shooter for what it is. It is a heck of a nice load. The 73.0gr load is ever so slightly over my max. 72.0gr probably would not be but it was never tested.

I also tested this bullet with H4350, WW780, and RE25. For equal pressures the H4350 and WW780 could not keep up with the H4831SC. However the RE25 For equal pressures gave an additional 50 fps. The cost of that is kick and trying to shoehorn and additional 5 grains into an already crowded case.

So H4831SC appears to be a logical powder to start with. I did a lot of workups with the 200gr 308 A Frame. Among other things I learned this bullet design does not necessarily track with other same weight bullet. I did not test for accuracy in any of the 275gr loads. Once I had the data (for my next African hunt) I went on to other things.

Hope this helps

Bill

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