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Well-Known Member
The purpose behind the post was to put a thread together that put all the elements of a 30-338 Lapua Improved sporter type build in one spot, as a potential resource for others to reference.
I'd like to also say Thanks! to bunch of folks here on LRH that not only guided me through this build, but assisted me in gaining knowledge and perspective that led ultimately to this rifle being built. You know who you are....be sure to smile in your success as you read this thread in afflicting yet another able bodied strong of mind person with the LR sickness!
There are some great minds on this board, and as LRH'ers we're lucky to have this as a resource.
I am in no way one of the smart guys on this board….just looking to share, and assist others like they helped me. I'd like to encourage other 30-338 Lapua shooters to post up on their builds….take some of the mystery out of this great 30 caliber.
SPECS
Weight-11.9 lbs as depicted with optics and bipod w/podloc
Smith-JE Custom
Stock maker- Carbon Fiber Lone Wolf California Sporter
Action-9 lug Weatherby Mark V
Bottom Metal-Weatherby Custom Shop "Drop Box Kit" +1 capacity PN# CBA2038
Barrel-Lilja SS 10 twist #6 contour 26.25" finish
Muzzle Brake-Kirby Allen's APS Painkiller 3 port brake
Base-Farrell 20 MOA G-Force skim bedded
Rings-Farrell Standard height .835 30 mm
Trigger-Timney
Dies-Neil Jones custom bushing FL sizer and Micro seating die
Reamer-PTG print #18649 37.5 degree, .342 NK, .067 Body TPI, throated for the 210 Berger VLD w/Wby mag box at 3.815 COAL
Optic-Leupold MK4 4.5-14x50mm Mildot reticle
Build objective/Experience
Rifle was purpose built to be the max weight carry rifle one could tolerate (that weight is subjective of course), and be able to take any NA big game, but also a rifle that would lend itself that if a LR shot presented itself, you could get in the prone and get 'er done. Basically wanted a ½ mile hunting rifle with no questions left to ask. I don't think I'll shoot anything that can bite back that far though.....
Can't say enough about the build experience working with JE Custom, Mr. Bob Culbertson at Lone Wolf, Mr. Dave Kiff, and Mr. Neil Jones.
Accuracy/Load Development
The rifle shoots lights out, and likely won't realize it's full accuracy potential with me as the shooter and reloader. But I'm working on it.
Results of initial load development will likely create some controversy regarding pressures (I'd like to avoid that if at possible), and I admit, the velocities are even over the top for me. I, like many others, usually load a string of loads at one grain increments, in order to establish where pressure signs will begin, and then back off this some percentage, and call that reduced load my new "max ceiling". I haven't seen that yet even with 108 grains of Retumbo and the 210 Berger at 3436 fps……and ain't in that big of rush to with this performance thus far.
I settled on a "lower performance" load of based on the experience of some of the sages here on LRH that have a lot of history with the Lapua case. Using Norma cases to determine pressure tolerant velocities, and then fine tuning using the Lapua brass, seemed to be sure fire way to make sure I didn't get in trouble with the tough Lapua brass.
The load recipe:
Lapua brass
103 grains Retumbo
F215GM
.334 NK bushing (approx .0015 tension)
210 Berger VLD
3.085 Ogive (approx .030 from lands)(approx COAL of 3.805)
3284, 3284, 3274 fps are what I have written down for the last three over the chrono
Velocities "confirmed" over several chronos, and with "come up" to a 1000 yd target from a 300 yard zero. Working up the courage to shoot over a chrono at distance.
Summary
This load is like lugging a turbo diesel truck in overdrive at 40 MPH…very easy on the brass, and the push at the back of the gun is very manageable when shooting these loads. This rifle does "wake up" recoil wise when pressed harder, but I see no need to push things, as this loading has all the performance I'll need for this rifle.
For those on the fence about a wildcat like this….the Lapua brass makes the extra effort worth it.
And its worth repeating…enough can't be said about working with JE Custom, Lone Wolf, PTG and Neil Jones…who are the brains/muscle behind this build.
Now everyone pester Paul at Wildcat Bullets to start making 30 caliber 200-220 grain Aluminum tipped bullets with a G1 BC of .750+/G7 BC of .400!
The Pics!
Lone Wolf was sent the scope base, some cheek weld pics of me on similar stock/rifle/optic, and built up the comb to facilitate a good cheek weld.
49" in length with a 14" LOP, so it still fits/slides in/out of a Trail Max scabbard for the horse hunts.
30-338 Lapua Improved 210 VLD @ 3.805, 30-338 Lapua Improved 168 grain NBT, virgin 338 Lapua brass hull, Neil Jones dies.
PTG Reamer print
Hope this helps someone get started on a 30-338 Lapua build! Other 30-338 Lapua folks need to post up as well...I know Kirby has to have built a few 300 AXs over the winter!
