.338 Lapua and H4831SC

[TrapperT]

For those of you who remember, I posted a while back regarding my GAP M2008 .338 LM and the loads I developed using RL25 and RL22. Here is my original thread -

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...rue#Post1281417

Since that time I have taken the gun out to 1000 yards numerous times and came to the conclusion that RL25 works for the 250gr Scenars and 300gr SMK, but I was not pleased with the frequent vertical stringing. Before I go on, I will probably continue to use RL25 for my 300SMK's but I'm going with H4831SC for the 250 Scenar's.

Back in October I worked up a load using H4831SC and 250 Scenar's. I started at 90.0gr and worked my way up to 93.5 gr. I did not have any pressure signs in any of the loads used. But during my load development, I noticed this:

H4831SC SHOOTS!

The 90gr load chronied at 2890fps while the 90.5 gr load was going 2910fps and the 91.0 was at 2947fps. Keep in mind that these eight shots were done in a row. The only reason the 90.5 and 91 gr shots are higher is due to the fact I adjusted the scope up 1 MOA.

I took this load out to 1000 yds and noticed the vertical was just about eliminated.

I bought 8 pounds of H4831SC and recently verified that 91.0gr is good for that batch also. I did notice that the new lot of H4831SC produced a little better velocities, and the groups were still very good.

I'm also pleased with how consistent the velocities are (I know...you can't determine ES and SD from only three shots).

The reason for posting this is not to say, "Look at my groups" but rather that H4831SC is a powder that will work for the 250gr bullets in the .338. Some say that this powder is too fast and they may be right for the gun that they are shooting. But I have found it works very well in my gun.

My next load development will be with Retumbo (which I have already pushed the 300SMK to 2850 without pressure signs) and H1000 for the 300SMK's.

 

[ERA]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

hi. if your load works that well i would leave load testing and concentrate to training. You have enough of velocity and accuracy. 300grs bullets will not do anything better than you have all ready.

 

[esromvre]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ERA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hi. if your load works that well i would leave load testing and concentrate to training. You have enough of velocity and accuracy. 300grs bullets will not do anything better than you have all ready. </div></div>

+1

No use in fixing what isn't broke

 

[Longshot38]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

What barrel length are you running and what is the OAL? I'm about to start load development for a 338LM and might have to try this one.

 

[TrapperT]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

Longshot -

Barrel length is 28" and OAL is what fits in my AI mags. I use a Sinclair comparator to measure the length of my rounds. If I remember correctly, I'm running the 250 Scenar's about .015" off the lands.

ERA - I've been shooting the 300SMK most of the time because I was never really pleased with the 250 Scenar and RL25. I still have 300-400 300SMK's left so I'll be experimenting with Retumbo & H1000. I understand your point, but I also probably shoot more rounds than the average person. I'm blessed that my job requires me to shoot at times...

 

[Buckoman]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

I too use the H4831sc for the 338LM and love it. Stick with what you've got. The 300 are only going to give you more recoil. 250's are fine.

 

[stenger]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

i am using H4350 in a 30 inch 1/10 bartlein with sierra and lapua 300 grain bullets. guns shoots single digit spreads and around 2700 FPS. I tried all the other powders but could not get the results i wanted the gun is a full blown custom on a bat action. i just shot a 1.5 inch group at 612 yards. Retumbo and all the other could not come close, they gave great speed but accuracy sucked. . N560 worked well to!

 

[stenger]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

78 grains of H4350 worked the best, thats also what sierra recommended

 

[jasonahull]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

how does the lapua factory 250 scenars shoot, i ordered a box
for zeroing scope and for the brass. is it any good?

 

[streetbob_grayrider]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

How many reloads at 90.0 grains are you getting out of a 1 lb bottle?

 

[outlaws51]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

7000 gr to a pound=77

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

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

Barrel length is 28" and OAL is what fits in my AI mags. I use a Sinclair comparator to measure the length of my rounds. If I remember correctly, I'm running the 250 Scenar's about .015" off the lands.

ERA - I've been shooting the 300SMK most of the time because I was never really pleased with the 250 Scenar and RL25. I still have 300-400 300SMK's left so I'll be experimenting with Retumbo & H1000. I understand your point, but I also probably shoot more rounds than the average person. I'm blessed that my job requires me to shoot at times...

</div></div>

Just be careful at 93.5grs of H-4831(sc) and the 250s. I seem to remember somebody posting a Quickload (when we could post there here) trace of this combo and 89grs was getting up into the DANGER zone.

93.5grs seems quite hot to me and I've loaded about 800 rounds using H-4831(sc) over a few years. I shoot a Sako, so my barrel is a tad shorter than yours, but negligible. H-4831(sc) is a relatively fast powder for that cartridge.

I'm just sayin'...

I'm loading a batch up for next week's 1000 range visit and I'll keep it to ~87-88grs for ~2875ish. 27-28 MOA for the Scenars and 28-29 for the SMKs. Been a year and a half since I've been there, so I might be off a tad.

I don't need to load hot for 1k and it saves my throat from a more rapid errosion.

Chris

 

[TrapperT]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

Chris:

I worked the load up to 93.5 grains but the load I shoot with is 91 grains of H4831SC with 250 Scenar's.

 

[gabriellapua]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

Great thread man! I to have loaded H-4831 @ 93.5 grains in my sako trg 42 and it drove tacks and was able to take my last mule deer @ 1,350 yards out. I have since pick up another rifle in the 338lm and plan to try that load in it. Wwhen I run it down the pipe I'll let ya know how she does.

 

[Notime]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

I have used H4831, H1000 and VV N560.

So far, H1000 has given the best combination of speed/accuracy and temp consistency.

MV

 

[tackdriver10]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

Hi guys, newbie to the board here. After reading through some of the posts, I decided to register and chime in. Right now, I have 30" Rock barrel mated to a Stiller Predator XL. A5 stock, Patriot Arms Brake, Jewell Trigger, and Badger Bottom Metal. So far the only powder that I have used has been 4831sc, and I am getting 2882fps with a 250gr scenar on Average. My extreme spread is hovering right at 22. 1/4 moa 5 shot groups have been the rule so far at 100yds, not the exception. I have some 300SMK to try and a some RL-25. Just haven't gotten to it. Once I figure this site out, I will post pics of targets. By the way, I build my own as I am a machinist by trade and an avid shooter. And yes, I do have an FFL to do so.

 

[g5]

Re: .338 Lapua and H4831SC

Good shooting and good rifle, TrapperT.