338 Lapua
- Thread starter gsg5pk
- Start date
Is this a factory chamber or match with a turned neck or something.
I reload with lapua brass, & run it pretty hot (300gr berger @2820fps) & I can get (safely) 7 to 8 reloads from them. On the ninth I split the case. Due to the cost of brass im thinking of getting a custom die for mine, as the necks and primer pockets are still good. I shoot a factory savage with hornady FL die
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How is a custom die going to stop case head separations that usually means brass is smoked
How is the headspace on that savage? I would try the tape trick and if the bolt falls shut you need to readjust the barrel against a go gage.
Annealing Lapua Brass and Doing a minimal resize will get you above that 9th loading, providing your headspace is reasonable.
I've not chased this out in the new AX, but in an AW, my shooting partner is on load 12 right now. YMMV
I've not chased this out in the new AX, but in an AW, my shooting partner is on load 12 right now. YMMV
I have the same problem with my Rem 700 Police. 6 a 7 time and the case broke 
Redding Body die , annealing , trim to 2,714 with L.E.Wilson and Redding Neck die with bushing .366 .
I don’t understand ? in Switzerland 100 cases Lapua Magnum 375USD.
I have Redding FL with Bushing and Lyman FL , Lee FL .
My load V.V N170 , 94gr 250 Scenar O.A.L 3.620.
Thanks for help.
Redding Body die , annealing , trim to 2,714 with L.E.Wilson and Redding Neck die with bushing .366 .
I don’t understand ? in Switzerland 100 cases Lapua Magnum 375USD.
I have Redding FL with Bushing and Lyman FL , Lee FL .
My load V.V N170 , 94gr 250 Scenar O.A.L 3.620.
Thanks for help.
Your bumping the shoulder too much. That is what causes case head separations. MattI have the same problem with my Rem 700 Police. 6 a 7 time and the case broke
Redding Body die , annealing , trim to 2,714 with L.E.Wilson and Redding Neck die with bushing .366 .
I don’t understand ? in Switzerland 100 cases Lapua Magnum 375USD.
I have Redding FL with Bushing and Lyman FL , Lee FL .
My load V.V N170 , 94gr 250 Scenar O.A.L 3.620.
Thanks for help.
This depends on a lot of factors. What freebore is your chamber? Are you planning to load magazine length, or single to feed? What is your acceptable accuracy threshold? Do you have the tools to ream (remove) donuts from your brass? Are you planning to anneal? How hard do you plan to push your loads?
After going through two barrels in this caliber, I'm seriously considering moving out of it and into 338 Norma. I never got steller accuracy with this cartridge. I could produce some great groups, but not consistently (if that makes sense). Too many brass issues.
To answer your original question; less than in any other caliber I shoot... and with the cost of brass, that really sucks. With my first CIP spec chamber I needed to take up annealing to prevent spring-back and inconsistent neck tension issues and had a few split necks prior to annealing. This was after 5 - 8 reloadings.
The second chamber was a bit tighter, especially in the neck area. This is where I received my education about donuts. I unknowingly had donuts in the first chambering/barrel also, but because of having more room in the neck area on that chamber, they didn't result in overpressure and eventually case-head separations like they did with the second barrel/chamber (just erratic, undiagnosed accuracy issues).
Once I figured out there was a donut issue and started reaming out the donuts, the pressure issues went away and accuracy improved some, but once the brass had donuts established it never shot as accurately as fresh or 1X fired brass. Donuts usually became established in the N-S junction of the brass by the 2nd to 3rd firing. from there accuracy was never as good as it was new. I reamed the donuts and lived with it at nearly $3 per case.
Running a 338 LM as a single shot with enough freebore to keep the bullet bearing surface out of the N-S junction (donut area) would be ideal. For magazine feeding, going with 338 Norma seems like the better option.
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Very nice rifle.
I'm currently on my tenth time reloading the same twenty-five cases of 338 Lapua brass. They are pushing 300 Bergers at 3000 fps out an improved version of the 338. I've had no problems to date, i anneal after every firing. They are full length resized (die has neck bushing) after every firing with custom made dies based off the chamber print and three fired cases and to date I've never experienced case head separation of any sorts.
littlebuddybr
Gold $$ Contributor
Wow! That is impressive.
How hard are you pushing the 300's?
I am pushing them pretty hard and am on the 9x loading. Brass appears to be in good shape still.
If you're thinking of moving away from the 338 Lapua and are looking for another 338 cartridge I seriously suggest that you look long and hard at the 338 federal. First, but not foremost is the cost of reloading. 308 brass and be necked up relatively easily and the cost of reloading is pennies on the dollar in comparison to the 338 Lapua. 1 time fired 308 brass is abundant and cheap. No more $3.00 per case brass. Also, the fact that the 308 federal is shot at a much lower velocity, the number of firings for brass is 2-3 times that of the 338 Lapua.
You give up velocity, yes you know longer have a five hundred yard killing machine but, the fact that 98 percent of all shots taken in hunting situations are at 300 yards or less, they are right within the federals limits. Easy to shoot, far less recoil and the cost to operate is 1/4 the cost of a 338 Lapua.
My 338 federal is sighted in for 230 yards. That gives me a ranch out to 300 yards. If its a hunting rig you desire, the 338 federal bits the bill.
You give up velocity, yes you know longer have a five hundred yard killing machine but, the fact that 98 percent of all shots taken in hunting situations are at 300 yards or less, they are right within the federals limits. Easy to shoot, far less recoil and the cost to operate is 1/4 the cost of a 338 Lapua.
My 338 federal is sighted in for 230 yards. That gives me a ranch out to 300 yards. If its a hunting rig you desire, the 338 federal bits the bill.
He said he's moving in not moving on
As for 338 Lapua vs 338 Federal, application is a big part of it. My intended use is 1500+ yards shots on steel. I don't think a 338 fed would be a good choice for that.
The 338 Lapua brass is built like a tank. I believe it is the thickest brass on the market. If you are not getting 20 or more reloadings out the brass, you are either way too hot or your reamer or die combo stinks. Most guys shooting the Lapua or Lapua IMP are shooting 1000 yards plus. Matt
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