338 Lapua reloading one more time

[TheSteig]

Alright so I use Hodgdons reloading website to find the max and min powder loads for my 338 Lapua. With Retumbo powder and 250 grain bullets it tells me 90-98c. I’ve literally went through every other thread under “338 Lapua reloading” and I think I found 1 person shooting within that range of powder. Does this mean it shoots better with less powder or am I missing something? Also just for shits and giggles to see how well 98grains would fit into the brass since it started compressing at 94 grains. I mocked it up without seating the bullet and it was halfway up the neck of the brass. Am I doing something wrong or can you really compress that much powder safely?

 

[Texas10]

Are you using a drop tube or some other means of settling the powder? I was loading 98 gr of H1000 behind both 300 and 285 SMK's for a bolt gun with no compression of the charge with bullet .020 off lands. Stock Savage 112 in 338LM, Norma brass.

 

[TheSteig]

Are you using a drop tube or some other means of settling the powder? I was loading 98 gr of H1000 behind both 300 and 285 SMK's for a bolt gun with no compression of the charge with bullet .020 off lands. Stock Savage 112 in 338LM, Norma brass.

I was weighing it in a pan and just dumping it into the case through a small funnel.

 

[dsinfour]

When I was shooting the 250 grain pills in the 338 I got my best groups with imr 4350 and when I changed over to the 300 grainers I moved over to reloader 33 with 97.5 grains to get the speed I need for 1 mile shooting You know the drill to start low and work up... later

 

[Rsadams]

Pour it in the funnel on the side slowly so it swirls into the case to get it to settle better , don't just dump it down the funnel... There are many many ways to accomplish this but that's how I do it and it works for me when useing stick powder , although I use this method for all rifle powders.. To me it gives a more consistent pour...

 

[Texas10]

^^^^^ This is what I do too. The powder should swirl like a flushing toilet.

 

[Rsadams]

^^^^^ This is what I do too. The powder should swirl like a flushing toilet.

Correct , you get a lot better layer of powder especially with stick powder but also works well with ball powder... An old timer who used to compete on the national level told me to do it when I first started , it's easy and works... Your description is exactly what you want.... Pour slowly but consistently...

 

[DennisH]

300 grain with Retumbo was my best friends!

I have also shot 168 grain bullets with an unbelievably charged case, 4k plus fps! I referred to it as my 22-250 on steroids!

I didn't have to compress my loads!

 

[shortthroat]

Ditto on 300 SMK, but with 93gr. RL-33. This is a 100% case fill and shoots well.

 

[DennisH]

I am using the 300 grain Scenars.

On the 168's, Barnes Triple Shock, solid copper bullets. They "stay" together @ 4,000 plus speeds. The 338 is unbelievable shooting these rounds, plus you can shoot them all day long without your shoulder hurting. I would have to look up my charge data on the 168's, but I know it was in the triple digits! I did not have any issues with having to compress my loads. I don't remember what powder I use with them either.

My load shooting the 300 Scenars with Retumbo, well my shoulder will last about 15 rounds, then my shoulder "couldn't" take it anymore. One reason I shoot the 168's out of it!

Deer have been taking with "both" bullets, and I can assure you, they are lethal. In fact 2 plus times more lethal than anything else I shoot! All shots were 300 plus yard shots.

I have always wanted to shoot it @ 1,000 yards of better, but it's hard in my area to find a place to do so!

I will state my charge of Retumbo is very close to the RL33 load above. I found just a few tenths of powder made a difference with accuracy, also seating depth made a difference.

Any serious shooting, the 300's are deadly, and deadly accurate! I have shot it past 600 yards, but at 300 I have put three shots within the rim of a quarter, the quarter covered the three holes "completely". I probably don't have over 200 rounds down the barrel.

I will post a picture of the target @ 300 yards, but I definetly "DON'T recommend anyone to start at my charge, start 3 grains lower and work up to my charge. If someone want the pictures with other charges that were close for reference, I will PM you the complete targets, or it's easier to email them. Just PM your email and I will be glad to send them.

Amazing with a bullet this size how less than .5 grains will make a difference on POI.

Shawn Carlock posted several recommended loads on his website, I guess there still there.

