338 lapua or???

[jasnt]

The big 30’s and 7’s will do just about anything the 338 will do till energy is factored in.   I’ve taken my 300wm out past 2000 yards.  There’s no denying the 338 energy out there.  Double the splash for spotting impacts.  Also there is less wind drift with the 338. 

And finally the op said it was just to scratch an itch.  Can’t argue with that as I’ve been there myself

[jrebel]

[/quote]

I'm thinking moose could be pushed to 600 yards this next year.  There is a huge bull that is seen every year...but just out of reach of most shooters.  I will let my son shoot 500 yards with his 300 wsm on animals, though he is a capable shooter to 800 yards.  No one has shot this moose because it is out of their effective range. .....I'm gonna change that this year.  Our 300 wsm's will kill at 600, but I want a bullet / rifle combo that will buck wind better and take a moose with authority at said ranges. 

My son proved himself to the guides this year with a 500 yard kill shot on a black bear.  Next year the big moose is gonna go down given the chance. He will be 13 next year and with any luck kill this old masher.  We have seen him in the same area three years in a row.  After we kill it, the work will begin as it is in a nasty marsh / pond area that prevents effective spot and stalk hunting.
[/quote]

Yes....the itch is real!!  This is not a rifle I will be packing or hunting with on the regular.  The two hunting applications I can see right now are moose and black bear at range.  Even with this .338 Lapua, I am not very interested at hunting at it's effective range.  I would without a doubt take a moose at 700-800 yards but thats about it.  Our 300 wsm's (multiple) are our everyday hunting rifles and they are quite accurate and capable at that range....but the energy just isn't what I want on target.  My son and I both shoot (non competition...recreationally to 1000 yards).  I would put money on his 600 yard ability over most others 300 yard ability.  I watch him consistently stack rounds on top of each other at 5 hundred yards. 

I have plenty of rifles for packing and hunting with....I don't have a big .338 yet. 

Lastly.....show me one time during the pandemic that .338 rounds / brass / loaded ammo....couldn't be found.  This was an eye opener for me.....why not add a couple .338's to my collection??  Just sounds fun too.   

[hunter399]

Just to play around and put big holes in stuff.
No problem with that.
Sounds awesome.👍
I'm a little jealous ,my shooting ability just falls apart after I go above 7mag . And I had to work a lot on that ,just the flinch,and holding that basterd still with the follow through.

[jrebel]

Well, I'm getting a little closer.  Scope has been purchased.....Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 SFP. 

Now...I'm struggling mightily with a decision.  I keep looking at the Christensen ELR which is sexy as all get out.     My hesitation....I've owned one other Christensen in a 300 WM and it was one of the most finicky rifles I have ever had to reload with.  It really put a bad flavor in my mouth.  I love the ELR and the integrated scope rail, carbon fiber barrel and muzzle brake. 

I'm torn....What do you guys say??  I can't find the weatherby accumark V which is another contender.  I'm considering the Savage 110 precision as well, but it is a little bit heavier.....with scope would weigh in at 15 lbs. 

Ohhhhh the decisions. 

[NRA4LIFE]

This moose thing sounds personal.

[jrebel]

This moose thing sounds personal.

We have had great luck with our moose hunts and have gone 3/3.....but I really want my son to drop the hammer on the big one that stays just out of reach.      I have told him numerous times he will never outdo my moose..... , though as a dad, I secretly hope he does.  I think the moose we are targeting may just do it. 

So yes....it has gotten personal.      In a fun way.   

The picture is what he has to better.  Good Luck Junior!!   

[jrebel]

Pic

[idaho guy]

Pic

 

That will be a tough one to too but I hope he does 👍

[jrebel]

Rifle inbound.  Should be here next week.   

[jrebel]

Rifle made it here and is pretty amazing...if I do say so myself.  Scope will be here tomorrow.  Bipod (Atlas) hopefully here by end of the week.  I have to mount up the seekins psr picatinny rail so the bipod will work....but then its just a matter of working the load. 

Already have a couple loads worked up....one with 285 grain hammer hunters and the other with 300 grain accubonds. 

The hammer hunters, in order to fit in the mag, have to be seated 0.2" off the lands....not overly happy with that but we will see how it shoots.  I may have to drop down to the 260 grain hammers to remedy this.  I really don't want a single feed rifle so it will be a deal breaker if they don't shoot well that far of the lands.  After doing some rough calculations....it looks like I could push the 260's at darn near 3000 fps which would still provide plenty of down range knock down power.  I'm not sure why I'm stuck on the heavies....it may be an illness.  The KE of the 300gr bullets really gets me excited.   

Already have first loads worked up and waiting.  I'll report back the results.....and add pics of the setup when it is all put together. 

[Magnum_Willys]

I’ve loaded two 338-378’s that can shoot 6” groups (zero wind) at a 1000 yards seated .300 off the lands and they aren’t finicky like my lapua is at .010 off.   Try the berger seating test and hope it shoots well at a big jump which will be more stable.  When lands wear it makes a big difference at .010 jump but nothing at .200 jump. 

[jrebel]

I’ve loaded two 338-378’s that can shoot 6” groups (zero wind) at a 1000 yards seated .300 off the lands and they aren’t finicky like my lapua is at .010 off.   Try the berger seating test and hope it shoots well at a big jump which will be more stable.  When lands wear it makes a big difference at .010 jump but nothing at .200 jump.

This is great to hear.   I had a 300 WM that liked a big jump with 212 gr ELD-X's.  Fingers crossed this gun likes that jump.....can't go much deeper or they bullet will be seated to deep in the case.  The forward most bearing surface is at the very end of the brass as it is now.....deeper than I would like, but still stable in the brass. 

[jrebel]

Made it to range today.....Two different load work ups, one shows amazing promise and the other not so much.  Came home to make a few adjustments and will be back at it next week.  Here is the readers digest version of the two: 

1.  300 grain accubonds with H1000...from the lowest powder charge to the highest, was a difference in 5 grains.  Velocities ranged from 2650 to 2810.  All rounds grouped at 1.25" at 100 yards.  I usually don't shoot at 100 yards when working a load, but the range was fairly busy and the 200 yard target was packed.  Regardless....I was super pleased with the velocities and the grouping given a 5 grain difference.  Next range day will be at 300 yards for three shot groups.

2.  285 grain hammer hunters with H1000...Not really having a great starting point, I used load data for the Barnes 285 gr TTSX.  I loaded in 1 grain increments looking for velocity and pressure signs.  The lowest powder charge only produced 2580 FPS and the bullet was keyholing.  The upper most powder charge produced 2750 and still did not show pressure signs.  I will be moving the powder charge up as I would fully expect this bullet to bush 2900 fps.  It didn't look as if any of the hammer hunters cut clean holes which is very concerning.  I suspect it is due to the velocity being low and will report back after the next range day. 

The next range day will also have 260 grain hammer hunters loaded which I feel will be superior to the 285 in this rifle.  I'm pretty sure I can also push the 260's at close to 3000 fps which will make it a toss up between the 300 accubonds and the 260 hammer hunters.  It will ultimately come down to accuracy.