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285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

2cants

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 12, 2010
23
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58
New Zealand
Hi people.

I've justed picked at some Hornday 285gr BTHP match projectiles for my Sako TRG44.
(product code 3339)
Hornday claim a whopping .720 BC

has anyone here used these in their TRG or other .338?

How did they work for you? Recipe?

To get the bullet to seat close to lands, looks like i will need to single feed them as too long for TRG magazine.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

Does anyone know why the new Hornady AMP (advanced manufacturing process) is better than the standard process? Or, are all new Hornady pills AMP now?
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

I have shot about 150 of these so far out of my TRG. I don't know if there is anything special about the manufacturing
process, but I do know that they are a good bullet. They shoot as well as or better than the Lapuas and the Sierras out of my rifle. My load for MY TRG42 is 87 grains of Reloder 25 powder seated at 3.700" overall length. This load is for my rifle, reduce and work your way up. With this COAL the bullet does not touch, but allows for magazine feeding. In other calibers with this bullet I have found that it does better not touching. The last time out with this load at 300 yards I was averaging less than 2". My best for the day was just under 1.5" when the conditions were perfect.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

Thanks gpowers for the int.
My Trg44 mag max length seems to be 3.740, however the bullet could be seated much further out (3.764") so i will need to sinle feed each one. I will start with 80gr of ADI 2225, which is similar to reloader 25.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

I tried seating them long and seating them to magazine length, there was no measurable difference in performance. I figure there is a magazine so I might as well use it.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

I like your style
smile.gif
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp - Powder Charge HELP!

OK - I need more help.

I've now fired the Hornady 285gr BTHP, using 82gr AR2225, producing 2400fps out of my 26.5" TRG44.

There are no pressure signs on the headstamp or primer.

The velocity looks rather pedestrian, and I needed to use my 6th reticle hold over on my S&B 5-25x56 scope (with max elevation + 30MOA base) to hit 1550m.

The ADI (Australian Powder) manufacturer does not have any load data on this projectile, nearest are 275gr and 300 gr.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Calibre: 338 Lapua Magnum
Proj____Powder_____barrel___Min_____FPS_____Max_______FPS
215_____AR2225_____24"______94.0____2850____104.0C____3125 -
225_____AR2225_____24"______92.0____2745____102.0C____3040 -
250_____AR2225_____24"______90.0____2620____98.0C_____2855 -
275_____AR2225_____24"______80.0____2420____89.0______2670 -
300_____AR2225_____24"______85.0____2375____94.0C_____2655 -
L = Lead C = Compressed Load
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The weight of powder usually decreases as the projectile weight increases, but as the table above shows, between 275gr and 300gr the powder charge increases.

So, can anyone suggest a way I can gain more fps from this projectile safely?

Do I keep on increasing the powder charge until there are pressure signs? OR, can I use the data aboveto work out a proper safe starting load?

Any help appreciated
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp - Powder Charge HELP!

I'd probably start at 85.0 since it splits the difference for the 275gr and is within the beginning charge listed for the 300's. Which seems a bit odd, unless it indicates a different bullet design for the 300. Most load data tends to be on the low side for safety and "lawyer proofing".

Additionally, I would be working loads up over a chronograph which can show indications of building pressure before you can see signs on the case.

Start low and work up carefully, checking chrony data and your cases.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">This just in from the ADI manufacturers...</span></span>

Thank you for your enquiry of 31/08/2011 with regard to reloading using ADI Sporting
powders. Attached is the information you requested. This data has been interpolated
from ADI data or obtained from our American distributor. ADI has not physically fired
these loads. This is calculated data, so please ensure that you start at the starting load
and carefully increase the load gradually, making sure that you watch for signs of
excessive pressure such as flattened primers or difficulty opening the bolt.
Extreme caution should be taken and loads should be worked up accordingly. Refer to
our website at www.adi-powders.com.au or our 5th edition handloaders’ guide for more
information, warnings and reloading safety.
We thank you for using ADI Sporting Powders.
Yours sincerely,


Powder______Start_____fps_______max_______fps
AR2225______86.5______2449______95.2______2715
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

2Cants, for your information ADI/Thales Defense Australia 2225 is marketed in the States as Retumbo.

Should be lots of data on-line.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

I have been playing around with the Hornady 285 grns in a Sako TRG 42 1 in 10 twist. After trying out numerous loads and seating depths my gun prefers Retumbo 92 grns and a seating depth of 70 thousandths off of the lands. This combination produced the best five shot groups both at 100 yards and 500 yards. Very accurate round.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

I run Retumbo and the 285's from my ASW, 92.5 grains gives 2825 fps from a 27" tube. COAL 3.725, which is max magazine length for me, about 60 thou jump.

I did notice on the last lot of bullets I had a fairly wide spread of weights, 286.5 to 283.8, so I've been weighing them into lots.

Last weekend I had a 5 shot group at 1450 meters measuring 9" vertical, about 11" horizontal. Those were weighed at 285 +/- .04, so it works for me.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

thanks for your help guys. got a nice .3" group @100m running at 2753fps just off lands (wont fit mag)
a lot better than my 82gr recipe.
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run Retumbo and the 285's from my ASW, 92.5 grains gives 2825 fps from a 27" tube. COAL 3.725, which is max magazine length for me, about 60 thou jump.

I did notice on the last lot of bullets I had a fairly wide spread of weights, 286.5 to 283.8, so I've been weighing them into lots.

Last weekend I had a 5 shot group at 1450 meters measuring 9" vertical, about 11" horizontal. Those were weighed at 285 +/- .04, so it works for me. </div></div>


what cases are you using,


i have a savage and am getting ready to load some 285 hdy in lapua cases with retumbo, looking for some good loads to start with
 
Re: 285gr Hornady bthp in .338 Lapua Magnum

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AVENGEUSA</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run Retumbo and the 285's from my ASW, 92.5 grains gives 2825 fps from a 27" tube. COAL 3.725, which is max magazine length for me, about 60 thou jump.

I did notice on the last lot of bullets I had a fairly wide spread of weights, 286.5 to 283.8, so I've been weighing them into lots.

Last weekend I had a 5 shot group at 1450 meters measuring 9" vertical, about 11" horizontal. Those were weighed at 285 +/- .04, so it works for me. </div></div>


what cases are you using,


i have a savage and am getting ready to load some 285 hdy in lapua cases with retumbo, looking for some good loads to start with</div></div>

My load is very similar to Cory's except I use 92 grains H1000. Other than that its the same and I get about 2830 FPS out of a 27" barrel.