Loading for Savage Alaskan .338wm 20” bbl
 

Just grabbed a Savage Model 116 Alaskan Brush Hunter, .338wm with 20” SS barrel, on sale at Cabelas. Topped it with a Leupold 3-9x40 and low bases/rings. Finally decided to give one a try due to the sale price and my quest for the ultimate elk bush rifle, lol. My previous experiences with the .338wm all came from various Ruger m77 models, and my long time favorite load was simply 70.0gr imr4350, nos. 210gr partitions and cci mag primers in federal brass. Shot great accuracy with just a nice push on the shoulder at around 2800fps. Of course these were all 24” bbls. The new rifle, completely set up, comes in at 8.5lbs and has quite a heavy wall barrel, but does balance and shoulder very well.
My question is on the thoughts of sticking with my previous load experience, starting at 69.0gr and slowly working up for best accuracy for this rifle, or if the imr4350 is too slow for the 20” bbl.
Thoughts?
Cory

I would think you should expect to lose about 150 fps. Muzzle flash will be neat.

I've been considering a 338 rcm in a ruger guide gun. Same barrel length and similar case capacity.

What I've read is to expect 338-06 velocities. I'm curious to hear how you do.

Colin

Thanks Colin. Online research indicates likely near 100fps velocity loss, which is really nothing worth noting, and yes, very much like .338-06 performance, as the load I am talking is already low end velocity (but very accurate I may add). However time will tell as I have yet to shoot it (d*** weather). Muzzle jump, blast and recoil sharpness will be interesting to experience that first time. Lol. Still 8.5lbs equipped is not super light, just not heavy either.
Cory

To keep velocity up, you may need a faster powder, with the shorter barrel.

Look up a powder burn rate chart, if IMR4350 doesn't work for you, try a powder that is a little faster, the chart will help.)

http://www.shootingtimes.com/editori...t_200907/99486

https://loaddata.com/Article/BurnRat...-Chart-NEW/159

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...rn-rate-chart/