.338 R.U.M. fans

[RUMLUVER]

Looking for anyone that shoots a .338 R.U.M. and has any useful reloading data to share or just plain wants to chat about them. I am currently shooting one and I abosultely love and wished I hadn't waited so long to buy one!:D

[Evan03]

i have no intrest in anything with rum in it but id like to here about yours and how well it shoots, how fast. what weight bullets you use and the game you use it on.

im kinda into little calibers 25 6mms 3006 and 277s.

but theres nothing wrong with the RUM unless its in a drink.

lets here about yours and drive alittle more intrest to your topick

Evan

[Dale]

I have one and absolutely love mine. I have only used RL22 and never wanted to try anything else because that works so well out of mine.

The best load I have shot out of mine is with a Hornady 225gr SP Interlock. With 88.5 grains of RL22 My best groups are between .5 and .75 inches. (I had all of my group sizes and etc. on a spreadsheet, not backed up of course and lost the hard drive, so I have to go from memory and start over. At least I had my 'favorite' loads wrote down. :( )

Next best load was with 89 gr. of RL22 and a 210gr Scirocco.

I was not happy with the results I was getting from the Nosler 225gr Accubond or the the Sierra 215gr SP BT.

I might be able to improve on those last two with different loads, but am not sure if I want to try, I am getting such good results with the top two.

Are you loading for yours yet? If so let's hear how it is going.

[RUMLUVER]

I'm glad to see intrest in the .338 RUM! I'm currently finding great results with IMR 7828, RL22' and RL25. I'm shooting a 225gr Hornady INTLK at 3148.68fps average velocity with a standard deviation of 8.60. This load using 92.0gr of IMR 7828 cuts right under .5 most every time I shoot it. I also have a beautiful shooting load using a 250gr Hornady INTLK and 90.0gr of IMR 7828 that averages 2951fps with a SD od 12.72 this also produces .5 to .75in groups. This year for deer season I'm starting with a 210gr Barnes TSXBT and 96.0gr of RL22 this is an accurate load for me that produces a .75in groups with an average of 3395fps and SD of 14.31 wich produces 5374 ftlbs at the muzzel! This will be used for deer and the next will be a 210 Scirocco and 96.0gr of RL25 this load produces and average of 3236fps and a SD of 14.21 this load also leaves with 4883ftlbs at the muzzel. These are a few of my loads. I admitt this more than is required for deer and antalope this year but I can't help myself it is so accurate and damn fun to shoot. Hope this intresting enough! :D

[Evan03]

that is interesting.

thats heck of alot of powder but man are those 200 plus pills movn.

ummmmmmmm did you try tripple shocks just curious on your results if you did.



Evan

[RUMLUVER]

Yes I did try triple shocks and they work wonderfully. 210gr triple shock with 96gr of RL22 just right and 225gr triple shock with 96 gr of RL 25. The first travels at 3396 average velocity and the second at 3086 average velocity. Both with group at 3/4 to 1/2 in. when I'm doing my part. I have seen the performance of these newer Barnes bullets and have no complaints thus far. They are just flat ass devastating on game!

[Ak_Red]

Originally posted by Evan03
i have no intrest in anything with rum in it but id like to here about yours and how well it shoots, how fast.

im kinda into little calibers 25 6mms 3006 and 277s.



Well Evan, to pique your interest there is a wildcat out that is a 338 RUM necked down to 6.5MM (http://www.z-hat.com/Ultracat.htm).

I have a 300 RUM LSS. I had to order the thing seven times before they got the correct rifle in. It is my second favorite rifle, after the 25/06.

Is the 338 RUM based on the same case as the 300?

David

[RUMLUVER]

Ak-Red
All the Remington Ultra Mags are based off a .404 Jeffery case. The case is as big around as .375 H&H case is at the belt. The .338 RUM is different from the rest because the case is shorter than the other RUM's. The .338 RUM has a standard case length of 2.760in and the rest are 2.850in. I asked Remington factory reps why this was and they told me that they got the best ballistics from the shortened case. So no the .338 RUM is not just a .300 RUM case necked up eventhow there is that wildcat available. Hope that aswered your question. I also have a .300 RUM and absolutely love to shoot it but not as much as my .338 RUM!

[Ak_Red]

Originally posted by RUMLUVER
Ak-Red
All the Remington Ultra Mags are based off a .404 Jeffery case. The case is as big around as .375 H&H case is at the belt. The .338 RUM is different from the rest because the case is shorter than the other RUM's.

Thanks! I vaguely remembered reading that the UltraMags were based on the .404 Jeffery case, but was not sure. I also remember it was a big deal because it was not a belted case.

I do enjoy shooting it. I always got a laugh at the range I went to in Alaska. Everyone was a .338 fantatic and the .300 was a "pea shooter". I got condescending smiles when asked what I was shooting. Until the first shot. Pea shooter or not, there is a lot of powder in that case! Then everyone wanted a go.

The first time I took it to the range, I borrowed a range stand to hold my home made stand up (forgot my sandbags). It was made of 7/8" rebar and held my 1"x2" framed stand upright nicely. First sight-in shot I saw something move in my scope. It is a Vari-X III and I was a little concerned. The shot was high so I adjusted and shot again. Still high, so I adjusted again and shot, and saw something move in the scope! That was it, I was taking it back to the shop. Too much money to fool with. I go out to get my stand. As I am picking it up, I see two chuncks of 7/8" rebar on the ground. I had placed it in the center of my target, and those shots cut off a chunk of that rebar. I can't tell you how relieved I was. I took the pieces up to the range officer and offered to pay, but he laughed at my story and said it was payment enough.

Whoops.. got long winded.

David

[RUMLUVER]

Ak-Red

Great story you are absolutly right their is nothing about that .300 RUM that says peashooter. The only advantage that you have with a .338 WIN MAG is the bullet diameter. With the bullet selection we have today I would not feel under gunned shooting at anything short of cape buffalo in Africa! The big reason I bought and shoot a .338 RUM is that I grew up reading some of my dads books and he was an Elmer Kieth fan and as we all know the .338 was the best all around caliber there was. So it was kind of a childhood intrest to buy one and around my town most people think you need a lanyard to shoot one! But after I shot it I was hooked. I absolutely love it and since then I havn't realy done much with my .300 RUM but it isn't going anyware either it still holds a place in my rifle case and always will.

[HPBTMTCH]

Yes, i don`t understand remington`s thinking here. The .338 edge is made by necking up 300 rum brass and is a bit faster, so i don`t get the short case. It`s interesting also, the 338 rum is the ballistic twin to the .338 lapua. Had a .338 rum in the LSS, till a buddy talked me out of the barrel, so i found a new 7 rum take-off. The .338 shot good, but never got below 3/4 of an inch. His rifle was a .300 win mag, and it shot horrible from the start. Now with the barrels swapped out, both shoot half or better, go figure that one. RUMLUVER, have you tryed the 250 and 300 grain sierra matchkings yet? The 300`s are impressive, they go through half inch of mild steel at a 1000 yards, and do a fair job on groundhogs. I can`t figure out if the bullet expands and does the damage, or if it`s absobing all that energy that makes him go poof, lol.

[RUMLUVER]

No I not had the chance yet but will soon. It should be intresting to see what happens!

[Ak_Red]

Originally posted by HPBTMTCH
The 300`s are impressive, they go through half inch of mild steel at a 1000 yards, and do a fair job on groundhogs. I can`t figure out if the bullet expands and does the damage, or if it`s absobing all that energy that makes him go poof, lol.

Isn't that kind of like killing a fly with a sledgehammer? :D

David

[ol_spark]

RUMLUVER...
As stated in another thread, I'm currently working with a 338 Tomahawk I was attempting to get the 225 Accubonds to shoot and could to a point. Meaning I have shot some groups that would measure in the 2 or 3's but not consistantly. Personally, I think there was more bond and not enough accu put in the bullets I had. The first box of 50 I went through, it seemed that I could get 2 in one hole and one out with various loading of Retumbo. Switched to H1000 and the one out tighened up and gave a few tight groups as mentioned. Other boxes of 225's produced enough fluxuation that I went to another bullet. I went back to Retumbo, 250 SMK's, loaded 100.5 grains, ignited with a GM215M primer and the results were more consistant. I'm getting about a 5fps deviation with a velocity of 3120 out of my 32" Lilja barrel. That may not be the end of my testing yet but at this point I am satisfied with the performance of the gun and the 250 SMK's and somewhat less pleased with the 225 Accubonds for my set up. With some more tinkering, I may get the 225's to shoot but at this point I can't see taking a step back.

