Reloading for .338 Lapua

[Creature]

I'm contemplating a .338 Lapua and am trying to figure some things out.

Ammo cost: From what I've found Hornady brass runs around $2.60 for lapua and $1.35 for hornady. Bullets are around $.66 for Sierra 300gr SMKs. Add in say $.20 per round for powder/primer I'm looking at about $2.21-$3.46 per round(Midway prices). Does this seem right? I'm sure there's some deals to be had out there. What is your guy's per round cost for .338 LM?

What type of dies should I be looking at?

 

[cav has been]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Lapua brass at $2.20 divided by 10 loadings= $.22
Retumbo @ $24.00 divided by 70 loads = $.34
bullets @ $.60
primer @ $.04
figures about a buck twenny to me
My Forster dies seem to be acceptable.

 

[DaveV]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

I'm in mine about 1.29 ea. For what it's worth, stay with the Lapua brass.

RCBS work fine for me.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Creature</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm contemplating a .338 Lapua and am trying to figure some things out.



</div></div>

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">WARNING:</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold">Shooting the 338 LM can cause a sudden increase in euphoria which can be quite addicting. By the way, there is no cure for it. Shoot at your own risks</span>.

 

[dksd39]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Like the others have said but I save about 20 cents per round using 250gr Lapua LB bullets which keeps me to about a buck a round. My dies are Forester. I usually shoot once a week and spend most of my time at 1k so I like the savings I have had great luck with the 250's.

 

[hula]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Same as the others. I use Lapua brass, scenars, 215M and RE-25. I use the standard RCBS dies and neck size as much as possible. However it is difficult to find any reloading data on scenar bullets with any powder besides vihtavuori. I'm still in the tweaking process with mine.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Mine is 94.5 grains of RL25, Lapua brass, 250 scenars, Fed 215 M, OAL of 3.600". WOrk up accordingly.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

I'm so glad I don't have one. A buck a shot?!? Damn!

 

[DaveV]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

That's nothing. Factory Lapua 250 Grain Scenars are $6.20 ea. (Midway). For me, reloading is the only way I can shoot this pig!

 

[esromvre]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Lapua or Jamison for the brass and Sierra and Lapua for the pills.. that's until Berger gets into the game....

 

[Longshot38]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: esromvre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">that's until Berger gets into the game.... </div></div>

I'm not holding my breath. Can't wait to see them but not looking for them anytime soon.

 

[308isgreat]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Average cost for me is around $1.50. I've used Norma, Lapua and Hornady brass as well as a shitload of different bullets. I can't complian about the Hornady brass becuase it gives excellent accuracy, velocity uniformity and high number of reloads per case.

I usually shoot 25-75 rounds of 338 LM every weekend so doing it on the cheap becomes a high priority!

 

[dvdt]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Just throwing this out, but Cabela's has Lapua brass in stock right now. They also have free shipping on anything over $100 (and you'll blow that in no time) so it's something to consider. They also have it on sale for $229.99/100.

Good post.

 

[BHP9]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

Black Hills and Hornady are about $115/20 in upstate NY. Lapua ammo is running about $2.00 each. More in Canada.

I'm paying about $1.60 CDN each reloading.

 

[paindoc]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

that's a good price for LM brass!

 

[dvdt]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

If we did a group buy on lapua brass could we get much cheaper ? Usually Cabela's or Powder Valley have the best price on the stuff.

 

[TP4]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

I use the standard Redding 3 die set. Lapua brass, Federal 215 GM, 90gr VV N170 and 300gr SMK. I have shot many sub-MOA groups at 1000 yards with this combo. The rifle is a stock AR 30. You will not be sorry doing a build in 338 LM. Its a real hoot!

 

[BHP9]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

 

[TP4]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Lapua brass at $2.20 divided by 10 loadings= $.22
Retumbo @ $24.00 divided by 70 loads = $.34
bullets @ $.60
primer @ $.04
figures about a buck twenny to me
My Forster dies seem to be acceptable.
</div></div>

If you buy in bulk your cost will come down and FYI, I have gone way over 10 loadings on my Lapua brass.

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

I've got 338LM Lapua brass from 2005 with well over 20 loads.

Seriously, if you are concerned about what it costs a round to shoot-you probably can't afford it. Especially,if you haven't bought the stick yet. Once you start-you won't want to stop-so if you can't overdo-DON'T.

 

[guther]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

If you don't load them to the max pressure you can get up to 20 reloads with Lapua brass. I get even more than that but I anneal my brass. I won't even get into that though!!
Guther

 

[gabriellapua]

Re: Reloading for .338 Lapua

I'm going to pick up 100 pieces of prvi brass for the Lapua tomorow and will let you know how it does. I plan on weighing each case and keeping track of how many firings I get before trouble starts to show.