Precision reloading; .338 Lapua Magnum

thunderflash

thunderflash

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Wondering what kind of results have you guys been getting by playing with freebore with this calibre?
On other .30 cals. I'd have bullets slightly touching the rifling , or off by 2 to four thousandths for accuracy. The O.A.L. chamber measurment on my REM. 700 "MLR" is 3.650 touching .

(Mods, this is already in "Reloading " thought that it may get more replys here--- delete if neccessary )
 
In my experience, there is no significant change between touching the rifling and 4 thou off. I only started to play with it and I already feel like giving up. I run a Lilja 26.5 incher chambered by Mark Cobus in Ohio.
 
It's to expensive to even experiment. It sinks all my savings.So far, accuracy is nothing like other guys report. All my AR's with long barrels can run circles around my 338. I should have known better.
 
Kaiser_Sose said:
It's to expensive to even experiment. It sinks all my savings.So far, accuracy is nothing like other guys report. All my AR's with long barrels can run circles around my 338. I should have known better.
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You have a major problem if your ARs outshoot your .338LM. Most accurate rifle loads tend to be touching or very close to the lands. After that do a ladder test or use Jerrys modified ladder test to get you headed in the right direction. Use the search to find some good loads, look for a pattern in loads that others use like similar bullet weight, powder, charge...

Ivo
 
Mysticplayer - kudos!

I know this is an unabashed plug,-----------------------Jerry, took just a quick flip through your new site,& Just had to give my compliments to you on a great looking,& informative website!

What makes it even more great is the confidence of buying related products from such a knowledgeable person! -- Thanks! :rockOn:
 
thunderflash, appreciate your kind comments. As I find the time to get the 'stuff' side updated, I will focus on the tech side.

The goal is to put as much info on load tuning, shooting, and rifle building in one place.

Plus it will save me SOOOO much typing :)

The 338LM is no more, no worse to tune for accuracy. The steps are the same, just more money spent to get there.

If you can't afford this cal, there are many many other options that will fly just as well, if not better for way less money.

No one said a big block w/supercharger was going to get good gas mileage.

BUT it sure smokes those tires....

Jerry
 
You will find best accuracy with bullets either into the lands or off the lands. Trying to set OAL to just touch the lands means some will be touching and some will not and that will #### yer accuracy.

Try .010" back from the lands as it ensures no bullet will touch the lands but gives minimal jump.
 
[I didn't log in this forum for a while so excuse me for not answering so far.


Blygy said:
What rifle do you have??
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Remington. It was my last Remington I will ever buy.



ivo said:
You have a major problem if your ARs outshoot your .338LM. Most accurate rifle loads tend to be touching or very close to the lands. After that do a ladder test or use Jerrys modified ladder test to get you headed in the right direction. Use the search to find some good loads, look for a pattern in loads that others use like similar bullet weight, powder, charge...

Ivo
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Mine shoots over 2 inch groups at 100 on a good day.I tried everything my friends told me to and that includes ammo loaded by them for my chamber.
Nothing helped. ironically, one of them claimed sub-moa groups with his rifle that was build by a riflesmith I rather not mention that is a sponsor of this site. But when I saw his *real* groups at the range they were not much better than mine. I understood then 338 Lapua is a dead end. My Sako 300 winmag out of the box with no modifications shoots better at 200 y than his custom rifle does at 100. I am done with 338L as I lost enough money, patience, and time with this piece of #### caliber.

Right now I am negotiationg the sale of everything I have that is 338 related, rifle, scope mount, case, dies, and about 80 lbs of quality brass and bullets. The buyer is willing to pay what I reasonably asked so far and I will still be short thousands of dollars.
 
That's one of the good things about factory precision: some brands' warranty includes lack of accuracy (if repeatable by their own tests). Have you tried contacting the 'smith that made it for you and check if he guarantees some level of accuracy? Might save you a headache. From the many, many 338's I've seen on this site, it truly is a reliably accurate caliber.

This may sound idiotic, but check things like the torque on your action screws, scope mount and scope rings. Tightening that up already turned out to be the culprit for other rifles that I've seen both first-hand and on these boards.

Not to disparage your shooting ability, but have you considered letting someone with more experience shoot a few groups?

Hope this provides some guidance! All the best...
 
Kaiser_Sose said:
[I didn't log in this forum for a while so excuse me for not answering so far.



Remington. It was my last Remington I will ever buy.




Mine shoots over 2 inch groups at 100 on a good day.I tried everything my friends told me to and that includes ammo loaded by them for my chamber.
Nothing helped. ironically, one of them claimed sub-moa groups with his rifle that was build by a riflesmith I rather not mention that is a sponsor of this site. But when I saw his *real* groups at the range they were not much better than mine. I understood then 338 Lapua is a dead end. My Sako 300 winmag out of the box with no modifications shoots better at 200 y than his custom rifle does at 100. I am done with 338L as I lost enough money, patience, and time with this piece of s**t caliber.

Right now I am negotiationg the sale of everything I have that is 338 related, rifle, scope mount, case, dies, and about 80 lbs of quality brass and bullets. The buyer is willing to pay what I reasonably asked so far and I will still be short thousands of dollars.
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I do understand the frustration with trying to get the rifles to shoot, but sometime is got to do with how the rifles is chamber, even with the best barrel maker, is how the rifles is threaded and chamber, with regular rem700PSS, I find that the chamber are very long and loose , so tighten up the chamber will help bit times. I got several rem700PSS tighten up the chamber with match reamer, and it turn out great.
Sometime is Live and learn. Expensive doesn't mean it will shoot...
Don't spend you money the same place NEXT time, go some where else, there is plenty of great GunSmith Around!
I bet you I know who is the smith with out you naming name!
 
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