338 Edge Reduced Loads ?

[MTlager]

I'm looking for reduced load data for Edge to get bullet velocity around 2000 fps or less with 300 grain bullet. Want to test bullet expansion at slow velocity's. H4198 worked good for 30 cal but can't find any info for the 338's. Does Quick Load have any info ?? Anyone have any experience with this ??

 

[B23]

Right around 44gr of H4198 shows 2000fps and 100% burn.

 

[Kurz]

I'm looking for reduced load data for Edge to get bullet velocity around 2000 fps or less with 300 grain bullet.

Seems to me that expansion at lower velocities will depend on the bullet construction and the powder selection and weight will depend on the seating depth of the bullet in the case.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I'm looking for reduced load data for Edge to get bullet velocity around 2000 fps or less with 300 grain bullet. Want to test bullet expansion at slow velocity's. H4198 worked good for 30 cal but can't find any info for the 338's. Does Quick Load have any info ?? Anyone have any experience with this ??

Here is a Q/L data scenario using IMR-4198 at 2012 fps - No personal experience with the 338 edge, but I've used IMR-4895 (reduced loads) in a 375 H&H mag with cast bullets at 2000 - 2400 fps and the accuracy was surprisingly good with a 270 gr, Lyman cast gas-check bullet that was approx. 16 - 17 BHN. - I can run IMR-4895 if you want that as well for 338 Edge. (Note, this is for a 28" barrel)

All The Best

 

[MTlager]

Thanks for that info B23 and Ron . I do have a couple cans of IMR 4895 that need something to do ! Info on that would be very helpful. I would think case fill be a little better with the 4895 ? Also, I am running a 30 inch barrel. Thanks again.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Thanks for that info B23 and Ron . I do have a couple cans of IMR 4895 that need something to do ! Info on that would be very helpful. I would think case fill be a little better with the 4895 ? Also, I am running a 30 inch barrel. Thanks again.

I'll get that info for you in a minute. - If I was in your position I'd use the IMR-4895 also, unless it is needed for something else.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Here's IMR-4895 Lonnie.
Let us know how the expansion test goes okay. - One thing I will add, back in 2018 when we shot the 2000 yard match at Townsend, MT, I ran charts on the 300 gr. Berger and my calculations were that the retained velocity at 2000 yards was around 1485 fps. - I had an opportunity to actually recover some of the projectiles that were fired at our sighter clay-target pods on the embankment. - They were well expanded when impact to the dirt berm. - (Also, dirt is not animal flesh as you well know). - I personally believe that on big game these 300 gr. Hybrids would reliably expand down to at least 1485 fps.

All The Best, - Ron

 

[MTlager]

Good deal Ron. I am actually wanted to test bullets because we have had issues with the 300 Elite hunters pencil hole elk, even when shot thru the shouder's. Going to try the 285 M , 300 Sierra , and 300 gr Accubond. Still waiting for the 300 gr LR Accubond to come out. Will keep you posted.
Thanks

 

[INTJ]

Lonnie,

I think Cutting Edge, Hammer Bullets, or Badlands may have a bullet that will work wider range of velocities. Also, I have Quickload too so I can run data for you as well. It just didn't occur to me to use QL when we were talking the other day....

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Lonnie, try the OTM vs the elite hunter. I have had luck with the otm. I'll bring you some if you dont have any.

 

[dkhunt14]

Good deal Ron. I am actually wanted to test bullets because we have had issues with the 300 Elite hunters pencil hole elk, even when shot thru the shouder's. Going to try the 285 M , 300 Sierra , and 300 gr Accubond. Still waiting for the 300 gr LR Accubond to come out. Will keep you posted.
Thanks

That is interesting. We used the Elite on whitetail deer the last couple years. They worked great and expanded no matter where they were hit. Most never moved and dropped like a rock. We did find a few expanded bullets that hit bone, some of them separated from the jackets. I had a god pic of a deer with the exit holes but i couldn't find it. Matt

 

[MTlager]

I got out yesterday to test some some bullets with reduced loads. I tie newspaper in small bundles and stack them in a 33 gal square plastic pale. Then fill with water. I screwed up yesterday and didn’t let them soak long enough, so we’re still a little dry in the middle. Need to soak overnight. I shot 4 different bullets into paper. Stack was 30 inches deep and the Berger’s both went all the way thru, with small hole. Tips were opened up. 300 accubond hole was big penetrating about 1/2 way and the 285 was about the same, but shedded all of its jacket. Will try again with paper fully soaked next time .

