338 Lapua Magnum 300 gr to 3000fps?

Dark-Angel

Dark-Angel

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Has anyone been able to get a 300gr Sierra or Lapua to 3000fps?

I have used 92.2 H1000 and have gotten it to 2840fps without any pressure signs yet.

Just wonder if there is a different powder to use?
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Same as I am US869 he also is shooting a LAI, my old 1 in fact. God I miss it:(
Click to expand...

The rumor out here is that I sleep with it, but you must know that can't be true !! However anytime I reach for a rifle it seems to be the one ....:D
Its certainly racking up its share of coyotes and distance really doesn't seem to be a problem.
Not exactly a hide-hunters dream though....
 
Dark-Angel said:
Has anyone been able to get a 300gr Sierra or Lapua to 3000fps?

I have used 92.2 H1000 and have gotten it to 2840fps without any pressure signs yet.

Just wonder if there is a different powder to use?
Click to expand...

I am not sure you can get the 300s to get close to or over 3000 fps from a standard 338 Lapua chambering. The 338LAIs that I have been building all send 300 gr SMKs down range at over 3000 fps, but having about 10% more case capacity is how we are doing it. That plus using real slow powder in fairly long barrels, AND Gun Juice.
 
For those of us (who haven't coughed up the green yet) fortunate enough to get some range time (1000m + range time) in on one of these 338 Lapua Ackley Improveds, its an experience. For someone like me who has the bulk of his shooting experience on a 308, these are freaky!

I've run Glock-o-Maniac's rifle on a couple of occassions and with a tuned load with the 300gr SMK, you just cant miss. 2 summers ago I was driving it over 1700 yards with little difficulty. Compared to my 308 or 300wm, my god what a difference.

One day when I crack open my piggy bank, I think I'll get one built.
 
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My standard 338 Lapua (non-AI version) will not get any where near 3000 fps with the 300 gr bullets out of a 26" barrel. Most powders will get me in the 2780-2840 range. Maybe with a 30" barrel and slower powders, but I tend to doubt it. Certainly not without running it at serious pressures. - dan
 
Dan, important and relevant post! Do not try this at home. Go for accuracy and low SD, but always, safety is paramount and this V is not obtainable with a standard .338LM with this bullet.
 
Maximum Load from the Hodgdon Reloading Guide:
104 Grains of US 869 = 2677 fps

Maximum Load from the Vihtavouri Reloading Guide:
92.4 Grains of N570 = 2746 fps
 
On My ATRS .338 LAI

I am just shy of 3000 fps at 110.5 gr of US869..... I have had it to over 3000 easily with no pressure signs, but am preferring the accuracy of just shy of 3000fps (2989)..... Shoots an easy 1/2 inch at 300m. Witnessed.....:rockOn:
 
Can I get a bit more information on the AI please guys. I'm about to build a 338 Lapua and would like to go AI. I already have a 30.06, 25.06, 22/250 and 223 AI's. Who has the reamers and where can I get dies?
 
The 338LM is now a tested rd for pressure vs velocity. As was mentioned, it is very well documented that 2600 to 2700fps is MAX at magnum pressures in standard test barrels.

Usually, that is 26". They should list the test barrel length with the load data. Max pressure should be in the 65 to 68,000PSI range.

Improving a case will increase case capacity. Unfortunately, the increase in a 'modern' cartridge is not that much. Ballpark 3 to 7%.

A rule of thumb is that there is a 3% increase in velocity for a 12% increase in powder consumption - all things being equal.

Pushing a 300gr bullet to 3000fps is most definitely achieveable. You either go longer barrel and/or burn more powder.

There are a number of wildcats that are making this happen and some going faster.

Just remember that conventional pressure signs will not show up in BR tuned actions.

I have proof load cases that show ZERO signs of pressure. These were set to achieve at least 75,000 to 80,000psi

Jerry
 
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