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Powder - .338 Lapua?

M

mstang1988

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 6, 2011
143
0
Austin, TX
I've been doing a lot of reading about reloading, have the equipment and am fixing to order components. TRG-42 .338 Lapua

I plan to shoot 300SMK's, 285 Hornandy's, or 300 Lapua Scenars

I plan to order 8lbs. What do you recommend if I'm going to order 8lbs to start? I do care about temp. stability as we have a wide range of temps here. F 15-115. I was looking at Retumbo. Haved read very good results with it.

My rifle shoots fantastically with Southwest .338 Lapua .300gr SMK's. Would love to duplicate the load.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

+ 1 for Retumbo but also had great results using VV N170.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

For the 300s, RL-25, VV-170, VV-N570, and/or US869 are some others to consider, depending on what's available in your market.

Chris
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I'm planning on ordering from powder valley because they have the primers I want 210M for 308 and 215M for .338 lapua. Between the savings in the primer, 16lbs powder, and the bullet cost I wanted to go this route.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimGnitecki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 for Retumbo. Getting GREAT results with it.

Jim G</div></div>
I see you are in Austin. What rifle and bullet combo? Do you shoot at Best of the West? Where do you get your powders? Do we have any good local suppliers?
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

For the 300's I shoot ramshot magnum w/ excellent results. 90 grains is max and will theoretically put you at 2750 fps. ( I think). If not 2700 fps for sure
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I experimented with H1000 and Retumbo. Retumbo was clearly the best in my rifle.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

With my 26" DTA, Retumbo was the fastest, but H1000 was easier to get accuracy with. Ended up at 89.9 under a 300 scener(2.1 under max). I get 2750 fps, and so far have made hits out to 2130 yards.

Enjoy!
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I use Retumbo, have also heard good things about H1000, guess it matters on barrel length and what your gun likes... H1000 burns quicker than Retumbo...
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

IMR4350 has given me excellent accuracy - better than Retumbo, H1000 and R22. I don't know about how temp stable it is. My barrel is also only 26in so you may have better luck with the slower powders than I have.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the 300s, RL-25, VV-170, VV-N570, and/or US869 are some others to consider, depending on what's available in your market.

Chris </div></div>

+1
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mstang1988</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimGnitecki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 for Retumbo. Getting GREAT results with it.

Jim G</div></div>
I see you are in Austin. What rifle and bullet combo? Do you shoot at Best of the West? Where do you get your powders? Do we have any good local suppliers? </div></div>

TRG 42
Sierra 300g Matchking
87g Retumbo
Lapua cases
Federal 215 primers
See my current posting on "Best load is not always the most powerful".

Yes, I shoot at Best of the West. It's the only long range facility around.

There are no good local suppliers that I have yet found, and I;ve been trying! McBride's, which does a lot of other things right, has given up trying to be a loading supply source - their selection keeps getting smalelr and smaller. Cabela's is high priced, and seldom has 8lb powder containers anyway. Their priemrs are exhorbitantly priced. I order my powder and primers from whomever has the best current mail order price, and amortize the haz mat fee over the primers plus as much powder as I can afford to buy at the time. Bullets get added to the orders as well to at least minimize the overall freight impact (they are so darn heavy!). Powder Valley, Midsouth, Bruno's, and Midway are all typical contenders, depending on current individual prices.

Jim G
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fireguyty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With my 26" DTA, Retumbo was the fastest, but H1000 was easier to get accuracy with. Ended up at 89.9 under a 300 scener(2.1 under max). I get 2750 fps, and so far have made hits out to 2130 yards.</div></div>
And you have the standard DTA barrel, right? With the standard 1:10" twist?
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

Ive used Retumbo, H1000, and VV-N570. Found good loads with all three. I have jugs of Reloader 25 and US869 waiting for me to try. Really looking forward to trying US869.

I liked Retumbo but it was just so damn dirty. H1000 is consistent but cant push 300gr'ers out as fast. VV-N570 has been great.

