338 Spectre loads

[Ratbert]

Just starting to do some load development with the 338 Spectre. All data is with new brass & CCI primers, neck tension sort of felt like it was all over the place so that might explain a few of the odd numbers. Velocities match quickload when I increase case capacity to 29.4gr H2O.

Not enough data for a consensus on anything yet, I'm just posting posting raw data so that anyone else who starts working on load can have it to reference. This first run was just a spread of powder weights to give me something to compare to QL and have a starting point.

9" barrel w/ 9mm suppressor
Hornady 200gr SST
Reloader 17
2.088 COAL
82*, 850' ASL.


13.5gr - 1023fps
13.5gr - 1032fps
13.5gr - 1020fps
14.0gr - 1061fps
14.0gr - 1090fps
14.0gr - 1079fps
14.5gr - 1102fps
14.5gr - 1105fps
14.5gr - 1130fps
15.0gr - 1162fps
15.0gr - 1167fps
15.0gr - 1173fps
15.5gr - 1225fps
15.5gr - 1218fps
15.5gr - 1206fps
16.0gr - 1250fps
16.0gr - 1242fps
16.0gr - 1268fps
16.5gr - 1303fps
16.5gr - 1297fps
16.5gr - 1311fps

Comparing to QL, it looks like I could go as high as 17.5gr before I start getting close to 35kpsi pressures that I want to limit thing to as a max. QL claims just over 100% fill at 17.5 but it always seems to overestimate so we'll see how much I can cram in there next time.

 

[jfloyd0021]

Re: 338 Spectre loads

I finally got one built but I cannot find any load data for super sonic loads. Have you tried any that you would be willing to share. The guys at SBR are impossible to get a reply let alone information.

Many thanks!

 

[JDBhunting365]

Re: 338 Spectre loads

I finally got one built but I cannot find any load data for super sonic loads. Have you tried any that you would be willing to share. The guys at SBR are impossible to get a reply let alone information.

Many thanks!

338 Spectre loads.

Left to right:
Maker 165gr
Nosler 185gr
Federal 185gr
Speer 200gr
PPU 250gr
Badlands 265gr
Sierra 300gr
Maker 300gr

The first four are supers while the last four are subs.

I'm pushing the Maker 165gr HV to about 1900fps using small primer brass (thicker); I'm trying to push them to 2000fps and call it a day, lol. I'm using Lil Gun for this load (I lost my data on this but I think it was 18gr or 19gr).

The Nosler AccuBond load is my attempt to mimic SBR's factory load of 1950fps; so far I'm up to 1900fps with WIN296 (again I lost my data so I'm thinking it was about 19.0gr).

The Federal 185gr was a Midway USA special from about 18 months ago; I believe they are 338 Federal overruns. I load these with 17.5gr of SBR SOCOM and they're about at 1460fps.

The Speer Hot-Cor 200gr bullets are my take on the original Norma load for the 10mm Auto (200gr FMJ @ 1200fps). These are actually loaded hotter (14.5gr of WIN296 pushing 1430FPS). I might just keep this load and load up to Norma specs using my favorite 10mm Auto powder, HS-6, if possible.

I do have a box of Barnes TTSX 160gr bullets I'd love to push to 2000fps as well.

My nominal velocity for subs is about 850fps; I don't hunt so I try to charge my loads on the cold side.

The PPU 250gr is an FMJ; it is a boat tail and the first ever bullet I ever reloaded. I run these with 9gr of Lil Gun at about 900fps. Thos bullet is also offered in a HP configuration.

The Badlands bullet is a 265gr solid copper bullet that is 1.957" long. I load these with 9.0gr Lil Gun and to a C.O.A.L. of 2.2860"; they fit my Duramag and ASC mags just fine and feed perfectly.

The Sierra Match King 300gr is a classic 338 projectile. SBR also offers a subsonic load with this projectile but the lot I received from them ran hot and loud. I run these with 9.5gr of IMR4227 at 850fps.

The Maker SUBREX 300gr is a solid copper projectile and very popular among us 338 fans. I'm running these with 9gr of Lil Gun at 1015fps (Paul gave me this recipe and I have used it ever since).