Reduced recoil 338 federal loads

W

webberwood

New member
I have a savage chambered in 338 federal that I'm trying to set up as a youth gun for this years upcoming youth hunt. Cut down the stock and installed a limb saver pad

I'm currently running Barnes ttsx 185's over 8208 xbr. I'm loading at hodgons max load for this combo and the recoil is quite mild (to me) already.

Should I just go with a reduced charge and the 185's or try to go with a 160?
 
I have tried reduced recoil loads in my 7-08 and found that with a heavy bullet even with a reduced recoil charge (according to the manual) the recoil didnt reduce much, I do think that the lighter bullet would be the way to go with a reduced recoil charge.
 
My current load with the 185 ttsx is running 2850 fps and so far I have had no problem with expansion. I harvested 3 deer with it last season and every one of them dropped in their tracks. My son will be deer hunting with it here in TN and I don't expect many shots beyond 75- 100yds. I should be able to render a similar velocity with the 160's.
 
"...go with a 160..." Yep. It's about the physics of it. A 160 grain TTSX runs about the same velocities as a 150 grain out of a .30-06. A 200 grain .338 at 2600 FPS has about the same recoil as a 180 grain .30-06 at 2700 FPS. Both out of an 8 pound rifle. About 20 ft-lbs.
The kid matters more than the cartridge or rifle though. Not his size, his attitude. Let him try the 185's and see. More bullet than is required, but it's what you have.
 
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