33 / 37 XC. Are they the Answer?

[Terry]

33 /37 XC. Are they the Answer (ELR) or is there something better?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

There are different "ELR" matches. I guess knowing what your wanting to do would help guys give advice. I do think the 338 Lapua improved sized case is going to be the sweet spot for raw accuracy at 2k and under. The 33xc should be right there as well, allowing you to run the next node up from the Lapua imp, with the 375 possibly being even better accuracy wise when we get some better lead core bullets. For the really far hit or miss type matches you will see guys going to the bigger stuff more often.

 

[Terry]

2-3,000 yards.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I would be looking at something bigger with solid bullets if your serious. At those ranges the ballistics become more important than raw accuracy.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have shot the 300 bergers at 2500 quite a bit. Out of an edge back then, 2800 fps. I would not say they were predictable at that range. It really fell off after 2000. With the Lapua imp or xc you will see 200-300 fps more. That is not going to make them 3000 yard capable in my opinion.

 

[Sniper338]

If I were to spend the money.... id go 375 snipetac or varient. No 408. No 50. 375 something.

 

[DaveTooley]

I've done a 33XC for a guy and he got disappointing results. Pressure before velocity. The 37XC might be a better option. Certainly will make a bigger splash upon arrival.

 

[B23]

I've done a 33XC for a guy and he got disappointing results. Pressure before velocity. The 37XC might be a better option. Certainly will make a bigger splash upon arrival.

You guys are a lot smarter about this stuff than I am, but to me, it seems there is a certain point, on some of these overbore cartridges, where it becomes to much of a good thing and the ratio of case capacity to bore size starts yielding diminishing returns and unless you go to very long barrels, the velocity is only marginally better than that of a smaller case.

The improved 338 Lapuas seem to be right up near that threshold of diminishing return for the .338 bore size because the larger 338's like the 338-378 Wby and 33XC don't really out run them by that much considering they have a fair bit more case capacity. The 338's based off the improved CheyTac case were definitely faster, but they were also using substantially more powder and very long barrels and with very short barrel life and even then, weren't they only around 3300fps with the 300's.