First Shoot at a Mile

[alcesgigas]

Actually the way it worked out was 1823 yards and yes, I took the time to think about what stories I could come with rationalizing all those misses. Aside from the newness--my inexperience--there were some mitigating factors. Mirage, mosquitoes, and rain conspired against my best efforts. I hit not once out of 21 shots the 28" round 1/4" plate. There were two of us taking turns; we had several close--inches--but no hits. That was two weeks ago shooting 92gr of H1000, 300 Berger OTMs, Federal GM215M, and Bertram Brass at 2860 (avg.).

A week ago we squared up the range and began shooting in the worst mirage I'd ever experienced. Both targets were still virgins; the Edge was definitely challenged. I've been looking at different powders and I had my first loads of H-US869 starting at 100gr and, in steps of four, up to 105gr. I noticed right off the reduction of recoil, freely moving bolt, and maybe not so much noise. The Magnetospeed showed 2780 avg. for the first shot--which knocked a target down. The last two shots (105gr at 2895) moved the other target out of sight behind some willows. You know I was happy.

I'm waiting for the torrential rains to stop before shooting and this time it will working up to 106gr which should move me to 2930 or so and if not maximum surely close. I hope to get some RL33 and see how that works.

 

[steeltraps]

Keep shooting it fun! I have shot custom 338 Lapua Imp with 300 OTM bergers out to 2502 yards at rocks. I can push a 300 OTM Berger 3025 fps with Rl-33. Dont get discouraged just keep good notes, find out what works best at 1 mile plus!

 

[alcesgigas]

Thanks for the "teaser!" I'm just salivating dreaming about loading up some of that RL33, but up here (Fairbanks as there are no stores here) the hoarding nonsense is still going on. I just spent a week down in Fairbanks and no rifle powders of any kind could be had. However, I see that relaxing soon... Does VV still make N570? Then there's 24n41... I loaded up tonight to shoot and then the rains returned, but I'm ready for the next break.

How much RL33 are you shoveling in for those speeds?

 

[HARPERC]

Alaskan mosquitos are big enough, and thick enough ballistic calculators should have a separate column for those. Good luck with the elements.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Good shooting. I really get perterbed when I get just about settled into the cross hairs and get a fold of my head net right where the cross hairs are. Oh well patients!!

 

[steeltraps]

105 gr of Rl-33 in a 28 inch Bartlein barrel. 338 lapua imp. 300 gr OTM berger, speed confermed by PVS-21 and Magneto Speed chronographs.

 

[alcesgigas]

U da man Steeltraps! My barrel is a 30" Hart B1000 with a Magnum 4 Muscle brake and that's how I figure burning the slow boys might just be near perfect.

Note in the pic; those aren't Messerschmidts, but they are Alaska's state bird... And this years the worst anyone can remember here.

 

[Chandalar]

U da man Steeltraps! My barrel is a 30" Hart B1000 with a Magnum 4 Muscle brake and that's how I figure burning the slow boys might just be near perfect.

Note in the pic; those aren't Messerschmidts, but they are Alaska's state bird... And this years the worst anyone can remember here.

Nice rifle, on the banks Koyukuk at the gravel bar.

 

[steeltraps]

That is a nice rifle. I have no idea how to post a picture but my 338 imp. is on Mcree stock, 28 inch bartlein bartlein HV barrel, with 5.5x22x56 MLR nightforce scope. With custom 50 moa base. It takes 101.5 Moa to get me to 2502 yards. Thats the fartherest I have sjot so far.

 

[alcesgigas]

Ah yes indeed Chandalar; Ring Beach it is. Your moniker confirms why you know!

Steeltraps: when creating or responding using attachments you just drop down the page and left click on MANAGE ATTACHMENTS. A window will pop up and a list appears and all say BROWSE. Click one--it opens your photos--select one and stay right on that page until you see the BROWSE you clicked on now has your selection. Close only that window, PREVIEW your post, and if all's well SUBMIT. There's specific posts on this site that provide instructions far better than I--you might want to check one out.

As for your rifle--we know that's all good!

I did get to put 15 rounds downrange yesterday. I was surprised at how much change in my zero the bedding bolts (stock or action bolts) resetting delivered. I forgot to mention that after that first mile (1823 yards) I checked my stock bolts and found that the front--recoil lug--bolt loosened up where it took about three turns to tighten. The center (just hand tight on M70s) was unchanged as was the rear (tang) bolt. I removed--first the recoil then the tang--and put Loctite (blue, 242?) on each and reset them. I'll be rechecking them in the shop today. I ended moving left 6 milrads and down 3 milrads and resetting the levers (Premier Heritage scope).

