338 lapua varmint load (180 gr)

[P-J]

Hey, I have a nice load worked up for my 300 gr scenars and match kings, but I've been thinking it would be fun to take the 338 lapua Coyote hunting.

the lightest bullets I can find are 180gr Nosler accubond and the Nosler ballistic silver tip in 200 gr. There are some light solid copper bullets, but they won't expand for the effect I want.

Basically I thought I would ask which of the above projectiles would be most "explosive"

Does anybody have any loads for this light of a bullet in a 338 lapua.

Some data I have scrounged from the net says 104gr of H1000 with the 180 gr should get to 3400fps.

I have h1000 and RL25 powder.

Thanks

 

[sunray]

"...won't expand..." Seriously doubt expansion would be a problem for a coyote. Any .338 bullet will blow Wiley into next week. However, a Hornady 200 grain SP(or any SP) Interlock will give you, um, dramatic expansion. If they don't zip right through.
185 grain data will be close enough for a starting point. 5 grains won't make much difference.
It's a crying shame that Winchester quit making their Silvertip bullet as a component. Literally an SP with an Al cap as opposed to the current version of Silvertips. Shot a ground hog with a 220 ST out of my M1 Rifle, long ago. It blew the offside entirely out. Don't think it ever came in .338" though.

 

[P-J]

I tried a 180 gr accubond with 104 gr h-1000 and a Fed215 mag primer tonight, even though I'm as sick as a dog.

Chrono said 3427 fps, and it showed zero pressure signs. Accuracy testing will come soon.

Hodggon load site said you could load up to 106gr h-1000 with 185gr solids (solids build more pressure so for lighter lead core bullets it should be safe) so i may have room to grow.

Hope I can get it semi-accurate.... hehe

 

[superd222]

I used 200gr Hornady Interlocks on groundhogs a couple years ago from my 338 Win Mag. The results were less than spectacular. Killed the groundhogs instantly but just drilled holes in 'em - no expansion at all and no huge exit wounds either.

Nothing beats the fast 22's like the 220 Swift, 22-250 and even the 243 which really send them spinning!!!

Remember to be careful shooting these tough and heavy bullets across open fields - they can really carry...

Was fun to try but haven't used it again on groundhogs.

Good luck - SD

 

[P-J]

got all those 22's, 204's and 243's.... ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz hahaha

If these don't give me proper "expansion" I have a lathe... I will simply make some serious hollowpoints, with matched weight.

I agree though, won't waste them on gophers, this will be my coyote and badger load. As to stray bullets, I have about 7 miles worth to work with, so i should be just fine. Thanks for the concern though.

 

[notsorichguy]

"...won't expand..." Seriously doubt expansion would be a problem for a coyote. Any .338 bullet will blow Wiley into next week. However, a Hornady 200 grain SP(or any SP) Interlock will give you, um, dramatic expansion. If they don't zip right through.
185 grain data will be close enough for a starting point. 5 grains won't make much difference.
It's a crying shame that Winchester quit making their Silvertip bullet as a component. Literally an SP with an Al cap as opposed to the current version of Silvertips. Shot a ground hog with a 220 ST out of my M1 Rifle, long ago. It blew the offside entirely out. Don't think it ever came in .338" though.

They did in fact make them, 225gr.

I found a couple of hundred at a garage sale last spring. I used them as 'plinking' loads in my 338's.

Cheers!