Great day with the 338 LM

[JoeInTucson]

So I began a new limited round of load development featuring Magnum powder and 285 Hornady ELD M bullets. I turned up the velocity this time. Running all the loads at 2600 or a bit more. I used to run these at 2350ish. My fastest was almost 2700 and I could have gone a bit hotter according to Hodgdon but their max was 2800ish so I stopped where I was. All the groups were sub MOA with the best being .43 for 3 shots. This is not the fastest but is not the slowest either. This is what I will continue with for the near future.

I also tried some 225 SST bullets running almost 3000. My rifle hated them. Over MOA for the two groups I tried. So I stopped. My instinct said this was not going to get better. Which is a shame because I have a quantity of them.

This is a RPR. Magpul PRS stock and grip. Pulled the brake and installed a Silencerco brake so I can run my Hybrid 46 which is on during load work up. Vortex Strike Eagle in 5-25 with Vortex rings.

 

[alphapygmy]

My 338L beat me up until I put a Gracoil in the HS Precision stock. I also am using the 285 ELDM. 2600 on the dot with IMR 7797 and 2750 with RL33 both shoot .5-.6 for 5 shots at 100 yards. Just need a can for it now. The Gen 4 Fat Bastard brake is definitely an improvement over the Gen 3 as far as back blast. Between the Gracoil and the brake it's much more manageable. Now it's actually fun to shoot.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

been loving my 338 lapua (imp) as well. 11lbs full loaded with bipod and running a 300gr berger at 3,000 fps with a can has been quite the ride

you will be amazed at how well suppressors work on these things. all you can hear on mine is the crack of the bullet (silencerco 338 harvester big bore)

 

[boltfluter]

been loving my 338 lapua (imp) as well. 11lbs full loaded with bipod and running a 300gr berger at 3,000 fps with a can has been quite the ride

you will be amazed at how well suppressors work on these things. all you can hear on mine is the crack of the bullet (silencerco 338 harvester big bore)

Very nice looking rifle! How is the recoil on this monster, as it is fairly light for this caliber. Just curious is all.
Thanks bud,
Paul

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Very nice looking rifle! How is the recoil on this monster, as it is fairly light for this caliber. Just curious is all.
Thanks bud,
Paul

rather stiff but still very manageable. I need to test my max load of 103.0 n570 here this morning, i'll take a video for you.

with that being said i'm looking to build a 16lb 37xc or cheytac next....

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Very nice looking rifle! How is the recoil on this monster, as it is fairly light for this caliber. Just curious is all.
Thanks bud,
Paul

had a little whoopsie during this video. a bunch of carbon fell into the chamber from my suppressor (hence why i looked surprised when the bolt didn't close easy). upon extraction the case was all dented up and a big chunk of carbon was on the shoulder.

despite this there was minimal pressure signs. may take it up a click to 105 and see what happens...

 

[ebb]

Thank you Braxton, I was in total confusion with all the low numbers. I run 300SMK at 2950 and was wondering if I was dreaming it. The ballistics table is very close to impact when it with 2950 or 3000 for the bullet speed.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Thank you Braxton, I was in total confusion with all the low numbers. I run 300SMK at 2950 and was wondering if I was dreaming it. The ballistics table is very close to impact when it with 2950 or 3000 for the bullet speed.

mine is a 37 degree shoulder improved (338 reaper)

 

[JoeInTucson]

been loving my 338 lapua (imp) as well. 11lbs full loaded with bipod and running a 300gr berger at 3,000 fps with a can has been quite the ride

you will be amazed at how well suppressors work on these things. all you can hear on mine is the crack of the bullet (silencerco 338 harvester big bore)

So have you ever tried it without the brake? I have a hybrid 46 and you can buy a brake for it too just not sure if it is worth the coin,

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

So have you ever tried it without the brake? I have a hybrid 46 and you can buy a brake for it too just not sure if it is worth the coin,

mine can't be removed unfortunately...i'd say go for it

 

[boltfluter]

had a little whoopsie during this video. a bunch of carbon fell into the chamber from my suppressor (hence why i looked surprised when the bolt didn't close easy). upon extraction the case was all dented up and a big chunk of carbon was on the shoulder.

despite this there was minimal pressure signs. may take it up a click to 105 and see what happens...

Braxton,
Very cool! The recoil seems fairly tame considering what you are shooting. Thanks for taking the time to make and post the video. Much appreciated.
Paul

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Braxton,
Very cool! The recoil seems fairly tame considering what you are shooting. Thanks for taking the time to make and post the video. Much appreciated.
Paul

it's not as tame as it looks, but its still very manageable (its not like this gun was designed to shoot 20+ shot strings) for its purpose.

i'm going to try a slow motion vid today with 105 grains and it will show a better idea of what this is dishing out. keep in mind im kinda scrawny at 5'10 and 160lbs so I do get pushed around more than most

edit: speed added as an attachment. brass showed a shiny ejector but no primer flattening. could prob hit 3,100 with 107 grains but gonna refrain.

 

[vince_ross]

So I began a new limited round of load development featuring Magnum powder and 285 Hornady ELD M bullets. I turned up the velocity this time. Running all the loads at 2600 or a bit more. I used to run these at 2350ish. My fastest was almost 2700 and I could have gone a bit hotter according to Hodgdon but their max was 2800ish so I stopped where I was. All the groups were sub MOA with the best being .43 for 3 shots. This is not the fastest but is not the slowest either. This is what I will continue with for the near future.

I also tried some 225 SST bullets running almost 3000. My rifle hated them. Over MOA for the two groups I tried. So I stopped. My instinct said this was not going to get better. Which is a shame because I have a quantity of them.

This is a RPR. Magpul PRS stock and grip. Pulled the brake and installed a Silencerco brake so I can run my Hybrid 46 which is on during load work up. Vortex Strike Eagle in 5-25 with Vortex rings.

I recently found a RPR Gen 3 338 LM at a local pawn shop....I must say, I'm very surprised how well this rifle shoots, especially with the ruger brake on it (loud as hell though). The Hybrid 46 does a decent job of sound suppression, but you get a little more recoil from not having the brake (still not bad though). I'm looking into what would be a good powder/bullet combo so I can work up a load for it now. I'll have to try the load you listed to see how it works on mine.
I'm really thinking of getting a Dead Air Nomax 33, I've heard that can works great for a 338.