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Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

hula

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 12, 2007
123
0
62
Oklahoma, Norman
Sierra list the load data for 338 Lapua 250gr SMKs and Reloader 19 powder. Is there any problem substituting the 250 gr Scenars in place of the SMKs and Re-19? Couldn't find any data on Scenars and Re-19.

Thanks
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

It's certainly okay. However, you need to watch the lands carefully if you load very close the lands. Also, it would be wise to back off the powder charge and work up slowly. I use RL25 for my 250 scenars.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hula</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sierra list the load data for 338 Lapua 250gr SMKs and Reloader 19 powder. Is there any problem substituting the 250 gr Scenars in place of the SMKs and Re-19? Couldn't find any data on Scenars and Re-19.

Thanks </div></div>

Reloder 19 will be a bit too quick. Reloder 22 if you must, but Reloder 25 is where it's at for the Alliant powders.

I regularly swap both bullets. I load to mag length--3.670", so I'm not really near the lands, but they do have slightly different noses, so if you're planning on jamming the lands, do the test measurements and work ups.

For 250s in my TRG 1:12, I like H-4831sc, VV-165 and VV-170. Slight recoil impulse differences to the VVs, but both work for me.

I only shoot out to 1022 yds, so I load accordingly and not HOT, as I want to save the throat, as best I can.

Scenars shoot slight flatter for me, at 1k, but it's no biggie.

Chris
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hula</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking of an OAL of 3.6 for my AI AW. So RE-19 is too fast? </div></div>

I am shooting the same stick. Loading it to 3.600", Fed 215M, RL25 94.5 grains. Please work up the load. Shot out to 1575 yards and can still go further.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hula</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking of an OAL of 3.6 for my AI AW. So RE-19 is too fast? </div></div>

Like D-HK states, RL-25 is where you want to be, even with the lighter 250s, when using the Reloder magnum powders. Your barrel is what, 1:11", 1:10"? You can shoot the 300s for a better BC and RL-25 or Retumbo will be ideal, but I'm stuck with the older 1:12" twist with the Sako, so it's the 250s for me.

Chris
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

Got it. You guys neck or FL sizing? Will be using new Lapua. Ordered a set of Forster Mico dies and an RCBS neck sizer. Thought I would fire form them then neck size. Thoughts?
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hula</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Got it. You guys neck or FL sizing? Will be using new Lapua. Ordered a set of Forster Mico dies and an RCBS neck sizer. Thought I would fire form them then neck size. Thoughts? </div></div>

At one time, I had every brand of 338LM die made, save for Lyman. I still have Hornady, Forster and Redding.

Mostly, I use a Redding bushing Neck die with their body die for bumping back shoulders when necessary. I do own the Redding FL bushing die, for one stop sizing. I use a Hornady quasi-inline seater die with their micro-seating stem. I do have a Forster micro-seater that I'm moving in, as it supports more of the case body, IIRC.

Consensus is, is to just FL size every time if you have a tight match chamber. I can go about 2 or 3 cycles, neck sizing, before I have to bump my shoulders back. I'm on my 9th cycle with 80 Lapua brand brass and about 4 cycles with 20 new Norma. I had one Norma's neck split after 2 cycles.

With this round, you should get the Redding competition set: neck bushing die, micro seater die and body die. You'll want both the .365" and the .364" TiNi bushings. I use the .365" bushing mostly, but some like a bit more neck tension, so just get both and be all you can be.

Chris
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hula</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Got it. You guys neck or FL sizing? Will be using new Lapua. Ordered a set of Forster Mico dies and an RCBS neck sizer. Thought I would fire form them then neck size. Thoughts? </div></div>


My AIAWSM chamber is match but not as tight as some of the custom sticks for 338 LM. So far, I have been very fortunate to neck size only. I am somewhere around 8-9 reloads on my Lapua brass. Very happy. If your stick has a tight chamber, then more than likely that you will need to FL resize it.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

Ya know, I always wonder what someone like Black Hills does when they load 338 LM and what kind of dies they use,and how they decide on a neck tension for an all around accurate load. Even for temperature extremes kind of like a summer and a winter brew they don't have a summer load and a winter load. I guess that's where we pick up and try and tweak more out of a round or tailor it to our rifle. It's kind of interesting how a certain powder or bullet can be more accurate in a rifle than another. So you think Redding comp set? I'll have to send all my dies back! LOL. Now you have me thinking again.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

Hula, FWIW. I just use the standard RCBS seating die, FL resize, and neck size. I don't turn my neck, don't weigh my case, or any of that stuff. Here is a target for my loads for the 250 Scenars and 300 SMK. Both use RL25 of course.

250 scenars with 94.5 grains of RL25
IMG_3509.jpg


300 SMK with 91.5 grains of RL25
IMG_3508.jpg


This is the standard ISPC size target at 1575 yards using the 250 scenars.
IMG_3518.jpg


What I am trying to say is your AIAWSM is quite accurate out of the box. The beauty of the AI rifles is that the tolerance on the chamber is not as tight as some of the custom sticks. Again, depending on what you want to do with it. If you are interestd in shooting the smallest group at 1500 yards, then every little thing counts. For me, I am interested in first shot hit and repeatability of the shot when I need to. FWIW. Have fun with your AIAWSM.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

R25 is a good powder but you have to watch it from batch to batch as it can be a little off sometimes as to burn rates. R22 is a good powder also for 250gn bullets FWIW.
 
Re: Ok to use 250 Scenars in place of 250 SMKs?

I normally FL resize my 308 because It goes into 3 different rifles. The 338 will be only one rifle, so do you FL size it when the OAL is over the max and then if it is still over the OAL max after FL sizing, trim it? It's frustrating that I can't find any printed data on 250 and 300 Scenar reloading unless you're using vihtavuori powders. The Lapua manual I found was 10 years old!