338 375 ruger build

[jasnt]

That looks great!

Have you had a chance to try any of the 8x68 brass yet? I finished testing both the Norma and RWS cases in my 338/375 pistol and decided that there's no practical difference between the two. Since the Norma brass is so cheap right now I'd just stick with that instead of using the Hornady as long as you can extract and eject it in your action. It works in my Savage since the pistol is a single shot. I wouldn't trust it to work in a repeater though since the extractor lets go of the case before it clears the chamber.

waiting on a shell holder.  Formed 10 peace’s but trying to prime with my rcbs #4 is a nightmare!  They extract just fine from the action.    Hornady brass is getting a touch loose in the pockets. Noticed to day priming was a bit easier than last batch.

[yorketransport]

A 44 Mag shell holder works perfect.

[jasnt]

A 44 Mag shell holder works perfect.

i sure wish I had figured that out sooner lol. I have 2 of those

[Jason]

Jasen, Any update on this project? How’s the load development?

[jasnt]

Jasen, Any update on this project? How’s the load development?

it went great.  I’m running the fire formed Norma brass, h1000, 250gr berger at 3025 fps. Got almost 600 rounds through it now. Im single feeding.  Shoots .2-.4 depending on me mainly. I’ve taken it out to 2200 yards with hits on moa-1 1/2 moa size rocks. It has quickly become my favorite rifle.

[Jason]

Jasen, Any update on this project? How’s the load development?

it went great.  I’m running the fire formed Norma brass, h1000, 250gr berger at 3025 fps. Got almost 600 rounds through it now. Im single feeding.  Shoots .2-.4 depending on me mainly. I’ve taken it out to 2200 yards with hits on moa-1 1/2 moa size rocks. It has quickly become my favorite rifle.

That is grouping great! Velocity is better than I expected. What’s your coal with the 250gr Berger’s? Single feeding, must be to long for your mag?

[jasnt]

3.750  if I remember correctly. Yes too long for mag though I do have a good repeater load I can use for hunting if I choose to.   This McGowen barrel is very fast
Not half bad for a hand reamed barrel

[Jason]

3.750  if I remember correctly. Yes too long for mag though I do have a good repeater load I can use for hunting if I choose to.   This McGowen barrel is very fast
Not half bad for a hand reamed barrel

I’m working on building a Savage for the same cartridge. I just picked up a HS Precision 129 stock for it. I also just recently (yesterday) bought a new stainless X-caliber factory contoured barrel blank, 1-9 twist .800 at muzzle, should finish at 27”. Not sure if I’ll use this barrel for this build or not, but I picked it up for $140 shipped, to good of price to pass up. Depending on how I like this cartridge I may use this barrel to build a lighter setup for hunting.

[jasnt]

3.750  if I remember correctly. Yes too long for mag though I do have a good repeater load I can use for hunting if I choose to.   This McGowen barrel is very fast
Not half bad for a hand reamed barrel

I’m working on building a Savage for the same cartridge. I just picked up a HS Precision 129 stock for it. I also just recently (yesterday) bought a new stainless X-caliber factory contoured barrel blank, 1-9 twist .800 at muzzle, should finish at 27”. Not sure if I’ll use this barrel for this build or not, but I picked it up for $140 shipped, to good of price to pass up. Depending on how I like this cartridge I may use this barrel to build a lighter setup for hunting.

i reamed my chamber .025” deeper than standard. I gained about 4% capacity but also I don’t need to trim the Norma or RWS brass to fire form. I can trim afterwards and loose as little brass as possible. I’m trimming my brass at 2.605”

[Crunchy]

3.750  if I remember correctly. Yes too long for mag though I do have a good repeater load I can use for hunting if I choose to.   This McGowen barrel is very fast
Not half bad for a hand reamed barrel

I’m working on building a Savage for the same cartridge. I just picked up a HS Precision 129 stock for it. I also just recently (yesterday) bought a new stainless X-caliber factory contoured barrel blank, 1-9 twist .800 at muzzle, should finish at 27”. Not sure if I’ll use this barrel for this build or not, but I picked it up for $140 shipped, to good of price to pass up. Depending on how I like this cartridge I may use this barrel to build a lighter setup for hunting.

i reamed my chamber .025” deeper than standard. I gained about 4% capacity but also I don’t need to trim the Norma or RWS brass to fire form. I can trim afterwards and loose as little brass as possible. I’m trimming my brass at 2.605”

Do you always trim when you get to max length and trim to book spec min?

[Jason]

How was the Hornady brass?

[jasnt]

3.750  if I remember correctly. Yes too long for mag though I do have a good repeater load I can use for hunting if I choose to.   This McGowen barrel is very fast
Not half bad for a hand reamed barrel

I’m working on building a Savage for the same cartridge. I just picked up a HS Precision 129 stock for it. I also just recently (yesterday) bought a new stainless X-caliber factory contoured barrel blank, 1-9 twist .800 at muzzle, should finish at 27”. Not sure if I’ll use this barrel for this build or not, but I picked it up for $140 shipped, to good of price to pass up. Depending on how I like this cartridge I may use this barrel to build a lighter setup for hunting.

i reamed my chamber .025” deeper than standard. I gained about 4% capacity but also I don’t need to trim the Norma or RWS brass to fire form. I can trim afterwards and loose as little brass as possible. I’m trimming my brass at 2.605”

Do you always trim when you get to max length and trim to book spec min?

no I trim to .010” short of maximum brass length of my chamber if possible or as short as needed to get them all the same


The hornady brass was ok but no where as strong as the Norma.  If your not pushing it hard trying to reach out as far as you can dial the hornady brass would be fine imo.  It’s soft but wasn’t horrible.  My repeater load is with hornady brass at 2990 with the 250gr elite hunters.

[jasnt]

Rumor has it that ADG is planning to make 300PRC brass. If so you could run that and neck up to 338 in one pass and load with no fire forming needed. With my long chamber I would still need to fire  form and would end up with a shorter neck.

[yorketransport]

How was the Hornady brass?

I like the Hornady brass just because there's no forming necessary, just run the 375 Ruger brass into a 338 RCM die and you're good to go. I've spent so much time forming brass lately that I'm starting to get lazy. My cases have all held up for at least 6 loads so I feel like I'm getting my money's worth out of them.

[Dan-o]

Jasen, Any update on this project? How’s the load development?

it went great.  I’m running the fire formed Norma brass, h1000, 250gr berger at 3025 fps. Got almost 600 rounds through it now. Im single feeding.  Shoots .2-.4 depending on me mainly. I’ve taken it out to 2200 yards with hits on moa-1 1/2 moa size rocks. It has quickly become my favorite rifle.

Wow.....    That is truly impressive!