The .338 Rogue

[Pdvdh]

I don't have details on powder charges and MV. My opinion is there won't be much difference between the 37* shoulder Rogue and the other 40* shoulder improved versions of the 338 Lapua, or the Allen Express. To the point I've been collecting others' load data in 338 LAI 40-degree designs as a roadmap for my own load development. The 338 Lapua case can only be blown out so far, to a minimum body taper that still allows for reliable extraction of fired cases from the rifle chamber. I could have pushed that to the very maximum and gained a bit more internal case volume.

Reliable/functional body taper and shoulder angle were both considered because I will hunt brown bear with this rifle on Kodiak Island. Reliable cartridge feeding from the magazine, and reliable fired case extraction were both prioritized over and above obtaining an additional 25 fps MV. The case is still a very substantially "improved". The 37* shoulder angle is less common than 40* 338 LAI shoulders - I think. I could have gone either way on that. The 37* shoulder may chamber from the magazine a little less fussy than a 40* shoulder, but I doubt a guy would ever notice the difference in function. I'll try to post a copy of my chamber reamer specifications this evening.

I don't intend to engage brown bear from 20yds, but this improved version of the 338 Lapua was selected to enhance reliability in cartridge feed and case extraction. I'll be confirming reliability on both counts prior to carrying the rifle on Kodiak bear hunts.

 

[Pdvdh]

My .338 Lapua 37* Rogue chamber reamer specification sheet.

A 40* shoulder .338 Lapua Improved chamber reamer spec sheet for comparison. This one prepared for Speedy.

And one additional 40* shoulder .338 Lapua Improved chamber reamer spec sheet, for comparison. This one for Nathan Dagley, with bare minimum body taper. This case shoulder is expanded to the max, 0.007" larger in diameter at the shoulder than mine.

 

[Larry87]

Thanks man. I am looking at a 29 ish to 30" 5r barrel to get the magical 3000fps with a 300 grain berger. Thanks for the specs on the reamers I was trying to get them from PTG bur haven't received them yet.

 

[Pdvdh]

Shooting HBN coated bullets from a nitrided barrel, I'll be surprised if I don't reach 3,000fps with this 28" barrel. But every inch of barrel helps. I compromised at 28" in an effort to keep it tolerable for backpack hunting.

 

[Timber338]

Great to see the differences in cartridge dimensions. You really did your homework on this round.

Do you have an estimate for how much your rifle is going to weigh? have you chosen a scope you're going to use for the setup? I'm probably asking too many questions that I'm sure you'll post up in a thread once the rifle is built...

 

[Timber338]

Also, I think you are really going to like RL33. It was a little finicky for me at first, but I really have it dialed in with my 338 RUM shooting 300 grain bullets. Temp sensitivity has tested out to right around .87 fps/deg, proven not only with my magnetospeed but at long range too. Will be very interested to hear how this powder works for you in this Rogue cartridge.

 

[Pdvdh]

Great to see the differences in cartridge dimensions. You really did your homework on this round.

Do you have an estimate for how much your rifle is going to weigh? have you chosen a scope you're going to use for the setup? I'm probably asking too many questions that I'm sure you'll post up in a thread once the rifle is built...

I was planning for around 10lbs (including scope mounted) as I went thru the process of totaling the weights of the various components. As for a rifle scope, I'm waiting for some additional feedback on the new Vortex Razor HD LH in 3-15x42. If I mount that scope on it, I'll be under 10lbs pretty easy. Maybe similar to your 338 RUM.

This will be "proof" rifle on the durability of that scope. This Vortex model has a limited span of vertical turret adjustment, but with a 20moa rail, I think it will work. I'm not typically exposed to extreme/extended long range hunting opportunities where I hunt. The possibility is there, but not at all common. Typically < 1,000 yds for the majority of setups.

I have a 3.5-18x44mm Swaro Z5 on my 30/375 S.I. So another option is to mount that scope on this 338 Rogue and then put the Vortex on the 30/375. But they both have about the same vertical adjustment range.

Whatever I do, the scope weight will not exceed 22-24oz. I have had some 30oz scopes in the past and they destroy the balance of 7-9lb rifles. Set the rifle on the rest and next thing ya know, the scope is upside down! under the rifle...

 

[Pdvdh]

Also, I think you are really going to like RL33. It was a little finicky for me at first, but I really have it dialed in with my 338 RUM shooting 300 grain bullets. Temp sensitivity has tested out to right around .87 fps/deg, proven not only with my magnetospeed but at long range too. Will be very interested to hear how this powder works for you in this Rogue cartridge.

Thanks for the temp/MV rate information on RL33. There's not a lot of temperature rate info posted with this powder online. I currently use it in my 30/375. My experiences to date in that cartridge is a little less than your 0.87 fps/deg, but that's without rigorous testing. What you report is certainly in the ballpark of what some others post, based on their experiences. My case capacity is similar to your 338 RUM so I'll be expecting a very similar ratio.

RL33 is advertised as a 338 Lapua powder. I already own it and will start load development with it.

 

[Timber338]

As for a rifle scope, I'm waiting for some additional feedback on the new Vortex Razor HD LH in 3-15x42.



Whatever I do, the scope weight will not exceed 22-24oz. I have had some 30oz scopes in the past and they destroy the balance of 7-9lb rifles. Set the rifle on the rest and next thing ya know, the scope is upside down! under the rifle...

A buddy of mine is getting his hands on the HD LH next week, and I have helped put his new 300 win mag together. So I will get a chance very soon to look through this scope when we finally get his rifle up and running. I personally have very high hopes and expectations for this scope... I really think its going to be a winner. I will pass along any feedback once I've had a chance to compare the scope side by side to my other scopes.

I agree that a heavy scope is awful on a lighter weight rifle. I am toying around with the idea of the new AMG on my 338 RUM, but the weight really scares me. Over the next year I might very well own both the AMG and the HD LH, and we'll just have to see which scope goes on which rifle.

 

[Pdvdh]

A buddy of mine is getting his hands on the HD LH next week, and I have helped put his new 300 win mag together. So I will get a chance very soon to look through this scope when we finally get his rifle up and running. I personally have very high hopes and expectations for this scope... I really think its going to be a winner. I will pass along any feedback once I've had a chance to compare the scope side by side to my other scopes.

Thanks. I'll need to be selecting a scope soon, so you're comments on this scope will help me decide. Especially if you compare the glass side-by-side to your VX-6.

 

[Bully]

Tag

 

[Larry87]

Nice.
This is the 338 Lapua, improved with a 37-degree shoulder. With a 28" Bartlein barrel, I expect ~2975fps with 300gr bullets. Maybe 3000 with nitrided barrel and HBN coated bullets. Shortgrass isn't doing load development for me, so he can't answer some of these questions.

Push come to shove can a standard lapua be fired from the Rogue chamber like the ackley. I don't see too much difference just want to make sure because I have a rogue reamer on order right now.

 

[Pdvdh]

Yes sir. That's the intention. My gunsmith had to cut my chamber about 0.004" shorter headspace than the Go-Gauge for Lapua brand .338 casings. But he also had some Hornady .338 Lapua casings and they were perfect when he set the headspace using the Go-Gauge from PT&G. A slight crush fit while closing the bolt.

So - My gunsmith was astute enough to ensure I could fireform factory cases when he cut the chamber, such that the bolt would close with firm resistance against the shoulder. The new Hornady cases shortgrass tested were 0.004" longer from case head to their shoulder than the Lapua brand cases I'll be using. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Iron Worker]

Let me be clear a nitrided barrel and HBN coated bullets will have minimal impact on the ozone layer,greenhouse gases and the melting of the polar ice caps.