Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Hunting
Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Large .338s... potential accuracy?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="specweldtom" data-source="post: 400969" data-attributes="member: 2580"><p>Just my opinion, but.....</p><p></p><p>If you want a 1000 yd, or less, rifle around 9 lbs scoped, .340 Wby in a Mk V or a 700 action. (with a muzzle brake). 210 - 250gr bullets.</p><p></p><p>I think the .338 Lapua is sort of in between the .340 and the .338 RUM in performance. I don't have any experience with the Lapua, but it has a very fine reputation for accuracy (and quality brass).</p><p></p><p>Next up would be the .338 RUM at about 10 lbs with a brake on a MK V or a 700. 210 - 250gr bullets. Maybe try some 265's or 300's.</p><p> </p><p>Then a .338 x .378 Wby (only on a Mk V) at around 12 lbs. 225 - 300gr bullets. Put a brake on it if you want to shoot very many of the 300gr bullets. </p><p></p><p>The biggest practical .338 on a Mk V is the Excalibur, probably around 15 lbs. 250 - 300gr bullets. </p><p></p><p>The .338 RUM would be the cheapest to feed, the Excal the most expensive, with the .338 x .378 close behind. I don't know where the Lapua would fall. </p><p></p><p>The .340 Wby, .338 Lapua, and .338 RUM have the reputation for being fairly easy to dial in accurate ammo. The Excal is not as finicky as you might think, but the .338 x .378 can be fairly tricky to load for. The Lapua brass should be the longest lived, but I can't verify that. Norma brass in a really good chamber will loosen the primer pockets long before the body itself is fatigued. Speaking of chambers, a good chamber will be tight enough to feel the bolt closing on new brass. Many times, these chambers won't let the bolt close on a go-gage. As close to no headspace as you can get and still accept new ammo.</p><p></p><p>Short-throated boomers can get scary with hot loads. I strongly recommend the factory or SAAMI chamber dimensions. I have seen a custom short-throated Wby .30 x .378 that could not shoot Wby factory ammo. Blown primers and stuck (ruined) cases. It had to be hand loaded with reduced performance loads. I also saw 2 other custom .30 x .378's with factory dimension chambers (lots of freebore) that could shoot 5 shot groups under 1/4 moa. Best for one of them was a .091", and for the other, a .204". Both were near max loads, (avg 3 shots to loosen the primer pockets). Not too shabby. </p><p></p><p>All the .338's listed are capable of sub 1/2 moa groups, the Excal included. Autorotate knows this cartridge better than anyone else I know of. Maybe he'll see this and jump in.</p><p></p><p>Again, some of this is experience, but the caliber choices and ranking are just my opinion.</p><p></p><p>Good hunting, Tom</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="specweldtom, post: 400969, member: 2580"] Just my opinion, but..... If you want a 1000 yd, or less, rifle around 9 lbs scoped, .340 Wby in a Mk V or a 700 action. (with a muzzle brake). 210 - 250gr bullets. I think the .338 Lapua is sort of in between the .340 and the .338 RUM in performance. I don't have any experience with the Lapua, but it has a very fine reputation for accuracy (and quality brass). Next up would be the .338 RUM at about 10 lbs with a brake on a MK V or a 700. 210 - 250gr bullets. Maybe try some 265's or 300's. Then a .338 x .378 Wby (only on a Mk V) at around 12 lbs. 225 - 300gr bullets. Put a brake on it if you want to shoot very many of the 300gr bullets. The biggest practical .338 on a Mk V is the Excalibur, probably around 15 lbs. 250 - 300gr bullets. The .338 RUM would be the cheapest to feed, the Excal the most expensive, with the .338 x .378 close behind. I don't know where the Lapua would fall. The .340 Wby, .338 Lapua, and .338 RUM have the reputation for being fairly easy to dial in accurate ammo. The Excal is not as finicky as you might think, but the .338 x .378 can be fairly tricky to load for. The Lapua brass should be the longest lived, but I can't verify that. Norma brass in a really good chamber will loosen the primer pockets long before the body itself is fatigued. Speaking of chambers, a good chamber will be tight enough to feel the bolt closing on new brass. Many times, these chambers won't let the bolt close on a go-gage. As close to no headspace as you can get and still accept new ammo. Short-throated boomers can get scary with hot loads. I strongly recommend the factory or SAAMI chamber dimensions. I have seen a custom short-throated Wby .30 x .378 that could not shoot Wby factory ammo. Blown primers and stuck (ruined) cases. It had to be hand loaded with reduced performance loads. I also saw 2 other custom .30 x .378's with factory dimension chambers (lots of freebore) that could shoot 5 shot groups under 1/4 moa. Best for one of them was a .091", and for the other, a .204". Both were near max loads, (avg 3 shots to loosen the primer pockets). Not too shabby. All the .338's listed are capable of sub 1/2 moa groups, the Excal included. Autorotate knows this cartridge better than anyone else I know of. Maybe he'll see this and jump in. Again, some of this is experience, but the caliber choices and ranking are just my opinion. Good hunting, Tom [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Hunting
Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Large .338s... potential accuracy?
Top