Load data for 285 grain Hornady .338 HPBT?

[sakoshooter]

Hello All.

I currently own and operate several sniper rifle platforms chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. I mostly handload and shoot 250 and 300 grain Sierra Matchkings and Berger VLD's. However, I've been curious about the 285 grain HPBT Hornady for the .338 caliber. Has anyone had any good luck with this particular bullet? If so, what powders and charges would you recommend? Just trying to establish a baseline to go by to kind of give me an idea of where would be a good place to start. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[CoryT]

Re: Load data for 285 grain Hornady .338 HPBT?

I've had very good results with the Hornady 285 I use Retumbo almost exclusivly with the 338. My current load is 92.5g, COAL of 3.715 (over CIP and AI mag length) giving me an average velocity of 2880fps with sub MOA accuracy at 1400 meters.

Hornady notes a max load of 93g of Retumbo, so I'd start at 90 and work up to max, then run the OCW loads from there. My personal max load was a little above the Hornady max, but my COAL is much longer.

My last lot of bullets, #2100454, had a fairly wide weight variance, +/- 2 grains, so I weighed them all and sorted into .1 grain lots.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: Load data for 285 grain Hornady .338 HPBT?

I have had great results with them in a 338 edge. The h 1000 seems to be preferable but we run them hotter than a LM will allow you to. We run 96 grains of h1000 and get a little over 2975 out of a 26". The LM runs 86 grains of h 1000 in a 24" at almost 2750. Hopefully this helps. Most everybody has had good results with them that I have spoke to.

 

[sakoshooter]

Re: Load data for 285 grain Hornady .338 HPBT?

Thanks for the info, guys. I really appreciate it. My new 285 grain Hornady bullets should be showing up tomorrow from Midway. I will use my new info from you guys to help me establish a baseline for my new load prep. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Tristian19]

Thanks for the info, guys. I really appreciate it. My new 285 grain Hornady bullets should be showing up tomorrow from Midway. I will use my new info from you guys to help me establish a baseline for my new load prep. Thanks again for the help.

Hello Sakoshooter,

Curious to know if you ever found a good 285 grain load per your components.

I have found great results using 300 SMK's over Retumbo and H1000 for my custom .338 Lapua. I also have a Savage 110 BA .338 LM and have about 800 285 Hornady's just sitting around. My custom .338 LM does not appear to care for the 285's.

I am currently looking for a good load using 285 Hornady's and Ramshot Magnum but I also have plenty of Retumbo I can use as well.

Any insight you would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.