- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Recently acquired a pre-owned Ruger Hawkeye stainless laminate 338 Winchester Magnum. It's equipped with a muzzle brake and has been glass-bedded. I installed a Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 1.75-5x32mm scope (a great scope for only about $200) in low height rings and gave it a try at the range.
Two issues: the muzzle blast firing 250gr factory loads that probably contain around 75grs of powder is huge! Never saw a need for muzzle brakes but it was already on. The second issue is the Hawkeye trigger which is really something else to try to use for accurate shooting.
It just so happens that I have a fine quality very crisp 2.5 lb pull Jard trigger for a Ruger rifle that I used to own, and installed it in this rifle. Much better! To reduce the muzzle blast I thought I would follow the load data in the 3rd edition of the Hornady Handbook using IMR4064 because a lot less is required compared to typical slow burn rate powders.
I used 57grs with Hornady 250gr SP-RP bullets (safe in my rifle only) which is about a 30% reduction compared to factory loads. Muzzle speed is down by about 200 fps but the muzzle blast is significantly less.
Check out the 3 shot group off the bench rest at 100 yards.
Two issues: the muzzle blast firing 250gr factory loads that probably contain around 75grs of powder is huge! Never saw a need for muzzle brakes but it was already on. The second issue is the Hawkeye trigger which is really something else to try to use for accurate shooting.
It just so happens that I have a fine quality very crisp 2.5 lb pull Jard trigger for a Ruger rifle that I used to own, and installed it in this rifle. Much better! To reduce the muzzle blast I thought I would follow the load data in the 3rd edition of the Hornady Handbook using IMR4064 because a lot less is required compared to typical slow burn rate powders.
I used 57grs with Hornady 250gr SP-RP bullets (safe in my rifle only) which is about a 30% reduction compared to factory loads. Muzzle speed is down by about 200 fps but the muzzle blast is significantly less.
Check out the 3 shot group off the bench rest at 100 yards.
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