Reloading for the .338 Lapua Mag.

Marine sniper said:
I am interested in building a big 338. I like how detailed you are and how well the rifle shoots. Thanks for the help.

A pic of the rifle would be cool.

John
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I posted pics. on another thread. Go to How to? in General Discussion dated 11/08 on this forum.
vinny
 
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Good info, thanks!

vinny said:
I'm sorry it took sooooo much time to get some "REAL results" to ya. This is what the gun likes.

Two nodes, one at 93 grains of R25 2910 fps and the upper at 95 grains at 3005 fps. Both shot multiple 3 shot 3/4" groups at 300 yards with single digit es. Last weekend I shot at 1000 yards over the chrony seating depth variations, starting hard in the lands then backing off in increments of .020. It went like this, 3.170, 3.150, 3.130, 3.110, 3.090. I first shot 1 of each seating depth identified as F2-6 working up from 3.090 to 3.170. There is no vertical string in the shot placement between 3.090 and 3.110 having 3+" of horizontal. 3.130 was all on its own then 3.150 and 3.170 had no vertical with 3-" of horizontal. I then followed up with 3 shot groups identified as A1,2,3, B1,2,3, C1,2,3, D1,2,3, E1,2,3 of same seating depths as F2-6 and when taking into consideration the difference in average velocity between the groups and how they appeared on paper at 1K I'm narrowing the seating depth down to the following for this weeks testing: 3.100, 3.120 and, 3.160. Obviously I'm meeting the most promising of seating depth's in the middle:3.100, between 3.090 and 3.110: 3.120, between 3.110 and 3.130 and 3.160 between 3.150 and 3.170. I should add that I'm attributing the horizontal stringing of groups B,C and, E to conditions. I waited between shots to try and keep the barrel from heating up and it was a little breezy.

I'll post for ya how it goes. Hope its helps.
vinny

I attached a photo of the first round of seating depth tests. I'll give a quick explanation:
The "Fs" are the single shots I spoke of and the A-E are the 3 shot groups.
F1 is a fouler
F2 is group "A" at 3.090 average velocity 2952
F3 is group "B" at 3.110 average velocity 2948
F4 is group "C" at 3.130 average velocity 2954
F5 is group "D" at 3.150 average velocity 2983
F6 is group "E" at 3.170 average velocity 2999
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Hi Vinnie, thanks a lot for taking the time to post your results. As someone building a .338, I appreciate you taking the time!
My question, what is your set-up as far as the gun? I am building a .338 with the following components:

Action: BAT L-Model for 1.45" barrel
Barrel: Krieger 31" (blank) @ 1.45" with 9.35 twist
Harrell's Tuner/Break
Custom Doyle Anglin stock (Based on Tracker 1000)
Jewel Trigger

I've purchased Lapua brass and a combo of Berger and Lapua bullets (300gr.) and am thinking of starting out with Retumbo powder. Any thoughts you have around this set-up would be welcomed! Good shooting!!

Have a great evening!

Best regards,

Bruce
 
I would get a jug of H1000 and IF you can find it, MRP2. I have had two 338 AI's and both loved both powders. Both were between 95-97 grains.
 
Hey bruce look at the date on that post- it was 5yrs ago. He may not frequent here much. Im a fan of the H1000 as well with 250 and 300gr bullets
 
Bruce
I recently tested my 338 with 300g Berger hybrids and reloader 33. The barrel settled in with 103 grains pushing them to 2970. They're jumped -.120.
Your combo sounds sweet and I'm sure you'll get her shooting. Any other questions don't hesitate to ask..


I realized I never actually answered your question regarding my components. The rifle is a 36" braked 10 twist Krieger 1.45 blocked to a 5x3" McMillan stock with a 10" bat single port action, jewel triggers 80moa scope base mounted to it is a us optics SN 9 10-42..
 