[RUMLUVER]

ol-spark

Have you tried the 225gr Hornady SST yet? I have used Hornady bullets in everything from my 22-250 to my .338 RUM and have had consistantly great results. I have personally shot groups the size of tylonal tablets using 129gr Interlocks and 140gr Interlocks in a .264WinMag and 6.5x55 mauser. Both of the rifles are factory model 700's! I shoot 180gr SST's and Iterlocks out of my .300 RUM and regularly turn out nickel size groups using H4350 and H4831. In my .338 RUM I shoot the 225gr Interlock with 92.0 grs of IMR 7828 and have an average velocity of 3148 with a SD of 8. This load also cranks out groups under 1/2 an inch. I also get great results with Swift Scirocco's and Barnes TSX's. I might try using some Sierrsa's this next summer but as of now I have naver reloaded them. I just have never realy reloaded anything for myself that I wouldn't hunt with. I have never seen first hand what a Gameking bullet has ever done on game with any kind of velocity. In another vein I am not a Nosler fan I have seen first hand what their bullets do to game Ballistic Tips & Partitions and have never bought or reloaded their bullets and don't plan to. I don't hold any high hopes for the Accubond either. Just my opinion thats all many have disagreed with me but thats OK.

[HPBTMTCH]

Shot 3 deer with the 200 grain ballistic tips, i would have thought that with that much speed, it would have punched a hole big enough to drop a softball in, but it just made thumb size exit holes in the off shoulders. The nosler is not as explosive as i had hoped. One even managed to run a few steps, lol.

[RUMLUVER]

HPBTMTCH

It's been just the opposite for me with my experience with the Ballistic Tips first time I had just started hunting with my father he was shooting a 25-05 bullet hit the doe broadside at about 120yrds and when it exited the of side was a mess I could stick my head in the hole lots of blood shot meat all over. Secondly was hunting with my brother using his .270 he shot buck broadside at 75yrds the buck keprt running as if nothing happened then the next shot hit him in the neck then he stopped and fell over. The first bullet enter the ribcage and exploded the jacket metal didn't make it the far side of the ribcage. The lugs collapsed and nothing but pink faom inside. The shot to the neck didn't make it through the neck it also exploded didn't break the neck and blood shot most of the meat in the neck. That's 2 of my experiences with Ballistic Tips while hunting. As far as the Partitions I've seen pinhole exits, explosions and a tumbling bullet exit. My cousin almost lost his muledeer 3 years ago he was using a .270 also shot it three times with 130 Partitions and not a single one expanded the deer ran about 1/2 mile before expiring. Just some stories to share

[ol_spark]

RUMLUVER...
I did shoot a few of the 225 SST's. Not enough to really get a good group though. As I said now that the 250 Match Kings are working out, I'll just stay with them awhile. It's almost time to quit playing and get some serious shooting done here in Pa.

[RUMLUVER]

ol-spark

Go get some shooting done and I couldn't agree with you more when you find what works and it does what you want and need then it's time to stop looking. That is untill you need something else then its time to start the fun of research and development all over again but that's a big portion of the fun in reloading at least for me! Good Luck and Hopefully even better groups!

[royinidaho]

The 338 cal must separate the men from the boys as there are nothing but men talking here. Then here I come:rolleyes:

Sorry I'm not up to par yet I'm just shooting a 338 winny. Have settled on the 250gr range of bullets as I figure if I want to shoot a 225 I'd move back to a 30 cal.

Have had best groups w/Sierra 2600s and Wildcat 252s. Both running right at 2800 fps. They will go 2850 but groups shrink to 5s right at 2800.

My goal is a 250 @ 3125. Hence I perked up at Ol' Sparks 338 Tommy. I've been looking hard at the Edge but my 1K 224cal project slowed me down a bit.

I'm looking for a 338 Rum takeoff bbl if anyone knows of one.

It seems that all of the 338 people who actually shoot elk are going with the 225 bullets and have great results.

Me, I just hunt 'em, never see 'em so what bullet I shoot makes little difference.:rolleyes:

Spark, why the extra 2" on that bbl? What action is it on?

[RUMLUVER]

royinidaho

Glad to see you joined the conversation! I started with the first box of bullets I could find to reload for my new purchase with was my first .338. It happened to be a .338 RUM and the box of bullets was a box of 210gr Swift Sciroccos it was the only box in town at the time that weighed over 185grs with I thought was pretty sad. But I was in a hurry because I had a late season deer tag that was beggin to be filled and I only had 2 weeks to work up a load for my rifle and fill that tag! So I settled on 97.5grs. of RL25 and never looked back it shoots under 1/2 an inch and hits like the hammer of Thor actually 4925ftlbs at the muzzel. Then I feel head over heels nuts for my .338 RUM. I played with it all year thisyear and my favorite 2 loads are a 250 Hornady Intlk at3000fps loaded with 90.0grs of IMR 7828 and a 225 Hornady Intlk at 3150 with 92.0grs of IMR7828. Both very accurate loads. Now that I've tried this .338 RUM in a Model 700 LSS I find to be my go to rifle. When asked what will I shoot with my .338RUM by folks here at home being that the popular opinion around here is that a .338 RUM is an artilliery piece I always tell them praire dogs if feel like and that usally keeps other questions about my .338 at bay. I bought and been shooting my .338 RUM since December 0f 04 so I'm still just havin all kinds of fun with it!

[royinidaho]

RUMLUVER

There isn't much experience in existence for the 338 cal.

I appreciate you data. The 250 @ 3000fps would extend my effective range out to 900 yds from the current 830. That would be a full 200 fps over what I'm shooting now.

If I could ever get into comeups/downs I could reach 1K but the the way I hunt is a bit of walk and stalk with very few opportunities to setup on a spot and stay there for a long period of time. Thus I stick with the mil dot and max effective range is limited by the 5th mil which is the top of the post.

I"m shooting the 338 win w/24" bbl with a Holland QD brake with the rifle loaded up to 10.8 lbs including scope, sling and bipod. Kicks about like a hefty 308 load but a bit more that 270 w/140s @ 3200. Kind of a gentle giant.

Its a hoot bustin rocks, so far out to 540 yds or so.

I'd run a RUM reamer in it but 24" is just too short to meet the needs of the RUM. Thus I'm looking for a factory takeoff barrel. I may run the throat out a bit tho' and see what that gets me.
:confused:

Snooped around - Sparks' lilja bbl is on a rem 700, btw.

[RUMLUVER]

Isnn't a muzzel brake kind of loud! I know it was when I was shooting my friends .338 WIN MAG with a brake. His a model 700 classic witha 24in barrel. It wasn't fun at all at the range when we were doing load development. It was loud and blew gas back at me. So I just learned to shoot mine without one. But I may be intrested if I could find one without the extra noise and gas blowing back at me.

[royinidaho]

The Holland doesn't blow back on you. equal large amounts perpendular to the muzzle, a little up to counteract muzzle jump and just a little out the front. None out the bottom.

Tested in very find blow sand and was quite pleased.

Never shot w/o electronic ear protection so don't know how much louder it is. However, it is louder.

I wouldn't leave home without it.

[ol_spark]

Roy...
I was up to the Ridgway Rifle Club on Saturday morn to shoot my steel plate at 1000yds with the 338 T. It shot flatter at that distance by 14 clicks than my chart said. Anyhow after the first shot went directly over, no wind at 8:00 am. I asjusted and was on the [plate with the 2nd round. Then I confirmed my 840 yd clicks on a bowling ball that was hanging on a rope. Did you ever shoot one of those things. Pretty neat to watch them swing when you hit them. First shot was high there also. Anyhow so I adjusted my chart for those to yardages and shot a few more rounds to confirm the clicks by going up to the steel then back to the plate. Worked OK until I knocked my plate over. Previously, one of the chains broke off and I coulcn't suspend it so I just propped it up against a couple of 2x4's. About that time some guys came with lever guns to practice for a shoot at 10:00 and I never did get to go retrieve my plate to see what kind of damage it did. Maybe someday I'll get up ther to get it and take some pics to post.
Why are you selling your 338? Dumb question :eek: I know since it doesn't make any difference what you carry cause you don't see elk you might as well carry the lighter 270. How's that, answered my own question.;) :D

[RUMLUVER]

ol-spark

It would be nice to see what .338 of yours is doing at that range! Hope you get some pics of that plate!

["yote"]

I tend to stay away from the word "Magnum" in rifles. My 308's
and 338/06 Ackley Improved will do anything I ask of them and
they let me keep my dental work intact!!!!

[RUMLUVER]

yote

Now you sound like my dad giving me a hard time about shooting a cannon! I will admitt shooting my .338 RUM without a brake the recoil is stout but after some practice its managable. Not at all as bad as some think it is. But it more than your average shooter will learn to handle.

[Evan03]

givn enough ,otovation i can learn to handle about anything. ive got no motivation to handle rifles chamberd bigger than the smaller 300s

thats just me.

i to also like load development, but i like even more when ive found that load and im confident i can punch out 100rds of it produceing acurate hunting or varmiting ammo.

