338 Lapua
- Thread starter eab7-a
- Start date
I will be testing the 250g with Ramshot Mag powder this weekend. Will let you know. I also have the CA ELR.
Skip the 300's go with the 285's. For 250's scenars and matchkings have shot well for me with H1000 and magpro.
I'll give it a try. It's an older thread but I just loaded up some 250 Sierra game king bullets for deer this fall. Used what I had for lighter .33 caliber bullets which was H4831sc. I have tons of it from many 6.5s I own. Surprisingly using 90 grains of it ( very mild load) it shot great. Pretty much one hole but I'll say 1/2" groups at least. Very impressed considering I'm fireforming from standard to improved while shooting this load. Velocities around 3000 fps with an almost 30" tube. I'd say give that powder a shot. You may have to adjust the charge but 90 does great in my rifle.
Back from the range. Used the Christensen Arms 338 LM in ELR model. Scope was a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22. Atlas bipod and bag in the rear. Tested Berger 250g Hunter Elite, Ramshot Mag powder, Lapua Brass and CCI-250 primers. Velocity was tracked with Labradar set to trigger and distance was 200 yards. Wish I had started lower than 92.5g to begin with. Over-pressure at 95.5g and stopped. The 92.5 was my cold bore shot and follow up. All strings had a 5 minute period between.
SA = Scope Adjustable
SA = Scope Adjustable
Attachments
ronemus
Gold $$ Contributor
Load development for my Ruger Magnum Precision Rifle with a Burris XTR II 8-40x50 in 338 Lapua is going well; I'm using new Peterson brass (necks turned for 90% clean-up), Federal GM215M primers and either 285 gr A-Max or 257 gr Lehigh Defense ELR (both moly-coated) touching the lands over Reloder 33. I used a Uni-Throater to extend the throat so the shank of both bullets was above the neck-shoulder junction.
I was able to get 2850 fps with the A-Max and 3000 fps with the ELR. This series (5 shot strings over the chronograph) was just to find the maximum amount of RL-33 before pressure signs set in; I saw only minor primer cratering with over-pressure loads, but case head expansion told the story (I set the limit at 0.002" expansion). Next up is to find the amount of jump the rifle likes. As luck would have it the best groups were 3-5 gr over the limit.
I was able to get 2850 fps with the A-Max and 3000 fps with the ELR. This series (5 shot strings over the chronograph) was just to find the maximum amount of RL-33 before pressure signs set in; I saw only minor primer cratering with over-pressure loads, but case head expansion told the story (I set the limit at 0.002" expansion). Next up is to find the amount of jump the rifle likes. As luck would have it the best groups were 3-5 gr over the limit.
Last edited:
It has been my experience that IMI factory ammo in other calibers is extremely accurate and *full* power too. Good sturdy brass as well.
I have two 338s, a Savage 112 Magnum Target and a 110 Elite Precision. I shoot these at 1,000 to 1,800 yards, with plans to go farther as we are good to 2+ miles at the private range we shoot at.
I started out buying a lot of factory second 250s and deman 250 SMKs because they were inexpensive. I don't load them much now other than for low-cost fire forming, although they both shoot pretty well.
There are two loads I shoot a lot, and both are good loads. Please note my OALs and that I HBN coat my bullets so jumping in on these loads at shorter OALs may not work well for you. I use UG, Fed 215 and CCI LRM primers, UG preferred frankly; lower ES.
#1. Hornady 285 ELD over 94.0 N570 to an OAL of 3.809" in the 110. 1/3 MOA shooter, a bit flatter than the SMK and shoots well. 2,869FPS, 15 FPS ES. 1/3 MOA load any day you choose.
#2. 300 SMK over 97.5 RE33 (now gone invisible) to an OAL of 3.752" in the 110. 2,872FPS, 20 ES. This load is a bit much with Bergers 300s, I would back off 1.0 to 0.5 grains at least. Sometimes you can find 300 SMK demans at American Reloading for a deecnt price.
I am extremely happy with each load to 1,800 yards. For longer I will look at the 300 Berger or 300 A-Tip.
OK, cases. I have never used Lapua cases or Nosler cases but I like Peterson, PPU and S&B cases from their ammo. Looking at Grafs, the "Major US Mfg brass" is Peterson bulk packed. I *love* my PPU brass. When it was $60 a bag it was a gift. I get at least 8 full power loads per case (so far). I do clean up the flash holes and regularize the primer pockets but that's what I shoot 1/3 MOA groups with. Now Grafs and others have doubled the price, they aren't such a steal but don't turn your nose up if you see any at a good price.
That's what works for me. BTW, if you have a problem finding powder LRM is a good choice, slower than RE33 and needs tight neck tension (my default is 0.002") and magnum primers but can shoot very well. Somehwere in the region 103-105 grains worked for me in the 112 with 250s.
I started out buying a lot of factory second 250s and deman 250 SMKs because they were inexpensive. I don't load them much now other than for low-cost fire forming, although they both shoot pretty well.
There are two loads I shoot a lot, and both are good loads. Please note my OALs and that I HBN coat my bullets so jumping in on these loads at shorter OALs may not work well for you. I use UG, Fed 215 and CCI LRM primers, UG preferred frankly; lower ES.
#1. Hornady 285 ELD over 94.0 N570 to an OAL of 3.809" in the 110. 1/3 MOA shooter, a bit flatter than the SMK and shoots well. 2,869FPS, 15 FPS ES. 1/3 MOA load any day you choose.
#2. 300 SMK over 97.5 RE33 (now gone invisible) to an OAL of 3.752" in the 110. 2,872FPS, 20 ES. This load is a bit much with Bergers 300s, I would back off 1.0 to 0.5 grains at least. Sometimes you can find 300 SMK demans at American Reloading for a deecnt price.
I am extremely happy with each load to 1,800 yards. For longer I will look at the 300 Berger or 300 A-Tip.
OK, cases. I have never used Lapua cases or Nosler cases but I like Peterson, PPU and S&B cases from their ammo. Looking at Grafs, the "Major US Mfg brass" is Peterson bulk packed. I *love* my PPU brass. When it was $60 a bag it was a gift. I get at least 8 full power loads per case (so far). I do clean up the flash holes and regularize the primer pockets but that's what I shoot 1/3 MOA groups with. Now Grafs and others have doubled the price, they aren't such a steal but don't turn your nose up if you see any at a good price.
That's what works for me. BTW, if you have a problem finding powder LRM is a good choice, slower than RE33 and needs tight neck tension (my default is 0.002") and magnum primers but can shoot very well. Somehwere in the region 103-105 grains worked for me in the 112 with 250s.
PPU cases cheaper at Powder valley (of course)
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.