338 bullet choice for Lapua Magnum

[JoeInTucson]

So I am running low on my ELD 285 grain bullets. My RPR shoots great with them but I am going to have to work up a new load with magnum powder instead of imr 4831. I have lots of Magnum but imr 4831 has been gone in my area for a bit and Magnum is less expensive anyway. So I was noticing that 300 ATips and 300 Matchkings are about the same cost as the ELD 285. Since I have to work up a new load anyway would anyone recommend switching to one of the others listed? My first thought was to keep the bullet and OAL the same and just match up the 2350ish speed with the Magnum which according to Hodgdon I should be able to do.

I should say that the ultimate goal is to put a hole in a 5 ft square target at a mile.
This is a personal goal.

 

[R.Morehouse]

My 338 Lapua imp. likes the 300g Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical & the Elite Hunter best.

Regards
Rick

 

[DaveTooley]

It's my experience that A-Tips shine as distance increases. That's assuming your rifle likes them of course.

 

[SKWERLZ]

The Hornandy 285 and ATip or Berger 300 are the obvious choices but the 250 grain bullets and 300SMK are options as well.

 

[GreenGhost308]

My Finn wife would divorce me if I consider anything other than 300 grain Lapua Scenars and Vihtavuori powder.

 

[effendude]

300 grain Bergers

 

[ShaunBrady]

You bought a 338 Lapua and now you want to save money? I'm kidding. Component availability is coming up, prices are coming down, buy what works. Is that 2350 fps a typo?

285 ELDm if you want to mag feed. 300 ATip if single feeding.

I shot the factory 338 Lapua barrel in one of my RPRs before rebarreling it. Weight sorted lapua brass, H1000, 215M gave low velocity spreads with both the 285 and 300. Velocities were below reloading data developed with test barrels. Charge weights can come up but I wouldn't go past listed velocities corrected for barrel length. 20 fps per inch is on the safe side. It might be 25, but it won't make much difference. Another 10 fps won't change anything and both the brass and gun will take the pressure.

5 feet to a side is a generous target for a mile, don't over think it. Par for mine was ~3/5 on a 24'x32" target at a 3000' DA.

 

[ebb]

Back when I built mine the only choice was the 300SMK or hunting bullets, I bought a bunch of 300s and will be shooting them until I run out or die. I think the 300smk is best maybe.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Back when I built mine the only choice was the 300SMK or hunting bullets, I bought a bunch of 300s and will be shooting them until I run out or die. I think the 300smk is best maybe.

They don’t suck.

Here’s some mile motivation for the op, a 5’ target isn’t needed at a mile.

https://rumble.com/v6vo0jv-338-at-1760-yards.html

 

[Loudenboomer]

Magnum and LRT are very functional in the .338 Lapua. N570 like the unobtanium Reloader 33 are a bit more consistent for me with 300's.

 

[nakneker]

I use the same as post #2 in mine. They’ve been great. I have some A-tips but never have developed a load for them

 

[Sgt. Brumbaugh]

The 240 SMK's are probably the easiest to tune for, but lack the BC that is very helpful at extreme distances. The Bergers and A-Tips are both phenomenal.