Kalashnikov
Well-Known Member
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 ?
338 LM Test Load Distance
- Thread starter Kalashnikov
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
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.
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.
Last edited:
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.
So given my experience, I would try between 300 and 500 yards.
Kalashnikov
Well-Known Member
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
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.
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
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2002
- Messages
- 439
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
3 shot at 110 yards - 300 SMK/Retumbo
5 shot at the same distance - 250 SMK/Reloader 25
Kevin Thomas
Well-Known Member
Sierra does all their testing of this bullet at 200 yds, and they generally shoot quite well at that distance. But, as several others here have already alluded to, you need to do your testing at whatever range you want to use the bullet. Sierra does almost allof tehir testing at 200 yards, sort of a default distance. For load development, howver, just because a load shoots well at 200 yards, doesn't necessarily mean it'll shoot well at 700, 800 or 1,000 yards, etc.. This is common knowledge to most Long Range competitors, and a real pain when one doesn't have reliable access to a range that handles these distances (like here in MO, for example!) Do your inital workups at the shorter distances to weed out those that are obvious flops, but take the time to shoot the better candidates at the longer lines you actually want to reach in the field. Only way to know for sure.
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
remingtonman_25_06
Well-Known Member
When I worked up loads with the 300g smk using 92g and 93 h-1000,cci mag primer, standard 338 EDGE load, initial testing was done at a lowly 100 yards. I was getting .3"-.5" 3 shot groups at 100 yards with both loads, but the 92g had better vertical and ES, so I went with it at 2840fps, the 93g load was giving me 2870fps. The last 3 shot group I fired with that load (92g) at 800 yards was 5" laying prone w/bipod.
100 yards worked for me. May not work for you.
100 yards worked for me. May not work for you.
Desert Fox
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2002
- Messages
- 439
Fox,
I'm using Retumbo as well with the 300smk's and getting similar results fireforming brass for my 338 lapua improved ! Nice work
Wow, 2900 fps with 94 grains of Retumbo Fireforming! I could barely squeezed 2850 with 95 grains. Whose the barrel maker?
Fox,
The 2.956" is the comparator oal for the round.
I'm getting less velocity than you are.
I have a 29" Broughton and with the 265 hat's and 104gr retumbo I am only getting 2990fpswith fully formed brass.
I haven't even worked up a load for the fireformed brass with 300smk's yet. I ran out of them since I was shooting so well with the fireforming loads, I just kept loading and shooting them till all 100 were gone. They were even doing well at 600-1000yds.
The 2.956" is the comparator oal for the round.
I'm getting less velocity than you are.
I have a 29" Broughton and with the 265 hat's and 104gr retumbo I am only getting 2990fpswith fully formed brass.
I haven't even worked up a load for the fireformed brass with 300smk's yet. I ran out of them since I was shooting so well with the fireforming loads, I just kept loading and shooting them till all 100 were gone. They were even doing well at 600-1000yds.