Every barrel is different, I have tested many, and it was rare to find one load for all barrels. I mainly shot 308's, and each barrel has it's own load, all were close, but something was changed, charge, depth, etc.

Dennis

 

[jimbo88mm]

Are you using a drop tube or some other means of settling the powder? I was loading 98 gr of H1000 behind both 300 and 285 SMK's for a bolt gun with no compression of the charge with bullet .020 off lands. Stock Savage 112 in 338LM, Norma brass.

98 grains of H1000 behind a 300 smk (or 285 hornady??)?!?!?!

That seems awfully hot.

I have the same rifle, 92grs get me over 2800 fps with 285gr ELDs.
Whats your MV?
How many firings per case?
Pressure signs?

 

[dkhunt14]

98 grains of H1000 behind a 300 smk (or 285 hornady??)?!?!?!

That seems awfully hot.

I have the same rifle, 92grs get me over 2800 fps with 285gr ELDs.
Whats your MV?
How many firings per case?
Pressure signs?

If I remember the Hornady is fatter. That would pressure up quicker. Also depends on how far they are throated out. That .338 diameter adds up quickly when the bullet gets moved out farther. I believe my buddy was shooting around 94 grains in his. I shot an Improved version and was up at 98 grains and wasnt hot. Matt

 

[Texas10]

Mea Culpa, Jimbo. Thanks for calling BS on my post. I was WRONG about that load, my memory just isn't what it once was. Gotta be more careful....to wit:

From my loading records:

300 SMK @ -.040, , CCI 250, Nosler brass. 88.9 gr H1000 produced best groups @2680 fps

285 ELD-M @ -.025, CCI 250, Nosler brass, started at 88 gr H1000 and topped at 92 with stiff bolt lift.

Best load was 86.5 gr H1000, Nosler brass, FED GM215M primer, .025 jump, Shot very well at 1 mile.

 

[DennisH]

FWIW, Shaun Carlock has his load data posted on his website. The 338 Edge is within 5% if not 3% of the 338 Lapua. YES, the 338 Edge is called the "Poor Man's Lapua"! And I am one of them!

These loads worked well for me.

My barrel is 28", 9 twist, heavy Varmint barrel, 11 deg crown

Loads below, 338" Hart 1-10 twist, 30" finished length

98 grains of H1000, 300 grain bullets, as mentioned above,
this load would probably end my barrel or actions life! Maybe the person behind the action, JMO.

300 SMK

OAL – 3.795”

Brass – Remington

Primer – CCI 250

Powder - H1000

Charge – 90.0 grains

Average Velocity – 2810 fps

____________________________

300 Berger OTM

OAL – 3.920”

Brass – Bertram

Primer – CCI 250

Powder – H1000

Charge – 91.5 grains

Average Velocity – 2860 fps
___________________________

 

[DennisH]

Below is my targets from when I was developing a load.

Powder, H1000, Bullet: 300 "Berger", shot out of my 28", 9 twist, 11 deg crown, HV barrel. NOTE: notice the distance off the lands, the same primers as pictured above were used. My rifle, and I found out 2 others like to be "off" the lands at least .050 to my surprise, and I was advised to test with them out to .080. Now this is the norm with any rifle I am shooting.

I vividly remember these loads were getting on the hot side @ 94 grains of H1000, I shot 4 with this load, and that was the last time.

As shown above, and as I was advised, "RETUMBO" would be my best friend, and still is to this day!

I am not recommending any loads to anyone, use your own discretion.

Be smart and start off low, then work up, as the opposite is deadly!

All @ 300 yards, don't try to dial in any closer. The 300 grain bullet started stabilizing at over 200 yards! I have made longer shots with the same accuracy, I don't have any pictures to share, I wish I would have taken a few from longer distances.

 

[DennisH]

Below I am showing my target when I chronoed the rounds. Three shots, fps listed at the bottom of all three. I remember the ES & SD was pretty low, 16 or below. I forget which one, it was constantly in the single digit range. These bullets were kissing the lands. When I backed off to .050 it tightened up the groups.

FWIW, during my testing, any bullet I used with "higher" charges opened up all groups. My node was always in the 92.5 range.

