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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
338 RCM Question
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<blockquote data-quote="AZShooter" data-source="post: 720451" data-attributes="member: 5219"><p>I built a 338 RCM on a M77 Ruger tang safety with a #2 22" lilja SS barrel a few years ago. Had Pacific Tool and Gauge make the identical reamer that Hornady was using. Know this because Lonnie and I talked several times. </p><p></p><p> My buddy was shooting the 300 gr Sierra in a 338 RUM and gave me a few to try. By then RL-17 was out and seeing how well it worked with a 225 gr Accubond (61 gr, vel 2750 OAL 2.930") I gave it a try. Bullet was seated to kiss the rifling. It was not going to be fed from a SA magazine that was certain. Just wanted to see what would happen. Slowly worked up to 57 grains with no signs of pressure vel 2455 fps. Used Fed 210 Match primers. Much to my surprise when I got to 57 grains the three shot group made a tiny cluster at 200 yds!</p><p></p><p>This fired up an idea I had often thought about. I always thought a high BC bullet with that much weight from a smaller case using a small amount of powder would be able to fired repeatedly without excessive barrel wear and shouldn't heat up quickly yet perform down range with plenty of energy and minimal wind drift. Ended up making a second 338 RCM but had it long throated so the Sierra boattail/body junction was even with the case's shoulder/body junction and kiss the rifling. It is in a Joel Russo stocked Interarms Mark X. The barrel is a #5 lilja profile 30", 1 in 9 twist. I had Dan Pederson rebore/rerifle this barrel which was originally an ill fated 1 in 7 twist 7mm lilja. This package shot the 300 gr sierra at 2520 fps with 57.5 gr of RL-17. </p><p></p><p>Then the 300 gr Berger OTM hybrid showed up! 56.5 gr of RL-17 vel 2550 fps shot very well out to 500 M where I tested it on several occasions. Recoil was not bad for a rifle weighing 14 lbs. Still using Fed 210 Match. It bucks the wind and has lots of energy down range. Recoil is very manageable. Heck even my 7 1/2 lb lightweight 338 RCM wasn't that bad with the 300s. It is a big push not snappy like a larger 338. </p><p></p><p>Used it for the first time on a coues wt deer just last week. 400 yds impact vel 2244 fps and 3354 ft/lb of energy. Bedded deer was angled facing me. Shot behind shoulder exited between hind legs nicking rear most thigh by 1/2" . It got up and tried to walk downhill. It was moving towards the canyon bottom out of sight. I most likely would have toppled over but I put a second one through it when it offered a broadside shot. Aimed so it would pass behind the shoulders in and out which it did easily. That caused the deer to lie down and die. Neither bullet caused any excessively bloodshot meat just nice 338 cal entrance holes and 1/2" exits. I should have put the bullet into the leading shoulder, bet it wouldn't have caused much meat damage. You can bet I'll do that next time. </p><p></p><p> If you do this with your #1 I think you'll like it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AZShooter, post: 720451, member: 5219"] I built a 338 RCM on a M77 Ruger tang safety with a #2 22" lilja SS barrel a few years ago. Had Pacific Tool and Gauge make the identical reamer that Hornady was using. Know this because Lonnie and I talked several times. My buddy was shooting the 300 gr Sierra in a 338 RUM and gave me a few to try. By then RL-17 was out and seeing how well it worked with a 225 gr Accubond (61 gr, vel 2750 OAL 2.930") I gave it a try. Bullet was seated to kiss the rifling. It was not going to be fed from a SA magazine that was certain. Just wanted to see what would happen. Slowly worked up to 57 grains with no signs of pressure vel 2455 fps. Used Fed 210 Match primers. Much to my surprise when I got to 57 grains the three shot group made a tiny cluster at 200 yds! This fired up an idea I had often thought about. I always thought a high BC bullet with that much weight from a smaller case using a small amount of powder would be able to fired repeatedly without excessive barrel wear and shouldn't heat up quickly yet perform down range with plenty of energy and minimal wind drift. Ended up making a second 338 RCM but had it long throated so the Sierra boattail/body junction was even with the case's shoulder/body junction and kiss the rifling. It is in a Joel Russo stocked Interarms Mark X. The barrel is a #5 lilja profile 30", 1 in 9 twist. I had Dan Pederson rebore/rerifle this barrel which was originally an ill fated 1 in 7 twist 7mm lilja. This package shot the 300 gr sierra at 2520 fps with 57.5 gr of RL-17. Then the 300 gr Berger OTM hybrid showed up! 56.5 gr of RL-17 vel 2550 fps shot very well out to 500 M where I tested it on several occasions. Recoil was not bad for a rifle weighing 14 lbs. Still using Fed 210 Match. It bucks the wind and has lots of energy down range. Recoil is very manageable. Heck even my 7 1/2 lb lightweight 338 RCM wasn't that bad with the 300s. It is a big push not snappy like a larger 338. Used it for the first time on a coues wt deer just last week. 400 yds impact vel 2244 fps and 3354 ft/lb of energy. Bedded deer was angled facing me. Shot behind shoulder exited between hind legs nicking rear most thigh by 1/2" . It got up and tried to walk downhill. It was moving towards the canyon bottom out of sight. I most likely would have toppled over but I put a second one through it when it offered a broadside shot. Aimed so it would pass behind the shoulders in and out which it did easily. That caused the deer to lie down and die. Neither bullet caused any excessively bloodshot meat just nice 338 cal entrance holes and 1/2" exits. I should have put the bullet into the leading shoulder, bet it wouldn't have caused much meat damage. You can bet I'll do that next time. If you do this with your #1 I think you'll like it. [/QUOTE]
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