[RUMLUVER]

How true Evan 03 how true


There's always a feeling of a job well done as a man settles in for a nice long reloading session knowing the end result is a culmination of research, loading and testing at the range. As far as ones recoil theshold I believe that it can be pushed a little farther along if desired. But one must stack the deck in thier favor also. The rifle must fit like it was made for them and reloading is a must also. That way a person can start with reduced loads and work thier up to low end loads and then move up from there until they reach desired rusults. After plenty of practice a person won't realy notice the recoil anylonger and be just enjoying a good day with a good rifle and load in the field! At least I think so but I may wrong.

[ol_spark]

I like 308's also. I've killed plenty of deer with them also. Works great. :) Never saw one that didn't shoot well.

[RUMLUVER]

I'm a huge fan of 6.5mm anything from .260 Rem to the .264 Win Mag I just started building now with some friends. That caliber is deadly accurate banjo string flat shooting and no recoil to speak of! This bullet that I choose to start with in my .264 that I'm going shooting next year is a 130gr Swift Scirocco that has a B.C. of .571! I can't wait for this rifle to be done. It's just driving me nuts waiting for it and if it gets done this winter it'll be time to bundle up in the Carharts and head to range!

[royinidaho]

Originally posted by ol_spark

Why are you selling your 338? Dumb question :eek: I know since it doesn't make any difference what you carry cause you don't see elk you might as well carry the lighter 270. How's that, answered my own question.;) :D

SELLING THE 338:confused: When did I ever say that? Just thinking about rebarrelling it with a RUM takeoff bbl. Wonder if I could get the quarter MOA of a different bbl like i'm getting out to this one. But I like to play a bit.

The 270 ain't light. 11+ pounds. The 338 is 10.8 w/scope, sling, and bipod.

I have the month of Nov to find a cow to test the 338 on. I've got some 252 WC RBBTs stoked up to 2800 shooting in the 5s at 200. Drop chart has been tested to 760 and is coyote accurate to there. I want to see how they do on game. If the season is as my last couple I'm gonna take out the neighbor's lama:rolleyes: Wonder what those things taste like:D

[RUMLUVER]

I would definately go for the elk more meat and alot less explaining to the neighbors how the lama fell victom to lead poisoning! Best of luck hunting report back when I intrested to here how you did some pictures would be cool to!

[ol_spark]

Roy...
I'm sorry. I thought that I saw your gun on another board for sale. :confused:

I guess the 270 isn't light when compared the way you did it. I thought your 270 was like a featherweight Mod 70 or something. I didn't know it weighed that much.

I never tasted lama that I knew of. When I was younger I used to have a saying, "A missed opportunity is just that" ( a missed opportunity)

[RUMLUVER]

11+lbs for a .270 any reason for this is a special rifle that seens quite heavy. My .338 RUM doesn't wiegh that much finished. To me that seems to be a bit much for a .270 that all.

[VirginiaHunter]

Any of you all try the Nosler accubond 180’s?

I was using the Nosler BT 180’s for the last couple of years in my 338 WinMag with 73grns of IMR 4350 and a cci mag primer and was getting 1” or less groupings at an avg of 3100 ftps I got 5 dear and one Black Bear with these loads with varying results on the BT effects. When they hit the boiler room, little hole in, not much bigger hole out. On muscle mass, like a neck a shot little hole in, massive damage on the outward side. Still I loved the projectile because it was like using my mouse whilst hunting, just point and click. The sectional density and ballistic coefficient are the same for the BT and the accubond, So I’d like to give them a try over the BT.

Edit just checked my notes 72.5grns IMR 4350

[RUMLUVER]

VirginiaHunter

As of yet I havn't tried any Accubond at all I'm not a big Nosler fan have had bad experiences in the the past. I like a bullet that no matter where I hit them little hole just a little bigger hole coming out . Since your looking in the 200gr area I would suggest the 210gr Barnes TSXBT or the 210gr Swift Scirocco I shoot both and both are devastating on game they are stone cold killers. Shot 8 head of big game in 2 years with 30cal Scirocco's and 6.5mm TSX's and have yet to have one go 2 steps from point of impact most fell on there feet. Never recovered a bullet very little tissue damage and these were at ranges from 80ft to about 300 yards. The Barnes manual recommends IMR 4350 for the .338WM 64.0gr to 69.0gr. If using the TSXBT Barnes has stated it is safe to load above max but no more than about 2-3gr increasing by 1/2gn increments. I have done this myself and found great results in velocity and accuracy. Currently I'm shooting the 210 TSXBT at 3379fps using RL22 and the 210 Scirocco and 3245 fps using RL25 in my .338 RUM. As for loading the Swift Scirocco you can safely use the data I gave you from Barnes I did the same working up my load using RL 25 and the 210 Scirocco. Hope this helps even though it is only my opinion!

[VirginiaHunter]

Cool, I will have a loook at some different projectiles in the near future, gun room in the new house is nearing completion, but not in time for this years hunt. Thanks for the info.

[RUMLUVER]

VirginiaHunter

Your welcome I hope it helps and glad to help anyway I can. If you need more data don't hesitate to get in touch.

[royinidaho]

Spark,

That was the 375 H&H that I posted for sale. Had it priced way high to see if there were any bites. Then posted SPF a couple of days later. Pretty tricky, huh:rolleyes:

I really like it but anything in Idaho that wants to come after me can be handled by the 338. And it shoots good too. Hangs right around MOA.

The 270 went to my son who can shoot that thumbhole stock right handed and I can't. I didn't want to mess with the stock as I did a good job on that one.

RUMLUVER

Why is it so heavy. Hmmmmm, lets see. Has a hunk of Fagen thumbhole stock that is pretty heavy. Then I had a Lilja 27" Number 4 cpntour installed. The weight includes Super Sniper scope, Sling, Mounts, Bipod. Its a good carrying rifle and with 140s @ 3200 you can see the hits when the rest is solid.

It looks like this:

[royinidaho]

and shoots like this when my son is shooting it. My groups are about 1/2 that size.;)

[royinidaho]

Here's what the 338 does on pretty much a regular basis with the Sierra 2600s (250 GMK)

Believe it or not Wildcat 252 RBBTs tighten that up just a skosh. Think the WC is a better bullet but the GMK can't be too far off.

I have to the end of the month to get a cow in the sights. I'm still considering that lama:o

[RUMLUVER]

Nice pictures you got there. I especially like the the .338 target it looks like the tagets that I get using my .338 RUM and 250gr Hornady Interlock with 90.0gr of IMR7828. I also get those results with a 225 Hornady Interlock and 92.0gr of IMR7828. Good looking none the less. I liked the looks of the .270 but personaly not real big on thumbholes for hunting thats just me though. I will have to show pictures of my .264 Win Mag when its done it will be realy sweet looking!

[royinidaho]

250s from that rifle, 24" bbl, have a max of around 2850 fps. The rifle shoots best @ 2800.

As well as it shoots I'm scouting for a 338 RUM rem takeoff bbl to experiment with. Following that I'll send it off and get a 30" bbl in the 338 Edge or Tommy.

What velocities are you shooting with your 250s?

[RUMLUVER]

royinidaho,

Right now with the IMR7828 load I'm getting 3000fps. I found best groups there I got to 3085 but was getting groups that were a little over an 1". So I stuck with my load at 3000 it works the best in my rifle. I also have have a load with 90.5gr H4831 that I havn't had the time to run through chrony yet I'm thinking that load will be at 3050 or a little better. That load produces between 1/2 and 5/8 " groups.

[royinidaho]

No muzzle brake, huh? That otta be thumpin' ya pretty fair:rolleyes: Me thinks I'm a wimp.:D

Good data. Appreciate it. Thus, I'll procede with the takeoff bbl should the fella in CO. decide to let it go. I think its the 26" blue sporter bbl, not the heavy one.:( A good thing is that the brake could be swapped from my current bbl. Saves a bit of the 160 that it took to get it installed on this bbl.

Have you tried any of that 7828 SSC powder yet? I seem to have to squeeze the last bit of velocity out of stuff.

Those velocities are only 150 fps slower that my spec. but I doubt that any animal would know the difference......

[RUMLUVER]

No I havn't tried any of the 7828 SSC yet I have 5lbs of the standard 7828 to use up yet. But the short cut intrests me though be cause it will come to rest in the case more uniformly and should burn more uniformly also. I think that way a guy could squeeze a little more velocity out of of a case that way. I'm looking forward to using next summer! Hope you get that barrel your looking at also. I don't realy get beat as bad as some may think shooting without a break but I don't shoot as much in one session as I do with my .300 though. I also rotate using my 22-250 also at the range rest rest between shot strings that seems to help.

