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338 Lapua Magnum

This is the Berger target over two range visits encompassing 8 days, or so.

I couldn't get to the 1000 yard range over 200 miles away, so I just played with seating depth. The longer rounds (closer to the lands) are towards the left/top.

SDs for me, when I can chrono things, are in the lower double digits, but since I'm just a hack, I don't sweat things too much.

Chris

35868875935_8b2057407a_h.jpg
 
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For those of you running the 265 gr. Badlands ICBM's what is your twist? I'm a bit disappointed that they call for a 9 twist. My barrel is just a tad slower at 9.4. I bought the 255's to try
 
In Italy it is almost impossible to find your powders so I specialized on the Vihtavuori powders.
For my AXMC I have tree recipes that have proven to be accurate and consistent.

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
88grn N165
Lapua Lock base 250grn
FB 1mm
V0=864m/s (15°C)

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
92grn N165
Lapua Lock base 250grn
FB 1mm
V0=896m/s (20°C)

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
91grn N570
Lapua Scenar OTM 300grn
FB 1mm
V0=832m/s (28°C)

But I've seen you guys push 300grn balls much faster.
Aren't you afraid of going too high with the pressure?

Then I noticed that it is not necessary to go with very low FB in the .338LM instead I see that you even reach 0.01mm .....
Have you seen any improvements?

thanks
 
Mark23 said:
In Italy it is almost impossible to find your powders so I specialized on the Vihtavuori powders.
For my AXMC I have tree recipes that have proven to be accurate and consistent.

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
88grn N165
Lapua Lock base 250grn
FB 1mm
V0=864m/s (15°C)

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
92grn N165
Lapua Lock base 250grn
FB 1mm
V0=896m/s (20°C)

Lapua Brass
Federal 215M
91grn N570
Lapua Scenar OTM 300grn
FB 1mm
V0=832m/s (28°C)

But I've seen you guys push 300grn balls much faster.
Aren't you afraid of going too high with the pressure?

Then I noticed that it is not necessary to go with very low FB in the .338LM instead I see that you even reach 0.01mm .....
Have you seen any improvements?

thanks
Click to expand...
fyi - to group m/s conversion to fps
864m/s = 2834 fps​
896 = 2939 fps​
832 = 2739 fps​

I'm using a 26" 27 1/8 barrel on a Sako TRG - edited barrel length to dogtown's response below, but understood :)
I push my 300 berger otm's at 2868 with no signs of pressure with H1000. I could make them go faster, but I lose accuracy. I stopped at the most accurate load. (<.25") loaded at 3.726 COAL. My TRG Mag is 3.73" in length.
I'm working with N560 on the 250 grain Bergers. I'm running around 3,000 fps with 91 grains of N560. I'm still messing around with load, I haven't had the time to finalize load. (around .25") COAL = 3.68
Both loads heat the barrel up after a couple of shots, so, I have a barrel cooler (greatest invention since Ice Cream). I run for a few minutes between shots. (RifleKuh that I picked up off of Midway)
Berger 300 OTM factory ammo is around -2725fps - advertised (unable to get COAL, I shot them all)
Berger 250 OTM factory ammo 2944 fps - advertised; 3.58 COAL
 
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300s going >2750fps out of a 26" barrel is really impressive for .338LM. Even getting 250s to 3000fps is usually right at the edge of pressure.
 
Dave 62677,

Can you elaborate? Pressures, accuracy, barrel length, OAL etc... I just switched to the Badlands 255's form the Lehigh Defense 257's cause I can't find them anymore. Once the Lehigh's are fired I'll be switching and will likely need a new load.

Thanks,
 
It shown no pressure at 65f weather, but it start showing pressure at my long range spot at 90f+ weather. ES is around 10fps ( shot over 5 5group to confirm). Accuracy is 0.50 moa, my trigger is about 2.5 lbs. barrel length is 27”. I load the bullet .020 ~.030 off the land. Remember this is for my 338nm, not 338lapua. My neck tension is 0.015 (anneal every firing)
 
You might want to start 83~84ish , u can go .5gr increment.
 
Gotcha. I usually shoot for around 57-60K on my PRS loads so they are safe in hot weather. Using Lapua/Alpha brass. I am ok with these being a bit on the hotter side.

It looks like 88.5 would be right there. Maybe Ill start at 86 and work up. Can always stop if I see pressure.

Will also be loading these to 3.750 or longer so should be able to get a bit more in there without hitting same pressures.
 
You might also reach out to the folks who make the Badlands bullets and ask them for load data. I've found most will offer suggestions based on actual direct experience.
 
Dogtown said:
You might also reach out to the folks who make the Badlands bullets and ask them for load data. I've found most will offer suggestions based on actual direct experience.
Click to expand...
Will do thanks. They actually impressed me today. When I ordered i was bitching about the shipping price, which was like $32 to ship 200 bullets. Today i got email saying they refunded like $12 for actual shipping. Not many companies would do this and instead pocket the shipping costs. That is going to make me a repeat customer assuming their bullets fly well.
 
Anyone working with the 255gr ICBM badlands bullet? Curious what kind of jump you're seeing for best accuracy...... I'm having a difficult time getting them to shoot. I'm getting decent results at .030 jump but would like to see things tighten up.
 