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I shoot RE33 with a 300 Berger Elite. My gunshots just like Vinny's and I am Running 104 grains of 33 at 2993. I am running them at 10 in and stopped because of the Elite and not being able to run over 3000 without slumping. The 300 grain bullet really has good numbers and is good for the 1000 to 2000 yard shooting. My groups were the same as Vinny's. Matt
 
dk hunt 14 said:
I am running them at 10 in and stopped because of the Elite and not being able to run over 3000 without slumping.
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Sorry Matt, but I am old and feeble-minded. Can you restate the above so I can understand it?
 
michaelnel said:
Sorry Matt, but I am old and feeble-minded. Can you restate the above so I can understand it?
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The first Berger 300 bullet out was the Elite. It had thin jackets and when pushed much over 3000 feet they slumped. It meant the base was trying to pass the front and they grew fatter in air. They didn't shoot very good when this happened. I wanted to use the Elite because they are devastating on deer. They open where most of the time the Sierra 300 just pencils through. As far as being 10 in. That means I am in the rifling 10 after touch point. I get little marks on bullet from rifling when you steel wool and chamber and remove. I have the Improved version and can 3100 plus. With a regular Lapua you will get 2850 to 3000 with the REloader 33 and a 300. It usually gives about 100 to 150 more fps then H1000 and Retumbo. Matt
 
dk hunt 14 said:
The first Berger 300 bullet out was the Elite. It had thin jackets and when pushed much over 3000 feet they slumped. It meant the base was trying to pass the front and they grew fatter in air. They didn't shoot very good when this happened. I wanted to use the Elite because they are devastating on deer. They open where most of the time the Sierra 300 just pencils through. As far as being 10 in. That means I am in the rifling 10 after touch point. I get little marks on bullet from rifling when you steel wool and chamber and remove. I have the Improved version and can 3100 plus. With a regular Lapua you will get 2850 to 3000 with the REloader 33 and a 300. It usually gives about 100 to 150 more fps then H1000 and Retumbo. Matt
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Nicely explained Matty
 
dk hunt 14 said:
The first Berger 300 bullet out was the Elite. It had thin jackets and when pushed much over 3000 feet they slumped. It meant the base was trying to pass the front and they grew fatter in air. They didn't shoot very good when this happened. I wanted to use the Elite because they are devastating on deer. They open where most of the time the Sierra 300 just pencils through. As far as being 10 in. That means I am in the rifling 10 after touch point. I get little marks on bullet from rifling when you steel wool and chamber and remove. I have the Improved version and can 3100 plus. With a regular Lapua you will get 2850 to 3000 with the REloader 33 and a 300. It usually gives about 100 to 150 more fps then H1000 and Retumbo. Matt
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Thanks much for the great explanation.

I pick up my new Savage .338 Lapua this coming Friday. I have some HSM factory ammo with the 300 gr Berger Hybrids in it to break it in. I also bought some Lapua bra$$ for it and loaded that up with CCI 250 primers, 89.3 grains of Retumbo and 300 grain Lapua Scenars.

After I get it shot in a bit I will do an OCW test and work up a proper load for it. Should be fun, the most powerful thing I have owned was a Remington 700BDL in 7mm Remington Magnum, but that's been 30 years ago or so. I am looking forward to shooting the big boomer!
 
You really need to get some RE 33 to try. It was designed for the 338 calibers and everything we put it in shot excellent and gave 100 plus more velocity. Don't be afraid to try Federal 215 primer. It is a hot primer. The 300 grain bullets hit with a lot of force. The owner of the range I test at won't let us shoot any steel with the 338's. It shoots through at 1000 yards. Matt
 
dk hunt 14 said:
The owner of the range I test at won't let us shoot any steel with the 338's. It shoots through at 1000 yards. Matt
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no kidding there.

even though this is 3/8 mild steel at 600, the energy is impressive.

those smudges are 155 .308s at about 2950. did little more than knock the paint off.

 
dk hunt 14 said:
You really need to get some RE 33 to try. It was designed for the 338 calibers and everything we put it in shot excellent and gave 100 plus more velocity.
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Thanks for the tip. I don't even have the rifle yet (picking it up this afternoon) and I already have two lbs of H1000 and three lbs of Retumbo for this gun. I will sure get some Reloder 33 next time though!

Don't be afraid to try Federal 215 primer. It is a hot primer.
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I'm not afraid to try them, but right now I have 1000 CCI 250 I bought to reload this thing. I'll try those first.
 
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