My "question" what speeds are you finding is the best (or required) for 1,000 yards to 1 mile shots?

 

[DennisH]

FWIW "again" (I am remembering things as I am posting), the first post shows 98.0 grains of Retumbo as the charge producing 2,853 fps.

I would be "scared" to death shooting this load out of my rifle with 300 grain bullets. As it is now, it's scary using 92.5. The 338's are very intimidating rifles.

For people wanting a "bad a**" Varmint rifle, you have to check out the 168 Barnes in your rifle! It makes one heck of a varmint round. I do remember obtaining speeds around 4,400 fps, with on pressure signs, or really any problems. Plus, I was nowhere near intimated shooting these bullets. It felt like all my other rifles. With 300 grainers, this definetly changed my thoughts! There "was" published load data using the 168's. I search the sites, and these loads are gone.

Now to the real reason I am making another post!

Different powders created different barrel pressures. I could use a different powder with a lesser charge, and I was showing pressure signs, fps were definetly slower as well.
This was especially true with my 338 using 300 grain bullets.

Example: I have used RL15 on some rifles and showed pressure signs on my brass, plus bolt was a little sticky, groups were terrible. I changed to RL17 and "did not" have any pressure signs, "PLUS" my fps increased, and my groups were acceptable! All brass components were the same.

I hope this info is helping somebody. It's an expensive round to shoot!

I was going to use the 168's for Prairie Dog hunting, but the plans didn't work out, plus that's when I started having back issues.

Shoot safely, Dennis

 

[dkhunt14]

FWIW "again" (I am remembering things as I am posting), the first post shows 98.0 grains of Retumbo as the charge producing 2,853 fps.

I would be "scared" to death shooting this load out of my rifle with 300 grain bullets. As it is now, it's scary using 92.5. The 338's are very intimidating rifles.

For people wanting a "bad a**" Varmint rifle, you have to check out the 168 Barnes in your rifle! It makes one heck of a varmint round. I do remember obtaining speeds around 4,400 fps, with on pressure signs, or really any problems. Plus, I was nowhere near intimated shooting these bullets. It felt like all my other rifles. With 300 grainers, this definetly changed my thoughts! There "was" published load data using the 168's. I search the sites, and these loads are gone.

Now to the real reason I am making another post!

Different powders created different barrel pressures. I could use a different powder with a lesser charge, and I was showing pressure signs, fps were definetly slower as well.
This was especially true with my 338 using 300 grain bullets.

Example: I have used RL15 on some rifles and showed pressure signs on my brass, plus bolt was a little sticky, groups were terrible. I changed to RL17 and "did not" have any pressure signs, "PLUS" my fps increased, and my groups were acceptable! All brass components were the same.

I hope this info is helping somebody. It's an expensive round to shoot!

I was going to use the 168's for Prairie Dog hunting, but the plans didn't work out, plus that's when I started having back issues.

Shoot safely, Dennis

That first load is for a 250 grain Hornady. Matt

 

[DennisH]

That first load is for a 250 grain Hornady. Matt

Thanks Matt, I would still be scared to shoot it with 250 grain bullets.

I am basing my opinion on my experiences with the 168's. 82 grains more bullet, I would definetly start lower.

All barrels are different as we know.

My rifle is very intimidating to shoot with 300 grain bullets. It really scares me, but I am almost use to it now. No other rifle of mine intimidates me like my 338! Only with 300 grain bullets, I will shoot it all day with 168's, and have a blast! I really love it, very accurate and destructful on targets!

 

[dkhunt14]

Thanks Matt, I would still be scared to shoot it with 250 grain bullets.

I am basing my opinion on my experiences with the 168's. 82 grains more bullet, I would definetly start lower.

All barrels are different as we know.

My rifle is very intimidating to shoot with 300 grain bullets. It really scares me, but I am almost use to it now. No other rifle of mine intimidates me like my 338! Only with 300 grain bullets, I will shoot it all day with 168's, and have a blast! I really love it, very accurate and destructful on targets!

Yes, I love my IMP version. They reach out with authority. I run the 300 grain Berger at 2993. I can get alot more but have the first generation Bergers where they slump past 3000 fps. Matt