just wondering where youre getting your load data for the 338? Hornandy web site has a max load of 44.4 for the 2520. I know manufacturers have different loads and i was just curious .about the saftey issue aspect. Its quite obvious the 45.7 is working for you.
Range Data & Velocities With the 338
I went to the range today with my 338 MX, a box of factory LE ammo and my handloads using AA2520. The weather finally straightened up around here and was perfect for a session with the Chrony. 55 degrees, cloudy with a very slight breeze.
I shot 5 shot strings through the Chrony with it set 12' from the muzzle. My target was set at 50 yards to facilitate me not shooting the Chrony by trying a target at 100 yards. here is what I found:
FACTORY LE:
Velocity:
2416
2374
2370
2386
2392
Average: 2390
SD - 18.2
HANDLOADS.
All handloads are Hornady brass, Rem 9 1/2 primers, AA2520 Powder
Handload 1 - 45.7 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2422
2425
2385
2415
2428
Average: 2415
SD - 17.4
Handload 2 - 46.0 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2445
2422
2412
2430
2435
Average: 2429
SD - 12.6
Handload 3 - 46.5 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2448
2413
2460
2435
2438
Average: 2437
SD - 18.1
The 46.5 gr load was too warm for my gun. I didn't gain much in velocity, but 3 of the 5 rounds experienced sticky extraction. I am settling on 46.0 gr as my hunting load.
All of the loads shot well. The factory was right in the center circle at 50 yards. All of the handloads shot 2" higher than the factory. Windage was right on, they were just 2" higher. After shooting 15 shots with the handloads I just had a big ragged hole 2" above the center.
It was also interesting to note that on the box the factory is listed at 2565 fps. It wasn't even close in my 22" barrel. If shot from a 24" barrel and we figure an additional 80 fps, that gives us 2470 fps, still lower than claimed. It was the slowest of the 4 loads that I shot.
I'm happy with the load I have worked up with AA2520, and I see no reason for me to mess with the LVR powder which doesn't seem especially suited to the 338.
I shot 5 shot strings through the Chrony with it set 12' from the muzzle. My target was set at 50 yards to facilitate me not shooting the Chrony by trying a target at 100 yards. here is what I found:
FACTORY LE:
Velocity:
2416
2374
2370
2386
2392
Average: 2390
SD - 18.2
HANDLOADS.
All handloads are Hornady brass, Rem 9 1/2 primers, AA2520 Powder
Handload 1 - 45.7 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2422
2425
2385
2415
2428
Average: 2415
SD - 17.4
Handload 2 - 46.0 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2445
2422
2412
2430
2435
Average: 2429
SD - 12.6
Handload 3 - 46.5 gr AA2520
Velocity:
2448
2413
2460
2435
2438
Average: 2437
SD - 18.1
The 46.5 gr load was too warm for my gun. I didn't gain much in velocity, but 3 of the 5 rounds experienced sticky extraction. I am settling on 46.0 gr as my hunting load.
All of the loads shot well. The factory was right in the center circle at 50 yards. All of the handloads shot 2" higher than the factory. Windage was right on, they were just 2" higher. After shooting 15 shots with the handloads I just had a big ragged hole 2" above the center.
It was also interesting to note that on the box the factory is listed at 2565 fps. It wasn't even close in my 22" barrel. If shot from a 24" barrel and we figure an additional 80 fps, that gives us 2470 fps, still lower than claimed. It was the slowest of the 4 loads that I shot.
I'm happy with the load I have worked up with AA2520, and I see no reason for me to mess with the LVR powder which doesn't seem especially suited to the 338.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Hal it looks like you have definitely found a good hunting load in that 46 grains og AA2520 when I finish getting set up for reloading I think I'm going to try some AA2520 for my .308mx and see how it does!!! Thanks for your posting of the results!! Is this the only powder that you have tried or have you tried others and the AA2520 gave you the best results?
