Savage elite precision 338

[falconew]

So I started to make a dummy round to start the reloading process. I am using a Lyman 49th edition book. The oal with a 300gr HPBT IS 3.680. My mag length is 3.770 and right to the lands is 3.860. If I go with mag length that's still .090 off. That's kind of far for me. Should I load to chamber length and load one at a time? I am using Lapua brass with a Hornady 300gr Atip

 

[K.E.C.]

Howdy, if your wanting to single feed them, then take them to the lands and work your way back. If not, you have to start at mag. length, and work your way back. You have to make that decision.
What is the purpose of your gun.
Target or Hunting.
Target, single feed.
Hunting, mag. Length.
Hope this helps.

 

[falconew]

Just target I am not carrying that through the woods. Lol. That's what I was thinking. Glad I did not go out and buy another mag yet. Would be useless.

 

[ARlife4me]

So I started to make a dummy round to start the reloading process. I am using a Lyman 49th edition book. The oal with a 300gr HPBT IS 3.680. My mag length is 3.770 and right to the lands is 3.860. If I go with mag length that's still .090 off. That's kind of far for me. Should I load to chamber length and load one at a time? I am using Lapua brass with a Hornady 300gr Atip

So, Savage changed the mags? I have a 110 action that has cip mag lengths (3.850").

 

[ARlife4me]

I thought the only thing changed was the recoil lug from previous models? Can't say what they're, but get notes about stocks when searching on chassis mfgrs sites.

 

[FURMAN]

So, Savage changed the mags? I have a 110 action that has cip mag lengths (3.850").

Have you measured the internal length? Most "3.850" mags have an internal length of ~3.750-3.770". The 3.850 is a magwell designation(outside length).

 

[ARlife4me]

Have you measured the internal length? Most "3.850" mags have an internal length of ~3.750-3.770". The 3.850 is a magwell designation(outside length).

I can get 3.850" inside. Measured and made a dummy round to check

 

[FURMAN]

I can get 3.850" inside. Measured and made a dummy round to check

Very interesting because every 3.850 I have touched was ~3.7" as most are advertised.

 

[ARlife4me]

Very interesting because every 3.850 I have touched was ~3.7" as most are advertised.

The only inside length mag I have are Magpul @ 3.715". Other than that, the factory Savage 110 long action (in 300wm and 338lm) are 3.850" inside. There might be Rem mags @ 3.775", but don't own any Rem's?

 

[FEENIX]

So I started to make a dummy round to start the reloading process. I am using a Lyman 49th edition book. The oal with a 300gr HPBT IS 3.680. My mag length is 3.770 and right to the lands is 3.860. If I go with mag length that's still .090 off. That's kind of far for me. Should I load to chamber length and load one at a time? I am using Lapua brass with a Hornady 300gr Atip

Just target I am not carrying that through the woods. Lol. That's what I was thinking. Glad I did not go out and buy another mag yet. Would be useless.

@K.E.C. is correct. You might also consider another bullet that will provide the best compromise between the COAL/CBTO for your magazine. This is one of the reasons I went with .338 NM/I over .338 LM/I. The RUM/EDGE/LM needs to be at the ~4.00" COAL mark to take full advantage of the high BC/long bullets. Good luck!

Below is my .338 Thor (.338 NMI) - 3.700" COAL (touching the lands with 300 Berger) in 3.850" CIP LM mag.

 

[kfreeze]

So I started to make a dummy round to start the reloading process. I am using a Lyman 49th edition book. The oal with a 300gr HPBT IS 3.680. My mag length is 3.770 and right to the lands is 3.860. If I go with mag length that's still .090 off. That's kind of far for me. Should I load to chamber length and load one at a time? I am using Lapua brass with a Hornady 300gr Atip

Just load at what you can fit in the mag. Shoot a powder ladder test up to max and see if you have any sweet spots on the target. I've never had problems getting half moa that way. If it isn't good try a different powder. You can also seat shorter from there if you want to play with that. If your barrel really likes a bullet, it seems to shoot it well even at saami length.

 

[SemperFi]

@K.E.C. is correct. You might also consider another bullet that will provide the best compromise between the COAL/CBTO for your magazine. This is one of the reasons I went with .338 NM/I over .338 LM/I. The RUM/EDGE/LM needs to be at the ~4.00" COAL mark to take full advantage of the high BC/long bullets. Good luck!

View attachment 501087
Below is my .338 Thor (.338 NMI) - 3.700" COAL (touching the lands with 300 Berger) in 3.850" CIP LM mag.
View attachment 501090

In the first photo, the 338 NM the cartridge is rimless, and in the bottom photo, the cartridge looks rimmed. optical illusion?


SemperFi

 

[FEENIX]

In the first photo, the 338 NM the cartridge is rimless, and in the bottom photo, the cartridge looks rimmed. optical illusion?


SemperFi

Nope!

 

[highfinblue]

Just load at what you can fit in the mag. Shoot a powder ladder test up to max and see if you have any sweet spots on the target. I've never had problems getting half moa that way. If it isn't good try a different powder. You can also seat shorter from there if you want to play with that. If your barrel really likes a bullet, it seems to shoot it well even at saami length.

I have absolutely found that to be true. Most of my guns like around .020" under, but the evidence is there when a barrel likes a bullet, at least that has been my experience. I will add most of the guns that I own that shoot the best show promise soon, not always the case, but many times after I have torqued everything, action screws, base and ring screws, made sure of clearance and no pressure points, if a rifle is going to shoot it will demonstrate that early on. Shots four, five and six out of my 28 Nosler were like .15" at 100 yards. I've never shot another group like that with it, but it is a tack driver.