.338ai

[fastfire57]

I shot a long range match today 1760, 2000 and 2200yds.
One of the shooters was using the 338AI, he said it was hard on the brass (shorter life).
What are anyone's experiences with this cartridge?
Rob, please call Dave.

Thanks

 

[J E Custom]

I shot a long range match today 1760, 2000 and 2200yds.
One of the shooters was using the 338AI, he said it was hard on the brass (shorter life).
What are anyone's experiences with this cartridge?
Rob, please call Dave.

Thanks

Loaded correctly the AIs are normally easier on brass because of the 40o shoulder and less taper
on the case.

He was probably loading very hard to keep the bullet super sonic longer.

Also it depends on what brass he was using (Some brands are softer than others).

J E CUSTOM

 

[fastfire57]

Loaded correctly the AIs are normally easier on brass because of the 40o shoulder and less taper
on the case.

He was probably loading very hard to keep the bullet super sonic longer.

Also it depends on what brass he was using (Some brands are softer than others).

J E CUSTOM

He said he has 200fps more than 338 Lapua and using Lapua brass.
Primer pockets were getting loose.

 

[FEENIX]

Deleted!

 

[J E Custom]

He said he has 200fps more than 338 Lapua and using Lapua brass.
Primer pockets were getting loose.

That is an interesting bit of information and definitely could be the problem.

Most people test with Norma brass until shows pressure and then switch to the lapua
brass for long life.

If he is 200 ft/sec faster than recomended Lapua loads he has created his own problems.

J E CUSTOM

 

[B23]

Also, is he comparing a more standard typical 26in barreled 338 Lapua to his 30in + or - barreled 338 Lapua AI??? If so, I can see his claim of a 200fps gain but that wouldn't be comparing apples to apples. It's more like 150ish FPS gain with same length barrels.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

That is an interesting bit of information and definitely could be the problem.

Most people test with Norma brass until shows pressure and then switch to the lapua
brass for long life.

If he is 200 ft/sec faster than recomended Lapua loads he has created his own problems.

J E CUSTOM

I'd say he was creating his own problems. . I thot long range shooters knew better than that.

 

[lhouston78]

I know a few guys with 338 lapua imp and they are getting lots of reloads out of their brass(15-16 loads). I just finished mine this fall and have not loaded enough to know what mine will be like. It does do 3000 fps with 300 gr smk's out of a 29" barrel, and that is what they are all getting.

 

[fastfire57]

I know a few guys with 338 lapua imp and they are getting lots of reloads out of their brass(15-16 loads). I just finished mine this fall and have not loaded enough to know what mine will be like. It does do 3000 fps with 300 gr smk's out of a 29" barrel, and that is what they are all getting.

Can you find out the loads they are using?

 

[lhouston78]

some of them are using around 100 gr of retumbo and the rest are using upper 90's of rl-25. one is at 97 gr's of rl-25 and mine is a little more. I know depending on the reamer it can very some so be careful. Most are using smk's they seem to hold up and fly a little better than the bergers. Primers are either fed 215's or remington 9 1/2's, Lapua brass. My buddy's gun was done on the same reamer, at the same time by the same smith and it will not take as much powder as mine.

 

[fastfire57]

some of them are using around 100 gr of retumbo and the rest are using upper 90's of rl-25. one is at 97 gr's of rl-25 and mine is a little more. I know depending on the reamer it can very some so be careful. Most are using smk's they seem to hold up and fly a little better than the bergers. Primers are either fed 215's or remington 9 1/2's, Lapua brass. My buddy's gun was done on the same reamer, at the same time by the same smith and it will not take as much powder as mine.

How long are the primer pockets lasting?

 

[lhouston78]

I know one guy has 16 reloads on his. I think he annealed them once but that is all I know of.

 

[lhouston78]

Just to clearify some of us are running 29" barrels some are 30's, but all are getting high 2900 to between 3000-3100. Looking to get some rl-33 soon and see if we can get to the next node.

 

[new shooter]

I us 99.9 gr of retumbo 338 AX. 1/2 MOA WAY OUT THERE. Joe