338 Lapua Bolt Options

[fredo]

My 30-338 Norma Improved 30°, next to a .338 Norma Mag parent case:

Been a toy for a few years now, and have only shot it on a limited basis. So accurate & repeatable that it's almost boring to shoot, until you contemplate the ballistics it provides from a magazine fed standard length long action.

Dunno how much a full 40° "AI-ing" of that case would "improve" it...mebbe another couple-3 grains of capacity?

If I chose to load down mine with a 230Hybrid in the 3K accuracy window Mr. Dave Tooley suggests above, it'd only be runnin' at a modest ~55Kpsi range, per my trued QL output. My 215Hybrid load is crowding 58Kpsi (mild-warm) and making 3150 from a 28" 1:10. And they'll go a lot-mo-fasta-den-dat...

Just sayin, the "improvement" to a Norma Mag is a tangible one, even if it's only to a mild 30° with the taper blown out. The extra capacity allows to run 'em 'cool' enough to where ya might prolly enjoy decent barrel life. At the casual pace I shoot mine, I'll be ready for a barrel in about 5 years...

Have fun!

 

[JBT47]

My 30-338 Norma Improved 30°, next to a .338 Norma Mag parent case:

Been a toy for a few years now, and have only shot it on a limited basis. So accurate & repeatable that it's almost boring to shoot, until you contemplate the ballistics it provides from a magazine fed standard length long action.

Dunno how much a full 40° "AI-ing" of that case would "improve" it...mebbe another couple-3 grains of capacity?

If I chose to load down mine with a 230Hybrid in the 3K accuracy window Mr. Dave Tooley suggests above, it'd only be runnin' at a modest ~55Kpsi range, per my trued QL output. My 215Hybrid load is crowding 58Kpsi (mild-warm) and making 3150 from a 28" 1:10. And they'll go a lot-mo-fasta-den-dat...

Just sayin, the "improvement" to a Norma Mag is a tangible one, even if it's only to a mild 30° with the taper blown out. The extra capacity allows to run 'em 'cool' enough to where ya might prolly enjoy decent barrel life. At the casual pace I shoot mine, I'll be ready for a barrel in about 5 years...

Have fun!

55K PSI should improve barrel life significantly over full house loads.

 

[Blaster-37]

My 30-338 Norma Improved 30°, next to a .338 Norma Mag parent case:

Been a toy for a few years now, and have only shot it on a limited basis. So accurate & repeatable that it's almost boring to shoot, until you contemplate the ballistics it provides from a magazine fed standard length long action.

Dunno how much a full 40° "AI-ing" of that case would "improve" it...mebbe another couple-3 grains of capacity?

If I chose to load down mine with a 230Hybrid in the 3K accuracy window Mr. Dave Tooley suggests above, it'd only be runnin' at a modest ~55Kpsi range, per my trued QL output. My 215Hybrid load is crowding 58Kpsi (mild-warm) and making 3150 from a 28" 1:10. And they'll go a lot-mo-fasta-den-dat...

Just sayin, the "improvement" to a Norma Mag is a tangible one, even if it's only to a mild 30° with the taper blown out. The extra capacity allows to run 'em 'cool' enough to where ya might prolly enjoy decent barrel life. At the casual pace I shoot mine, I'll be ready for a barrel in about 5 years...

Have fun!

 

[Blaster-37]

Thank you for your input guys. For my needs I am convinced the 30-338AI will work. I understand the Norma will work with my 338L bolt. Question, Which brass mfg is holding up the best for this, Norma or Lapua?
I enjoy making consistent turned rounds for fun. I don't know if I will ever recover from the years of making the little Dasher for 1K at 0.0005 and 0.1 gr., pray for me.

 

[DaveTooley]

My 30-338 Norma Improved 30°, next to a .338 Norma Mag parent case:

Been a toy for a few years now, and have only shot it on a limited basis. So accurate & repeatable that it's almost boring to shoot, until you contemplate the ballistics it provides from a magazine fed standard length long action.

Dunno how much a full 40° "AI-ing" of that case would "improve" it...mebbe another couple-3 grains of capacity?

If I chose to load down mine with a 230Hybrid in the 3K accuracy window Mr. Dave Tooley suggests above, it'd only be runnin' at a modest ~55Kpsi range, per my trued QL output. My 215Hybrid load is crowding 58Kpsi (mild-warm) and making 3150 from a 28" 1:10. And they'll go a lot-mo-fasta-den-dat...

Just sayin, the "improvement" to a Norma Mag is a tangible one, even if it's only to a mild 30° with the taper blown out. The extra capacity allows to run 'em 'cool' enough to where ya might prolly enjoy decent barrel life. At the casual pace I shoot mine, I'll be ready for a barrel in about 5 years...

