338 LM Test Load Distance

[Kalashnikov]

What is the distance most shoot at to test handloads for a big .338 ? I hear that the 300SMK's take awhile to settle down. How far should I be shooting to really see how each load is performing ?

[trueblue]

300 yards should do the trick.

[RockZ]

I've been fireforming brass for my 338 lapua improved at 100yds and shooting sub1/2" 5shot groups w/300smk's. They are stabilizing very well at 100yds. I have a broughton 9.3 twist.
I then shoot at 565yds and 1000yds to check long range performance. I always do final testing at the range I want that load to perform.

[Topshot]

I have a problem getting small groups at 100 yards from my 338. But the same load shoots groups just over half MOA at 450 yards. So maybe the bullets I am using do take a bit of distance to settle down.

So given my experience, I would try between 300 and 500 yards.

[Kalashnikov]

Originally Posted by RockZ

I've been fireforming brass for my 338 lapua improved at 100yds and shooting sub1/2" 5shot groups w/300smk's. They are stabilizing very well at 100yds. I have a broughton 9.3 twist.
I then shoot at 565yds and 1000yds to check long range performance. I always do final testing at the range I want that load to perform.

So far my testing is always at 200 m, where a few of my initial loads average about 1/2 MOA. I think the gun can do better than that, and need to find the optimum distance for refining the loads.... Once I find a good load, it'll be 700 m minimum

[RockZ]

Here is a link to an interesting variation of ladder testing.
Long-Range Load Development

If you are getting good results at 200m start stretching it out and see what it will do.
Try 500m next. If good results get out to 700m+.
I think the best thing to do is get out and shoot at the range you want,
If it is a 1000yd load you want , you can get a good load at 500yds and then fine tune it at 1000yds. The vertical is the big thing at that distance.
The above link may help in the fine tuning process.

[Desert Fox]

My rifle has no problem making bughole at 110 yards with 300 SMK. Here's a couple

3 shot at 110 yards - 300 SMK/Retumbo



5 shot at the same distance - 250 SMK/Reloader 25