Also going to try Reloader 33 when its out.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fireguyty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With my 26" DTA, Retumbo was the fastest, but H1000 was easier to get accuracy with. Ended up at 89.9 under a 300 scener(2.1 under max). I get 2750 fps, and so far have made hits out to 2130 yards.</div></div>
And you have the standard DTA barrel, right? With the standard 1:10" twist?</div></div>

Yes sir
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dstewart51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ive used Retumbo, H1000, and VV-N570. Found good loads with all three. I have jugs of Reloader 25 and US869 waiting for me to try. Really looking forward to trying US869.

I liked Retumbo but it was just so damn dirty. H1000 is consistent but cant push 300gr'ers out as fast. VV-N570 has been great.

Also going to try Reloader 33 when its out. </div></div>

Dstewart, when you checked your loads from H1000 to VN570 what were your loads relative to each other. I'm at 90 grains of H1000 and no pressure signs witht the 300 bergers , I'm getting 2715. How does that compare to N570? Are in the same grain weights

Thanks
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

Just going off the top of my head, 89gr of N570 was right at 2700FPS. I ran it up to 94gr with out trouble (with virgin brass). I started to see issues with H1000 at 92gr. In the 89-91gr range velocity was comparable but you could load up N570 more and push them much faster then H1000 if you wanted to.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I wonder why so few seem to use/try Ramshot Magnum. I was told it's one of the cleanest-burning powders, and gives decent (maybe not the best) velocity...

Anybody cares to comment?
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder why so few seem to use/try Ramshot Magnum. I was told it's one of the cleanest-burning powders, and gives decent (maybe not the best) velocity...

Anybody cares to comment?</div></div>

I always try all the most popular powders to see what my rifle gets velocity with. All were shot in my 1-10" twist 26" factory DTA 338 LM. I started low and shot one shot until I found pressure.
Remington 9 1/2M
300 Scenar
2.969 at olgive

4831 SC
77g 2456 fps
78g 2488 fps Sticky bolt...stopped
79 is max

Ramshot Magnum
86g 2507
87 2564
88 2543 sticky bolt, stopped
90 is max

Magpro
87 2615
88 2636
89 2623
90 2665
91 2677 max
92 2714 no pressure signs, but stopped

Retumbo
89 2675
90 2692
91 2746
92 2762
93 2800 raised primer, stopped
94 is max

H1000
87 2576
88 2622
89 2647
90 2691
91 2706
92 2750 max
93 2761 sticky bolt, stopped

My OCW test with H1000 worked out to 89.9. Shots at distance puts adjusted fps at 2750. If I told you guys the accuracy I am able to achieve with this load, most would call me a liar.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I can vouche for Ty's .338 load. I have been fortunate to spend some time behind it.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

I have settled on 89 grs H1000 with the 300 Scenar in Lapua brass loaded .010 jammed at 3.715 COL,,

I havent chronied it but it works out on my charts to be right at 2700 fps,

shooting a Savage 110 FCPHS and I am not sure but I think it shoots better than Daddys TRG42,,

I know there is a lot of gun there for 1200 $$$$
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

^ Jammed? Have you played with the seating depth much? I ran the Scenars jammed to find max charge but then ran 3 round groups every .005" from .010 jam to .030 jump. I found the Scenars didn't like to be jammed at all. Best groups came in around .015 jump but they still grouped well when I tested then at .075 and .100 jump. The more jump the lower the MV by a surprising amount.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dstewart51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">^ Jammed? Have you played with the seating depth much? I ran the Scenars jammed to find max charge but then ran 3 round groups every .005" from .010 jam to .030 jump. I found the Scenars didn't like to be jammed at all. Best groups came in around .015 jump but they still grouped well when I tested then at .075 and .100 jump. The more jump the lower the MV by a surprising amount. </div></div>

I saw the same thing with the Lapua factory round, using 300 scenars. Great load and jumping a whole bunch!
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fireguyty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder why so few seem to use/try Ramshot Magnum. I was told it's one of the cleanest-burning powders, and gives decent (maybe not the best) velocity...

