My first 338 Lapua....

[wbyfireman]

Having my first .338 Lapua (and first custom) being built by Phoenix Custom Rifles. (Have been saving for 2 years for this puppy) It will sport a 27 1/2" Bartlein 5R
barrel 9.4" twist. McMillan A3-5 adjustable stock, Stiller action, Timney trigger, Nightforce NSX scope. AI drop magazine. Looking for some reloading ideas on where I should start... I have IMR 7828 and Retumbo on hand along with 300 gr Bergers and 285 gr SST's to play around with. Also what about breaking in a barrel with a custom barrel.... Yea or nea??

Thanks for the help. I can't wait to get behind this meat stick for the first time

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

Sounds like quite a rig!

I've only got one custom rifle, and I bought it used so I cannot comment on the process used on it. I've read a dozens of articles and threads on barrel break in.

I'm not sure you will find a consistent opinion regarding barrel break in. Some will say that you need a few hundred rounds to break in barrels. Other will say shoot normally since a few hundred rounds of break (caliber dependent) in is nothing other than a way of selling more barrels since you just used 10% or more of your barrel life getting it ready.

Unless the barrel maker gave specific recommendations regarding break in, I would not put hundreds of rounds down range to break in a barrel. A .338 LM uses a burns a lot of powder per shot, so I would not want to waste any rounds on the break in process.

 

[wbyfireman]

Sounds like quite a rig!

I've only got one custom rifle, and I bought it used so I cannot comment on the process used on it. I've read a dozens of articles and threads on barrel break in.

I'm not sure you will find a consistent opinion regarding barrel break in. Some will say that you need a few hundred rounds to break in barrels. Other will say shoot normally since a few hundred rounds of break (caliber dependent) in is nothing other than a way of selling more barrels since you just used 10% or more of your barrel life getting it ready.

Unless the barrel maker gave specific recommendations regarding break in, I would not put hundreds of rounds down range to break in a barrel. A .338 LM uses a burns a lot of powder per shot, so I would not want to waste any rounds on the break in process.

Thanks for the reply

 

[rhouser]

Bartlein posts their recommended barrel break in procedure on their website.

Just my 2 cents.
rch

 

[el matador]

Those powders should work just fine, and a lot of people are liking the 300 grain Bergers. If you want to go for max velocity I would try RL33. People have been getting awesome results using it behind the 300s. I just picked up some to try in my 338 with the same bullets. Another powder that seems to work really well in these cartridges is H1000.

 

[kaseyfied]

my break in procedure which works very well consists of the following.

I shoot single shots over a chrono and clean between each shot until I see consistent velocities, low ES and such. should be between 5-10 shots, after which I shoot 3 shots and clean till 15-17, and 5 shots and clean till 30, and then im done. seems like a lot yes, but it has worked great for me and have had nothing but very accurate rifles. I also bore coat my barrels which helps with heat and cleaning, I get minimal copper fouling!

Kasey
5416536088

 

[lynxpilot]

Sounds like ours will be somewhat similar. Dan Glover is doing mine. Lead time depends on the action for me, so I won't have mine til maybe February. Brux 9.5" twist, 28" before the brake, B&C varmint stock, Defiance Deviant Tactical action in R700, mag feed, Timney Calvin Elite trigger, and NF NXS 8-32.

I'll just be using H-1000. I'm having a lot of luck with Nosler AB's (250) on another 338 so I'll probably stick with those too.