[ol_spark]

Roy...
OK I got that about the 375. My mistake. I like those targets. What about that bottom one? It has two hole about 5" apart way left of the three shot group :eek: hehehehe :D :D

[RUMLUVER]

Just what I like to read a little ribbing now and then. But everybody pulls a shot now and then that's what keeps us going back. It can't be pearfect all the time!:D

[royinidaho]

RUMLUVER:

Hey! Them is from the hole punch:rolleyes:

What! Me pull a shot :eek: :D

Things really are the pits. I'm in one "bowl" and 300 elk are in the "bowl" to the east moving west, towards me. Completely un known to me. Next day I went 1 "bowl" to the west. The elk went 2 "bowls.

Next time I by pants I'm gonna by 30x38s instead of the 38-30s I normally buy. I otta catch'm then:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

I like your strategy with with pants size! Let me know haow it works for you I just may try it for myself next deer seasone. I was suckin a little wind myself this year.

[ol_spark]

I know your fellin' there Roy. I just spent a week in Montana chasing the elusive elk. The nomads. Same thing, everyday fresh tracks, long walk, no bull. Who said hunting was fun??? :o :o :(

Hang in there. One will make a mistake some day.:)

[royinidaho]

They are tough to find.

Tomorrow got all screwed up. Was supposed to take some aerial photos of some farm land would have been easy to fly over the elk unit and gps the herd. They are in big bunches now. 300 in some, 1000 in another, etc.

But pilot is up north at a Highschool state football game.:rolleyes: So can't make an photo $ or find "those" elk.

However, going out back of the house in the morning. Who knows? They may be back there but I don't know why. No snow. Oh well. Sooner or later.

If I get skunked back there its gonna be tough walking by those lamas:D

[RUMLUVER]

Just feel free to give those hell! :D They aren't all that great anyway and probably need thinning out anyway. If it's any consaolation I filled my first deer tag today! Shot it running away from me at about 90 yards one shot from the .338 RUM ended all thoughts of getting away. Well thats a start it will make it to my freezer tomarrow. Good luck behind the house!:)

[royinidaho]

Went out back. Cows and 4-wheelers back there. Gave up and came home. Walked by the lamas and didn't even put the scope on them.:(

Twas a nice winter day. 40 degrees no wind, well very little so me thinks I gotta do some shootin'.

Figured I'd validate my drop chart. I had just chrono'd and sighed in @ 200 yds and let the computer do its thing. Figured Sierra's published BCs are reliable.

Velocity right at 2800 mv.

Here's the results.

200 yds +4 1/4"

311 yds +1/4"

438 yds -13"

540 Yds -32"

4550' elevation, 45 degrees, wind from 7o'clock A < 5 mph.

Scope 1.6" above line of bore.

Sierra 250 Gameking (#2600)

Gotta get me one of those xbal thingers for my pocket pc. Then I guess I have to carry around a weather station.:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

Looks good to me nice and flat and should hit plenty hard! I got some news that I found intresting. Barnes is now producing a 250gr TSXFB in .338. I was very happy to see that with that reduced friction design of the TSX I should get between 3000 and 3100 in my .338 RUM. With that bullets high BC and SD it will be just flat ass devastating on most anything I shoot with it and it will be sanctioned by ATT because it will reach out and touch something! Thought you would like to hear the news!:p

[royinidaho]

Originally posted by RUMLUVER
Barnes is now producing a 250gr TSXFB in .338. I was very happy to see that with that reduced friction design of the TSX I should get between 3000 and 3100 in my .338 RUM. Thought you would like to hear the news!:p

Went to Barnes' web site found nothing larger than 225gr??

Ihaven't received their regular email lately either.

What's the BC supposed to be.

To make that Sierra 2600 match the curve I had to use a BC of about .800:confused: :confused: But I'm always confused.:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

Roy go to the Barnes shopping site to see the new 250gr TSX I was just there and it's for sale but they don't list it under thier chart for TSX's. As far what the B.C. is for this bullet give me a little time I will let you know Barnes is getting back to me with this info. By the way have you heard about the new MRX bullet from Barnes yet? Federal is going to load it in thier factory ammo but it will be available to us next year!

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

The BC for those Barnes TSX I mentioned is .521 not bad for a flat based bullet! Thats what I think

[royinidaho]

Found 'em. Thanks

Think I'll make a trip down there see if I can "gleep" onto some and do some testing while down there.

[RUMLUVER]

Let me know how it turns out for you and I will do the same when get my hands on some and do some testing with my .338 RUM!

[royinidaho]

338 Win is nothing to sneeze at.

fired a Sierra 250gr game king at a 2 liter bottle of water (end ways) target was the cap. Base of the bottle was against one of the railroad ties (8 inch width) at 200 yds.

Miss the end cap by a breath. Explosion was really awsome. Some parts of the plastic bottle just dissappeared.

The amazing part, at least to me, was that the bullet fully penetrated the 8" of railroad tie and kept on going. I was and still am impressed.

Also, if I shoot a 1/2" - 3 shot group at 200yds which happens on a regular basis, the second and third shots penetrate the 8 inches of wet blow sand (really fine).

[RUMLUVER]

Sounds like like you got yourself a helluva rifle there Roy! I can't wait to see what I can do this summer with the new 250 TSX's. I will do some penatration tests just for the hell of it and to see exactly how far these bullets will travel. Thanks for the story about the Win Mag!

[royinidaho]

As soon as you get some accuracy experience on those TSXs please post.

I've had no luck with Barnes and accuracy.

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

I was always told the same thing that the standard X bullet was inaccurate and was a realy bad copper fouler. I tried the TSX bullets in my .300, .338, and .7mm and so far they have been accurate and easy cleaning. My brother shoots a 130gr TSX out of his .264 and shoots groups at a 100 yards that are the size of tylonal tablets. But when I get some test results from that 250gr TSX I will be sure to post the targets. By then I may have a digital camera to get them on this site. If its and good to you I shoot a 210gr and 225gr TSX and 1/2 groups with those quite regularly.

[Dale]

Reading about Roy's 2 liter and tie reminded me of some steel plates we shot. The one below was shot with a 300WSM and a 338RUM. It is a 3/4 in plate that was shot at 200 yards. If I remember right we had a few go all the way through. The 338 was loaded with Hornady Soft Point Interlocks and I think the 300 was loaded with Nosler Balistic tips.

Front side.
http://www.geocities.com/dwsdw@sbcglobal.net/huntinpics/front.jpg



Back side.
http://www.geocities.com/dwsdw@sbcglobal.net/huntinpics/back.jpg

[RUMLUVER]

Dale,

What are you using for a load with those Hornady Interlocks and grain wieght are you using just currious?

[Dale]

88.5 grains of RL22 & a 225 gr. Interlock.

[RUMLUVER]

Dale,

In my .338 RUM I'm using 92.0gr of IMR 7828 with a 225gr Interlock and getting 3150fps with 5/8in and better groups. I'm also using 90.0gr of IMR7828 and 250gr Interlock and getting 2987fps. What are you getting for velocity?

[Dale]

Don't know. How's that for an answer. I don't have a chrony yet and it doesn't look like Santa is gong to bring me one. I plan on adding one this next year. Book velocity puts it around 2900. Wont know for sure till I get a fast bullet measuring thingy. ;)

[RUMLUVER]

Maybe if you were real nice this year Santa still might be considering it! If not hope you get one soon it gets real intresting when you find out what the "book says" and what your load and rifle are actualy doing. I know I've been surprized more than once when I ran some loads through a chrony. Most recently it was some loads for my .300 RUM and some Barnes bullets.

[royinidaho]

RUMLUVER,

Well, I'm about to do it.

Its getting pretty boring shooting the 338Win after all the kinks are worked out. Its probably one of the better shooting rifles I've owned but as some said, "It ain't sexy."

Found a new/unfired 338 RUM bbl in sporter config. at a super price and from a trustworthy gunsmith. I'll put another 225 or so into it getting the bbl and brake switched and add a tubbs recoil lug then we'll go to playing with it.

I'll pillar bed the stock then probably re-skim bed it.

That ought to stretch my range several hundred yards.

It'll be a neat cartridge/chamber/barrel comparison. The Win gets the 225 Hornady to 2900 and the 250 Sierra to 2850. I would expect to get the 250 to at least 3000 with the RUM with a decent level of accuracy.

Also think I'll get it throated so that the base of the Wildcat 252 RBBTs is at the base of the neck.

Also it will be a single shot so I don't have to have the rails messed with. The smith will "glue" in one of those single shot inserts.