Anybody cares to comment?</div></div>

I always try all the most popular powders to see what my rifle gets velocity with. All were shot in my 1-10" twist 26" factory DTA 338 LM. I started low and shot one shot until I found pressure.
Remington 9 1/2M
300 Scenar
2.969 at ogive

........

Ramshot Magnum
86g 2507
87 2564
88 2543 sticky bolt, stopped
90 is max

.................

H1000
87 2576
88 2622
89 2647
90 2691
91 2706
92 2750 max
93 2761 sticky bolt, stopped

My OCW test with H1000 worked out to 89.9. Shots at distance put adjusted fps at 2750......
</div></div>
Looks like I need to get some H1000 and start playing with it. How dirty does it burn, BTW? Compared to other powders?

And I am very surprised wrt. Ramshot Magnum performance, to say the least (and I got an 8-lb jug of it)... Ramshot manual says to expect 2500fps from 83gr and 2700fps from 90gr (max) of this powder with 300gr SMK and Win WLRM primer (barrel is 26" w/1:10 twist, like what we're using).

Does 300gr Scenar behave that much differently from SMK presure/speed-wise? Any idea why it shows such a poor (worst in the group) performance?
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

Ramshot mag is very slow, smooth and clean. Have a 700 p .338 that with 89.0 grains seated @ 3.680" will give me 3 " groups at 520 yards. That is with lapua brass and 300 smk's. Velocity is slow...2520 but I don't care. Still supersonic at 1k
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

3 shots 100 yards 89 H1000 .010 jammed 300 Scenar

eric624.jpg


4 shots 500 yards same load,,I may shorten them and try it,,I am just getting used to the rifle,,did make hits on the 12 inch gong at 900 in the tornado this morning,,

eric617.jpg
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fireguyty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder why so few seem to use/try Ramshot Magnum. I was told it's one of the cleanest-burning powders, and gives decent (maybe not the best) velocity...

Anybody cares to comment?</div></div>

I always try all the most popular powders to see what my rifle gets velocity with. All were shot in my 1-10" twist 26" factory DTA 338 LM. I started low and shot one shot until I found pressure.
Remington 9 1/2M
300 Scenar
2.969 at ogive........</div></div>
Could you please post the COAL? Is it around 3.760" (CIP standard)? As I don't use Scenars, I don't know what the ogive-measured length translates to in COAL terms.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ramshot mag is very slow, smooth and clean. Have a 700 p .338 that with 89.0 grains seated @ 3.680" will give me 3 " groups at 520 yards. That is with lapua brass and 300 smk's. Velocity is slow...2520 but I don't care. Still supersonic at 1k</div></div>
That's good to hear.

I'm still surprised why Ramshot manual claims 2500fps with 83gr starting load, while you and TY seem to be getting 2500-ish near the max load (instead of 2700fps like Ramshot claims). Still, a smooth, consistent and clean powder will work for me...
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Looks like I need to get some H1000 and start playing with it. How dirty does it burn, BTW? Compared to other powders?

And I am very surprised wrt. Ramshot Magnum performance, to say the least (and I got an 8-lb jug of it)... Ramshot manual says to expect 2500fps from 83gr and 2700fps from 90gr (max) of this powder with 300gr SMK and Win WLRM primer (barrel is 26" w/1:10 twist, like what we're using).

Does 300gr Scenar behave that much differently from SMK presure/speed-wise? Any idea why it shows such a poor (worst in the group) performance?</div></div>

Dirty? I go about 300 rounds between cleanings. I haven't seen a fall off in accuracy, but 300 seems like a good round number.

I couldn't comment on the SMK, I have never used it.
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

So whitch powder do you run, Retumbo or H1000. I have the same gun and having trouble getting consistent groups. Have been testing with H1000 @ 89-91 grs. with a .035" jump.Can you help me?
 
Re: Powder - .338 Lapua?

If your ok with not using magazine length rounds try loading the bullet so it just touches the lands, this is typically where most start then if required back off from there. Some bullets are finicky about jump and some are more tolerant. True vlds usually like to be closer to the lands, bullets like smk, and Berger hybrids have a little more tolerance to amount of jump.

So start on the lands and back out if needed, I usually back out .005 intervals.
 
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