I am getting ready to start loading 338 LM for the first time to shoot in my Desert Tech SRS with 28” Bartlein Barrel. I wanted to start off with “lighter” loads shooting to 700 yds before I crank it up. Any of you big caliber shooters that can recommend bullets to try, etc or special case load prep, would be appreciated. I have a box of Berger 300 gr VLD s but thought I might try 250 to knock off some recoil...
338 Lapua Magnum- first time loading
- Thread starter Baer45
- Start date
230 ELD, magnum primer, RL19 is quite accurate in my Rem 700 MLR 338 Lapua. Lower recoil, less drama than more stout loads.
250 Scenar H1000 is my long range load.
Lapua brand brass is best if you can swing it, though Selier Bellot and PPU have both been more than satisfactory with my 230 load.
I can’t get anywhere near the upper range of published data without seeing pressure signs in my rifle. That’s OK I suppose as I did find accuracy and my rig and brass should last longer.
250 Scenar H1000 is my long range load.
Lapua brand brass is best if you can swing it, though Selier Bellot and PPU have both been more than satisfactory with my 230 load.
I can’t get anywhere near the upper range of published data without seeing pressure signs in my rifle. That’s OK I suppose as I did find accuracy and my rig and brass should last longer.
You can start out with H1000 and 250 SMK to get a good idea of the rifle's performance. Load to SAAMI spec for length and follow the Hodgdon loading manual for starting loads. It is available online for free from the Hodgdon website.
Once your scope is doped pretty well, you can switch to 300 gr. bullets and RL-33 or Retumbo powder. Again the SMK is a good starting choice. I am running 93 gr. RL-33 behind the 300 gr. MatchKing. I find 93 gr. works well in my 28" barrel Ulfberht.
Once your scope is doped pretty well, you can switch to 300 gr. bullets and RL-33 or Retumbo powder. Again the SMK is a good starting choice. I am running 93 gr. RL-33 behind the 300 gr. MatchKing. I find 93 gr. works well in my 28" barrel Ulfberht.
Pretty similar to what I used. 250 SMK and RL33 for out to 1,250 yards. Used a Berger 300 Hyb w/ RL 33 for mile and beyond. I did load mine to the higher node with the 300 Berger. Around 2,800 FPS on a 80F day.
coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
Your starting off on the right track. Get a solid feel for the recoil and personality of the rifle. Slightly different feel with the bull-pup configuration. Starting with 250grainers is ok however, I wonder if you will actually need the go to a heavier bullet. Yes, there is a bit more BC to be had but quite honestly, I have fared pretty well with the Lapua 250 Scenars out to 1 mile. But that is with a Sako TRG using 95.2gns of N170 Viht, Lapua brass and Fed 215GM primers. Hits are solid and about a 10-12" waterline at 1 mile. I'm pulling 2937 fps and the barrel is 1-12.
Not saying that this load will work equally in your rifle, every rifle, barrel, etc shoots differently, but perhaps if you start with the 250's perhaps you may not need to go any heavier. And not much difference in recoil effect. This was stated by an associate who has numerous 338L tac-rifle platforms.
The only thing I would suggest other than standard brass prep practices is...when it comes time to resize, FL size but make sure you go no more than 0.003" shoulder bump. I have seen other individuals knock their shoulders back too far and end up with premature case head separations. Extra care of the brass could give equal return. I use 50 rounds at a time and I am currently on the eighth reload. Primer pockets still ok. Have not annealed at all. Watch your trim length. Good luck.
I’ve shot 250 and 300 grain bullets a lot over the years I prefer the 250s for the faster velocity flatter shooting and less recoil my bullet of choice was the burger 250 grain elite hunter with the Vihtavuori N570 powder
One other item I might add.
I full length resize always, bumping the shoulder just enough for smooth cycling of the bolt.
I size once, leave the lube in the cases, then size a second time a day or two later. I do this because I’ve found that cases this big spring back a bit, and the process I’ve now adopted sufficiently addresses this concern.
I full length resize always, bumping the shoulder just enough for smooth cycling of the bolt.
I size once, leave the lube in the cases, then size a second time a day or two later. I do this because I’ve found that cases this big spring back a bit, and the process I’ve now adopted sufficiently addresses this concern.
Us869, us869. !
That is a great idea...I usually run a mandrel down and let it sit for a minute..your way is easier and better
I used this powder but it is dirty and when it gets cold, it doesn't burn great. H1000 and Retumbo was better and R33 beat both of them for lower pressure and accuacy. Matt
I shoot with a can. Only have a 700 yd range to do loads work up but can stretch it out at my farm...
I had v-good results with us869 but i was shooting 160ttsx barnes hunting bullet's out of a factory savage, 3/4" groups all day every day.
I only shot 300 grain bergers with it. The powder also worked great in a 338 Ultra IMP and a 338-378 Weatherby. We all shoot 300 Bergers because we are shooting mostly 1000 to 2000 yards. Matt
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