338 Lapua improved data

[Nellej12]

Alex built me this 338 IMP this past fall. 26-inch bartlein barrel with 9.3t, sendero contour, Bat HR, Mcmillian Carbon A3. Rifle, scope and bipod come in at 12.3lbs. I'm shooting the 300 grain bergers at 2930. This one is fun to shoot and hammers. The target picture was just at the end of my break in period (150 rounds), each shot was taken 5 minutes apart and with a little wind. Vertical was rock solid from 1,000 yards.

 

[boltfluter]

Alex built me this 338 IMP this past fall. 26-inch bartlein barrel with 9.3t, sendero contour, Bat HR, Mcmillian Carbon A3. Rifle, scope and bipod come in at 12.3lbs. I'm shooting the 300 grain bergers at 2930. This one is fun to shoot and hammers. The target picture was just at the end of my break in period (150 rounds), each shot was taken 5 minutes apart and with a little wind. Vertical was rock solid from 1,000 yards.

Very nice rifle and a great shooter!! A3 is an awesome stock.

Paul

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Took my "light" 338 Lapua imp out this morning now that the barrel is sped up to see the high node. 102-104 went 2912-2949 fps out of the 26" Bartlien. There was about 2 moa of wind at 1k this morning with some healthy mirage. Aim dot is 4"
300 Berger .010 off, N570, cci 250.
I just love these things, nothing easier

 

[B23]

Fantastic LR elk hammer!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The wind just will not let up this winter. U have not been getting to shoot as much as usual but I got out this morning. Still had to put 3 moa in the scope for wind at 1k with 300 Bergers going 2950 fps. I wanted to see some 3 shot groups based on the ladder I shot last time. 103-103.5 is where she wants to be. Average velocity is 2950. Very little vertical impact change. The 103 actuall had a pretty stead flag, but the 103.5 group that flag was up and down like a jack handle so the width doesnt bother me too much. 103 came in just under 2" and all 6 of 103-103.5 went 3" for vertical.

 

[Tucker65]

I'm in the process of getting parts together for one of these. I'm going to build it off a Bat HR action. For those of you using actions with a 1-1/8" tennon are you using 1.250 barrel shanks or are you going with the larger 1.350 diameter shanks.

John

 

[Alex Wheeler]

1.250 is just fine

 

[L.Sherm]

1.250 is just fine

Don't most barrels have a 1.200 dia. tenon unless special ordered?

 

[L.Sherm]

Don't most barrels have a 1.200 dia. tenon unless special ordered?

Never mind Alex I see Kreiger offers a 1.250 Tenon.
I see Bart offers both a 1.20 or 1.250 depending on conture.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Most are 1.250. Bartlien is 1.2 on most sporters. I wish they were 1.250 since I use a lot of hrs.

 

[OSU Fisher]

What’s a good go to Fire form load? I know somewhere probably mid book load for standard lapua but that is still a pretty big window depending on the “book”. Will run 570 and 300 bergers for the final combo but can FF with something else. Maybe smk’s, eldms, or bergers. H1000, retumbo, etc. thanks in advance.

 

[moondog]

Yes, I used Retumbo because I had a lot. H-1000, whatever you have that has load data. Lapua is the toughest brass I've ever worked with. I don't remember my load, but contrary to norms, I wouldn't hesitate to step on it hard the first time out.

 

[MagnumW]

Started with an LRI chambered 338 LAI with borerider throat at 105.8 gr n570 with 30” barrel at 2985 and rebarelled to 338 Terminator with 3” shorter barrel at 3000 fps at same powder charge. Both shot excellent at 1000.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Still my favorite cartridge ever. Theres just something about it.

 

[Nellej12]

Just got back from Wyoming cow elk hunt, My @Alex Wheeler "light" 338 Improved is still hammering. 500 yard shot with some wind. Right through the heart and never took a step.

 

[rhovee]

These 338 Lapua Improved rifles do shoot great. I tried the 300 SMK for a few hundred rounds and just wasn’t getting the accuracy I was after.

I finally switched to the 300 OTM and they shot much better. I have a 26” barrel and it’s a little slower than some. But 2850 is plenty for me. Light neck tension, 102.5 of N570 and .025 off shoots very well. Target at 600.

 

[rhovee]

Incase anyone is wanting to try a longer jump that will run in a CFE-9 BDL. These are 3 shot groups at 100 yards with 102.5 N570. 3.970 COAL. It’s the bottom row.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Alex built me this 338 IMP this past fall. 26-inch bartlein barrel with 9.3t, sendero contour, Bat HR, Mcmillian Carbon A3. Rifle, scope and bipod come in at 12.3lbs. I'm shooting the 300 grain bergers at 2930. This one is fun to shoot and hammers. The target picture was just at the end of my break in period (150 rounds), each shot was taken 5 minutes apart and with a little wind. Vertical was rock solid from 1,000 yards.

With a rifle that light, how much does the suppressor cut the felt recoil, which from what I read can be 40 lbs in a 12 pound rifle.
In my planned ELR build, Plan on using the most efficient break recommended with the 338 LAI.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Jackie, look at the terminator line of brakes.

 

[Nellej12]

With a rifle that light, how much does the suppressor cut the felt recoil, which from what I read can be 40 lbs in a 12 pound rifle.
In my planned ELR build, Plan on using the most efficient break recommended with the 338 LAI.

With the suppressor the recoil is very manageable. With a good bipod and level shooting position I can spot my shots. I'm using the thunderbeast 338 ultra suppressor so that is adding 1 pound. It's a very enjoyable rifle to shoot and extremely accurate. My buddy also has one of Alex's 338 improved builds as well. Both rifles are excellent and very accurate. Both are used for elk hunting where we are shooting 400 to 800 yards.
We did set up a target at 1 mile a couple years ago after we filled out our elk tags, hit an 18 x 30-inch target 5 out of 7 shots with these 338's.