Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

[l115a3]

I will got my new AX 338 next month.

Can any one suggest which bullet choice should I use with my AX rifle (27" 1:9.25 tw)

What are the advantage & disadvantage between

.338 Berger 250 OTM Tactical
.338 Berger 300 OTM Tactical

I would start with Lapua Brass + CCI 250 + Retumbo.

 

[HoytFlinger]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

Depends on the purpose for the rifle. If you are shooting under 1K then the 250 should suffice. Beyond 1K I would take the 300. Your twist will definitely handle the 300 with ease. let your rifle tell you which one it likes. The 300 will buck the wind and hit harder way out there.

 

[l115a3]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

The local shooting range which have to drive around 1 hour from home just only 1,000 yards.

I normally shooting .308 win during match at thisa range but for .338 Lapua there was not set up a match. We shooting steel plate at 1,000 yards with friend.

So, should I use 250 gr.?


For longer shooting range beyond 2,000 yards, I have to drive 4 hours from home.

 

[HoytFlinger]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

I would shoot each and see what groups best in your rifle.

 

[MDF99]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

In case you missed the 338 XLR bullet test thread; lots of great info. and interesting reading here:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3235869

 

[ringer706]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HoytFlinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would shoot each and see what groups best in your rifle. </div></div>

This.

Have you considered Lapua Scenars? 300gr scenars worked fantastic for me on top of RL25

 

[Jaeger308]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

I participated in the Gunsite XLR testing; the best results came from Hornady 285 grain bullet. Every rifle is different and needs to have a load worked up, but across the bull pen of rifles we had the 285’s hammered. Also the 250 scenars worked well for me.

Cory had mentioned to me and I also noticed a spread in the 285’s bullet weight, I weighed each bullet and separated into lots before loading them in. I kept the bullets within 0.5 to 1.0 grain variances for the lots. Overall I found a spread of about 3-4 grains in the batch I had. Cory had mentioned his overall spread was greater.

 

[MDF99]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

Jaeger308: In the 338 XLR test thread Retumbo was reported to be an excellent powder choice for the 285gr Hornady. Were you also using Retumbo? I'm in process of having a single shot 338LM built and am close to shipping off the parts. I'm planning to just stick with Retumbo at this point and not try to experiment much. Any more info. appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jaeger308]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

Yes I load with Retumbo, my procedure is to find a upper middle of the scale accuracy, velocity/node and stick with it, I’m not looking for the peak of velocity. As Frank wrote my MV was lower than Cory’s by around 80-100 fps. And I do not think Cory was running hot loads either. I just heard that Alliant Powder is making a new Reloader 33 powder, designed for the .338, they have always been known for smooth burning powders so that would do well with the .338, down side is more temperature sensitive.

 

[pyrofx]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

Cory use 92.5 retumbo

Greg

Got my Gap 338 now . Time to play . Used the 285 and 92 retumbo for the first 10 shots at 100. sub moa @2850

 

[bbw]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Golfy Sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I will got my new AX 338 next month.

Can any one suggest which bullet choice should I use with my AX rifle (27" 1:9.25 tw)

What are the advantage & disadvantage between

.338 Berger 250 OTM Tactical
.338 Berger 300 OTM Tactical

I would start with Lapua Brass + CCI 250 + Retumbo. </div></div>

I, and many others, have experienced hangfires with CCI 250 in the 338LM. I recommend FED 215.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Proper Bullet for .338 Lapua

I use:
GAP build on a Surgeon XL action
28" Bartlein, 1-9.7"
300 OTM's
Lapua brass
H1000
Fed 215 Mag Match
2840fps

A mile is easy with this load.

 

[Quarter Horse]

You might think about lightening up the load for 1000yds. 250SMK, 91grns. H-1000, Win. LRMP gives excellent accuracy in my TRG42. It should be a little under 2800fps, is easy on the shoulder, easy (easier) on the wallet, easier on brass and makes a great practice load.

 

[gixxer822]

I use:
GAP build on a Surgeon XL action
28" Bartlein, 1-9.7"
300 OTM's
Lapua brass
H1000
Fed 215 Mag Match
2840fps

A mile is easy with this load.

+1 thts wht im runnin in my Savage right now, but will work a load for the 285s cuz i got a good deal on em

 

[VTi]

You might think about lightening up the load for 1000yds. 250SMK, 91grns. H-1000, Win. LRMP gives excellent accuracy in my TRG42. It should be a little under 2800fps, is easy on the shoulder, easy (easier) on the wallet, easier on brass and makes a great practice load.

You've basically just turned your .338LM into a .300WM. Downloading a .338LM to make things easier on the wallet! Wow... Just shoot .300WM if that's necessary.

To the OP: I'd just load up 300gr SMK's with Retumbo and Federal 215M's. Let your rifle dictate the load, but it will likely be between 92.0 and 95.0gr. Like you, I shoot an AX338 and this combo works great. I've found SMK's are much easier to find a good load for than 300gr OTM's, at least in the few 338's I've tried them in.

 

[Dogtown]

250s are still good to a mile, easy. Some rifles shoot them better than 300s and vice versa, so definitely experiment. As has been mentioned, the 285s performed well at the Gunsite shoot and are another option.

 

[Hairball]

I tried the 250’s and the 300’s and I had the best results from the 300 grain Lapua Scenars out of the same AX setup.

 

[Dogtown]

Cory had mentioned to me and I also noticed a spread in the 285’s bullet weight, I weighed each bullet and separated into lots before loading them in. I kept the bullets within 0.5 to 1.0 grain variances for the lots. Overall I found a spread of about 3-4 grains in the batch I had. Cory had mentioned his overall spread was greater.

You're not kidding about that variance! I weighed 4 boxes worth yesterday and found 10% varied more than 0.5gr up or down - 20 out of 200 isn't that bad, but now I consider that an advantage the Scenars have over the 285s.

 

[TimResin]

I use:
GAP build on a Surgeon XL action
28" Bartlein, 1-9.7"
300 OTM's
Lapua brass
H1000
Fed 215 Mag Match
2840fps

A mile is easy with this load.

How much h1000 and the oal?

 

[Layton]

I've only shot 300 OTMs in mine and it loves them with 93.5g of Retumbo, 215Ms and Lapua Brass. 2780FPS. COAL is 3.71".

edt: Actually, my rifle seems to like the 300g Elite Hunters the best. Same ballistics as the OTMs.

L

 

[gixxer822]

You're not kidding about that variance! I weighed 4 boxes worth yesterday and found 10% varied more than 0.5gr up or down - 20 out of 200 isn't that bad, but now I consider that an advantage the Scenars have over the 285s.

No shit, well tht sux. I usually don't weight em but I will now for shits and grins. Let u know wht I find thx.

 

[Desert Fox]

I shoot both 250 and 300 grain SMK. Both bullet shoots well in 9.3 twist barrel.

 

[Whit]

I have only shot Hornady 285gr ammo through mine. I have been wanting to try Southwest 300gr SMK. Has anyone tried the SW Ammo?