Have fun![/QUOTE

I don't disagree speed has it's advantages. I think I said pure accuray lives around 3000 fps. Or at least that's what I meant to say. With good bullets 3150 fps was always the max. At a certain distance velocity coupled with higher BC's make up for the increase in wind variables.
BTW I like 30 degree shoulders. Sizing dies work better.

 

[284winner]

Thanx Scott. I am looking to send something with a much better BC than the available 338s. Sadly, I will leave the 7s with the 308 bolt although I did get some consistency with them at 1M. After 1M, I could not push them farther consistently with the 308 bolt.
Tried the Cheytac, felt like a 50 on steroids. I got along with the straight 338L a long time ago and was not as accurate as I would have liked, military...
I guess my question is 300 Norma or 30/ 338L AI. Has anyone worked on this comparison with ELR?
Greg

Ever thought of the .375 snipetac ? Obviously uses a much larger bolthead and capable of holding nearly 150 grains of powder, it should make the cut. With bullets exceeding 400 grains and running up to 3" long, this is one that will meet all your needs. I believe those bullets exceed the 1.5 BC numbers. Personally I believe the 338 AI is all that's necessary BUT if you feel the need for speed and the slipperiest projectiles in that diameter range, these should work.

 

[URSA Facilitator]

Sorry to be jumping in late. The Berger 300s have worked great for me at 2080 for URSA SoCal events. I shoot a .338 AX +P from a 36" barrel at 3244. Works just fine. Most URSA shooters that are able to do OK are shooting .338 or .375. The .375 gives you an extra 500-600 yards - the next target down range. Your action will not support a CT case, so, I recommend a .338 Imp with as long a barrel as possible (preferably 36").

 

[Blaster-37]

Sorry to be jumping in late. The Berger 300s have worked great for me at 2080 for URSA SoCal events. I shoot a .338 AX +P from a 36" barrel at 3244. Works just fine. Most URSA shooters that are able to do OK are shooting .338 or .375. The .375 gives you an extra 500-600 yards - the next target down range. Your action will not support a CT case, so, I recommend a .338 Imp with as long a barrel as possible (preferably 36").

Thank you. I assume the 30 338L AI does not do a better job than 338L AI for you guys or is it the spot splash that makes it better? I am looking for consistency up to 3000 yds that will work with my existing 338 bolt. The barrel info is interesting, thanx.

 

[dkhunt14]

Thank you. I assume the 30 338L AI does not do a better job than 338L AI for you guys or is it the spot splash that makes it better? I am looking for consistency up to 3000 yds that will work with my existing 338 bolt. The barrel info is interesting, thanx.

The splash and wash are easier to see. Once you get out so far the big heavy high BC bullets really start to shine. Of all the different guns we shot at distance, including many 6.5, 7MM and 30 cals, the 338 just does a better job. It starts to become noticable at about 1200 yards. Matt

 

[Blaster-37]

The splash and wash are easier to see. Once you get out so far the big heavy high BC bullets really start to shine. Of all the different guns we shot at distance, including many 6.5, 7MM and 30 cals, the 338 just does a better job. It starts to become noticable at about 1200 yards. Matt

Thanx Matt. What is the most effective Brake/ Recoil Reducer out there for the big guns.

 

[dkhunt14]

Thanx Matt. What is the most effective Brake/ Recoil Reducer out there for the big guns.

I am not sure about brakes. I just use a regular brake like we use on our light guns. The gun is so heavy and that helps with reccoil. Matt

 

[sdean]

Tubbs shot a 375-338ai Lapua. With those high BC solid bullets might be worth some research for past 2000.

 

[DaveTooley]

Why not base a round off the 416 Rigby cases like us old guys used to do? Capacity 175 grs. of H2O in stock form. 17 grs. more than the Lapua in stock form. .166" longer than the Lapua. Shorten the .500" long neck on the 416 and you should be able to 35+ grs. more capacity. That gets you within about 10-12% of a Cheytac.

 

[dkhunt14]

Why not base a round off the 416 Rigby cases like us old guys used to do? Capacity 175 grs. of H2O in stock form. 17 grs. more than the Lapua in stock form. .166" longer than the Lapua. Shorten the .500" long neck on the 416 and you should be able to 35+ grs. more capacity. That gets you within about 10-12% of a Cheytac.

Eddie gets 3250 with RE50 and a Sierra 300. His is an IMP version. Matt

 

[DaveTooley]

Eddie gets 3250 with RE50 and a Sierra 300. His is an IMP version. Matt

How's he doing. I haven't seen you guys in so long.

 

[dkhunt14]

He is doing real good. He won the two gun at Whitehorse. He also won it at Willaimsport. Me I haven't shot much last two years, been in Phila too much with wife. I believe the last time i saw you was Nationals in Missouri. Matt

 

[ebb]

If you still have any interest in a 7 from a 338 lap case. Google 7mm Allen Mag, it has a bigger following at Long Range Hunting. com.