Anyone reload 338 lapua

**NathanB** · August 9th, 2016, 09:35 PM

If so what are you using?
Lapua brass seems to be king
Retumbo and h1000 the go to powders
Federal large magnum primers followed by cci?

Anyone got anything different. I'm going to be jumping into this caliber so I'm doing some home work.

**Twoboxer** · August 9th, 2016, 11:56 PM

Just started with a Savage 110 FCP HS Precision, 26" barrel. Got Lapua brass; Berger 250gr and 300gr Hybrid OTM; N570 and IMR7977; Winchester LRM primers (Federal Match are Unicorns atm).

Started with the 300s 0.015" off the lands (OAL ~ 3.790") with loads from 87.3gr to 92.2 in 0.7gr increments in both powders. (Yes, the Vihtavuori max for N570 is ~80.0gr at 3.681" OAL - check the Berger max and it's 90.0gr.)

The N570 shot 3-round groups very well at 100yds with no pressure signs at all. Best nodes were 87.3gr ~2650fps 0.11" and 90.1gr ~2750fps 0.62" with tight ES/SD if that matters for 3-shot groups lol. The Savage and IMR7977 did not like each other at all, and stiff bolts stopped the test with the last two charge weights unfired.

I've fired about 70 total rounds of 300gr/N570 using new Lapua cases. 5-shot groups at 87.3gr and 90.1gr are running 0.66"-1". However, on the second firing (after neck sizing) I've run into stiff bolts at both 87.3gr and 90.1gr that look to be related to the case growing too long when fired. Or they could be Savage-related lol. Or something else.

Haven't worked the 250gr yet, but I'm happy with the 300gr and N570 so I bought a bunch more.

Anyhow, that's all of my experience to date. Good luck and let us know how you go

**NathanB** · August 10th, 2016, 07:17 AM

I'll be working with the same rifle so this could be a good info share

**Twoboxer** · August 10th, 2016, 01:52 PM

Thought I'd add some other stuff. I chose N570 and IMR7977 to give the new powders a chance figuring I could always go back to the older standards if they didn't work well. You seem to have already found the successful reports using H1000 and Retumbo; there are a couple (European) glowing reports of N570 maybe because that's what is available; and none when I looked on IMR7977.

I've had a lot of luck with N140 in 223, 308, and 30-06, so trying N570 despite the ridiculous price in the available 1 lb jugs was a natural for me.

If you haven't noticed yet, adding 338 LM to the reload list is sorta like starting all over again. You won't need a new press, but your "complete kits" and "universal tools" . . . well, they just aren't lol.

New dies (opted for Hornady neck sizer, Redding body die, and RCBS seater), shellholders, bullets, powder, and primers of course. Had to add a bullet comparator bushing for the Hornady tool and a new head space tool from Giraud (which does both jobs btw). New pilot for the case trimmer. New "universal" decapper from Redding. New loading blocks. New ammo boxes. And the available choices seemed more limited to me.

I'm sure there's other stuff but I'm too old to remember

**aubie515** · August 10th, 2016, 07:33 PM

If you need brass, let me know as I have BHA/Norma and Lapua brass for 338LM. I traded it, so I don't have the need for brass and I also have 250gr Hornady Amax bullets as well.

I was using Retumbo with Federal Magnum primers.

I had a Sako TRG-42.

Since you have a Savage in 338LM...STAY away from Hornady brass as Savage rifles have issues with Hornady brass.