.338 LM Load Help

[Arbogb06]

Thanks for the added insight. I have a chrono ordered that will be here before the weekend. I will try this method as to it should directly point to if the powder is hotter or not. Never really thought about this method but it makes the most sense and will clearly show if the powder is hotter or not.


I have not checked the optics but had my gunsmith mount them and he also used some type of blue loctite or something on the rail, rings, etc.

Thank again guys I really do appreciate the replies.

Brandon

[snowpro440]

Brandon , You might want to check the rail , as I have the same gun and have had the same problem , I loaded some test rounds then went to the range a found 2 loads that shot good . I loaded 50 rounds of the better load then went back to the range only to find that my load shot worse and my rail has come loose. Went back again after locktite aplied to find that load is way worse than all the rest that I shot before. I had to start all over again.If you dont lock it down on those big guns it will come loose. Fingernail polish works great too for the things you need to take apart at a later date because locktite seems to be permanent on small screws, even the removable kind. I bought the 8lb jugs of H1000 so that things wouldnt change once I found the right combination because those magnums sure can eat some powder.I have tried the berger 300 OTM with no success . I ended up with the 300SMK's @91.8 of h-1000 215M and 2 thou. into the lands. Good luck and let us know how it shoots then when you get it up an running.

[Broz]

Originally Posted by Arbogb06

Broz I noticed you said you bought 48lbs of the same lot. This may be a dumb question but how? Is there a specific retailer or store where you can ask for all the same lot? I bought the powder I am using from Powder Valley. Would they be able to do this and give me several bottles of the same lot?

Thanks,

Brandon

Powder Valley is where I usually buy my powder. That order was six eight pound jugs. They will charge a hasmat fee but I think it will cover up to 50 lbs. Just ask them how much they have of the same lot and they will fix you up.

Jeff

[Arbogb06]

Originally Posted by Broz

Powder Valley is where I usually buy my powder. That order was six eight pound jugs. They will charge a hasmat fee but I think it will cover up to 50 lbs. Just ask them how much they have of the same lot and they will fix you up.

Jeff

Jeff,

Sounds good. I will definitely be doing this next time. Any idea on shelf life of H-1000 or Retumbo? (Stored properly; no moisture, room temperature)

Thanks,

Brandon

[Broz]

Originally Posted by Arbogb06

Jeff,

Sounds good. I will definitely be doing this next time. Any idea on shelf life of H-1000 or Retumbo? (Stored properly; no moisture, room temperature)

Thanks,

Brandon

Keep it cool and dry, out of the sun and it will store for years. Especially containers with the seal not broken. If a large open container is going to last you over a year, you can take the lid to an auto parts store and get an "O" ring that just fits in the lid. Then you will have a sealed container again. Mine does not last that long..

Jeff

[Arbogb06]

Gentleman,

Just an update. Everything was snug on the gun. Once I checked out my bullets I noticed they were in an orange Berger box and not the yellow box. For some reason I was sent the 300 grain Hunting bullets and not the 300 grain otm hybrid bullets (not sure if this was my fault or retailers fault). Although both have the same BC they DO NOT shoot them same at all. I just got in the 300 grain OTM's friday and shot the gun yesterday and the gun is back to 0.50 MOA using 91.5 grains of Retumbo (powder seems a little hotter than prior batch). I tried the H-1000 again with no luck. I guess for some reason the gun likes the retumbo better.

Aslo, prior to shooting the gun this weekend I used some JB Bore Paste on the barrel and go all copper fouling and residue out since a few suggested this could be a problem as well.

I did just accompany the gun with a Ross Schuler muzzle brake and the gun now has minimal recoil for a .338. This brake was leaps and bounds better in terms of recoil over the stock brake. Someone on here suggested this and I feel as though this was the best $60.00 I ever spent for this gun.

Thanks again for all the help,

Brandon