I don't mind a single shot at all except if me and a griz ever get to scuffling over something I shot. Then I'd do my shooting from a bit of a distance then put the muzzle at the entrance wounds and shoot again. Figure that brake would make some unmistakable powder burns. :rolleyes:

Otta be a pretty good excuse wouldn't cha thinK;)

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

Sounds like your going to be having alot of fun with that .338 RUM project. Let me tell you that you will not be dissapointed when your done that .338 RUM is a very accurate caliber and with what your doing there it will be a tack driver. Also with reloading it won't take much to get 3000fps from the 250gr slugs I have 2 loads that do it now. You must post some pictures when this project is done. I want to see the end rusult. I will post pics of my .264 Win Mag project when I'm done with that but as for right now I'm still waiting on my barrel.

[royinidaho]

Here's my plan.

After the RUM bbl is installed I'm going to do the standard Lilja barrel breakin procedure and see how that goes.

Then I'm going to do the Final Finish/Tubbs thing with the abrasive bullets and polish it up a bit and see how that pans out.

Then after that I'll.............................:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

OH the joys of playing with new toys huh Roy!

[royinidaho]

ubetcha!

Have some fellas on another board that did major experiment/testing with the Tubbs Final Finish on factory bbls with very good results and very few, if any, negatives. But it was done very carefully and not more than just enough loads were fired.

[RUMLUVER]

That seems to be not such a bad idea I may have to try it myself sometime with a new rifle of my own. Keep me posted on results and progress.

[royinidaho]

Ramshot Magnum in 338 Win.

Velocities similar to RL-22.

Pressure seems lower as indicated by much much easier fired case extraction.

A bit too slow for 338 Win. Will try it in 338 RUM when it gets put together.

Jury still out on accuracy though standard deviations are really low as compared to RL-22 loads.

RCBS ChargeMaster really likes it.

[HPBTMTCH]

I suggest trying the tubb F F on an old barrel first, and see how it goes. There is some throat erosion from doing firelapping. Which is not an issue with a .22 hornet, or maybe a 30-06, but something like a 7mm ultra mag, i think you would be taking a bit of life from that barrel. It`s important to push the lead slug through the barrel first to see if there is a problem, and go from there.

[royinidaho]

OK RUM guys, the ol Winny is closin' the gap.

Neglected to check the differences in a new lot of RL-22:rolleyes:

[royinidaho]

Ramshot Magnum 84.5 gr
Sierra GK 250
CCI-200
200 yds

[royinidaho]

74.5gr RL-22
200 yds

[RUMLUVER]

Nice targets when I get a digital camera I will have to post some of my targets as well.

[royinidaho]

RUMLUVER,

Didn't intend to 'show off' targets. I forgot to post the spread sheet data.

Objective was two fold.
a) Ramshot Magnum works in the 338 win.
b) New lot of RL-22 w/charge = old lot resulted in a velocity increase of 130 fps to 2930 w/250 gr Sierra Game King.

I'll post the velocitys when I get home this evening.

BTW, SD for the RL-25 droped to 3 for 5 shots. Which is what I was looking for w/the Ramshot.

[RUMLUVER]

No showing off they are what they are "good groups"! I like that you post new info as you get it that just helps out other handloaders by sharing info. I would just like to be able to post targets too with my reloading data and chrono results. But on a side note I have never gotten good results with the Ram Shot Magnum powder but that has just been with my .300 and .338 RUM's.

[royinidaho]

Tested projected final Ram Shot Magnum load against trusted RL-22 load.

RL-22 load average velocity was w/in 10 fps of 2800 either way but with large SDs.

Bought new lot of RL-22 and here's what happened from shooting the above groupes.

I alternated targets with each shot. Some how it seems reasonable.

[RUMLUVER]

250gr SMK at 2930fps that's crazy out of a .338WM! I'm using 90gr of of IMR 7828 to get 3000fps out of my .338RUM. I'd bet your getting away with alot less powder than that. That's a pretty low SD to boot! Looks like you got yourself a heck of a good load there Roy!

[royinidaho]

Almost tho't the chrony went bonkers but every other shot was with Ramshot and they were spot on for velocity.:confused:

At the target says 74.5 gr RL-22???

I'm beginning to think that using RL-22 must be what its like to be married to the wrong woman.:rolleyes:

I'm headed to the place I bought that pound and buy their entire stock if its the same lot number.....

But in a couple of weeks that bbl comes off and an REM takeoff 338 RUM goes on.

Going to do some forward thinking ignition experimenting. Should be fun. We'll see.

[RUMLUVER]

Let me know how it goes!

[Martini25-308]

Not trying to butt in here, but it looks like the target has 84.5 of RL-22 with a Federal primer. Your thread says 74.5. Either way, nice little hole puncher at 200 yds.

I was in picking up some new brass for the 22-250, hadn't looked into this .338 RUM before and saw a box of brass marked .338 RUM so thought I would see what this 6 page thread was all about. Are you sure the Navy doesn't use this against enemy battleships?!?!?

I can't imagine holding that up to my shoulder. Rumlover, I know you have said that the recoil is not that bad,,,,,,,but 90 grs pushing 250 grs at 3000fps has got to pack a punch.

[royinidaho]

Come on in Martini! Your cartridge is a bit small but we'll play with ya.;)

Rocy Raab, one of the admin guys is a 25-308 user. But I think he has the 25-308 in one hand and the martini in the other:D :D

I suppose only you good guys can have them both in the same hand.:cool:

Reportin' todays activities. Weather windy and snowy. How windy you say? Enough to push a 222 Rem 40gr Vmax 8" @ 200 with the wind only 15 degrees from the bullet's line of flight.:rolleyes:

So I worked on makin' my winny shoot w/ Rumluvers RUM. With the weather so lousy I couldn't chronograph anything but made major progress anyway.

Been working on implementing an old ignition idea. Seems a lot of people tho't of it but no one does it. Guess its a secret. And I'll keep it that way for a bit.

Took all last evening an most of today to tool up for it. Tool up means scrounge around for objects that will serve the purpose though they weren't designed for it; pester the neighbors and make a couple of trips to town.

Finally got enough things put together enough to make things go bang.

Loaded up my first try. This is far enough out of the ordinary that first, I removed the scope (it would be hard to replace), next I secured the rifle to a shooting rest that I made with inner tube strips and a bunge cord across the butt and enough line to let me hide behind one of the big poplar trees in the back yard.

Well, she went bang and everything held together. It was a pretty squibby load, as it turns out, but I didn't know that until she went bang.

Armed with greater confidence I dumped in another 14 grains of 4831. This time I was like super man. I just held the rifle in one hand an reached around the poplar tree and let her rip. Bigger bang but no problems.

Then had to switch to 4831sc as 71 grains of 4831 filled 1/3rd of the neck. I had aready shot 74 gr 4831sc without my modification so 71 grains seemed reasonable.

Did the same thing. Shot her like a handgun from the other side of the tree. Bigger bang.

Lessons learned:

The idea works. Without the chrono I won't know whether it works well or not so well.

Neglected to use ear protection and noticed that the noise was reduced in a major way. The only other time I forgot to use the muffs my ears rang for a day.

Gained even greater appreciation for the Holland QD brake.

Will post more results when the weather allows the chrono to come out and play.

[Martini25-308]

The 25-308 is a gun that my wife's father built in the late 40s or early 50s. It has not had any attention in just about that long,,, since he died when she was 6 years old and that was in '58. My son in now 13 and "way into guns" so I decided to try and figure out what this thing was. I searched Google for 25 Souper and found Rocky's article, which led to this web sight. I thought it would be a good deer/coyote rifle for him and get me back into hunting. (That is the reason I was not up on the new calibers, the .338 RUM could be 20 years old and it would be new to me.)

So I got dies ordered, squeezed some .260 Remington brass, got in .257 bullets, yadi ya and developed a serious ailment called "way into guns". I am waiting for the 25 to get back from the smith, I had to have the Mauser action redrilled for new scope mounts, so I can start load development. I just hope the thing shoots straight!!!!

Been out a few time calling yotes and been in a goose blind for a couple days,,,,,,,,,,so I guess there is a new powder burner in town and his name in Martini.

Its fun reading you guys and have been learning alot and if you need a new kicking stump, me and my little 25 are here thumbing through the threads.

Tini

[RUMLUVER]

Welcome Martini,


Glad to hear your back into the powder burning brotherhood! That 25-308 sounds like a neat little cartridge though I will confess I would lean toward the .260 if it were my choice. As you can see I love to shoot my .338 RUM but like you my father felt that my .338 was something that should be fired via a lanyard. I did not let that sway me I have learned to shoot this RUM quite well but will admitt 20-30 rounds is enough at 1 sitting for me. Since you were talking about having a little work done on that 25-308 of yours I will share that I am knee deep in my current rifle project that will end up as my very own .264 Win Mag oh the joy of it all this rifle consumes my thoughts daily! It will be a 27" Broughton barrel on a model 700 action and in stalled in a McMillan stock topped off with the new 3-10x50 Kahles Multi-Zero scope. But as for this moment I'm still waiting for my barrel to be delivered. Again Martini glad to see you jumped in with both feet and as always keep us posted on the progress with your 25-308!

