Anyone got a good load for 338 lapua?

[CWpredator]

I just recently got 500 of the 300gn Sierra Match Kings and was wanting to load them up. I've got some h1000 and Ram shot mag powder to work with and federal 215m match primers and lapua brass. My bottom metal will allow for COAL of 3.9 so I can seat those bullets way out if need be. Any info or pet loads anyone has would be great since I've never shot any SMKs out of this gun yet. (Also shot in the dark but if anyone would be interested in selling some berger 300gn elite hunter bullets let me know)

 

Thanks

-Travis

[nighthawk]

Sportsmans in mesa I beleive has the 300 elite hunter

[nw07heavy]

I'm currently using .338 Lapua cases (neck sized only), Federal large magnum match primers, 98.5 grains of RL33 with Berger 300 grain OTM tactical bullet, COAL of 3.71 to work in my TRG42 magazine. Measured Pro Chrono velocity of 2,715 fps with chronograph centerline between posts of 18 feet, which gives a 2,722 fps muzzle velocity at 70 F and 2,100 elev. Ambient temp at Usery Mtn Range was 70 deg F, at 2,100 ft elevation. No signs of high pressure in my rifle at 70 deg F and bolt was easy to work. Plotting a very basic ammo temp to velocity on this load gave me the following (fps values shown are only for understanding the effect of ammo heat on pressure and velocity and are not tested) : Ammo Velocity

Temp. nearest to

(deg F)

0 Deg 2631

10 Deg 2636

20 Deg 2644

30 Deg 2654

40 Deg 2665

50 Deg 2680

60 Deg 2699

70 Deg 2722

80 Deg 2751

90 Deg 2787

100 Deg 2832

Some cloverleaf groups at 100 yds, under 1/2 MOA on a windy day. Pretty consistent velocities seen, but while chronographing any rounds sitting in the warmed rifle chamber indicated higher velocities, and I had to get ammo and rifle consistent temp for consistent velocity. I had multiple rounds indicate 2,715 fps on chrono @ 18 ft, with some slightly higher or lower. Bore and cases were very clean after shooting. Very rough values of 4,933 ft lbs muzzle, 2038 ft lbs 1,749 fps @ 1,000 yds and -26.7 MOA sighted at 100 yds in my typical hunt conditions of 70F at 3,500 ft elev.

Be aware of ambient temps and weapon chamber temps. Signs of high pressure were not observed in my ammo in my rifle, but always start off at least 10% lower or as indicated in your load data. As always, you must adjust your loads, for your rifle, for temperatures outside of that at which you chronographed at as high temps will affect chamber pressures and can be dangerous.

I will be trying N570 when I can ever get any. Good luck on your loads and happy shooting.

[BRYCE CANYON]

I'm currently using .338 Lapua cases (neck sized only), Federal large magnum match primers, 98.5 grains of RL33 with Berger 300 grain OTM tactical bullet, COAL of 3.71 to work in my TRG42 magazine. Measured Pro Chrono velocity of 2,715 fps with chronograph centerline between posts of 18 feet, which gives a 2,722 fps muzzle velocity at 70 F and 2,100 elev. Ambient temp at Usery Mtn Range was 70 deg F, at 2,100 ft elevation. No signs of high pressure in my rifle at 70 deg F and bolt was easy to work. Plotting a very basic ammo temp to velocity on this load gave me the following (fps values shown are only for understanding the effect of ammo heat on pressure and velocity and are not tested) : AmmoVelocity

Temp. nearest to

(deg F)

0 Deg 2631

10 Deg 2636

20 Deg 2644

30 Deg 2654

40 Deg 2665

50 Deg 2680

60 Deg 2699

70 Deg 2722

80 Deg 2751

90 Deg 2787

100 Deg 2832

Some cloverleaf groups at 100 yds, under 1/2 MOA on a windy day. Pretty consistent velocities seen, but while chronographing any rounds sitting in the warmed rifle chamber indicated higher velocities, and I had to get ammo and rifle consistent temp for consistent velocity. I had multiple rounds indicate 2,715 fps on chrono @ 18 ft, with some slightly higher or lower. Bore and cases were very clean after shooting. Very rough values of 4,933 ft lbs muzzle, 2038 ft lbs 1,749 fps @ 1,000 yds and -26.7 MOA sighted at 100 yds in my typical hunt conditions of 70F at 3,500 ft elev.

Be aware of ambient temps and weapon chamber temps. Signs of high pressure were not observed in my ammo in my rifle, but always start off at least 10% lower or as indicated in your load data. As always, you must adjust your loads, for your rifle, for temperatures outside of that at which you chronographed at as high temps will affect chamber pressures and can be dangerous.

I will be trying N570 when I can ever get any. Good luck on your loads and happy shooting.

Thanks for your report. How do you like Reloader 33? I have some arriving tomorrow and am eager to work up a load with it.

[nw07heavy]

RL33 seems to be a good performing clean powder. I am using RL17 in my 7mm-08 handgun with good results. These two powders were developed for case capacities of these and similar ratio cartridges. I hear reports, about most powders, of heat sensitive variations but I expect that if you are always conscious of your ammo and weapon temps you can avoid more extreme velocity variations.

[BRYCE CANYON]

I am using the RL 17 in my 6.5x284 with good results.

 

Sorry to hijack CWPred

[willhunt4coues]

Try the Hogdon extreme line of powders and you will not have to worry about temperature stability.

[Buckhunter]

I watched a guy shoot a 400 pound bear with a 338 edge using 300 smk's. Took two steps and died. 1134 yards. Also helped pack it out. Awesome bullet.

[WampusCat]

willhunt is right on about the Hogdon extreme line. I load almost everything with them. I love H1000 in my 338.

 

Where did you get the numbers for your temp chart?