33-28 Nosler (w/Pics)

[Hammer101st]

I went lightweight with my 338-375R for a while. Fitted an AG Composites 24 oz CAT 700 carbon fiber stock to lighten the load on the shoulder. It definitely made it nicer to pack but when pushing big bullets that fast it just wasn’t comfortable to shoot even with a brake. I tried many different brakes but none could quite tame it all the way and my accuracy suffered. Finally I put a heavier stock back on and fitted yet another brake. The new stock is about 2.5 lbs heavier than the AG stock and the new brake is a little more effective. Although there is more weight on my shoulder when hiking, now it’s a joy to shoot and the benefits of increased accuracy were immediately apparent on paper when testing loads at 871 yards

I know the trend is to go lightweight with these large magnums right now. I fell for it myself. Also went that route with my 300 Norma Mag Improved (carbon stock, carbon barrel, titanium brake, etc). But im convinced now that the big magnums do need some extra weight to shoot really good regardless of having a brake or not. Especially the big 33’s

Can i buy that AG stock off of ya

 

[Hammer101st]

It's interesting this thread came back up. I didn't get to ek hunt last year and may not this year either. However, I have slightly changed directions with the 33-28. Given my new job is load development I have been able to see the latest trends, and one of them is a 9-10 lb rifle capable of 1000+ yd shots on elk. My 33-28 can certainly fit that trend.

So I took off the VX-3i 4.5-14 and mounted a Sightron 6-24x50. I have ordered a clamp on brake. I won't have my lathe back up for a few months yet, but even so, my barrel is only .650 at the muzzle and I don't want to thread it for 9/16." If I had made this decision earlier I would have got a fluted #5 bs a non-fluted #4.

I am going to fully sort the 265 ABLRs I have and give them a try. If they will shoot in this barrel I will have a budget-friendly, long range, portable, elk rig able to take elk at 1000+ yds. If I can get 2800 fps, it's about 24 MOA to 1000 yds and remaining velocity is about 1870 fps.

If the 265 ABLRs won't shoot, I have lots of options in bullets from 250-265 grains, like @Ned Ludd and @Alex Wheeler have mentioned. I still like controlled expansion bullets, but some of the cup and core Bergers and Hornadys seem to do very well.

I have learned that my 33-28 has about the same case capacity as a 338 Norma. For comparison, the 33-28 holds 103 grains of water, the 338 Norma 105.5, the 338 Lapua 114.3, and the 338 Edge 115.5.

What did you do for case mouth forming

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I do wish you luck but anything under about 14 pounds in a 338 shooting the heavier bullets, especially 300s does not seem to consistently shoot how we want them to out to 1k. Its the torque generated by spinning up the bullet and the only cure is mass. They really settle down closer to 20 and are quite impressive accuracy wise. We were shooting last week and Chris Bosse printed a 1 7/8" with his 338 lapua imp at 1k on a bipod. But they are consistently sub .5 moa day in and day out. You also have the eldm to try too.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Can i buy that AG stock off of ya

Sorry, sold it a while back.

 

[INTJ]

What did you do for case mouth forming

Tapered expander

 

[INTJ]

I do wish you luck but anything under about 14 pounds in a 338 shooting the heavier bullets, especially 300s does not seem to consistently shoot how we want them to out to 1k. Its the torque generated by spinning up the bullet and the only cure is mass. They really settle down closer to 20 and are quite impressive accuracy wise. We were shooting last week and Chris Bosse printed a 1 7/8" with his 338 lapua imp at 1k on a bipod. But they are consistently sub .5 moa day in and day out. You also have the eldm to try too.

It will be fun to try and a nice break from all the BR stuff.

 

[Hammer101st]

Tapered expander

Did i read that you use a 33 nosler dies after fire forming

And could i use a 28nosler headspace gauge its goin on a savage action