Shooting results: 2887 average with and ES of 26 using 106gr of H-US869. The best ES was with 105.8gr averaging 2878--ES of 10. Disapointing in one way, but overall I was pleased that groups were back to normal and that scope adjustments were positively consistent. I'll keep going up chargewise, but in increments of .1gr now over 106. It's on-and-off rain/pour so I'll be waiting again.

 

[steeltraps]

Speed isnt everything! I get 1/2 moa accuracy from my RL-33 load with a 10 shot ES of 10-15 fps. Now my H-1000 load gives me 2950 or so but 1/4 moa and single digit ES for 10 shots. I think its like 8 fps for 10 shots. I give all the credit to my gunsmith and reamer. I went with a 370 neck 338 lapua imp=40 degrees. I single shot my gun so i use a 366 bushing. Its a little tight-neck for a 338 lapua but I quess thats why its so fast. Have you tried Vihtavouri N570? I also have a strait 338 lapua, its a MLR rem 700 . Its a 3/4 moa gun, but i have shot 2845 fps with N570 and H-1000 with ES in the 25 fps range for 10 shots.

 

[alcesgigas]

The standard neck is 364 on the edge, but when using Bertram Brass one must drop down to 363--I learned that the hard way. I have a 361 S bushing; if I were to use that should I expect increased speed? Seems like increased pressure would result--which might be the reason for increased speed?

 

[alcesgigas]

Here's the most recent results using H-US869. All shots fired over the Magnetospeed V-2; accuracy relatively consistent at terminus. At 106.6gr primers flattened, but no further changes occurred through 107gr. Bolt lift was hard some times, but that was caused by not enough bump-back in sizer, since corrected by shortening .006. All shot same day in bright hot sunlight. I haven't a clue how to present these data easy to read. Comments are appreciated, thanks.




Series
Shot
Speed

26​

1​

2935​

ft/sec

26​

2​

2908​

ft/sec

26​

3​

2913​

ft/sec 106.3gr


----
----
----
----

Series

27​

Shots:

3​

Min

2868​

Max

2896​

Avg

2879​

S-D

14​

ES

28​

106.4gr







Series
Shot
Speed

27​

1​

2868​

ft/sec

27​

2​

2896​

ft/sec

27​

3​

2875​

ft/sec

----
----
----
----

Series

28​

Shots:

3​

Min

2873​

Max

2890​

Avg

2883​

S-D

9​

ES

17​

106.5gr







Series
Shot
Speed

28​

1​

2888​

ft/sec

28​

2​

2873​

ft/sec

28​

3​

2890​

ft/sec

----
----
----
----

Series

29​

Shots:

3​

Min

2871​

Max

2888​

Avg

2880​

S-D

8​

ES

17​

106.6gr







Series
Shot
Speed

29​

1​

2871​

ft/sec

29​

2​

2883​

ft/sec

29​

3​

2888​

ft/sec

----
----
----
----

Series

30​

Shots:

3​

Min

2900​

Max

2906​

Avg

2903​

S-D

3​

ES

6​

106.7gr










Series
Shot
Speed

30​

1​

2900​

ft/sec

----
----
----
----

Series

31​

Shots:

3​

Min

2900​

Max

2905​

Avg

2902​

S-D

2​

ES

5​

Series
Shot
Speed

31​

1​

2900​

ft/sec

31​

2​

2905​

ft/sec

----
----
----
----
106.8gr
Series

32​

Shots:

3​

Min

2883​

Max

2900​

Avg

2889​

S-D

9​

ES

17​

Series
Shot
Speed

32​

1​

2885​

ft/sec

32​

2​

2883​

ft/sec

32​

3​

2900​

ft/sec 106.9gr


----
----
----
----

Series

33​

Shots:

3​

Min

2885​

Max

2913​

Avg

2899​

S-D

14​

ES

28​

Series
Shot
Speed

33​

1​

2913​

ft/sec

33​

2​

2885​

ft/sec
107gr

33​

3​

2901​

ft/sec


----
----
----
----

 

[Korhil78]

Nice...106.7 sure looks good.