338LM brass and bullets

[Roach]

I have a savage HS precision in 338LM I'm going to start loading for soon. I'm already loading for .223 / 6.5 / .308 but the 338 is a new to me. I'm using Hornady with good results in 6.5CM but hearing it's garbage is 338? Can you really get 10 loads out of lapua?

I'm probably going to start with Sierras. Obviously the choice are between 250g or 300g. For say 1200-1800 yards is the lighter bullet (higher velocity) bullet better or is the 300 the go to? In .308 my experience has been that the 168 SMKs worked great to about 800 but to get any consistency beyond that you had to go 175. Is it the same with the 250/300 in .338?

I have H1000 and CCI250's since I couldn't get my hands on any 215m's

Thanks

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I always shot h1000 and 300smk. I also shot the 250 with success but the 300 was better for me at all distances

 

[people]

If your rifle will shoot them get the 300gr SMK. As to how long your brass works. I shoot Lapua brass and yes 10 reloads is easy to accomplish. I say this with a big "but" hot rod your stuff and you may not see three reloads.

 

[Hoser]

I use Lapua brass and a lot of Retumbo under Berger 300s and Hornady 285s.

I have a 5-7 year old lot of brass with 12+ firings on it. Primer pocket still going strong.

 

[Roach]

Thanks. I'm not a velocity chaser. I'm usually on the low node. No sense in beating myself, the rifle, or components up.

 

[majohnson]

I started with 97.1gr of Retumbo at 2760fps with 300 Bergers, and the pockets are like they were the first load. I have RL33 on standby, everyone seem to rave about the stuff.

 

[BigKev]

I've had great luck with Lapua brass, Berger 300's and Reloader 33 ( Custom Acklyized 338 Lapua). I'm currently on my eighth firing of the same 25 cases that I started with, I'm running them at just under 3,000 fps and have no signs of being over pressure. Your results may vary but I love the Lapua brass that I have.

Edit: I failed to say we shoot this rifle at 1,000 yards and that I anneal after every firing. Hope this doesn't skew my previous evaluation.

 

[mikeinct]

Distance 1K or longer..No choice but 300SMK & we use the 215 fed mag primer to lite them off..The Lapua brass costs but it is worth the price...Mike in Ct