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300 Lapua Improved

I prefer to order them directly because many times Im ordering a non standard configuration. I keep an order for barrels with a couple makers but those are 6mm Br barrels I use a lot of. I do also use a lot of in stock barrels, theres nothing wrong with them. And right now wait times are so far out if you want to try something new you dont have a choice.
 
I was curious how the barrel life was doing in this boomer? Do you feel like the throat is moving much more then a 300 Norma imp?
 
We have not smoked one yet. I would guess its gonna be about 800, like a 28 nosler. Barrel life really shouldnt be a concern when you start looking at these type of rounds. None of them are "good" on barrels. But in my experience how you treat them is huge, slow 3 shot groups really improve life vs fast 5 shot groups or ladders
 
Mine is doing much better than expected.
Throat isn't moving much at all. Bore looks great, very slight fire cracking. I've got around 500 rounds on mine. 300 Berger@3060 Reloder33. But, Like Alex stated, slow fire.
 
I got some fire forming done in my rifle finally and shot the first groups out of it this morning. Still too early in barrel life to get serious about tuning but I do like to see them shoot small early on, its a good sign. 101 grains of n570 when 3160 fps in my 28" Bartlien with a 245 Berger, group was 2 7/8". 1006yds. Cases pictured from l to r are my 300 Norma imp with 35 degree shoulder, 338 lapua imp necked to 30 ready to form, formed 30-338 lapua imp with 40 degree shoulder.DSC_0304.pngDSC_0306.png
 
Shot again this morning. I loaded them at 99.5 grains of N570 and brought my seating die to the range just to play around and get more rounds on the barrel. The first 2 groups were 3 off and 62 off the lands. The target was still shaded at that time as the sun had not cleared the hills yet, thats why they hit higher. The rest had sun on the target. I think it will shoot a little smaller in the lands, but 70 and 80 off overlapped and formed a 6 shot group of 3.5" with 2.7" vertical. I was driving down and checking each group to let the barrel cool so theres a good 10-15 minutes between groups. At that seating depth my oal is about 3.930 and the bullet is well above the neck/shoulder junction. So this will feed from a cfe9 box. The 245s were running about 3130 fps out of the 28" barrel and had a dial up of 18.6 moa from a 100yd zero at my elevation. I just hit 100 rounds, the first 50 were fire forming. This thing tuned up easier than any other big 30 I have worked with. It reminds me of how easy the 338 Lapua imps are.DSC_0311.png
 
Alex Wheeler said:
Yes, consistent aim point for the first 3 groups then we went down and looked he adjust back to the right for the last 2. There was some light wind this morning so there was some movement. It maxed out around 3350 with the 230. There is likely another node up from this one. I pushed the 230 3100 in my last 300 NMI with a 26" barrel. That was a fast barrel though, not every one can do it. Im running 230s 3000 out of a 28" 300 PRC right now with 82 grains but there are always diminishing returns as we go bigger. I dont mind burning powder so long as the accuracy is consistent.

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Alex, I know this is an old thread. I just came across this ladder impressive numbers. I have been messing around with a 30-338 37 degree shoulder with n570 and 230 bergers oal 3.82 I can only run them 98 grains with n570 3216 with a slight ejector mark? I back down to 96 grains at 3170 fps are you using a bore rider throat in this rifle? Thanks,
 
Alex Wheeler said:
I'd recommend a Bartlien 5r in their BB steel for this cartridge.
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Alex, have you had a chance to get much time on one of those Bartlein 400MODBB steel barrels yet and if so what are your thoughts regarding their claims of it lasting longer with equally good accuracy?

I've talked to Frank a little about them and they sound good but he's, naturally so, maybe a little biased. :)
 
Alex, thank you for all your posted info on the 338 Improved with N570. I shot a match last weekend and everyone that asked my data was pretty surprised at my speed (3045fps with 285gr ELD-M) and my load (100.8gr). I was starting to second guess myself on over-pressure and brass life, etc. My data seems to be falling right in line with all of yours. My gun shoots great at 100.8gr, and the combo was good enough to fight the cold 10-18 mph winds and take the win.

When I burn out this 37 degree Rogue barrel I'll be in touch with you to get chambered with another... or jump over to the 40 degree. Cheers.
 
Alex, have you tried any RL50, or h50bmg in this cartridge? It seems to me it would be a little better fill then n570 and be easier on the barrels. Plus those powders are a little easier to obtain in these crazy times.

Bergers new 245 LRHT bullet with a .433 G7 has me really thinking about building one of these.
 
No, I have not. The case fill is not bad with N570. Its the same as I run in the 338 version and thats the most impressive big case I have seen for accuracy. This thing is in 28 Nosler territory for barrel life. Im building one for Broz at LRO with Bartliens new mod400 steel. That should help a lot.
 
Alex, what’s your opinion of a bore rider (+p) throat that is so popular on LRO? Also have you given the 250 atips a try.
 
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On the +p or stepped throat as I call it, I do believe it does lead to shorter throat life. But I do believe it is free speed. If you can lower the peak pressure (which it does) and then add more powder to the case you are doing the same thing as going to a bigger case. More powder to burn.
I do not have an issue with the bore rider/+p/stepped throats. I would just prefer to use the case you need to achieve the goal from the start, as I do believe the long term accuracy to be better. JMO
 
FireMedic said:
Have you tried the 250 atips? These are available everywhere, and might be a good alternative when bergers are nowhere to be found.
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I have not but @GlennK has. Since they quit making the AMAX pre amp jacket I have not shot a Hornady bullet well. Those old Amax bullets were excellent. I dont even try them anymore. Thats just me and I may be short sighted in this.
 
@Alex Wheeler do you know what changed when they went to the AMP jackets? The old AMAXs and VMAX bullets always shot well for me. I haven’t shot ELDs in awhile.
 
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