250gn or 300 for 338 lapua

[tatung70]

I'm looking for accuracy, not hunting. I've been using 250 grain rounds but wonder how the 300grain would hold up? I would to no it would do a little better in the wind, but the compromise would be distance. Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[George63]

go in the middle: 285 amax or hpbt

 

[jagged77]

The simple answer is to load some up and try them. Nothing wrong with using either or the 285's it's whatever your rifle likes that matters. I shoot both 250's and 300's, got some 285's to try.

 

[Dogtown]

Yup, get a batch of bullets and powders and see what your rifle likes. I swore by the 250s for many years and in a 26" barrel you can get them close to 3000fps, which will easily get you to a mile. They also work really well in a variety of twists, so I consider them the safest bet and most tolerant bullet of the bunch. That same barrel didn't seem to like 300s early on but a longer 32" barrel with a slightly faster twist gives them a significant edge. 285gr may be the best mass and I would expect to see a ScenarL in that configuration soon, but the Hornady bthp would shoot for shit out of any of my barrels, but did very well for others .

 

[graewolf]

FACTORY Hornady 285gr ammo shot beautifully out of my TRG42. 1/4MOA at 400m and at least 1/2MOA at 600. My gun loves it. I have a 1:10 twist TRG, so when I get more of this factory used up and start reloading 388s I'll be trying 285s and 300s. If your twist rate can handle 300s, I would try some.

 

[65guys_steve]

I tried the Hornady 285s this past summer and loved them so much I bought another 500 of them.

 

[graewolf]

I currently have only shot the 285s (factory loaded at that) so I cant comment on others....I will soon try 300 berger vlds, more Hornady 285s, and maybe some AMax's or that 300gr Nosler Custom Competition with a purported 0.800BC that is "coming soon" per MidwayUSA.

 

[Silverbullet2]

My AW is a 10 twist, so I shoot the Lapua 300's. You could also try the Bergers. You just have to see what your barrel likes. J

 

[Sendero_Man]

I have been shooting the 285's for over a year now. Been very pleased with them. 9.4 Twist Barrel

Here is a 300 SMK on the left and a 285 HPBT on the right. Dug outta ground at 1970 yard target.

Two hits outta first five shots, 17 mph wind 3/4 value. 1970 yards

 

[DIBBS]

Nice Shooting Sendero-Man! It looks like the bullets may not be target friendly, even at ELR distances? Have you had a chance to try them yet on a live version of your steel target? With a thumb sized hole in them, they shouldn't go too far. I have a friend that's currently doing load development for a savage with the 285's. I think he's around 92 grains of Retumbo IIRC,but has been shooting at 4-500 and hasn't stretched the legs on the rifle yet.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Haven't tipped over a wolf yet... but Antelope at 987 They perform great.

My load with the 285 HPBT is 92.5 H1000, 3.744 COAL