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powder for 338 Lapua

I have a friend who just got a new toy and wants (me) to start loading for it since loaded ammo is $100.00 + a box. The powders I WANT , of course, are harder to find than fairy dust. If we limit ourselves to 250 grain bullets, could we get N160/N560 to work? (which one). That is the slowest I can find. The next slowest powder I can find is RL 50 which I am guessing is too slow even for the 300's. I checked a few of the online manuals and neither powder is listed.

For now he will just be plinking...and when powders become more available we can start over again with something better suited.

Thanks,
Tod
Personally, my experience has been awful with Lapua brass. If you load hot you will get case head failure/separation after your 5th or 6th load. I have had the best results with Peterson brass. It is expensive, but it is pristine quality and holds up very well. I shoot 98gr of Retumbo or 102gr of LRT, average around 3000 fps w 300 gr Berger OTM. A few years back there was a gentleman in West TX with about 1 million pounds of Vulcan cannon powder, he was selling it very reasonably. PM if you want details on that powder - it was pretty darn good stuff. (approximately 10,000 rounds of 338 LM reloaded)
 
Just a short list of suitable powder with 250 grainers, and most of these powders are also good for 300 grainers.
-----------------------------

Norma MRP
Norma MRP-2
RL-23
RL-25
RL-26
R-33
Ramshot Magnum
H-4831
H-1000
Retumbo
US-869
IMR-7977
IMR-8133
IMR-7828
IMR-4955
IMR-8133
Accurate Magpro
N-160
N-560
N-165
N-565
N-170
N-570
 
+1 more. I use some lighter solid copper bullets with RL-23 too, but so far I like the Berger 300 with RL-33 the best. I haven’t ever found a real accurate load with the current rifle thoug

+1 more. I use some lighter solid copper bullets with RL-23 too, but so far I like the Berger 300 with RL-33 the best. I haven’t ever found a real accurate load with the current rifle though.
Send me some RL-33
 
The powders are available, but many LGS's won't sell online, preferring to have customers come into the store. If you have a friend in Canada, they're well stocked but won't ship to USA. Again, this is where your circle of friends comes in handy. Call all the LGS's you can find within 200 miles and maybe you'll get lucky. A friend just did that and purchased it for in store pickup. It'll be a 12 hr drive one way but he's got nothing better to do and enjoys riding his Harley.

You might also post in the want ads for some powder. Those with plenty will sometimes part with a few pounds.

I"ve got just enough RL-33 and H1000 to carry me through spring. Hopefully I'll find more before the well runs dry. Oh.....then there's bullets and primers.....Crap!
Well....I tried all of the LGS's in Canada within 100+ miles.....they are all in the same shape as we are...other than a couple pounds of H4831sc.
 
Had good success with 230/250s with H4831sc. Sierra GameKing 250s and Hornady 230 ELDX. The Sierra's gave better accuracy. Right around 3000 fps. Loaded light for Whitetails. I think I ran 90-91 grains if I remember right.
 
I use RL-19 82 grains, Winchester magnum primer and a Hornady SST 225 g bullet. Very soft shooting and accurate enough. Rifle is a savage 112 target single shot
 
If you don't mind ball powder until the powders we've become accustomed to become available Ramshot LRT is priced reasonable and in good supply right now.
 

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