,338 Questions

[ARNEWB]

Alright,

I have searched for a consensus on some of this, and have found nothing.

1. Brass
Would you choose Captech/Jamison brass or Lapua? I have heard that both are great, and the price is nearly the same (the nod goes to Captech/Jamison to the tune of about $30), just curious if anyone has a preference, and reasons for that preference.

2. Bullets
I am basically planning on getting a small lot of the Berger OTM and the Lapua Scenar to try. I have some Berger 300gr, but I am curious if anyone has a preference, and reasons for that preference on weight and type.

I am using H1000 powder (have it on hand anyway) and FGM215M primers.

All to be shot in a Savage 110FCP and 110BA.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ARNEWB]

Re: ,338 Questions

Anybody shooting Prvi Partizan brass?

Its a lot more attractively priced.

Not trying to skimp, but the reviews I have see say they are good pieces of brass.

 

[ARNEWB]

Re: ,338 Questions

Never mind, bad reports of consistency, stretching, etc.

Back to the question of Lapua or Jamison.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: ,338 Questions

I'm on the same 80 (79 now) Lapua 338LM and 20 (19 now) Norma brass, since early '06. I have 12-13 cycles on some of the Lapua stuff and it still works well.

My nod would go to them, since they basically invented the cartridge.

I like 215Ms and H-1000, but my go to powder with the 250s is H-4831sc, followed closely by VV-165 and VV-170. H-1000 works really well, as does RL-25. Retumbo is another classic for the 300s.

Just search 338LM and you'll find reams of posts on the cartridge and weapons.

Chris

 

[ARNEWB]

Re: ,338 Questions

Pardon my ramblings. Hoping as I do the research that someone can use the data I find in the future.

Also still hoping for a suggestion on brass, although I am about to pull the trigger on Lapua and call it a day.

Thus far, for what I have in an 8lb jug of H1000, 1000 FGM215M primers, what Lapua brass would cost including number of reloads, and what 300gr OTM, Scenar, and SMK bullets will run, I can reload them for the following costs:

- 300gr OTM, ~90gr of H1000, Lapua Brass, and FGM215M primers
-- $1.45 each shot if I only get 6 reloads out of the brass
-- $1.21 each shot if I get 12 reloads.

- 300gr Scenar, ~90gr of H1000, Lapua Brass, and FGM215M primers
-- $1.66 each shot if I only get 6 reloads out of the brass
-- $1.42 each shot if I get 12 reloads

- 300gr SMK, ~90gr of H1000, Lapua brass, and FGM215M primers
-- $1.34 each shot if I only get 6 reloads out of the brass
-- $1.10 each shot if I get 12 reloads.

 

[ARNEWB]

Re: ,338 Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm on the same 80 (79 now) Lapua 338LM and 20 (19 now) Norma brass, since early '06. I have 12-13 cycles on some of the Lapua stuff and it still works well.

My nod would go to them, since they basically invented the cartridge.

I like 215Ms and H-1000, but my go to powder with the 250s is H-4831sc, followed closely by VV-165 and VV-170. H-1000 works really well, as does RL-25. Retumbo is another classic for the 300s.

Just search 338LM and you'll find reams of posts on the cartridge and weapons.

Chris </div></div>

Thanks Chris.

I have been searching and reading. I just haven't found much discussion of the Jamison brass. And then none since the change from Jamison to Captech.

Like I said, I am basically thinking that I will go to Lapua at this point.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: ,338 Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ARNEWB</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm on the same 80 (79 now) Lapua 338LM and 20 (19 now) Norma brass, since early '06. I have 12-13 cycles on some of the Lapua stuff and it still works well.

My nod would go to them, since they basically invented the cartridge.

I like 215Ms and H-1000, but my go to powder with the 250s is H-4831sc, followed closely by VV-165 and VV-170. H-1000 works really well, as does RL-25. Retumbo is another classic for the 300s.

Just search 338LM and you'll find reams of posts on the cartridge and weapons.

Chris </div></div>

Thanks Chris.

I have been searching and reading. I just haven't found much discussion of the Jamison brass. And then none since the change from Jamison to Captech.

Like I said, I am basically thinking that I will go to Lapua at this point. </div></div>

Jamison isn't bad brass, but that was back then. Let's face it, this stuff is expensive any way you slice it.

The stuff I run (and have on hand) I got when it was $125/box and I even bought a case of 10 boxes and sold lots of 50 cases with mollied 300gr SMKs on Ebay, back in '07, so my case price was $1537 shipped and I kept a box from that batch, so I'm sitting pretty with 240 new pieces left.

Starting anew, I'd probably still pony up for Lapua, knowing what I know, but everybody's budget is different and we all need to watch our pennies.

Chris

 

[cega]

Re: ,338 Questions

Brass: Lapua and be done.

Bullets: The Scenars have shot the best with my 338LM, both the 250 and 300. I recently picked up some 250gr Lockbases and want to give them a try as well.

Both the 250 and 300 SMKs have shot well though not as good as the Scenars but for the money I run them the most.

I have had good success with the Berger 250 and 300 OTM also but since I have a huge pile of SMKs sitting here I haven't done much with them.

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: ,338 Questions

I'm new to reloading the .338 lapua also. One thing I have learned is to just get Lapua brass, no question. I have 215 primers and h1000, retumbo coming my way atm. I'll be using 300gr bergers to start out with.

 

[ToxGunn]

Re: ,338 Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ARNEWB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Alright,
...
1. Brass
Would you choose Captech/Jamison brass or Lapua?
...
</div></div>

Only Jamison brass I've shot in my TRG was loads purchased from Southwest, and half of those split necks on first firing. Staying with Lapua from here on out...