[royinidaho]

Martini

Glad to hear the 25-308 is on a mauser action. Was hesitant to mention it but I jumped to a wrong conclusion that it was on a Martini action. Couldn't quite see that.:(

Rocky is probably the knowedgeable on on that cartridge around these parts.

Good to hear you and you son have a common interest. That is a good thing.

Good luck and good shootin' and welcome aboard.

Wanna try a 338-308:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Martini25-308]

Thanks Rum,

After 20-30 rounds you probably need to bring in the bulldozer and rebuild your dirt pile to shoot into:D . Lanyard??? Hell you should be rolling it around on two wheels?!?!

Now the 264 is my kinda round. I think that would be great caliber for the hunting I plan to do. Your dirt pile should last longer also! The Kahles will be some great optics for you. I have looked at ton of scopes in the last couple months and that one has ranked high. Hope it turns out to be the firearm you have dreamed of. At least worth all the sleepless nights thinking about it:cool: .

The 260 brass was the closest dimensions to what I needed for the 25-308 1/4 bore. The case is the same as the .308, necked to .264. So basically I just necked it to .257, for a 25 caliber. It should be a shooter. 3000fps with a 75 gr V-max or 85gr BT should be easily achieved with 3400fps well within reach at the top end. According to some of Rocky's information, a 100gr should push about 2900, which should be just fine for a heafty mulie. There are 117gr and a few 120gr bullets out there for the caliber and will get a load for them also. I can't wait to throw some lead!

I need to wait for the gun so I can get some chamber dimension before I start seating bullets. I have a machinist friend making me a few tools so I can get the correct case length and OAL.

There will eventually be more guns, but I need to work with what I have now.

[Martini25-308]

I have some Martini action going on right now in fact. Wish you were sitting across the desk chompin' on an olive.

Bottoms up or tops down, whichever you prefer.

ttttttttini

[TKO]

Your results are very impressive. I have a pair of the 7mm rums and love the way they shoot. After reading your results I might have to make a trip out to the gun shop and see about getting a 338. I don't need it but I am starting to want it!

[RUMLUVER]

TKO,

I was a little hesitant when I saw my .338 at the gunshop but decided I just had to have it and never looked back. Let me tell you that the .338 RUM is a handfull but it is also alot of fun to shoot. Wait until you see the looks you'll get at the range from your fellow shooters!

[royinidaho]

Just about 10 days away from having the 338 RUM inhand.

Have the tubbs final finish kit on hand.

Getting excited....

[RUMLUVER]

Let me know how it shoots! You must be excited to be that close to getting your .338 RUM.

[Martini25-308]

I am predicting lots of thunder in Idaho this spring:rolleyes: !!

[royinidaho]

New stuff from RamShot

.338 Remington Ultra Magnum
Barrel: 24", Twist 1-10" Primer: FED 215
MAGNUM 215 SIE SPBT 94.0 2,920 104.0 3,200 63,400 3.580
MAGNUM 250 SIE HPBT 86.0 2,600 96.0 2,970 62,500 3.580
MAGNUM 300 SIE HPBT 80.0 2,400 89.0 2,700 62,700 3.580

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

Thanks for sharing but I will say that I have tried Magnum in the past in my .300 RUM and found that it to be inaccurate with every bullet I tried. I don't know about my .338 RUM so since I still have some I may just try it. If you use it and find any good results I would be intrested in what you come up with. Thanks again!

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

Do youhave anything good to report as of yet on your .338 RUM project?

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

New here and had to sign up when I read this post.

Rumluver, I should have your name, just added number 23 to my Ultra mag collection. My wife is getting irratated but OH WELL!
I have that need new tubes.Just put together a SS on a Rem CDL stock and man is it a beauty

[RUMLUVER]

Idaho,

My friends call me Scooter and I'm happy to see that you jumped in on this. I too absolutely love those Ultra Mags and just as soon as I'm done with my .264 it will be my .338's turn for a little body work. I would like to here about your rifles it sounds like you have a few of them.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I have good collection. Probably averaged one a month since I started working. My wife loves guns and hunting so I dont have a problem with her. Well she get irratated when I buy to many of one gun. She says there are more out there that I dont have that I should get. I cant make here understand that I only like old Winchesters and Remington 700's and I have just about all of them.
I have 4 Pre-64 Winchesters that are chambered for the 264 mag. 3 are never fired and the other I used for deer hunting the open fields in Virginia when I lived there. I havent taken it out for elk here. I guess my 7 Ultra took its place. Both are Awsesome calibers. Everything I have shot with the 7 has piled up in its tracks.

[royinidaho]

338 Rum is 3 days from scheduled finish at the smith's. So far the schedule has slipped 2 months:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I'm bettin' it slips again.:mad: :mad:

All I can do is whine.......

[royinidaho]

Slipped again. Hadn't even started it.

2 More weeks.

The work is just
1) swap 338 Win bbl for new takeoff 338RUM bbl.
2) swap Holland brake from old to new bbl.
3) smooth the rough bolt face
3) Lap the lugs
4) Intstall Tubbs recoil lug.
5) Trigger adj.

No truing of action etc.

Lets see: 10 days + 10 days + 6 wks + 2 weeks. Hmmmm that's roughly 2 months.

Gotta find a faster turn around for these peckerwood projects:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[ol_spark]

Roy,
It's been a while since I've been on the forum and I see you guys have really talked up the RUM's quite a bit. Who is doing your project? Kirby?
Anyhow last deer season, we introduced a co-workers wife to the 338 Tomahawk and she whacked a deer at 791 yds off the ultimate tripod. Another one fell just a short time later at 793 yds. I attempted to do some testing a couple days in January and February but the wind was so brutal that is was senseless to even be out in it. Now that good weather is here, I may get to play a little more with those 225 SST's. I got some 250 Lapua's loaded with 100.5 gr of Retumbo and shot them at steel at 500 yds. They shot about 2" so I'm wanting to play with them a little more. I want to compare them with the 250 SMK's and run them side by side to see which is better. I don't know if I'll bother with the 225 Accubonds anymore but who knows. Tomorrow I think I'll try to find some H869 since the Easter egg hunt doesn't start until 3:00 in the afternoon. Maybe that will do something for me that the Retumbo isn't. By the way, tried 60 gr of Retumbo in that 25 06 Sendaro with 117 SST's and it shot about a close to one hole as I can measure a 100yds for 3 shots. So now I've got to run this one through the tests to see if it'll make the trip to 700yds for a ghog gun.
Do you need a little cheese to go with that whine?:D :D

[ol_spark]

I almost forgot. Not to knock the Tubbs finish system but JB Paste will do the same thing to them factory barrels. Some people could sell ice cubes to eskimos.:eek: :confused:

[royinidaho]

ol' spark,

The 338 project if being mostly done by me with a local smith doing the metal work. Doing nothing more than swapping the Win bbl for the RUM bbl and bringing the brake over. I got the RUM bbl, new unfired from Kirby for 45 bucks.

Will use it to see now much more of a cartridge the RUM is over the WinMag. The Win bbl was shooting 250 game kings and 252 Wildcats into 0.5" @ 200yds @ 2930 FPS. Cases were only a "little" sticky.;)

I will also use the RUM to further test the frontal ignition system in preparation for the 270 AM. The FI idea (stolen from OKH) has some good features and isn't that much work. It did give me a real feel for how much expansion the head of a case experiences when the thing goes bang. I must have been, according to the "local" smith "who knew PO Ackley" up around the high 70K low 80k pounds of pressure. Whoooo Hoooo!! It did launch little brass tubes downrange.......Once in a while......

The whole idea is to lengthen throat life but there are other benefits also.

After I get done with the RUM experiment it'll be come either a 338 Edge or Tommy. I'm figuring a Tommy as the Edge is nothing more than the 300 RUM necked up or the 375 RUM necked down. Nothing "sexy" about that.

You're bitchin' about wind!!!! Woke up to 4" of heavy wet snow this morning. How about them apples:confused:

By the way, some tests were done on the secnars and they behaved like solids. Accurate as heck but ended up bananas and penetrated some pretty serious steel that nothing else had ever touched.:confused: :confused: :confused:

[ol_spark]

Roy,
Yea, I read the post about the 250 scenars. Makes me sort of re-think about even messin' with them. Especially if the SMK's are working so far. I don't have alot of history with them yet but I guess I'll stay where I'm at and tinker with something else. Didn't get the other powder anyhow. :(

I got a .375 RUM take off barrel off of Kirby myself. Some day I may want to shoot a really big bear and I'll just switch the barrel on my 300 RUM and try that. If not maybe I can trade it to someone for something I'l need.

Good luck on the project.

