338 Lapua Accuracy?

[vcinri]

Although I have been shooting and hunting my entire life, I am just getting into long range shooting.

I recently purchased a 338 Lapua and have been experimenting with some hand loads.
My intention is to do some long range hog hunting on a ranch we hunt in Texas.
Unfortunately, here in RI, there is not an accessible range within a 2 hr drive (that I know of) that is over 300yds.
Since I am limited in range right now what should a reasonable, accuracy expectation be at 300yds. for a load I may potentially shoot out to 800- 1000yds? Just trying to get an idea at this point
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
VC

 

[cperazza]

What is your setup? Custom build? Action, Barrel (Length/twist), Brake, etc.

Custom build, 0.5 MOA or less...until you wear your barrel and you could see your groups open up.

 

[WAMBO]

I test at 300 yds all the time, prefer an 1.5" group or less to start working with a load, the closer to 1" the better as most of my rifles wear custom barrels.

 

[vcinri]

Savage 110 BA LE, 26" barrel + 3.5" brake, 1:9 twist.
Nightforce NXS 8-32x56
Lapua brass, Fed 215, 103.5 gr. R33 , 250gr. Lapua Scenar.
Thanks

 

[cperazza]

Stock rifles tend to be more of 0.5-1.0 MOA if you are lucky.

Have you identified the lower and upper accuracy node during load development? If so, have you played with the seating depth?

Also 300 yds is a good distance to see it's performance, but like you alluded based on your load development you will need to take some test loads to try at 800-1000.

Caliber: 338 Lapua Magnum
Action: TAC338
Barrel: Brux 29" / 9.5T
Brake: TBAC 338BA Brake
Suppressor: TBAC 338BA

Bullet 1: 300 gr Bergers OTM Hybrids
Brass: Lapua Brass
Primer: CCI250
Powder 1: H1000 / 92 gr
Velocity 1: 2,934 fps / 59°F
Elevation: 1,500-1,600' and 2,450'
Farthest shot: 3,135 yards

Bullet 2: 254 gr MTAC Cutting Edge
Brass: Lapua Brass
Primer: CCI250
Powder 2: H1000 / 98 gr
Velocity21: 3,255 fps / 59°F
Elevation: 1,500-1,600' and 2,450'
Farthest shot 2,630 yards

Accuracy: Sub .5 MOA
Marks: Faint ejector mark

*Note: As with all loads start 10% lower than the indicated loads above.

 

[vcinri]

Wow! that's some speed your getting. I have not experimented with seating depth.
I was looking into H1000 but the data I found was telling a me a compressed load of 98.0 gr.
was going to give me only

 

[vcinri]

Oops, I got cut off.
2830fps. with a 250gr. head. I was hoping to stay at least 2900fps.

 

[brentc]

I'd say if your rifle is a rock solid 1 MOA, meaning all of your shots land in an MOA sized group, you would be fine to 1000. You might say 10" groups are not precise enough. However, with a rifle zeroed to the middle of its grouping, at 1000 yards your dispersion will be 1/2 MOA from the point of aim. That's really not that bad unless you're shooting at squirrels or prairie dogs.

Of course, we all strive for smaller groups, myself included, but if MOA is as good as it gets for your equipment, it's not the end of the world.

 

[vcinri]

Brentc,
Thanks, that is honest advice and well taken.
I have a few good loads right now that I am confident will give me sub moa @ 300yds with a little tweak here and there.
I just got two different heads in today that I am going to try, 250gr. Nosler accubond and 250gr.
Sierra game king. Not sure if Lapua scenars were designed for hunting (according to few articles I read) but hopefully these will do as well or better.
Thanks again,
VC

 

[4xforfun]

This is the backer from my 100 yard test target...the paper was wet and got shredded , so I pulled it off and took the pic of just the backer. This is three, 3 shot groups at 100 from my EDGE....300 Elite hunters at 2960 with RL33. My initial TWO shot group in my first test was also one hole.

My thoughts are that the Lapua is probably MORE capable than the EDGE.

 

[vcinri]

I wouldn't say there's much room for improvement there.

I've been reloading 250 gr. heads with R33 and IMR 7977. Load data for both powders are telling me max. loads should be giving me 2800-2900 fps. H1000 says a compressed load will give me 2830fps. with a 250gr. head.

I've been seeing load data from other reloaders getting 2900+ fps with 300gr. heads out of H1000
and over 3200fps with 250gr. and with other powders as well.
Are the factory load recipes that conservative? Are longer barrels the reason for such an increase?
I haven't run any of my loads through a chronograph yet. I hope to this week.
Thanks,
VC

 

[brentc]

I wouldn't say there's much room for improvement there.

I've been reloading 250 gr. heads with R33 and IMR 7977. Load data for both powders are telling me max. loads should be giving me 2800-2900 fps. H1000 says a compressed load will give me 2830fps. with a 250gr. head.

I've been seeing load data from other reloaders getting 2900+ fps with 300gr. heads out of H1000
and over 3200fps with 250gr. and with other powders as well.
Are the factory load recipes that conservative? Are longer barrels the reason for such an increase?
I haven't run any of my loads through a chronograph yet. I hope to this week.
Thanks,
VC

Normal velocity for your Savage 26" barrel with H1000 will max around 2950 with a 250 and 2700 fps with a 300. You could get an extra 75 or so fps with RL26 with both bullet weights. The slower powders like 8133, RL33, N570 will work best with the heavier 285-300 grain bullets.

 

[vcinri]

I'm going to try some H1000. I see a lot of good reports on it.
Thanks Again.