I got it from Accurate's ballistician Johan. I wrote him and he sent me the data. I've published it on here at least twice before, so if you want it do a search. His Max is 46.5. A little too warm in my gun, I think.GUARD099 said:just wondering where youre getting your load data for the 338? Hornandy web site has a max load of 44.4 for the 2520. I know manufacturers have different loads and i was just curious .about the saftey issue aspect. Its quite obvious the 45.7 is working for you.
When you want good load data, go to the horse's mouth!
Actually, I tried Varget and H4895, using data published on Hodgdon's web site. As usual, I couldn't get near the velocity as I could with AA2520. I was only getting 2250 fps - 2275 fps with both of those powders at Hodgdon's max. I do realize that they are on the conservative side, so you can probably do better.Cajun said:Hal it looks like you have definitely found a good hunting load in that 46 grains og AA2520 when I finish getting set up for reloading I think I'm going to try some AA2520 for my .308mx and see how it does!!! Thanks for your posting of the results!! Is this the only powder that you have tried or have you tried others and the AA2520 gave you the best results?
AA2520 was recommended by Johan Loubser, Accurate's ballistician. Who am I to argue with him.
I also use AA2520 in my 35 Remington so it makes it convenient.
Johan also provided me with the following 338MX Ramshot TAC data:Halwg said:I got it from Accurate's ballistician Johan. I wrote him and he sent me the data. I've published it on here at least twice before, so if you want it do a search. His Max is 46.5. A little too warm in my gun, I think.
When you want good load data, go to the horse's mouth!
Al,
We suggest the following.
Caliber: .338 Marlin Express.
Barrel length: 24”
Powder: Ramshot – TAC ®.
Bullet weight: 200 grains. HDY FTX COL ca 2.585”
Start load: 38.4 grains (2175 – 2275 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 42.7 grains (2400 – 2500 Ft/p/sec).
NOTES:
It’ important to note that SAFETY is our prime concern therefore we strongly recommend.
1. ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM “START” LOAD and develop loads in 2% increments towards the MAXIMUM load.
2. If possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.
Yep, that's what he always writes concerning safety. I thought that TAC would probably work, since it works very similarly to AA2520 in the 35 Remington.
My goal was to find a load that was safe, accurate and would get me to 2400 fps. I think I found it and I don't have to buy another powder.
Al, are you going to load up some with TAC and with AA2520?
His range with 2520 is -
Accurate – 2520®.
Bullet weight: 200 grains.
Start load: 42.8 grains (2200 – 2300 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 46.5 grains (2475 – 2525 Ft/p/sec).
My goal was to find a load that was safe, accurate and would get me to 2400 fps. I think I found it and I don't have to buy another powder.
Al, are you going to load up some with TAC and with AA2520?
His range with 2520 is -
Accurate – 2520®.
Bullet weight: 200 grains.
Start load: 42.8 grains (2200 – 2300 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 46.5 grains (2475 – 2525 Ft/p/sec).
Thanx Hal you answered my question... great post!
Yep on both . I'll start the 2520 with 43 grains and go to 44 and see what the cases look like and go from there. I'm waiting on my Lee FCD and it will probably be 1-2 weeks b4 I get plus at least 1 week to do some reloading, so it will be 3-4 weeks by the time I'm ready to test at the range.
Now that I'm back at being gainfully employed
I can only go to the range on Saturdays, and I'm hoping that it will not be as crazy as it usually is during the summer with 30-50 shooters, which makes it very difficult to setup the chrony, take your time at shooting, and then take time to let the barrel cool down between strings. We'll see.
Now that I'm back at being gainfully employed
I can only go to the range on Saturdays, and I'm hoping that it will not be as crazy as it usually is during the summer with 30-50 shooters, which makes it very difficult to setup the chrony, take your time at shooting, and then take time to let the barrel cool down between strings. We'll see.1 - 10 of 10 Posts
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