[royinidaho]

I have that 375 H&H for them thar big bars. But I'm not going to intentionally hunt them. Odds are sooner or latter up north a few miles they may well hunt me:rolleyes:

BTW, still snowin' here. Been goin' all day.:mad:

[Russell E. Taylor]

RUMLUVER, did you get around to doing any work with the 250-grain TSX bullets and IMR 7828?

Also, I may have missed it wading through this thread, but... what charge of IMR 7828 is working best for you with the 225-grain TSXes?

Thanks.

Russ

[RUMLUVER]

Welcome Russell,

I have not as of yet used the 250gr TSX but plan doing so in the future sorry no help there. But with the 225gr TSX have found that RL 25 gave me best results. I started with 92gr and worked up to 95gr with this load I'm getting an average 3120fps. With IMR 7828 wich I use alot of my best results were with the 225gr and 250gr Hornady Interlocks and also the 210gr TSX. With the 210TSX and 90gr of IMR7828 I shot a group that was .550 outside to outside 2 weeks ago. Those TSX bullets have proven to be very accurate. I plan using the 130gr TSX in my .264 WM when I'm done having that built. That bullet in my brother's .264 shoots dime sized groups all the time. Hope I was of some help.

[Russell E. Taylor]

Yes, your data on the 225-grain TSX helps. I just bought some of the new 250s and sure would like to use a powder that might show a lot of promise from the start. My guess would be Retumbo, but we'll see. I have a lot of different powders I can try... to include RL25.

Thanks again.

Russ

[RUMLUVER]

Russell,


I've tried Retumbo, H870, H100, and A8700 in my Ultra Mags to include the .300 and 7mm. I found that those realy slow burners came up short in velocity and in accuracy in my rifles. I found better luck with RL25, RL22, IMR7828, H4350, and H4831. Those powders worked the best in my rifles. Hope this of some assistance to you also.

[royinidaho]

Picked up the 338 RUM project last friday evening. Spent the weekend w/grandkids. Spent today fitting stock and installing the Weaver Tactical and doing a modified Tubb's Final Finish.

The barrel is a new unfired take off barrel 26" long w/Holland QD brake. Did the Tubbs recoil lug (what a monster). Smoothed up the bolt face and seated the lugs. Smith sure was slow but did a good job.

When it was fully assembled she gained 0.2 lbs for a total of 11.0. The scope weights 24 oz and I have a couple of pounds of lead melted into the butt and forearm. It feels good though.

The Tubbs process was modified as the barrel wasn't all that rough. Now its almost a good a my Lilja, but noticably not nearly as good.

Tomorrow I start the regular break in so we'll see how much fouling happens.

I'm thinking that the new Hogdon 869 powder ought to be the ticked for the 250 class bullets but I have none and there is non locally available.

I used Ramshot Magnum for the Tubbs process and used mild loads. The stuff burned like western PA coal (bug dust if ya know what I mean). Ran out of the stuff except for one good stout load to chrono tomorrow. Kind of a pressure test.

I also have an RSI pressure thinger to hook up to it. Should be interesting.

[RUMLUVER]

Sounds good Roy can't wait to hear the results!

[royinidaho]

Fired some loads for velocity and pressure checks.

Put 96 gr of Ramshot Magnum behind the Hornady 225 SP Interlock for a measley 2822 fps. That Ramshot burns like coal. I may have to reopen the old "One Time Coal Co." in Butler Co. PA and collect the bugdust for rifle powder.

89gr of RL-22 behind the same bullet produced 3068 FPS and may have been just a titch hot.

92gr of 7828 behind the same bullet gave 3094 w/no pressure signs

87gr 7828 behind the 250gr SMK produced 2877 and
88gr of 7828 and the SMK produced 2891

None of the loads were pushing any limits even for a 92 degree day.

Tomorrow I'll give her a cleaning and install the RSI strain gage and see how that gizmo functions.

ALl of the above loads were fired with a 1/8" flash tube installed. The whole idea of this testing is to see what kind of differences frontal ignition makes, if any. The RUM is a much better cartridge for this test than was the Win Mag.

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

I also shoot 92gr of 7828 with the 225 Hornady Interlock and I'm getting 3151fps and with the 250gr Interlock I'm using 90gr of 7828 and getting 2998 fps with that load. As far as the RamShot powder I never had any luck with that either. RL 22 and RL25 have yielded good results for me with the 210 and 225gr TSX's from Barnes. Also I'm almost done with with my .264 WM I just ordered my stock yesterday it was a Holland fiberglass stock and it will be here in 10 days and then the work will begin for me. I can't wait this rifle project has been haunting my dreams for months now!

[royinidaho]

Here are the results of today.

With IMR 7858 and H1000 velocities and pressures are almost identical to the IMR reloading data. Never had that occur before.

92gr IMR-7828 and Hornady 225 Spire Point seated to a length of 3.016" from base to ogive (the crimp ring is a full 1/8" out of the case mouth. All shots with Flash Tube.

Don't worry about the group size. The bedding has some problems.

Here's the full skinny:

[RUMLUVER]

Intresting results it's always nice to see what others are getting for performance with similar loads. I don't have equiptment for obtaining pressure data but I do have a chrony so it was nice to see pressure data for that load. Thanks for posting and that and keep the results coming. By the way do have any plans on loading the 250gr TSX from Barnes?

[royinidaho]

By the way do have any plans on loading the 250gr TSX from Barnes?

Don't know yet. I'll go through some Sierra 250s some SMKs and 252 and 275 Wildcats before I get to the Barnes.....

Getting the correct bullet/powder combination for maximum accuracy and performance is going to be a task.....But fun.

[RUMLUVER]

Roy have you ever used any of the Swift A-frame bullets before? The make a 275gr slug in .338 and that would be a crusher of a round in the .338 RUM don't you think! I was curious as to how accurate those A-frames were but I havn't come across anyone who has used them before.

[royinidaho]

I'm still feeling this rifle out. I fired three shots of 92 gr 7828 without the flash tube and got similar velocities as with it but the three shots were in a perfect 3" horizonal stirng with only a slight vertical dispersion.

I know I'm close when that happens. A grain or so above or below that will shift the spread from horizonal to vertical or vise versa then dropping back maybe a half grain will result in a symetrical group.

I went up a grain. Group was a nice triange about right a 1 MOA and a volicity of around 3100. Still no pressure indicators on the cases. The RSI said about 63000 PSI.

My feelings are that the 250 and maybe the 275 grain bullet is what the 338 RUM was made for.

[RUMLUVER]

I agree! The .338 RUM was born to be heavy hitter!

[royinidaho]

BTW, all shots are at 200 yds. That's the closest distance I shoot.

Cause that's where the backstop is:rolleyes:

[royinidaho]

Just finished my first pillar bed job. Followed it w/a skim job. Looks and feels really good. Will see if shooting improves. Bedding has another 12 hrs to cure. That means by 1000 tomorrow I could be shooting:D If I didn't have to make some money first:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

I will also be doing my first pillar bedding job in a few days. The stock is for my new .264WM. I hope all goes well.

[royinidaho]

You'll have no problem. Just think it through first. Once you get going it all makes sense.

Does your RUM torque a bunch. Mine seem to want to twist about a quarter turn to the right or is it the left.:rolleyes: and I hold it pretty firmly. This is off of a pedestal rest.

I'm working on an above the bore bipod with a bit of a wide stance hopefully it will help w/looooonnnnngggg range.

With 93 gr of 7828 I'm getting about an average of 3080 FPS MV for 3 shots today But the battery in the chorno was running low and pooped out after tose three shots. The chrono may show them a little slower than they were.

Pressure was around 60000 PSI which may be actually 62000 or so but there were not pressure problems as indicated by primer markings and case extraction.

Accuracy is right around MOA @ 200.

[RUMLUVER]

To answer your question about the torque from the RUM it's YES!!! all 3 of my RUM's had a jump high and to right. The amount of movement went up with caliber and potentcy of ammo. I have become accustom to a real firm hold with the .338. I like your idea of the above bore tripod as usual let me know how it turns out. I just may adopt a similar set up! On a side note I bought some 142gr SMK's for my .264 and are long and skinny! They make me think of sleek areodynamic fighterplanes when I look at them. I want to do some loooong distance shooting with these when I'm done with my rifle. These bullets have a B.C. of over .590 when fired at at velocities between 2800 & 2900 fps so the should fly fast ,flat and a long ways out there.

[royinidaho]

Been shootin' the 338 RUM today.

Found the max pressure level at about 65000 PSI. At this point the extraction pressure was only slightly noticeable and primer seating was still good. Above that @ 65700 PSI everything was more noticeable especially loose primer when seating. At 73200 it was smack the bolt handle hard and smack it back to get it started. (Sure wish I had some Win cases).

