Has anyone tried H50BMG powder for .338LM?
- Thread starter gnosis
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Gnosis,
Loaded some with H50 today and am hoping to get to range tomorrow afternoon. I think it should work good for me I'm running a 32" tube so lots of room for that powder to burn.. I will post load data and range results.
Loaded some with H50 today and am hoping to get to range tomorrow afternoon. I think it should work good for me I'm running a 32" tube so lots of room for that powder to burn.. I will post load data and range results.
Last edited:
personal_aviator
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- Onterrible
US869 Is a listed powder for the 338LM in my Sierra book and if i`m not mistaken, the burn rate chart in the book lists US869 at the bottom ( slowest ) of the list, just under H50BMG. I dont see why it would not be doable, although I have not heard of it being used yet.
I use 101.5gr of US869 in my rifle to push the 300gr SMK or 97gr of H50 to push the same round. These weights seem to be the sweet spot for the rifle. Both burn well all year. I find the 869 leaves less build up on my brake after a days worth of shooting and sounds different as well? My speeds are roughly the same but the H50 was on average faster (don't have the best chrony). At 100 yards the H50 hit 3/8" higher than the 869. I stuck with the 869 just to have 1 powder for my 50 and 338 reloads. Both seem to have the same affect regarding how many times I reload my casings. I am up to 9 reloads per lapua casing so far.
You don't want the 869 but I will take it!
I averaged a speed of 2656.9fps with the 869 and an average of 2713.6fps with h50 mind you that these are not the hottest loads in my rifle. I just start seeing the primers flattening at 104+gr of us869 and 99+gr of h50.
Finally made it to the range. Made it up to 94.5gr H50BMG MV of 2785 with a 300gr Berger. Was getting close to half moa at 200 yards rifle is capable of better. Just finished loading up too 97 gr and hope to test tomorrow. Will post results then. I think I can pull some more speed and accuracy out of it. 32 inch tube 3.85 C.O.A.L
US869 is slower burning than 50BMG so 50BMG should work well. US869 shot great in my RUM but I had big swings in velocity with changes in temperature. (with a 300-SMK)
I'm now working with H-1000 now but it seems too fast as I was running 99 grains of US869 and now 89 grains with H-1000. I think Hodgdon has pooched H-1000 as it has become hotter over the last couple of years. Might have to try Retumbo or 50BMG.
I'm now working with H-1000 now but it seems too fast as I was running 99 grains of US869 and now 89 grains with H-1000. I think Hodgdon has pooched H-1000 as it has become hotter over the last couple of years. Might have to try Retumbo or 50BMG.
Well, I finally had a chance to get my new 110 BA to the range and shoot a couple rounds. Very impressed with the lack of recoil this set up has. So the point of this thread was for h50 experience loading 338LM. I only shot 5 strings, with 1 gn increments starting at 93 working up to 97 where I tried one 97 at same coal and the second 97 with a .015 lengthening. My first group wasn't impressive ( although not bad for first time shootiong this cal.- they came in at just over an inch even with me letting an older onlooking gentleman have the 5 th shot in the string). The second string however did show promise with the first shot low but the next 4 went into a tidy verticle string measuring .640 OTO.
I'm not sure how to place the pic on here (from my iPad) so I guess that's my next challenge. The best string had a velocity deviation of 26fps over the best 4 shots, but is not what I am looking for ( ave 2540 fps). Going to go load some Rl 25 for load development now. Thanks for your input, I'll keep you posted- gnosis out.
I'm not sure how to place the pic on here (from my iPad) so I guess that's my next challenge. The best string had a velocity deviation of 26fps over the best 4 shots, but is not what I am looking for ( ave 2540 fps). Going to go load some Rl 25 for load development now. Thanks for your input, I'll keep you posted- gnosis out.
