Showing promise .338 LM

Powderfinger61

Powderfinger61

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I purchased the Savage last fall and one of my reloading components were Hornady brass. Due to winter and work i only shot approx 25 rounds. It's all been a struggle with this brass. I tried neck sizing and full length sizing and the brass would constantly stick in the chamber. My fault for not purchasing Lapua brass. Total frustration with this setup. I made the right move and purchased a box of Lapua brass from Prophet River. I loaded up 20 rounds and made the 25 km trek to the range. Not one person at the range so I took my time and prepared without haste. To my satisfaction I finally did some good groups with the big .338 like it should. At least now I can concentrate on shooting and not worry if the brass is going to be stuck in the chamber. I know it's only 100 yards, but at least now I have a benchmark to stretch it out further. Range is maxed at 300 yards and this will be my next attemp.

Happy Shooter
Savage FCP HS Precision .338 Lapua
Sightron S3 8x32x56. (22 power)
Caldwell BR Rock front rest
Protektor rear bag

photo-5.jpg
 
Great group man. I just made my first venture into .338 and although I am not re loading yet I was told by more than a few members and site sponsors to be weary of hornady ammo. Never thought much of it but I'm thinking this was the concern. Something about hornady brass and savage not liking each other.
 
That does show promise ... But I do want to see it shoot .5 moa at 300 yards.

After that the real test will be 600. What it does at 600 is going to give a far better indication of what it might do at 1000 and beond.

Keep posting , you have my attention.
 
factionrr said:
Great group man. I just made my first venture into .338 and although I am not re loading yet I was told by more than a few members and site sponsors to be weary of hornady ammo. Never thought much of it but I'm thinking this was the concern. Something about hornady brass and savage not liking each other.
Click to expand...

Funny you say that, I was shooting Lapua .338LM last week ( the original stuff from Finland ) and ran out, so I had a box of Hornady with me, I put two rnds thru and both of the shells jammed after firing, would not eject, had to poke them out with a cleaning rod.
And it was not a Savage, it was a PGW Timberwolf...No more Hornady for me !
 
Went to the range earlier today, fired 4 different test loads from my Remington 700, these two seems like a promising start. (I have 6 more different loads to test, up to max as long as I don't get pressure signs.

I am doing my testing at 200 meters, this will be my zero, and will help me to see any of the kinks in the loads I may start to get at longer ranges.

Shooting 300 SMK's, as I did not note that on the targets.

Pulled the first shot left, called it as soon as the shot went off, counted MOA with and without it.




Wind gusts possibly affected this one, will have to try it again to tell. Counted MOA with and without the group.



Overall, not a bad start.
 
Even at 300, wind can play a factor (as attested to at the last competition at Mission that I was able to watch a friend compete in for the first time). At 600, wind can play a major factor, so it is wise to stay in the 1-300 range (it's the lesser of two evils, 338LM bullets might take more distance to fully stabilize, BUT wind is wind and the greater evil ;) ) Hope your loading to ogive and testing by varying bullet seating depth? It's the best way to find most accurate load, with minimal shots. Once you know how well it groups, move on to far greater ranges :) Even if a rifle shoots 1/4 or 1/2 MOA at 100-300, it won't at 1000 due to wind ;) unless you're an amazing wind reader... [OK there are other factors too - temp, pressure, coriolis effect...and most importantly...shooter skill]
 
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