Just picked up a 338 lapua. Soon going to start loading this caliber . Im shooting a rem 700 police . Factory barrel . Just wondering if anyone has any go to loads i could start with . I have lapua brass hornady 200 grain sst 225 grain sst and nosler fail safe 230 grain on hand . I also have a pound of imr 7828 bit i can get more powder . Thanks guys
338 lapua loads
- Thread starter m_moss23
- Start date
I worked out loads for one of these, unfortunately a computer crash wiped out most of my info. the lightest bullet I shot was 250 gr. The light stuff may be another route to go. I found that my 700 would stabilize up to 285, after that it got a bit iffy. I never really got it to shoot like i wanted, and eventually gave up after all my brass was wore out. 5 loads is probably the most you can expect. I had the rifle rebarreled, and have not got around to shooting it again.
There are lots of loading info out there, tons of forums. However, my experience was that for my 700, for the most part, would not tolerate any of the max or near max loads.
For light bullets, < 250 gr, I would use H4831, a F215M primer and that should be fine. Use the starting load, and that is not just a CYA, the 338 L is a funky beast. I found that the Lyman data was decent. One would expect that the really slow powders would be an easy load, no silly pressure jumps, but my experience didn't bear that out. It's like loading the 223 with 4198.
Depending on the distance you are shooting, cheap bullets will melt, at about 250 yards.
Use Lapua brass, some of the other stuff is not up to the task. Vihtavuori powder was the powder advice I got from the long range guys. Again, starting load will give good velocity. I used 24N41, because I couldn't get 20N29.
Retumbo is a go to powder, for the heavy bullets, and it is available, but for bullets 250 and under, my first choice is H4831, and i did use a bit of 7977, again start low.
enjoy
There are lots of loading info out there, tons of forums. However, my experience was that for my 700, for the most part, would not tolerate any of the max or near max loads.
For light bullets, < 250 gr, I would use H4831, a F215M primer and that should be fine. Use the starting load, and that is not just a CYA, the 338 L is a funky beast. I found that the Lyman data was decent. One would expect that the really slow powders would be an easy load, no silly pressure jumps, but my experience didn't bear that out. It's like loading the 223 with 4198.
Depending on the distance you are shooting, cheap bullets will melt, at about 250 yards.
Use Lapua brass, some of the other stuff is not up to the task. Vihtavuori powder was the powder advice I got from the long range guys. Again, starting load will give good velocity. I used 24N41, because I couldn't get 20N29.
Retumbo is a go to powder, for the heavy bullets, and it is available, but for bullets 250 and under, my first choice is H4831, and i did use a bit of 7977, again start low.
enjoy
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- Prince Albert, Sk
No such thing as a "go to" load , do the proper load development and determine what fits your rifle.
Go to the IMR/Winchester/Hodgdon website.Pick your chambering , bullet and powder and the website will give you safe starting loads.
If you are shooting a 338LM you are way under using the chambering by going under 250gr projectiles.That rifle will shine with 285 to 300gr bullets are is what it was intended for.
Retumbo, H1000 , 7828 etc.....
Start with the minimum and work up and watch for pressure signs.
1lb of powder doesn't go very far when loads are in the 90gr + range.
I have load that is beyond published MAX and will not give that formula, I worked up to it like one should.
Are you loading for hunting or target as your bullet choices are typically hunting projectiles.
Don't handicap the rifle with bullets around 200gr , might as well shoot a 300WM if you are doing that.
Go to the IMR/Winchester/Hodgdon website.Pick your chambering , bullet and powder and the website will give you safe starting loads.
If you are shooting a 338LM you are way under using the chambering by going under 250gr projectiles.That rifle will shine with 285 to 300gr bullets are is what it was intended for.
Retumbo, H1000 , 7828 etc.....
Start with the minimum and work up and watch for pressure signs.
1lb of powder doesn't go very far when loads are in the 90gr + range.
I have load that is beyond published MAX and will not give that formula, I worked up to it like one should.
Are you loading for hunting or target as your bullet choices are typically hunting projectiles.
Don't handicap the rifle with bullets around 200gr , might as well shoot a 300WM if you are doing that.
I agree with Kelly. I do not have a 338 Lapua, but am building a EDGE this winter. As mentioned look at 285 ELD-M or 300 gr Berger. As far as powders go, I am going to do load development with R33 And N570. Also Lapua brass all the way! I am only going the EDGE route because for me the performance is close to the Lapua and my 300 RUM is shot out, so it's a easy conversion.
From what I have read and from personal experience mine preferred 285 & 300gr SMK's. YMMV
All my loads to date were using H4831SC but I now have a supply of H1000 so will work up new loads and compare. Get in touch with me and we will hit the range.
I'm hitting 2L bottles at 980m now with my .308 so looking forward to really reaching out with the 338LM.
All my loads to date were using H4831SC but I now have a supply of H1000 so will work up new loads and compare. Get in touch with me and we will hit the range.
I'm hitting 2L bottles at 980m now with my .308 so looking forward to really reaching out with the 338LM.
