Loading for 338wm BAR?

[Axle2010]

Hey guys I just got my Browning BAR 338 wm in today and so far all I've found is that I should use small base dies. Do yall have any advice or tips or anything I should know about loading for this rifle/cartridge? Any pet loads you want to share? Thanks guys.

 

[Lbarr265]

Hey guys I just got my Browning BAR 338 wm in today and so far all I've found is that I should use small base dies. Do yall have any advice or tips or anything I should know about loading for this rifle/cartridge? Any pet loads you want to share? Thanks guys.

My go to is 250 gn accubond over 68 gn IMR4831 and it will outshoot me.

 

[Axle2010]

My go to is 250 gn accubond over 68 gn IMR4831 and it will outshoot me.

And you load to standard oal with no feeding problems? Thanks for the info.

 

[Hififile324]

Hi Axle2010,
I have owned two Browning BAR rifles in .338WM. One was stock out of the box, the other I made a custom stock, installed a custom barrel, tuned trigger, and put on a bead blast finish. Both rifles were only 1.5 - 2 M.O.A. at best.

The one load that shot best in both rifles was:
Hornady 225 gr. Interlock
71 grains RL-19
CCI-250
c.o.a.l. 3.325"
Seat case mouth to cannelure and use Lee factory Crimp.
W-W Brass Full length resized

Zero feeding problems with above load.

You do not have to use small base dies. I used standard RCBS full length resizing dies. I recommend making up 2 or 3 dummies, and check feeding from the magazine by dropping the bolt stop (release).

I never had a feeding issue with this load and it shot quite well in both BAR's. It also shoots <0.7", 5 shot groups all day long out of my Sako bolt action.

The Hornady 225gr. Interlock is a very dependable hunting bullet too!

Good luck with your new project!

 

[Axle2010]

Hi Axle2010,
I have owned two Browning BAR rifles in .338WM. One was stock out of the box, the other I made a custom stock, installed a custom barrel, tuned trigger, and put on a bead blast finish. Both rifles were only 1.5 - 2 M.O.A. at best.

The one load that shot best in both rifles was:
Hornady 225 gr. Interlock
71 grains RL-19
CCI-250
c.o.a.l. 3.325"
Seat case mouth to cannelure and use Lee factory Crimp.
W-W Brass Full length resized

Zero feeding problems with above load.

You do not have to use small base dies. I used standard RCBS full length resizing dies. I recommend making up 2 or 3 dummies, and check feeding from the magazine by dropping the bolt stop (release).

I never had a feeding issue with this load and it shot quite well in both BAR's. It also shoots <0.7", 5 shot groups all day long out of my Sako bolt action.

The Hornady 225gr. Interlock is a very dependable hunting bullet too!

Good luck with your new proj

Great info thanks! I've heard a pretty wide variety of accuracy results I just hope mine will do better than 1.5".

 

[Joker12]

I have always used 250gr bullets in mine. Hornady interlocks for load development and Nosler partitions to hunt tough game with. I have found that those 2 bullets of the same weight can be interchanged in my rifles which helps with cost. As to powders my best results have been with IMR4831, IMR4350 or R22 depending on which of my 338s I'm loading for. Its a great hunting cartridge, good luck with yours.

 

[Hififile324]

Don't expect too much in the accuracy department with the Browning BAR. A good one that can shoot 1.5" - 2" MOA will do fine with big animals out to 250 - 300 yds. Most BAR's that I did warranty work on would not shoot 2-3". The 2 piece stock, forend pressure on the barrel, mushy trigger, slow lock time all work against good accuracy. That said, I have seen some shoot good enough for most hunting. I hope yours is one of them!!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

For many years, I had two 338 WM. One is a Ruger bolt action and the other was a Browning BAR that my dad bought new around 1970. A few years ago, I sold the BAR to another AH member. I used the same load in both rifles. I use 67.5 grs of H4350, 225 gr Swift A Frame and Federal 215 primer. COAL = 3.340" and crimped with a Lee FCD.

 

[Lbarr265]

And you load to standard oal with no feeding problems? Thanks for the info.

No feeding problem, I’m just under the standard OAL.

 

[Hififile324]

For many years, I had two 338 WM. One is a Ruger bolt action and the other was a Browning BAR that my dad bought new around 1970. A few years ago, I sold the BAR to another AH member. I used the same load in both rifles. I use 67.5 grs of H4350, 225 gr Swift A Frame and Federal 215 primer. COAL = 3.340" and crimped with a Lee FCD.

View attachment 551859

Wow, very low S.D., and good velocity on load 4. Looks to be a great load! Nice work!!

 

[Labman]

"The Hornady 225gr. Interlock is a very dependable hunting bullet too!"

I shoot that bullet in my .338 win along with Nosler Partitions. Nice thing is both shoot to the same POI with the same max load of H-4831 in my Rem. 700. As others have said, just try a few rounds loaded with standard dies. I've loaded for pump, lever and semi's and never saw the need for small base dies.

 

[Axle2010]

Thanks for all the info guys I'm trying to find these bullets to try in mine, I've got the 4831 and magnum primers just need the bullets. I put an old Nikon scope on it just to get an idea of the capabilities and WOW that thing is violent! The recoil is tolerable but def less pleasant than my 300 or 375 but the muzzle blast is insane and so far I'm not at all happy with the groups. I only have 1 box of eldx so it may not like those and I haven't had much luck with the so called Precision Hunters in anything yet

 

[Lbarr265]

Thanks for all the info guys I'm trying to find these bullets to try in mine, I've got the 4831 and magnum primers just need the bullets. I put an old Nikon scope on it just to get an idea of the capabilities and WOW that thing is violent! The recoil is tolerable but def less pleasant than my 300 or 375 but the muzzle blast is insane and so far I'm not at all happy with the groups. I only have 1 box of eldx so it may not like those and I haven't had much luck with the so called Precision Hunters in anything yet

I consider myself to be an adequate marksman with a scoped rifle. When I first touched off my 338 it was the most violent (excellent word choice for it BTW) recoil I had experienced at that point. My groups were rough and ugly to say the least. I put it in a lead sled for load development and sight in. I realized immediately my ugly groups were not a result of the ammo or gun or anything else I had been blaming but rather my own poor handling of it. When I finally got the hang of the recoil my groups tightened up a lot. It might be the ammo, I hate factory loads, but don’t be surprised if 200 rounds in you see a lot of improvement. Good luck getting everything running smoothly. It’s definitely no 243.