338 Lapua

[BGD]

I am going to buy some components and dies to reload for my 338 Lapua. Any recommendations on brass and long range hunting bullets? Any favorite powders and loads.

I will be using a RCBS rockchucker.

 

[MCMXI]

You can't go wrong with Lapua brass and H1000 powder (or Retumbo). When you say long range hunting, what sort of ranges and what type of game? I like the Barnes 265gr TTSX with its high BC and all copper construction.

Barnes has some useful load data on their website. They like Retumbo.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/338LapuaWeb.pdf

 

[BGD]

Thanks, That looks interesting. I probably wont go past 500 yards. Whitetail Deer.

 

[MCMXI]

I shot these three poppers (first round hits) at 500 yards with my .338 Lapua Mag yesterday. I zeroed the scope at 200 yards shooting over a chronograph and went right to the 500 yard line to shoot some steel. The wind was blowing hard and it was cold but I was pleased to make these hits using data that I printed out for Black Hills 250gr SMK. I came up 2.3 mils from my 200 yard zero and was shooting Remington 250gr SMK which was loaded too long for my AI magazines. It didn't shoot that well out of my AI to be honest and velocity wasn't great at around 2,850 fps. Anyway, the hits on the steel popped the paint off the back of the targets too so plenty of energy at that range. The fun part was that I could pull the trigger and recover my sight picture in time to see the target fall and then hear the thump ... great fun.

 

[jerinco]

ive been playing with hornady GMX bullets in my 300wsm. they compare to the barns triple x but its construction is 90% copper and 10% zinc making the bullet a little harder and shorter. weight retention is great with the gmx.

 

[BGD]

OH man!! that looks like great fun. I cant wait to have mine scoped and ready. I am planing on shooting from the back of my house to a field that I own 500 yards away.

 

[BGD]

Should I use Magnum primers? I think I am going to start with rutumbo powder.

 

[Craigman]

Magnum primers are a must. Use federal GMM Mag primers. They were first designed specifically for large columns on powder. As for bullets, I found 250gn Nosler partitions with a max charge of H1000 to be best. If you can find some RL-33 try that too.

 

[BGD]

Do you think the Federals are better than the Winchester? The reason I ask is that I have 1000 Winchester magnum primers and everyone is sold out of federal primers. I hope the panic buying stops soon. It tends to feed on itself and I need primers.