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338 SnipeTac

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AIorBust

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Minuteman
Jul 18, 2012
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I would like to know more about the 338 Snipetac. There are many threads on this but most of them leave more questions than answers. Quite a few start a subject and there is no closure to the conversation.

I would like to know what what loads people are using and the accuracy. And if anyone has some suggestions for a new build throw em at me.

And you gotta have photos
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Call me at 608 333 5912. I have not shot mine past a mile yet.
Mine was made by RWS Gunsmithing. It is a 408 Stiller action,30 inch Brux barrel in a McRee stock. Would like to build a walking gun out of it also. I have been using US869 powder,but need to get some loaded with Retumbo , 50 Bmg,Vit N2029. You can get over 338 Laupa speed easy. I have heard guys getting them easy at 3450 fps. But Bergers may not take the speed. Have to use Cutting Edge or Rockey Mountain bullets.
 
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Re: 338 SnipeTac

I have a snipetac and so far I like it. Mine is a Lawton machine action with a 34" 1:9.25 twist cryo treated and nitrided barrell. It shoots really well and I have taken it out to 2300 yards no problem.

If I were to do it again I would have gone with a stiller action. Lawton Machine is a horrible company and I will never do business with them again. (made many mistakes on my build, never returned phone calls, and I had to wait over 2 years for it).

Anyway I have found the berger and sierra bullets shoot well and I am working on some 245 gr solids that seem to do well in the 3700fps range. The 300 grain projectiles seem to work best in the 3300fps range for me. I can push them harder but I was ruining my brass if I went hotter. I only use H50bmg. My results with US869 wasn't very good.

Here is an old photo of my setup

P1000744.jpg


P1000747.jpg


Oh by the way. I was shooting a 3/8 inch thick mild steel plate at 1200 yards with my 338 lapua and it would make a small dent on the plate. With the 338 snipetac I was punching holes straight thru it (and that is with the lead bullets too).
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Thats sweet! How many times can you reload your brass?

Do you have any idea how many rounds until you need a new barrel?
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

I have heard that if you don't load too hot and anneal your brass they can last up to 15 reloads. I also annealed my brass when I was necking the cases down.

For barrell life I heard 1200 at best with a nitrided barrel.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Dave Viers [email protected] is the guy to talk to about this one. He developed it, knows all of the ins and outs and can get you started on loads.
 
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Re: 338 SnipeTac

Very nice shooter what brase are you using? jamison-Betram
what powder weight gives you the best results with 50BMG.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

I am using the newest batch of Jamison. I had to neck turn them all but they are pretty good. I am also trying a new batch from HSM. I have only shot a few but they are forming well but they are not as thick as the Jamison brass.

I have found that for my particular load of Berger hybrids .010 off the lands I use 139 grains of H50bmg and it is spitting them out around 3300 fps.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Call Dave at Viesrco he has the dies, also has the the dies for forming brass from 408. You will have to anneal them from the 375 to 338 jump. I used a Stiller Tac 408, that has a 1.6 action. But have had thoughts to go with 1.45 on my next build with a 32 inch light Idaho Taper on a Bench mark barrel. Use a Manners stock or McMillan. Try to get some weight off it. Also look into Barker Actions. He has a light weight version of his overwatch action.


As far as brass I have 300 Jamison Brass. Also may make it a switch barrel in 378 Snipe-tac. Have fun when you can. Now to go west then go for the long shots.

Even if you improve the 338 laupa you just cannot get the speed and potential of what the 338 snipe-tac can take you.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: holdthatcow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Even if you improve the 338 laupa you just cannot get the speed and potential of what the 338 snipe-tac can take you. </div></div>

He is right. The closest thing I have seen is a 338 edge with a plus P chamber push the 300 gr SMK to 3000 fps.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Do you guys feel that a 1.470 Bat is a sufficient action
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

You guys pretty much covered the Snipetac, Hot rod long range rifle. 3300fps is the average speed most are shooting with 300gn bullets. Highly accurate! Barrel twists, 9 up to 10.
I use a variety of barrels, Benchmark 9.3 9.5 and 10 twist.
Lilja 10 twist. Kreiger 10 twist.

Actions, was using Lawton until they went under. I do some customs of my own for certain builds. Barker actions are good.
1.450 actions are ok, but keep the barrels to hunting tapers. 1.600 actions are best for the larger contours. 32" is where i start for length of barrels, longer will give you more speed.
 
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Re: 338 SnipeTac

Hands down, David Viersco from Black Diamond Rifles is the best for acquiring these long range rifles. I purchased a 375 snipetac from him and never looked back. Great to talk to and easy to work with and his skill,s on these long range cannons are impressive. Thank,s again Dave. (375 Snipetac on his web.site-Desert Tan Camouflage is my rifle). Aloha from Hawaii
 
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Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dylanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: holdthatcow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Even if you improve the 338 laupa you just cannot get the speed and potential of what the 338 snipe-tac can take you. </div></div>

He is right. The closest thing I have seen is a 338 edge with a plus P chamber push the 300 gr SMK to 3000 fps. </div></div>

i wonder how a 338 lapua throated for 300grainers would compare like the +P
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dylanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: holdthatcow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Even if you improve the 338 laupa you just cannot get the speed and potential of what the 338 snipe-tac can take you. </div></div>

He is right. The closest thing I have seen is a 338 edge with a plus P chamber push the 300 gr SMK to 3000 fps. </div></div>

i wonder how a 338 lapua throated for 300grainers would compare like the +P </div></div>


Shawn seem to be getting around 3100+ fps with the edge +P, the 338 Lapua imp only really gets 3000-3050fps
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Std Lapua case pushes 300 Scenars +3100 if needed.
Barrel 32" LW, VV N570.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

Lots of good info in this thread, Didn't even know the snipetac round existed. Going to do some more homework now.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

What is the barrel life like for the 338 SniipTac?
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

The Edge+P certainly has the improved Lapua beat(not by much) but it's brass seems to be a weakness in my mind...

