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338 Lapua improved data

Alex Wheeler said:
Its not quite as sweet as it may seem. In the open country where its easy to find spots to shoot far the wind is terrible. I usually have 20-30 minutes of decent conditions at first light, after that its a waste of bullets. Half the time its already blowing in the dark. In fact it is down right aggravating.
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I get that. I've been out west many times. Shooting at 1000-1500 yards and YES early mornings are the definitely the time to shoot before the wind wakes up. You have some challenges for sure but I'll take them any day of the week. After all, those challenges are what make shooters great.
 
Alex Wheeler said:
Its not quite as sweet as it may seem. In the open country where its easy to find spots to shoot far the wind is terrible. I usually have 20-30 minutes of decent conditions at first light, after that its a waste of bullets. Half the time its already blowing in the dark. In fact it is down right aggravating.
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Too much truth to that. Get up and get out there right as the sun cracks over the horizon and shoot for maybe an hour until the mirage and wind are so bad you pack up and go home disappointed that the "5mph" wind that was predicted once again was gusting to 15mph and blowing directly in your face the whole time.
 
Alex Wheeler said:
Its not quite as sweet as it may seem. In the open country where its easy to find spots to shoot far the wind is terrible. I usually have 20-30 minutes of decent conditions at first light, after that its a waste of bullets. Half the time its already blowing in the dark. In fact it is down right aggravating.
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So true!.... I’m really lucky I can shoot a mile right out my loading room door but your sure right about the damn wind!

Wayne
 
Takes me a good 10 minutes but I bet you don’t have to deal with stopping your ladder because there’s a “goat in the scope “
 

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Alex Wheeler said:
I think the bipod and right load port are holding it back at this point.
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I did wind up trying 3 different bipods on my recent 338 nimp you built me. If you guys want a good "folding" bipod for a big torque rifle like 338s and up, try the long range accuracy. I got mine from euro optic, and chose the one they call "f-class". I shot 20 rounds each range trip, for a total of 5 trips while tuning. This was the only bipod that NEVER needed the "level" readjusted and locked back down. The Harris did well, but eventually crept a bit counterclockwise. The atlas (without pan) was extremely disappointing, and torqued counterclockwise every shot or 2. The Harris actually did quite well, but with the heavier rifle folded when I pulled the gun rearward one day while setting up. I still like them for lighter hunting rifles though. Just FYI for those who haven't stumbled across the L.R.A. bipods.


Tom
 

Guy shooting his 338 Lapua Ackley Improved at 2500 yards. He is using H1000 powder Lapua brass Fed 215 M primers and 300 A-Tips.
His load was right above 96 grains and his velocity was around 3000 fps.
 
I re barreled my 338 Lapua improved with a 30" 9tw Bartlien and used a new reamer with a little different throat design than the last one. The old Krieger barrel which still shoots liked 100 grains of N570 .010 off the lands. The new one likes the same load. This case has always been so easy to work with. Heres some 3 shot groups at 1000yds from this am. Dont worry about poi shift, we had wind and I fired a 3 shot group every 10-15 minutes, and its a bipod gun. The top 3 charges kept 9 shots in 3.6" of vertical. Sorry about the messy target I just keep re using them until theres too many holes. DSC_0264.JPG
 
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Alex,

Have you noticed any difference in raw accuracy between the 338 Norma improved and the 338 lapua improved?

I was was curious how much more velocity you are seeing with the larger case compared to the Norma improved.
 
No, but have not really compared them head to head. As good as the Lapua imp shoots I doubt there would be a noticeable difference. Group shooting with 300 grain bullets brings into play some other things that may over shadow the small difference in case volume. The velocity numbers are not that different. I would say on average you going to drop down one node with the Norma imp. About 100 fps. Your dealing with a very full case in the Norma imp as well. It is the best .338 cartridge to run in a repeater thats why I do them, but in a single shot I usually go with the Lapua.
 
Yote Hunter said:
From previous posting of ladder test on page 1 of this discussion velocity of 100.0 gr VV 570 and 300 gr bullet appears to be 2969.
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Thats about right. Both barrels are in that 2950 +/- range. When I was shooting RL33 the node was 3030 fps. Some barrels will let you run the 3150 node. I have not tried to get there with this barrel yet but I will.
 
Do you have a preference on n570 vs rl33 in the 338 Lapua improved?

And do you experience the throat moving more with n570? It has a reputation of being a barrel burner.

I find n570 to be very temperature stable and always gives me low ES.

I haven’t had a chance to test any RL33
 
Im my barrels 570 has shot smaller. In others 33 has done very well so I dont have a preference just go by what the barrel wants. The 338 is very easy on throats if you shoot it slow and keep it cool. They hardly more. If you want to run fast 10 shot groups it will move fast.
 
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