.338 Bullets, Light & Fast or Heavy w/ Higher BC

[Terry]

I'm shooting Berger 300 OTM's at 2850. Is there an advantage with lighter, faster bullets?

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I'm shooting Berger 300 OTM's at 2850. Is there an advantage with lighter, faster bullets?

No not in my opinion. - Less recoil for the lighter bullets is the end result. - Why shoot a 338 cal. to load it down ?

 

[Terry]

No not in my opinion. - Less recoil for the lighter bullets is the end result. - Why shoot a 338 cal. to load it down ?

Not looking to "load down". Looking for a ballistic advantage.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Target or killing? I think if you run the numbers on a 300 vs 250 out to 1k, the 250 will beat it, I also think its a little better killer. The 250 has an extremely short bearing surface and you can run it faster than youd think. Past 1k or so, 300s are the way to go. One of the more impressive groups I have seen from a 338 was a 10 shot group with 250s, it was 5-6" at 1k.

 

[Terry]

Target or killing? I think if you run the numbers on a 300 vs 250 out to 1k, the 250 will beat it, I also think its a little better killer. The 250 has an extremely short bearing surface and you can run it faster than youd think. Past 1k or so, 300s are the way to go. One of the more impressive groups I have seen from a 338 was a 10 shot group with 250s, it was 5-6" at 1k.

Target

Thanks!

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Target

Thanks!

- Shoot the bullet that yields the Best accuracy at your chosen range in Your rifle and that's where I'll leave it at.

I personally believe that every bullet in a given cartridge will have a certain velocity that will yield it's best accuracy, - I'm not going to take this down the "ballistics' road" of running numbers through a calculator. - But the conversation has motivated me to give the 250 gr. Berger a try for the sake of accuracy testing at 1000 yards & less. - I'll try them in a 1-10" twist barrel as that's the slowest that I currently own on a 338 cal. rifle.

- Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day !!

- Ron -

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

We'll see if they'll (250 gr. Berger OTM Hybrids) shoot in a 30" Krieger in a 17 Lb. gun in 338 Lapua Imp. - I just ordered 2 boxes at Blue Collar Reloading and will try them with both Lapua & Peterson brass. - If they do well, I'll post it. - Now thinking about what powder(s) to try.

- Ron -

 

[Dud]

A copper solid might be the answer.

 

[Terry]

A copper solid might be the answer.

Ordered some to test.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

We'll see if they'll (250 gr. Berger OTM Hybrids) shoot in a 30" Krieger in a 17 Lb. gun in 338 Lapua Imp. - I just ordered 2 boxes at Blue Collar Reloading and will try them with both Lapua & Peterson brass. - If they do well, I'll post it. - Now thinking about what powder(s) to try.

- Ron -

View attachment 1141323

Do not be afraid to jump them a ways if they dont shoot close to the lands.

 

[Bc'z]

We'll see if they'll (250 gr. Berger OTM Hybrids) shoot in a 30" Krieger in a 17 Lb. gun in 338 Lapua Imp. - I just ordered 2 boxes at Blue Collar Reloading and will try them with both Lapua & Peterson brass. - If they do well, I'll post it. - Now thinking about what powder(s) to try.

- Ron -

View attachment 1141323

Rl26 would be my 1st choice if you can find it
Rl33 2nd choice.
I was looking at load data when 1 of our nephews picked up a 338.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Thank You Alex & Bc'z,
Have plenty of both RL26 & RL33.
RL33 is my "go to" with the 300 OTM hybrids & was pondering RL26, v/v 570, Norma 217, IMR-8131 as well as Retumbo & H-1000. - I'm out here offshore right now so don't have a PC with Quick-Load. . - I'll be trying them in a 338 Lapua Imp. with a .265 freebore.

- Ron -

 

[GNERGY]

In my 338 Ultra Mag Im using Barnes 225gr TTSX at 3250 fps and thru a 30 inch Broughton tube it will shoot under 2 inches at 500yds. Im using 92gr H4831 SC with Fed Mag primers. I like fast and flat.
Tarey

 

[Terry]

In my 338 Ultra Mag Im using Barnes 225gr TTSX at 3250 fps and thru a 30 inch Broughton tube it will shoot under 2 inches at 500yds. Im using 92gr H4832 SC with Fed Mag primers. I like fast and flat.
Tarey

WOW!

 

[D.Stone]

By the numbers...I seriously doubt it.

From a shoot-ability perspective, the lighter bullets might be better for relatively closer ranges.

Personally, I'm shooting the 300 Bergers at 2850fps with my 338 Lapua. It seems like most lead core bullets perform well around 2850-2950fps with no issues.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The difference between where I hit pressure with 250s and 300s in my edge was over 400 fps.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

The difference between where I hit pressure with 250s and 300s in my edge was over 400 fps.

Alex, would you also think that the difference in a 338 Lapua Imp. would be close to the same figure of 400 fps in your opinion ?
What powder would you choose to start off load development for the 250 OTM (Berger) Hybrids in a 338 Lapua Imp. ?

Thanks, - Ron -

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I used H1000 in the edge. I think that would be a good powder to start with. I think you will be amazed at the speeds you get.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Thanks Alex, - I appreciate your input. - I'll follow up with test results.

- I ordered 2 boxes & asked for the same lot# and my plan is to sort by base to ogive using the Hoover comparator I have. - Then use 50 of them to fire-form 25 pieces each of Lapua & Peterson brass. The other 150 should hopefully be enough to find a good working load. And if they "pan-out" I may have a good combination for those really windy days @ 1000.

- Ron -

 

[rhovee]

Check out the issues Peterson has been having with split body on the 338 Lapua brass. 2-3 firing and case walls are splitting. Just stick with Lapua.