Pushing 300grains 3300fps is incredible; need to talk to my smith:)
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

How do you form the brass? Do you neck down to 375 then to 338? So will you need to sizing dies? Sorry for the noob questions.
Thanks
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.Williams</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What makes a case a +P. Hope that isn't a stupid question. </div></div>

Throating, specifically how far out the bullet can be seated compared to what would normally be used. This enables more powder while maintain sane pressures.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

It will be interesting to see what the plus P in the 338 lapua case produces for feet per second
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: varmintator69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How do you form the brass? Do you neck down to 375 then to 338? So will you need to sizing dies? Sorry for the noob questions.
Thanks </div></div>

I got a hydro-forming die from Dave Viers a couple of years ago. It does a lot of the work for you without having to fire-form. Until recently, brass has been scarce. I guess that's history now and I can load hotter without fear of not being able to get brass. There is a short mention of the round here The last pic in Frank's first post is the Snipetac round in a mag
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the barrel life like for the 338 SniipTac? </div></div>

throat was finished at around 600 rounds, some may have had better results, but I think this is such a high performance round that I moved to 338 Lapua due to the cost of brass, brass forming, barrels, averaged 145 grains of H50 BMG per shot, and it cracked the necks on the brass pretty quick, I would recommend annealing every shot. If the cost doesn't bother you and you want to shoot beyond 1000, consider Cutting Edge bullets.
 
Re: 338 SnipeTac

I have a 1.53 Bat action, 33"/10 twist Krieger barrel 338 Snipetac with metal works by Dave Viers. He chambered one extra Krieger barrel while he was at it.. All dies from Viers. Dave is a good guy delivering high quality work/products.

I use Berger 300 grains bullets, 142 grains VV 20N29 which gives 1000 m/s and good extraction. Jamison two star brass. Also have 100 cases 408 Cheytac brass from Horneber to be used with the next barrel.
 
Howdy, reviving the thread here, wanted to ask How the 338 snipetac performs against the 375 cheytac for long range shooting (2 mile)?

I know there is also a 375 snipetac
 
Blkbird6 said:
Howdy, reviving the thread here, wanted to ask How the 338 snipetac performs against the 375 cheytac for long range shooting (2 mile)?

I know there is also a 375 snipetac
Click to expand...
stick with the tried and true 375 cheytac if you are just starting out, to this day the 375’s are still winning against the hotter/bigger calibers.

(FYI i own a 338 cheytac)
 
Sigma said:
stick with the tried and true 375 cheytac if you are just starting out, to this day the 375’s are still winning against the hotter/bigger calibers.

(FYI i own a 338 cheytac)
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t say I’m new to shooting :)

I always look for a cartridge with an edge on the caliber. As an example, I wanted a decent 300 so I did a bit of research and came out with a 300NMI chamber with the 35AW improvement. I have a decent edge over all the 300’s I see in the 1 mile / 2km comps.

I am now looking for a good 375 and want to go down a similar route. Fireforming brass isn’t offputting for me. I liked the idea of the 375 warlord, but then all the drama broke out and nil brass available. 375 mercenary is an option for me tbh, since you can find the parent case and a forming die.

My original question was how the 338 snipetac compares to the 375 at long ranges, since I’m super impressed with a 300gr round with a 3350-3400fps MV.

So a bit of a complex (hidden) question , since I can’t find much about the ballistics, barrel life, etc.

A few people I know shoot the 375 snipetac, but I doubt it has the same characteristics as the 338st?
 
Blkbird6 said:
I wouldn’t say I’m new to shooting :)

I always look for a cartridge with an edge on the caliber. As an example, I wanted a decent 300 so I did a bit of research and came out with a 300NMI chamber with the 35AW improvement. I have a decent edge over all the 300’s I see in the 1 mile / 2km comps.
Click to expand...

If only everybody else would just “do their research”, they too could have these best in class performing cartridges…

You may not be new to shooting but you appear to be new to at least one of the following: ELR, big over/bore stuff, wildcats (am I wrong?)

So it may be best, as others have stated here and in your other similar posts, to start with something tried and true rather than painting yourself into a corner with high hopes and reams of research. That way, next year you won’t be back here troubleshooting not your build, but your problems getting it to shoot as all your calculations predicted.
 
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this video is in slow motion and the gong is located in the far notch.
One of my 338 Snipetacs at 2054 yards. I am shooting a 300 Berger in a 34 inch Bartlein barrel with 1 in 9.36 twist. Load is 139 grains of H50BMG at 3325 fps at best accuracy.
338 Lapua Ackley Improved is running 2975 with the same bullet and 99.6 grains of H1000.
If you throat the 338 Lapua Ackley Improved 0.175 to get the boat tail where it should be best accuracy runs right at 3020 fps with 100.2 grains of H1000. You can get more velocity but you lose guilt edge accuracy.
Bertram and Jamison brass I used was garbage and if you switch to Peterson brass make sure your full length die still works.
 
Last edited:
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Snipetac is just an improved Cheytac case, do with that what you will. Unless you are trying to stay in the light class 375 has numerous advantages.
 
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