Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity, pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5% as a starting point for development where cartridges have greater than 40 grains in capacity and 10% for cartridges with less than 40 grain capacity following safe handloading practices as represented in established mainstream reloading manuals. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.
| Cartridge – 338 Winchester Magnum |
|
| Firearm | Ruger Hawkeye African |
| Barrel Length | 23.00″ |
| Min – Max Case Length | 2.500″ +0.000″/-0.020″ |
| Min – Max COL | 3.215″ – 3.340″ |
| Primer | CCI 250 |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.3390″ +0.000″/-0.0030″ |
| Reloading Dies | Redding |
| Bullet Type | Bullet Weight Grains |
Net H2O Grains Capacity |
COL” | Powder Type | Powder Charge Grains |
Muzzle Velocity fps |
Muzzle Energy ft/lbs |
| Barnes TTSX | 160 | 77.0 | 3.325 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 75.5 | 3228 | 3703 |
| Barnes TTSX | 160 | 77.0 | 3.325 | Hodgdon 4895 | 67.0 | 3203 | 3644 |
| Barnes TTSX | 160 | 77.0 | 3.325 | RS Big Game | 75.0 | 3267 | 3792 |
| Nosler Accubond | 180 | 77.0 | 3.315 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 76.0 | 3186 | 4056 |
| Nosler Accubond | 180 | 77.0 | 3.315 | Hodgdon H414 | 76.0 | 3135 | 3928 |
| Nosler Accubond | 180 | 77.0 | 3.315 | RS Big Game | 73.0 | 3108 | 3861 |
| Barnes Triple Shock | 185 | 74.7 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 74.0 | 3162 | 4108 |
| Barnes Triple Shock | 185 | 74.7 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 74.0 | 3113 | 3980 |
| Barnes Triple Shock | 185 | 74.7 | 3.340 | RS Big Game | 71.5 | 3121 | 4001 |
| Hornady CX | 185 | 73.2 | 3.320 | Hodgdon H414 | 73.0 | 3105 | 3961 |
| Hornady CX | 185 | 73.2 | 3.320 | IMR 4007 SSC | 69.0 | 3012 | 3728 |
| Hornady CX | 185 | 73.2 | 3.320 | RS Big Game | 70.0 | 3073 | 3878 |
| Hornady SST | 200 | 76.1 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 74.0 | 3079 | 4211 |
| Hornady SST | 200 | 76.1 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 73.5 | 3017 | 4042 |
| Hornady SST | 200 | 76.1 | 3.340 | Winchester 760 | 73.0 | 2996 | 3987 |
| Speer SP | 200 | 78.7 | 3.300 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 75.5 | 3087 | 4233 |
| Speer SP | 200 | 78.7 | 3.300 | Hodgdon H414 | 75.0 | 3026 | 4068 |
| Speer SP | 200 | 78.7 | 3.300 | RS Big Game | 72.5 | 3009 | 4020 |
| Barnes TTSX | 210 | 71.9 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 70.5 | 2990 | 4169 |
| Barnes TTSX | 210 | 71.9 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 70.0 | 2929 | 4000 |
| Barnes TTSX | 210 | 71.9 | 3.340 | RS Game King | 67.5 | 2905 | 3935 |
| Nosler Partition | 210 | 77.6 | 3.330 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 74.0 | 2992 | 4173 |
| Nosler Partition | 210 | 77.6 | 3.330 | Hodgdon H414 | 74.0 | 2953 | 2067 |
| Nosler Partition | 210 | 77.6 | 3.330 | RS Hunter | 76.0 | 2940 | 4030 |
| Barnes TTSX | 225 | 69.9 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 68.0 | 2858 | 4080 |
| Barnes TTSX | 225 | 69.9 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 67.5 | 2800 | 3917 |
| Barnes TTSX | 225 | 69.9 | 3.340 | RS Big Game | 65.0 | 2791 | 3891 |
| Hornady CX | 225 | 69.0 | 3.325 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 67.5 | 2856 | 4075 |
| Hornady CX | 225 | 69.0 | 3.325 | Hodgdon H414 | 67.0 | 2798 | 3910 |
| Hornady CX | 225 | 69.0 | 3.325 | RS Big Game | 64.5 | 2769 | 3831 |
| Speer SPBT | 225 | 76.0 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 71.5 | 2878 | 4139 |
| Speer SPBT | 225 | 76.0 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 71.5 | 2844 | 4040 |
| Speer SPBT | 225 | 76.0 | 3.340 | RS Hunter | 74.0 | 2852 | 4064 |
| Nosler Partition | 250 | 73.8 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 68.5 | 2731 | 4139 |
| Nosler Partition | 250 | 73.8 | 3.340 | Hodgdon H414 | 68.0 | 2685 | 4001 |
| Nosler Partition | 250 | 73.8 | 3.340 | RS Hunter | 70.0 | 2714 | 4090 |
| Speer Grand Slam | 250 | 77.1 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 16 | 68.5 | 2727 | 4129 |
| Speer Grand Slam | 250 | 77.1 | 3.340 | Alliant Reloder 17 | 70.5 | 2746 | 4187 |
| Speer Grand Slam | 250 | 77.1 | 3.340 | RS Hunter | 72.5 | 2711 | 4079 |
Great loads. Now go find some more RL 17. I’m hoarding my small supply. Not to mention large rifle magnum primers. Bob!
Yes, I have to watch which powders I post, as quite a few types are either no longer imported, dropped from product lines or just isn’t produced as a steady supply. Like yourself, I have accumulated a good supply of favored powder, and it is kept in a constant temp, low humidity environment. So I list what I think will still be out there with handloaders as well as what is current. Alliant Reloder 17 is out there, just pricey at $35 – $45 / lb