
Reloading for that 338 Lapua is similar to reloading for just about any other cartridge, but certain exceptions are available. Just like any reloading information you discover on the web, you assume your personal risk. Make use of your mind along with a couple of reloading manuals.
The Very Best Hunting Bullets for that 338 Lapua Mag
The majority of the bullets in .338 be more effective suited to the speeds from the 338 Winchester Magnum, 338-06, or 338 Federal and could fragment if pressed through the 338 Lapua Magnum and impact game at close range. Only for comparison’s sake, the 338 Federal will be sending a 215 grn bullet out at 2500 fps, the 338-06 is going to do 2600, and also the 338 Win Mag is going to do 2800fps as the Lapua will be sending it lower field at 3200fps. That’s a reasonably large difference, and because of the relative recognition, you’re likely to find more bullets created for individuals other models than you'll for 338 Lapua speeds. Impacting at above 3000 fps could be a bit tricky for the standard bullet, which means you’ll want to use a glued, copper, or any other premium built bullet for this to remain together should you go and among the lighter bullets. You should be careful you’re not utilizing a match bullet for hunting. Many will expand, but performance on game isn't as controlled as it will likely be having a purpose built hunting bullet. Here are the bullet options available for that 338 Lapua. I’ve only lised bullets above 220 grains because the lighter ones make smarter short range bullets which cartridge is actually built a lot longer distances. I’ve also skipped some of those with really poor B.C. for the similar reason. Note: in case your barrel twist is slower than 1:10, consider among the 250 grain bullets rather from the longer 300’s since you might encounter stability problems.
Barnes makes numerous copper bullets that will have the desired effect for hunting using the 338 Lapua including:
225 grain bullets in MRX, TSX, or TTSX, 250 grain TSX and TTSX, 285 grain TSX and 285 grain TAC-X BT. I discovered the &"M/LE&" designation around the TAC-X bullets a little odd, when i really don’t understand why police force would ever make use of a 338 Lapua on the 308 for that distances they require, but whatever. In almost any situation, they’re among the couple of heavier bullets in 338 still appropriate for hunting.
Nosler’s 250 grain AccuBond may be the only bullet which i’d run with for hunting, they also possess a 250 grain partition in the event that’s your speed. There is a new 300 grain AB which i’d like to try, however it’s a little challenging where I shop at this time.
Sierra’s 250 grain GameKing will be a great traditional option. They likewise have a 215 grain bullet, however i wouldn’t think it’d be ideal because of the speeds the 338 Lapua can establish. Lots of lengthy range hunters prefer to use their 300 grain SMK for hunting, but Sierra doesn't recommend this bullet for hunting. Many people have were not impressed with poor expansion once they impact game at extreme ranges and occasional velocity, as well as the number of individuals who are while using 300 SMK for hunting, it’s a little minority. The Lapua inside a 300 grain bullet produces a lot of power so any bullet which hits bone, fragments, or expands can do plenty of damage.
Hornady includes a traditional 250 grain BTHP. They likewise have a 285 grain BTHP however it’s created for match, not hunting. Their 225 grain interbond might survive impact well because of the glued jacket. Their 225 grain SST may not, however your mileage can vary.
Speer’s Grand Slam is available in a 250 grain package that’d get the job done.
Berger includes a 250 along with a 300 grain &"Match Hybrid OTM Tactical&" (how’s that for any mouthful?) that appear to be to become the best really lengthy range bullets for that 338 Lapua. Such as the 300 SMK from Sierra, it’s not strictly created for hunting, but it'll likely expand and do damage in many situations. Plenty of hunters on LongRangeHunting.com have experienced positive results with the 250 and also the 300 grain bullets.
Lapua includes a 250 and 300 grain Scenar bullet, though there has been comments the jacket is simply too strong which the bullets frequently neglect to expand or do much else except blueberry or pinhole through similar to an FMJ.
Here is a table showing 338 Lapua bullets and evaluating mentioned G1 Ballistic Coefficients, weights, and designs.
338 Lapua Situation Trim Length
Additional problems you might stumble upon is disparity with what the max period of cases ought to be. From studying on the couple of forums in addition to knowledge about my Savage 111 Lengthy Range Hunter in 338 Lapua. it appears the Savage chambers are cut a little tight. There's two official situation trim lengths provided there plus an unofficial best practice length. LEE recommends a max situation period of 2.726″ while Lyman and Nosler say 2.724″. You might want to trim much sooner as some people that use the Savage 338 Lapua’s have observed jamming at beyond 2.720″. Personally, i experienced ruthless signs within my Savage whenever the trim length got above 2.72″. Around the plus side, the tighter chambers around the Savage means longer brass existence and potentially better precision. Personally, I trim to 2.714 &" utilizing a Lee hands trimmer.
