AusVarmint

Got an invite to go down south this weekend and stroll around the bush looking for one of them thar sambars, so I decided to take the 338/06, should just be enough to handle the job I hope. 200gn Woody projectiles are what I took a punt on working, so some time ago I had loaded up 12 rounds, 6 with 58gn AR2213SC, 3 with 59gn and 3 with 60gns. Just seated them so they gave me a little clearance in the magazine. Today, after I had bedded the rifle into a new to me stock, thanks to Marcus, it fitted beautifully, did a quick re-bed and headed off to the quarry to see how they shot.

I had previously tried 200gn Speer projectiles, and while they shot ok at around 1.5 to 2.5 inches for 5 shots, I was hoping to get some better results. I had previously sold all the Speers that I had, so all I had was the Woodleigh bullets to use. I had done a quick bore sight in the back yard, I have exactly 25yds from my workbench, out the roller doors on the shed, to the gate at the back of the house. Good luck more than good management.

Set my target up at 25 yds, fired the first shot, was printing off to the right by 1.5 inches and around 6 inches high. Adjusted down 20 clicks, one more shot, loqwer but inline vertically, hmmmm, halfway down, so did another 20 down and 10 to the left, hit the bit of black tape, so moved it down another 8 clicks and left 4 more. Moved the target out to 75 yds, fired off three shots, (the top left target), didn't change the scope at all and fired off the second three, (top right target), left the scope as it was and fired my final three rounds, (bottom left target).

Was very pleasantly surprised to see them all in the one hole, going by that target, I could use the bloody thing to shoot rabbits with, though it may be a bit too much gun for them little buggers.

Like I said, I wish they were all this easy to get working well. Should be enough for those mythical sambar critters, if I can stumble over one that is. And I wont have any excuse for missing.

Camel any chance you have checked the speed on this i would

have thought 2213sc would be way to slow for this cal hope it's

all good.

That'll do!

Takes all the fun out of load development

Did you forget to take the magneto speed with ya?

I think our Sambar are in a whole lotta trouble
Good luck Camel

deye223 wrote:Camel any chance you have checked the speed on this i would

have thought 2213sc would be way to slow for this cal hope it's

all good.

No I didn't mate, borrowed one off Mick7.62 and left the bloody thing sitting on the loading bench when I rushed out to get her done.

I was going to get a can of 2209 and try that, as it seems to be pretty popular with this cartridge, however as I had some 2213 on hand, and didn't want to drive a couple of hundred km round trip just for some powder, thought I would give it a go. 2213 isn't listed in the latest ADI book that I have, so really have no idea of what load to use, a max for 2209 is listed at 62.5, so I think 60 gn of 2213 is a middle of the road load. Primers were only flattened on the end, edges were still rounded, so I could go and try some more powder in it, but with accuracy like that, I dunno if another hundred fps is worth it. 60gns filled the case to the bottom of the neck, the projectiles are around 4mm above the base of the neck, so not much more room to jam any in. Ill do a speed check when I have got back from the trip, which is still up in the air a little.

mick_762 wrote:Takes all the fun out of load development

Did you forget to take the magneto speed with ya?

Yeah, I know what you mean, where is the fun in loading if you don't have to try 6 different primers, 5 different brands of brass, 3 or 4 different powder brands and burning rates, dozens of different projectiles. I like these type of load developments.

Nope, read my excuse above. Old timers disease..................again.

Croaky wrote:I think our Sambar are in a whole lotta trouble
Good luck Camel

Yeah, I have not excuse for not hitting something, if I see it. Hopefully the trip comes off.

Hope it comes together for ya Camel, look forward to reading of your adventure.

Looks good 2213sc is not in my book for the 338/06

All the best for the Hunt

good luck

Good luck with the hunt...looking forward to the post and pics
Cheers Mark

Go smash Em brother Mark.

Will check manual tomorrow but i think 60 is near minimum and apparently 2600 ish

DSD wrote:Will check manual tomorrow but i think 60 is near minimum and apparently 2600 ish

Thanks mate, the manual I have lists 62.5 gn of 2209 as max, with mild compression, reckon 2213 should go another grain or so. Am quite happy with 60gns, nice round number.

big G wrote:Go smash Em brother Mark.

Ill certainly be trying to find one mate, but hearing about their phantom like reputation, I may not see one, even if its 5 yds in front of me.

Don't forget your walkie talkie
You can take that two ways.

Disregard the above,your a bushman.
Big G

Hey, hang on a minute here!

Lets just examine what is potentially going down here, Camel is heading south to try and shoot one the Victorian's sacred horned cows of the forest

In retribution I may have to shoot a rabbit for every one of them thar Sambar that Camel manages to shoot

Good luck, go get em the weather over the weekend should be great