I'd like to also say Thanks! to bunch of folks here on LRH that not only guided me through this build, but assisted me in gaining knowledge and perspective that led ultimately to this rifle being built. You know who you are....be sure to smile in your success as you read this thread in afflicting yet another able bodied strong of mind person with the LR sickness!
There are some great minds on this board, and as LRH'ers we're lucky to have this as a resource.
I am in no way one of the smart guys on this board….just looking to share, and assist others like they helped me. I'd like to encourage other 30-338 Lapua shooters to post up on their builds….take some of the mystery out of this great 30 caliber.
SPECS
Weight-11.9 lbs as depicted with optics and bipod w/podloc
Smith-JE Custom
Stock maker- Carbon Fiber Lone Wolf California Sporter
Action-9 lug Weatherby Mark V
Bottom Metal-Weatherby Custom Shop "Drop Box Kit" +1 capacity PN# CBA2038
Barrel-Lilja SS 10 twist #6 contour 26.25" finish
Muzzle Brake-Kirby Allen's APS Painkiller 3 port brake
Base-Farrell 20 MOA G-Force skim bedded
Rings-Farrell Standard height .835 30 mm
Trigger-Timney
Dies-Neil Jones custom bushing FL sizer and Micro seating die
Reamer-PTG print #18649 37.5 degree, .342 NK, .067 Body TPI, throated for the 210 Berger VLD w/Wby mag box at 3.815 COAL
Optic-Leupold MK4 4.5-14x50mm Mildot reticle
Build objective/Experience
Rifle was purpose built to be the max weight carry rifle one could tolerate (that weight is subjective of course), and be able to take any NA big game, but also a rifle that would lend itself that if a LR shot presented itself, you could get in the prone and get 'er done. Basically wanted a ½ mile hunting rifle with no questions left to ask. I don't think I'll shoot anything that can bite back that far though.....
Can't say enough about the build experience working with JE Custom, Mr. Bob Culbertson at Lone Wolf, Mr. Dave Kiff, and Mr. Neil Jones.
Accuracy/Load Development
The rifle shoots lights out, and likely won't realize it's full accuracy potential with me as the shooter and reloader. But I'm working on it.
Results of initial load development will likely create some controversy regarding pressures (I'd like to avoid that if at possible), and I admit, the velocities are even over the top for me. I, like many others, usually load a string of loads at one grain increments, in order to establish where pressure signs will begin, and then back off this some percentage, and call that reduced load my new "max ceiling". I haven't seen that yet even with 108 grains of Retumbo and the 210 Berger at 3436 fps……and ain't in that big of rush to with this performance thus far.
I settled on a "lower performance" load of based on the experience of some of the sages here on LRH that have a lot of history with the Lapua case. Using Norma cases to determine pressure tolerant velocities, and then fine tuning using the Lapua brass, seemed to be sure fire way to make sure I didn't get in trouble with the tough Lapua brass.
The load recipe:
Lapua brass
103 grains Retumbo
F215GM
.334 NK bushing (approx .0015 tension)
210 Berger VLD
3.085 Ogive (approx .030 from lands)(approx COAL of 3.805)
3284, 3284, 3274 fps are what I have written down for the last three over the chrono
Velocities "confirmed" over several chronos, and with "come up" to a 1000 yd target from a 300 yard zero. Working up the courage to shoot over a chrono at distance.
Summary
This load is like lugging a turbo diesel truck in overdrive at 40 MPH…very easy on the brass, and the push at the back of the gun is very manageable when shooting these loads. This rifle does "wake up" recoil wise when pressed harder, but I see no need to push things, as this loading has all the performance I'll need for this rifle.
For those on the fence about a wildcat like this….the Lapua brass makes the extra effort worth it.
And its worth repeating…enough can't be said about working with JE Custom, Lone Wolf, PTG and Neil Jones…who are the brains/muscle behind this build.
Now everyone pester Paul at Wildcat Bullets to start making 30 caliber 200-220 grain Aluminum tipped bullets with a G1 BC of .750+/G7 BC of .400!
The Pics!
Lone Wolf was sent the scope base, some cheek weld pics of me on similar stock/rifle/optic, and built up the comb to facilitate a good cheek weld.
49" in length with a 14" LOP, so it still fits/slides in/out of a Trail Max scabbard for the horse hunts.
30-338 Lapua Improved 210 VLD @ 3.805, 30-338 Lapua Improved 168 grain NBT, virgin 338 Lapua brass hull, Neil Jones dies.
PTG Reamer print
Hope this helps someone get started on a 30-338 Lapua build! Other 30-338 Lapua folks need to post up as well...I know Kirby has to have built a few 300 AXs over the winter!
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