New .338 Lapua Magnum loads

[waco]

My brother and I are headed out tomorrow morning to test some new 338 LM loads. The bullets are Hornady 285gr ELD. We will be testing this bullet in new Lapua brass using Fed. 215 primers and Retumbo powder from 86-90gr. We will be shooting somewhere between 200-250 yards. I'll let you know tomorrow.

These are loads we will be shooting 30"x32" AR500 steel targets with at 1760-2000 yards this spring and summer. I have high hopes for this bullet with it's new and improved "heat shield" tip. We have had good results in the past using 300gr Nosler Custom Competition bullets @ 2700fps using H1000

Anyway. Here is a couple pics of the rounds and the rifle.
Waco

 

[waco]

 

[freebullet]

Very impressive work you've done with that already. Very much enjoyed your previous write up.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Son out in AZ has one of these rifles. What Fun !
I will follow this with much interest !

 

[Chris]

Waco, you ever think about hunting with this rifle? There must be a special club for guys who kill game at 1000+ yards. I noticed recently that there is an outfit in Montana that makes VLD-type projectiles that expand at long distance.

 

[Brad]

I want to see some 100 yard groups with cast.

 

[Ian]

And not any 10 gr. Unique loads, either

If he had a custom mould, or a custom sizer die and a standard mould, he could paper patch and shoot them just like j-bullets. Just sayin'.....

 

[Brad]

It would take more than 10 gr of Unique in that case!

With a case ful of 870 he could do a lot. And pretty cheap.

 

[Missionary]

I think our son is running 860 and enjoying at all.

 

[fiver]

my BIL doesn't reload and just bought one of these.
I asked him if he looked at the ammo shelf before he pulled out the checkbook.
he called me back about 10 minutes later,,,,, no I don't load for the 338 is how I answered the phone.

 

[waco]

I looked at those 285gr ELD Hornady factory loads at Cabela's. $99 for 20 rounds.

 

[waco]

Nothing special by any means but close to 1 MOA groups at 200 yards. Lying prone in the back of my pick up shooting off a bipod. Velocities ran from 2690 ft./s 2730 ft./s
86-88gr Retumbo under a 285gr Hornady ELD.

 

[waco]

Waco, you ever think about hunting with this rifle?

Not with this scope. Oregon does not allow hunting game with a scope that has an illuminated reticle.

 

[waco]

I want to see some 100 yard groups with cast.

Not gonna happen. Not going to bother with cast in this one. Long range 1000 yard + J word rifle.

 

[waco]

I need a new prescription for my glasses. I had a hard time seeing everything today. I don't think my check weld was the same shot to shot either.
In the first pic you can see some patterns that might have been a very nice group had I did my part. This was the 88gr load. Recoil was surprisingly mild.

 

[Chris]

I looked at those 285gr ELD Hornady factory loads at Cabela's. $99 for 20 rounds.

Waco, here's a write up on those bullets. They are expressly for long range hunting. They look cool but expensive.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Rocky+Mountain+Bullet+Test+Fire.html

Here's the manufacturer website. In case you ever change scopes...

https://rmbullets.com

 

[freebullet]

Not bad at all for the first test with those bullets, waco.

I can't help but wonder what the recoil impulse is comparable to.

 

[waco]

I can't help but wonder what the recoil impulse is comparable to.

With these 285gr bullets it's really not bad. 30-06 maybe? It has a very effective muzzle brake and it weighs 16lbs.

 

[freebullet]

Nice! Weight is definitely our friend with a beastly caliber.

A friend with a 300wb, I won't shoot it because it only weighs 8lb & is very punishing to shoot. He asked what I'd do. Told him, install a Sims pad, then add 10-15lb to the rifle. Also mentioned reduced cast loads, but he wants to be long ranger.

After not taking the advice he got scope eye pretty good. It drew blood. Hasn't shot it since that I'm aware. I offered to buy it.

Thanks for sharing!