8700 load for 338 Lapua

[slm9s]

I'm sitting on a bunch of 8700 for my fifty. Lots of 338 lapua threads say use data for 8700 or H870, but no one actually lists the data.
Does anyone have any load books, or personal loads for 338 Lapua with 300gr bullets with AA8700 or WC872? Or is anyone's google-fu better than mine?
Thanks!

 

[Zero333]

According to Quickload, Accurate 8700 is a tad slower than H870 and both powders are too slow burning for the 338 LM with 300 gr bullets, even seated out to 3.900" COAL.

You would need a very compressed load to reach max pressures with Accurate 8700 and H-870. Quickload shows both powders have almost the same load density.

According to Quickload, using Berger's 300 gr OTM seated at 3.900" COAL, you would need 103 gr of A-8700 to reach 60,700 psi and it's a very compressed load of 113 % load density.

100 % load density is where the base of the bullet would just touch the powder. 113 % load density would be pushing the bullet out from so much compression.

If 8700 is indeed the same as H-870....
with the same 3.900" COAL, 97,5 gr of H-870 will reach 60,220 psi with a load density of 108 %

With a shorter 300 gr bullet compared to the Bergrer 300 gr.... Something like the 300 gr SMK the load density would be a tad better.

 

[slm9s]

I'm sitting on a lot of nosler 300gr custom comps

 

[slm9s]

Anyone else?

 

[r bose]

I bought WC872 with the intention of working up a load for the 338LM using Lapua brass, CCI250 primers and Nosler 300g CC's. OAL is 3.850, 30k off the lands. I started low following the warning that surplus powers had different burn rates.

I started at 92g and went to 100g in 1 grain increments, 5 shot groups. Never saw pressure signs at any charge weight. Best group was 98 grains at 600 yards which measured 3.15 in tall and 3.68 in wide. Speed thru my shotmarker at 600 yds was 1876 fps. I have no idea what presure the load is developing. I was looking for a good "plinking" load out to 1000 yards and this is it for my lot of powder. Anything past that I use RL-33 and A-tips. Any questions I can maybe help with PM me.

Robert

 

[Loudenboomer]

My go to powders are RL 33 and N570 and the 300 Berger. That being said most of my shooting in my TRG and Savage is with WC860 and the Nosler 300 CC. (Magazine length econo. load) My Lot of WC860 is a fair bit faster than AA8700. I get to max at below 100% load density.
r bose starting load should be very close for you. Yes lot lot differences abound but most WC872 is close to AA8700. I think you'll find an acceptable load before you run out of case capacity. My 2 cents.

 

[Zero333]

WC-860 / 872 are ball powders. That's why they fit in the 338LM case. AA-8700 is a stick powder, much more bulkier.

 

[topsail86]

My 8 pounds of 8700 is a ball powder. So far have only used it for 7mm RM.

 

[WAMBO]

Same here, my AA-8700 is ball powder not a stick powder.

 

[ebb]

I had WC872 from my Jarrett and a 300ultra, when the 338 was new I shot at 275-300 out in the cane fields and decided to use my 872 and not waste RL 25. The group I shot sighting in may well be the best group that rifle has ever shot. A cloverleaf with one not touching the others at 275-300 with the cane train going by in a cloud of black dust like a hurricane. I hear about how bad WC 872 is and laugh, it keeps the price low for them that know better.

 

[slm9s]

Can you share your load? Thanks.

 

[ebb]

I was a decade ago and was using some 200 grain hunting bullets to sight in and get used to the gun. It will do no one any good but it was small. I bought 300SMKs and Retumbo long before there was RL33 and Berger 300 grain bullets. If going long use the RL33 and the Bergers

 

[Zero333]

I apologize for thinking 8700 was a stick powder. Yet it's not as fine as other ball powders.

You may use the 8700 if it fits in the case without a lot of compression. Heavy compression is not something I'm fond of.

 

[slm9s]

Anyone else have any load data?