 

[MTlager]

Found a couple 265 LRAB from last fall. Those were shot at 3000 fps muzzle velocity at 600 yards into wet paper. Other bullet is a 300 Berger EH recovered next to hide on off shoulder of elk shot at 1458 yards that was quartered away ! Barrel is a 9.3 twist Krieger.

 

[wedgy]

Lonnie,

I think Cutting Edge, Hammer Bullets, or Badlands may have a bullet that will work wider range of velocities. Also, I have Quickload too so I can run data for you as well. It just didn't occur to me to use QL when we were talking the other day....

Barnes and Badlands are a very hard copper alloy that give more engraving pressure and usually lower velocity while Cutting Edge and Hammer are a much softer copper where the front of the bullet break off and the remaining shank(~70%) penetrates thru and exits.
This is a 275 grain Bulldozer that hit and elk at 882 yards at over 2,000 fps. It entered the neck broadside just in front of the shoulder, hit the spine(did not break it) then turned up and left coming to rest in the same side backstrap for a total of 12" penetration. I would not think it possible if I hadn't seen it. A Berger 300 EH left a perfect fist exit on a cow at 1,003 yards and my Hammer 227 from a RUM 7 twist. A fast twist barrel has everything to do with bullet penetration, especially when shooting monos.
edit... I think the Cutting Edge Lazers expand down to 1,400 fps
left a fist size exit on a cow at 987 yards.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Good deal Ron. I am actually wanted to test bullets because we have had issues with the 300 Elite hunters pencil hole elk, even when shot thru the shouder's. Going to try the 285 M , 300 Sierra , and 300 gr Accubond. Still waiting for the 300 gr LR Accubond to come out. Will keep you posted.
Thanks

Haven’t tried the 300 but the 250gr Elite Hunters work great. Killed elk and deer with them at many various angles. Plenty of bullet for any animal in North America. The added 150-200 fps velocity you get with the 250 makes them drop less than the 300 until you get out to around 1400 yards and wind drift is basically equal out to 1000 yards. I never plan on shooting an animal at crazy distances so I stick with the 250gr EH because it has consistently given me good terminal performance.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I know of a lot of kills with the 250. It does seem like a great killer. I could never make em shoot like a 300 though.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I know of a lot of kills with the 250. It does seem like a great killer. I could never make em shoot like a 300 though.

Need an 1-11" twist IMO to get the best from a stability / accuracy perspective for the 250's. - Even a 1-10" twist IMO has them spinning to fast for what I feel is the sweet-spot as far as accuracy goes.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 250 has about the same bearing surface of a 105 vld. I always thought it was extreme. Even if over spun.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I shoot the 250 in a 10” twist Brux (338-375R). Once I found the sweet spot I was very happy. Ended up having to jump them a really long ways. Haven’t measured lands touch in a long time but I’ll bet I’m jumping them about .125”. They shoot great and POI consistency is great on a ladder. Sometimes I’ll just go against everything Berger recommends and it works. Also found amazing accuracy in the past with a 7mm Mag jumping 168gr VLDs about the same distance.

The 250 in my rifle is far more adequate than what is required to make an accurate kill shot at long range. If shooting paper at 2K in a competition with a bench rifle then yeah a person should probably stick with the 300. But for hunting, there’s nothing the 250 doesn’t do well so I think it is an equally good choice compared to any of the other 33 cal bullets for that purpose.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Every guy that I know that likes them has jumped a lot. That may be the key.