Anyone got a load worked up with N568? Thinking I might try to run my 285ELDs with the N568 but the Vihtavuori website only lists N568 with the 300gr bullet.....
 
I finally got around to measuring the 255 badlands ICBM in a Cadex 338LM 4.010" to lands. Going to work up a load 3.990" with a 20 tho jump and see if I can get velocity and groups with RL26.
 
DeathBeforeDismount said:
I finally got around to measuring the 255 badlands ICBM in a Cadex 338LM 4.010" to lands. Going to work up a load 3.990" with a 20 tho jump and see if I can get velocity and groups with RL26.
Click to expand...

That's right in the ballpark of where I'm at. I'm actually working with Retumbo powder at the moment. 91.3 grains at .030 (2.869 base to ogive) jump is promising for me. Right at 2900 fps and looks to be about .5 moa on the 6 rds I've fired so far.
 
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che polvere è N568?
ho testato l'N570 con l'Hornady ELD-M 285.
fino a 95grn senza segni di sovrappressione e con velocità di 865m/s, ma i risultati sono stati deludenti in termini di precisione
 
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Mark23 said:
che polvere è N568?
ho testato l'N570 con l'Hornady ELD-M 285.
fino a 95grn senza segni di sovrappressione e con velocità di 865m/s, ma i risultati sono stati deludenti in termini di precisione
Click to expand...
www.vihtavuori.com

Introducing the new N568 rifle powder - Vihtavuori

Introducing the short-cut N568 high energy reloading powder We are proud to introduce a new heavy weight champion in our N500 rifle powder series: the N568. The slow burning characteristics and short-cut grains of the new Vihtavuori N568 high energy gun powder provide extremely consistent...
www.vihtavuori.com www.vihtavuori.com
 
Any updates on the Badlands?
 
BCX said:
Any updates on the Badlands?
Click to expand...

I've landed on .075" jump, and using retumbo I'm running 2920 fps out of a 26" barrel. I was doing a little ladder testing today and the 3 rounds I ran at 93.4 grs were an ES of 4, SD 2.4 and a single hole group at 100 yds.

After my range trip today I'm much happier with my load and plan to load up 25 rounds to stretch 2000+ yds this week. Assuming all goes as planned on this 25 rounds, I'm going to call this my load.
 
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Best powder for Berger 250's? I'm currently only getting 2800 FPS with 90.3 grains of H1000.
 
Vihtavuori’s N560 560 link

book max on berger 250 grain's of N560 is around 89 @ COAL 3.681 inches; gets you around 2907. VV tends to post on the safe side.
Now, 560 is a dual mix, so it runs a bit hotter; and people have said that it will increase throat erosion faster than a single based propellent.
"Nitroglycerine has been added to the traditional single base rifle powder to get better energy content."
Now, I've been playing with Petersen brass and berger 250 hunters, in my TRG 1x10" factory rifle.
3.68 COAL
Petersen Brass
GM215M
91(ish) N560 , puts me around 3,000 fps.. This is a hot load, over factor recommendations.
edit:
I pulled apart some Berger 250's Elite Hunters.. shot a few in 85F weather around 1453 feet.
ES-18
AVG 2986 - results may vary due to rifle, barrel length, bore temp, and outside conditions :); I shot 3 the next trip and got 2990, 2980, 2998
SD - 10
Box said 3005 fps
Not sure what powder they used, but it was around 91.5 ish. Great stuff for out of the box shooting. Good enough that if I was rich, I'd quit reloading LOL
Disclaimer - I LOVE Berger Factory Ammo, cat's meow. Wish they'd bring back 300 win mag 215's.
 
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It’s interesting that the max load for N560 varies significantly between the 250 Scenar and Berger OTM.
 
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MRAD 24 inch Barrel in 338LM; on Friday in hot humid Florida. 3 shot group showing some promise.
 

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Yes

with 94 gr, was getting about 2890 fps and .500 moa group. in central Florida about 48 feet above sea level altitude.
 
Last edited:
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table-1338-lapua-mag-bbl-length-velocity.png


so I can math your 24" barrel :) to my 27" (approximation of course)
 
I am new to this, are my numbers too low or high, average? not sure what you mean. I expected a little more spee, but I figured Florida and low altitude had something to do with it. Willing to learn. Thanks
 
With a 24" barrel you should be looking at velocities in the 2800-2900fps range with 250s.
 
I like to use Berger 250's as a baseline. 3,000 fps 26" barrel, pretty accurate. I might get lambasted here for saying this, but, try a box, and see how it performs in your rifle. FPS, groups, etc.. at the COAL of 3.68 (that's what bergers are seated, for most magazines).
Granted, it's not FPS, it's accuracy and SDs and ESs that matter. Consistency is the key. 2700 is a tad slow for 250's, I believe you can get the same accuracy with more FPS. you have a decent load, keep going and see what else you can get.
When you say you are new to this, you mean to reloading or the 338LM?
 
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Yes to 338LM, thank you for the info. I will try to work up more and the Bergers too.
 
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Lots of great info in the thread, what presses are you all using that fit the 338?

Thanks for any insight here
 
Redding Ultramag press
 
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