The Very Best Powders to make use of with 338 Lapua
Probably the most generally used powders with 338 Lapua are slow burners like Retumbo, H1000, and US869. At 250-300 grain bullets, Retumbo appears is the right one to begin with. There are more powders that might be great within the 338 Lapua, like Ramshot Magnum plus some Vihtavuori powders, however they’re a little difficult to get in my parts.
Press Factors
Nothing special needed here. The 338 Lapua Magnum could be reloaded in virtually any standard press. Below, I've pictures of the 338 Lapua inside a LEE Challenger and LEE Turret Press Classic Cast to compare. As you can tell in the images, they’re both all right.
Reloading Dies for that 338 Lapua Magnum
Reloading dies for that 338 Lapua are available, but it's really a bit difficult to find them available anywhere. A scour of all of the largest hunting equipment suppliers within Edmonton switched up dry for me personally, so I needed to catalog shopping my dies. Here’s things i may find available:
Complete Dies/die kits having a complete resizer and bullet seater can be found from LEE, RCBS, Redding and Lyman.
Neck sizing dies can be found from a number of manufacturers, but regularly priced bushing and collet neck dies aren't actually available. LEE can produce a collet neck die for you personally, however it’ll be custom with different 50BMG body and price is going to be greater. Redding includes a great bushing die, however the cost can also be pretty high. Should you trim cases while using LEE system, you’ll have to order their pilot in the factory too, however that’s relatively affordable.
Brass Cases for that 338 Lapua
There’s really 1 name around to find the best 338 brass: Lapua. Hornady and Nosler stuff is offered, and you can always employ fired Federal or Senate bill, however, you’ll be selling yourself short. The Lapua brass is more powerful, more uniform, and can ultimately keep going longer. When the $300 for 100 cases is simply too steep for you personally, try to look for a resource of once fired military Lapua brass. Don't make use of another makes of brass.
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I help you didn’t range from the 300gr Lapua Scenar bullet. Maybe they weren’t available during the time of this writing? I just read the G7 BC is near to SMK’s and Berger’s Match OTM Hybrid (Berger at .419 and yet another two around .390). Since I Have can’t find any SMKs or Bergers, I purchased some to test. With my Bergers, I shoot mainly target to 600yd. Since I Have had great outcomes with my Match OTM Hybrid Bergers, I’ll compare the precision using the Lapua bullets.
BTW, good review around the 338 Lapua round. I discovered the Hodgdon H1000 powder is the most consistent and accurate with my 300gr Berger Hybrids. Also, it’s true concerning the situation lengths and also the tight chambers (I've the Savage 110FCP-HS). The max situation length is printed at 2.724″ but new Lapua brass is available in already more than 2.714″ and measured most nearer to the two.724″. After 2 firings, my brass is calculating at 2.724″-2.734″. I've had 1 stuck situation (easily removed having a wood dowel fishing rod) and many resistive extractions. This motivated me to begin annealing and buy situation trimming equipment. To help keep my costs lower and also the die availabilty issue, I personally use a mixture of the dies (RCBS Competition seater, RCBS trim, Redding bushing neck sizer, and Redding body sizer). The only real lower-sides are: 1) the RCBS seater because it’s involving the bullet tip for length, rather from the ogive 2) the RCBS trim die is placed to two.724″. Any recommendations or insight could be greatly appreciated. Bob Dark night (Kamikaze) kudoo1@sbcglobal.internet
I didn’t possess the Scenars inside since i haven’t seen hide nor hair of these around here and that i didn’t know of the 300 grain option. Is the fact that one pretty new? I didn’t finish up getting fantastic results using the 300grn Bergers, and am now testing out many others, most likely the 300 Scenar is the fact that next someone to try.
The brass at 2.734″ is frightening since the chamber will pinch the brass in the neck in to the bullet and provide you with much more pressure. I’m utilizing a modified LEE pilot to obtain my COAL to two.714, unsure how you can accomplish this using the RCBS trimming system. Tell me the way you write out.
David Real Blanchet
Great info, I’ve got an HS precision custom made 338 and that i’ve had have fun with the Barnes copper bullets. I’m likely to consider the Berger hybrids now though
What sort of speeds/precision have you manage using the Barnes? I suppose you had been while using 285’s? I didn’t get fantastic precision from mine, however it might have been which i didn’t try the best powder in my rifle.
You need to trim the brass after re-size then after firing make use of a neck sizing die only this prolong your brass within the Lapua.
2.714″ Brass length for 338 Lapua
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