Building A ELR Rifle

[SteveOak]

My Nephrologist, (kidney doctor) told me that any time I wanted to come up to his ranch, I could shoot out to just past 1 mile. He dabbles in it somewhat.

I have a Bat M Action, which is currently bedded into a Shehane Tracker Stock. It has a Bix &Andy Trigger.

I am wanting to go with the 338 Remington Ultra Mag, shooting either 275 or 300 grain bullets. I am not sure if Bat recommends taking a Bat M bolt out to the 338 Lapua diameter, which is the reasoning behind the RUM. The scope will probably be the big Valdada Eliminator, or an equivalent.

The Bat M will support a lot of barrel. Of course, the most affective muzzle brake possible would be on the muzzle end.

I would like to end up with a chassis rather than the Tracker.

Any thoughts? I know my way around Short Range Group and Score pretty well, this is simply an itch I want to scratch.

My Oncologist has given me some pretty good antipruritics but I still share your itch.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I received the sizing die I made back from the heat treaters today. They did a nitriding process to surface harden it.

I can now mount a scope and take it to the range.

 

[swed6.5]

your correct on your ideas, it should be a hammer, im not sure wear the how light or heavy areas are, but each 338 we made that liked the 300 grainers very well always end up around 20lbs range, each time ive tried to lighten up to a more venerable hunting weight they give up accuracy, but the 250s bergers shoot very well too. i have done a few for guys using chassis but never see the tiny groups, no disrespect. also talked to guys at mdt the acc chassis will fit a 1.350 tight with no excess room.

 

[mikegaiz]

375 Chey Tac

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Jackie, have you got out with this 338 yet?

 

[jackieschmidt]

Jackie, have you got out with this 338 yet?

I am getting ready to order my scope and mounts. I started a thread tonight on some of the options.
I have been really busy at my Business, plus trying to get a good combo together for The Tack Driver.

At my age, I can’t party all night and work all day like I used to.

 

[ricco1949]

I am getting ready to order my scope and mounts. I started a thread tonight on some of the options.
I have been really busy at my Business, plus trying to get a good combo together for The Tack Driver.

At my age, I can’t party all night and work all day like I used to.

I gave up the partying all night long ago and still can't work like I used to.

 

[X-Caveman]

I am getting ready to order my scope and mounts. I started a thread tonight on some of the options.
I have been really busy at my Business, plus trying to get a good combo together for The Tack Driver.

At my age, I can’t party all night and work all day like I used to.

A few hundred miles north is the place to be in a few weeks. White Oak Creek north of Mt Pleasant is having ELR range days 9/21-9/24. Targets from 1,300 to 2 miles with a sighter board at 100 and a cold bore challenge plate at 1k. Cameras up on each target.

Then 300 yard clay match in Cumby on Sat 27th for TD practice.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Well, I guess it’s ready for the range.

I’m going to try to get to the 200 yard line at Tomball Sunday morning, I need to break the barrel in and fireform some cases.

The only powder I have is a 8 pounder of H1000 and about 2 pounds of Retumbo..

 

[slm9s]

Nice looking rifle! I love shooting my 338RUM long range, I only wish I could get up in the woods more often. Its so much better with the Thunder Beast 338 Ultra Gen 2 rr/sr, it feels like a 6.5CM and the sound is just a low whistle. It loves H1000 and 300gr custom comps.

 

[moondog]

Nice looking rig! Keep me updated. Ask around to see if you can get your hands on some Reloder33. I fireformed with Retumbo

 

[swd]

I didn't know ELR rifles needed oil changes, LOL.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I didn't know ELR rifles needed oil changes, LOL.

I may need an oil change after shooting this thing tomorrow.

I really do not know what to expect.

 

[moondog]

It won't be like your 30br, but I shot mine in a 2 day elr match and was fine. Double up on ear pro.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Terrible day
Every thing I did to put this project together worked great. My sizing die was dead on. The seater as well. Cases fireformed up perfect. The recoil pad and muzzle brake tamed the beast down to a tolerable level. (Kinda). Extraction was effortless.

The only problem………It shoots like crap.

I loaded the 300 Bergers in increments until it hit 2950 fps average over my Ohler 35.I figured that was kind of a sweet spot. 99 grains of H1000 gave an average 2950 with really tight velocity spreads, less than 10 fps. Zero pressure signs.

But the 200 yard groups were horrible. 1 1/2 inch +. With an emphasis on the +.’

I tried several loads on either side of 2950 fps, and while the velocity spreads were equally good, accuracy as abysmal.I also tried quite a few seating depths, nothing helped.

Anyway, I probably fired 50 rounds after I fireformed 15 cases. I even changed from Fed 215 primers to CCI 450’s. I was shooting 3 shot groups.

Something is obviously amiss. It’s difficult to make a rifle shoot this bad. As bad as it was shooting, I will probably try another scope. I’m not going to mess with it anymore until after the TackDriver. My shoulder can’t take it.

That will give many plenty of time to think about it.

 

[Evan]

I agree that there’s got to be something wrong with it to shoot that large. 50 rounds in something that big is a lot. 5000 grains of powder is like shooting 150 or so from your 30 BR (in powder and bullet weight, haha)! I appreciate you sharing your progress and I look forward to hearing more!

 

[moondog]

I never tried H1000. I fireformed with Retumbo at much lower velocity than your getting. My foggy memory was it wasn't too bad. I didn't really do any load work up until I had all my Brass formed with one firing. I seem to recall mine didn't tighten up till I pushed it hard.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I fireformed with just 80 grains of H1000, then fired them a second time before starting load work up.
I treated it just like a 6BRA.
The cases are fully formed and sharp after the second firing.
One thing that I noticed was even at 2950 fps, which I assume from research is a good velocity for this chambering, the primers were still round on the corners with no other signs of any “high” pressure. The bolt opened with no resistance what so ever.
From what I have read, pushing the 300 Berger over 3000 fps leads to problems. So I avoided it, working with seating depth and velocities between 2900 and 2975 fps. Nothing seemed to tighten it up.

And as I said, at an average 2950, the velocity spreads were 10fps or less.

This all points to either I am way out of the tune window, or something mechanically is wrong that I cannot pin point at the moment.

 

[moondog]

Now I feel bad! Mine was almost as easy to tune as my 6BR. It seemed hard to make it shoot bad. For me it takes a lot of work to manage the big gun. I'll never shoot it as well as my 6BRA or 6.5x47.
As far as pressure, I think that case is the toughest out there. I was cautioned by fellow shooter with experience in this round to be careful. He said I could pass over a node and never see pressure. I seriously didn't want mine to shoot over 3000 fps, but that's what it liked. I can't explain it, but that was over two barrels.

 

[X Count]

Are you shooting off a bipod or bags? Higher recoil and and bipods can be difficult. Your shots look and feel good but they don't land in the middle.