Suggestions for .338 Lapua Loads

[Sniper338]

my bro in laws savage 110 likes H1000.

my custom likes reloader 33.

 

[Twoboxer]

Savage 10 FCP HS Precision, 26" barrel. 300gr Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical, Win LMP, 90gr N-570, 2800fps.

 

[shortthroat]

I concur with the 300SMK bullet and RL-33 combination. I moved to RL-33 from Retumbo and H1000 although these two also work well. I am shooting Ulfberht rifle with PPU brass and 215GM primers. A lighter load of 93 gr. RL-33 works well in my 28.5" barrel. Heavier loadings will be compressed and give a couple of hundred fps speed increase, but with shorter barrel life. Magnetospeed measures around 2750 fps. The s.d. is however around 20 fps. I get lower s.d. with H1000 than with either Retumbo or RL-33. My 300SMK rounds are .010 off the lands and fit within the magazine, feed well, and with a big beast brake are way too much fun!

 

[dkhunt14]

With my savage 110 hs precision shooting berger 300 grain Hunter elite. 88gn of h-1000, F-215 primer. I had to load longer than the mag to get it to shoot. Use lapua brass!
This was at 1,000 yards. Not too bad for a factory rifle.
View attachment 1029680

This is what I love about my 338 and 300 grain bullets, the ability to hit hard downrange. I like Re33 because it shoots great and less pressure with more velocity. Matt

 

[Nellej12]

This is what I love about my 338 and 300 grain bullets, the ability to hit hard downrange. I like Re33 because it shoots great and less pressure with more velocity. Matt

Matt, Have you run into any issues with RL33 and the cold? My main use for my 338 is Elk hunting in late November/ early December in Wyoming. I tired Rl33 but ran out of time to fully dial in the load.

 

[dkhunt14]

Matt, Have you run into any issues with RL33 and the cold? My main use for my 338 is Elk hunting in late November/ early December in Wyoming. I tired Rl33 but ran out of time to fully dial in the load.

I haven't seen it slow down worse then any other powder in the cold. My elevations hold pretty close. I did do most my testing at 40 degrees and slightly under because it is a hunting gun and that's what we can expect most the time. I did see a slight need of less elevation in warmer temps but it was not a great amount. Mine is an IMP version but that shouldn't make much difference other then I shoot a little more powder. Matt

 

[TikkaSporter]

Has anyone done/ users-

285gr ELD-M
H1000

91.2 gr H1000 with the 285 ELD-M's using RWS ('T'-headstamp) brass. Approximately 2860 fps in a 27" custom barrel. That's a pretty hot load and I needed to back it down on a subsequent lot of H1000 as I was getting bolt lift and 2920 fps (no ejector marks) with the same powder charge.

With Lapua brand brass, a ladder test indicated nodes at 90.0 - 90.5 gr H1000 and 92.0 - 93.0 gr H1000 (older slow lot of H1000, still on the hot side). I didn't proceed further with the load development with Lapua brand brass.

Obviously, use caution and start low working up to these loads watching for pressure signs as you go. My experience with two barrels running H1000 and 285 - 300 gr projectiles is that the best accuracy was consistently right at the edge of 'too much pressure'. Maybe I should try another powder on the next barrel? FYI, the on-game (elk) terminal results of the 285 ELD-M are excellent so far.

 

[Tempest]

100g RL33 and Berger 300 around 2,800 FPS @ 80F. Did pretty well recently when we shot out west.

 

[Chasd]

I have an 338LM Ackley Improved, 338LM Rem700P action, blueprinted/ trued, XL recoil lug, bushing in bolt with M16 extractor. Lilja #7 1:9 30" fluted barrel, Terminator break on a AICS folding stock. Very accurate, 0.2"-0.3" 3rnd groups @100m. Been having good success with Retumbo.

Have tried some powders, R33, AR2225, Retumbo and H1000 using Berger 250 and 300grs.

R33- to much powder.
Consistant results with Retumbo and H1000- MV 2790-2910fps.

No probs with bolt lift, no pressure signs.

285gr ELD-M 97gr Retumbo gets me 2905fps 0.2"-0.3"gps @100m.

In my buildup developments, H1000 accuracy the same, however, less powder, lower SD's.

Since wanting others info.

 

[dkhunt14]

I have an 338LM Ackley Improved, 338LM Rem700P action, blueprinted/ trued, XL recoil lug, bushing in bolt with M16 extractor. Lilja #7 1:9 30" fluted barrel, Terminator break on a AICS folding stock. Very accurate, 0.2"-0.3" 3rnd groups @100m. Been having good success with Retumbo.

Have tried some powders, R33, AR2225, Retumbo and H1000 using Berger 250 and 300grs.

R33- to much powder.
Consistant results with Retumbo and H1000- MV 2790-2910fps.

No probs with bolt lift, no pressure signs.

285gr ELD-M 97gr Retumbo gets me 2905fps 0.2"-0.3"gps @100m.

In my buildup developments, H1000 accuracy the same, however, less powder, lower SD's.

Since wanting others info.

I never worry about chrono numbers. I do all my testing at 1000 and let the paper tell me what it likes. Too many times the best numbers are bad grouos at 1000. I also look for the flat spots where one grain doesn't make no difference in elevation. One grain in My Lapua IMP is about 50 feet per second. If the impact is close to the same and the groups are good I will load in the middle. I run 3000 feet a second with RE33 and have no pressure. The groups run around 4 to 5 inches at 1000. This has been a good steady load. Matt

 

[Chasd]

Matt,

Awesome, I tried R33, 107gr gave me 3010fps, SD's were high, easy bolt lift, little pressure signs. Too much powder for me. Want to look after barrel.

Accuracy at long range isn't a prob. With the Retumbo load, getting first round hits out to 1400m using ABM (Applied Ballistics Mobile) and Kestrel Elite, and a good spotter mate. My groups are about the same. Like anything past 1000m, reading and mastering wind is the main factor, especially here in New Zealand.

Next week I'll load up some H1000, go out and give it a go.

Looking at-
285gr ELD-M
CCI 250
FF Lapua brass
96-97.5gr H1000- should give me between 2920-2980fps, around 3000fps or just under is where I hope to be.

Going AI has made a difference, that now, a few of my friends are converting their 338's to AI. I don't mind the FF of brass, and it looks cooler as well.....lol.

 

[J. Gunz]

Ive posted this before when another member asked the same question. I've loaded a lot for the 338 lm the best loads that have worked in 4 different 338 lm were:
250 smk
Retumbo 95.0 gr
Lapua brass
federal 215 GM
OAL 3.725

300 smk
Retumbo 90.5 gr
Lapua brass
Winchester magnum rifle primers
OAL 3.710

This pictures is with the 250 SMK. I’ll try to find one with the 300 SMK. Or I’ll just go shoot a group if I get time today and post it.

 

[J. Gunz]

lol looks like this post is 10 yrs old!

 

[Chasd]

Awesome info, this is what I'm after, especially the terminal effects at long range with the 285's.

Thanks Gunz for info.