Load was 91.5gr IMR 7828, Sierra 250gr Game King. Base of case to ogive was 3.041". And it didn't group worth a crap.

Got the Hornady 225 SP Interlock shooting 94gr 7828, Base to ogive 2.889"
3 shots @ 200 adjusted back to 100 was 0.612" Velocities of 3097/3097/3102. PSIs of 61600/61020/64924

It seems from my development and another fella shooting a 338 wildcat that 7828 does best at max loads.

It will be a miracle getting the 250gr bullet anywhere near 2900 (only 70 more FPS than the 338 Win Mag barrel)

Have only tired 7828 and H-1000, so far. Maybe Retumbo for the 250s?

[RUMLUVER]

Roy,

I was able to get within +or- 10fps of 3000fps with a 250gr Iterlock using 90gr of IMR7828 and 90gr of H4831. Both loads produced sub MOA accuracy.

[royinidaho]

RUMLUVER,

How confident are you w/your chrono readings? I can't come close to those velocities with that amount of powder or for that matter, any amount of powder.:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

I am very confident in my results I have achieved those results on more than one occasion and the results were fairly consistant. My biggest swing was 20fps but always +or- 10fps of 3000fps. I am going to do it again soon because I'm going on an antelope hunt and temps are warmer during this season so I want to see how this will change my results. I'll let you know how it comes out.

[royinidaho]

Bought some Retumbo Monday and some RL-25 earlier today.

I wasn't impressed w/Retumbo's numbers so I started with the RL-25

From using the RSI pressure trace I'm pretty confident of recognizing the pressure sign from case extraction. I set up the chrono and started shooting.

I used the same two cases for this whole deal for analness.:(

RL-25, Sierra 250 Game Kings, seated to 3.041 base to ogive(if that'w what you call where the bullet is 0.338 diameter). Federal 215 Primers and neck sized cases.

90gr - 2822
91gr - 2883
92gr - 2902
93gr - 2949
Here's where I began to think that 3000 fps was achieveable.:)
93.5gr - 2977
94gr - 2983
94.5 - 3009
94.5 - 2993
94.5 - 2995

OK, now I'm comfy w/the velocity. Just beginning to see/feel/sense pressure signs in heat of day w/cartridges and rifle at afternoon temperatures.

The group looked prommising
94.5 - :)

I have a lot of seating depth to work with. The bullet base is at the base of the neck. The powder level is at the base of the shoulder.

I'll hook up the RSI and do further testing but it shouldn't need to be much.

Besides the average velocity of 2999 FPS there was a spread of +10 and -9 from the average which is much better than I was able to achieve with the Win Mag.

Also, after a scope adjustment:rolleyes: the last two shots went into 0.55" @ 200.

Tomorrow well see if this is a fluke or not but I'll grin myself to sleep tonight.:rolleyes:

[RUMLUVER]

Glad to see everything is working out for you now. It will be intresting to see what pressure your at with that 94.5 of RL 25. I might just try working with that and my 250gr Interlocks. I havn't tried RL 25 with them yet so it would be nice to see if could duplicate that accuracy also. Keep me posted !

[royinidaho]

A bit of data from this afternoon:

All loads 250gr Sierra Game Kings, 94.5gr RL-25, GM-215M Primers, Neck sized and numbered cases. Note the difference in seating depths.....

Shot Case Vel COAL Primer to ogive.
1 1 3034 3.24"
2 2 2995 3.24"
3 3 2991 3.24"
4 4 2958 3.072"
5 5 2932 3.072"
6 6 2951 3.072"
7 7 2904 3.016"
8 8 2927 3.016"
9 9 2915 3.016"

Pressure was in the low 60Ks for shots 1-3 and decreased uniformly to low 50Ks for shots 7-9. That was kind of a surprise

Accuracy was not good. 3-4" @ 200 yds.:(

[RUMLUVER]

Very intresting indeed and I'm glad to see that you have obtained the 3000fps. Now to get the accuracy with the desired speed.

[royinidaho]

Sorry its only one data point but it was fun go get.

also how does one post 2 pics on same post????

Pre-tubb final finish process completion. (approximately 150 rounds fired:

[royinidaho]

after shooting the last 5 #4s and the last 5 #5s on one sweet early fall morning:

[RUMLUVER]

Some mighty nice shooting there Roy! I realy liked that 225gr Hornady target I get similar results with 92grs of 7828 but just a little bit faster but not enough to make a difference. I hope to be able to shoot some more before I go back to work but the wind hear in North Dakota won't quite blowing it's at 40mph.

[royinidaho]

Finally gotter all done, well, pretty much.

Was at the local county fair. Some kid was painting album cover type things w/paint cans and torching them off to dry the paint. It was pure inspiration.

He did the paint job. Cost me 35 Bucks.

Just finished the drag bag/shooting matt and the short sticks. Gave it all a good test this morning while doing some drop chart testing.

Those HOR 225s sure shoot good!!

[RUMLUVER]

Looks sharp Roy! And it souds like it shoots as good as it looks!

[royinidaho]

Found a box of Hornady's new 250gr BTHP Match bullest #33361

Cost me 31 bucks + and a 60 mi round trip just to see what they looked like.

Selected a seating depth as determined by the bullet seated by the riflings.

Stoked three with the same load I used for the Nosler PTs. (94.5gr RL 25 & GM515M primers). These were fire forming loads as I had just formed them from 300 RUM cases.

The three shots strung about 4" vertically @ 200 yds. No chrono readings. Dead battery:rolleyes:

Kyped batter from LRF for next shots.

Loaded 3 fire formed cases w/95gr RL-25 and the fed primers.

Shots went 2978/2940/2958 and tried to from a group but 1 shot was 2.5" high.

Things indicated that as powder went up vertical stringing went down so.....

Loaded 3 more w/96gr RL-25.

Shots went 3000/3015/3020 and into about 1.28" @ 200.

Will see if there is improvement with 96.5grs of powder but 3000 FPS MV is adequate for me but I'll take more if I can get it.

[RUMLUVER]

Looking good Roy I wish I had more time to play but I had to go back to work. I will do some in about 2 months.

[RUMLUVER]

Roy finally my .264 is done and I am hoping to go to the range this Sunday to see how it shoots. I will post pictures when I can. I am so happy Shooting it is all I can think about while I'm at work!

[royinidaho]

What kind of work do you do that you can't shoot for a couple of months?

I finally have ol' Pink (338 RUM) shooting like she's supposed to.

Was never happy with accuracy or velocity of 225 and 250 grain bullets. I chould shoot MOA with both and with the 250 as fast as the 225 which was slow for the cartridge.

I got to thinking that if heavier bullets went faster than the lighter ones, then a heavier bullet than those two weights should perform about normal.

Bought some 300 SMKs. They sure looked sweet. Tried US869 powder and started a 96gr (low published) and with up a grain at a time to 100 gr (1 gr below max published) watching for pressure signs along the way.

Loaded several with 101gr US869 and the 300 SMK just touching lands (3.818 base to tip).

6 shot velocity averaged 2734 fps with one shot 2735 and another 2734. I've never achieved a load that consistent before.

Groups were about 50 Cal @ 200 yds.

1.7 Mils high @ 200 puts it right at about 5.0 Mils @ 980 yds.

Will check drop chart before I head for the mountains next week.

Thumps you about like an unbraked 06 w/150s @ 3000.

[RUMLUVER]

I am a Union Millwright and work shut downs in power houses that go 2-3 months and 6-7 days a week. That is a real impressive load with those 300gr SMK's. I will have to try some of that new powder also and see what happens. Thanks for the update Roy!

[royinidaho]

BTT JFF or maybe new life.

[Russell E. Taylor]

Originally posted by RUMLUVER
But with the 225gr TSX have found that RL 25 gave me best results. I started with 92gr and worked up to 95gr with this load I'm getting an average 3120fps.

I forgot to post back to this thread with my results from last year's load development. With the 225-grain TSX and loads of RL25 from 92 to 95 grains (one-grain increments each), 92-94 were... "not worth writing home about, AT ALL." Each hotter load got "slightly" tighter, but I REALLY mean "SLIGHTLY." However... with 95 grains, they suddenly tightened up a LOT and all went under an inch! I had no pressure signs whatsoever, my velocity averaged (when I loaded up a bunch of 95-grainers and went back another time to chronograph the load) right around 3114, and I called things "done" as far as load development went. I know, I could have gone up to 96 grains, just to see "what if"... but, honestly, for elk hunting, sub-MOA is just fine and dandy with me; so, I left things at 95 grains. Cold bore, warm bore... they're all "right in there" as long as the action screws are tight (one of them I need to check now and then, because when the groups start opening up, it's that damn screw).

Anyway, just wanted to post for the benefit of anyone else who might be interested... RL25 and the TSX seem to be matched pretty well to each other.

Russ