338 LM max loads

[jeremyro]

I am working up loads in my Sako 338 LM rifle and I have a question. I am pushing a Berger 250 at 2924 right now with a 27" barrel and it is shooting about .5 MOA. Not Quite one ragged hole at 100 but not bad. I am using neck sized only brass and 94gr of H1000 at the moment. I was looking to see how far I can push this. I show 94gr as the max load and 2925 is basically the max velocity, but I find that manuals are pretty conservative. I am not showing any pressure signs at all and was thinking of working up some test loads up to 95gr of H1000. I have case capacity, it is not a compressed load or anything and there are no pressure signs at all. What are some of the hottest loads that people are using out there?

[LynnJr]

The standard load alot of our shooters are using is 92 grains of H1000 and a 300 grain Berger/Sierra in Lapua brass.
If your not expanding the base of the case enough to get a click on opening I would proceed with caution and go up until you encounter pressure. Hodgdon data is using Norma brass.
The chambers freebore will allow one gun to use more powder than the next guy.

[champu]

[Jimmy's]

Look for accuracy not velocity. What ever you may gain will be Moot.

[jeremyro]

Yeah, that is what I am looking for, but accuracy at the highest possible node. I am going to chase accuracy going up and see what the next one I hit is. I just wanted to see if this was a crazy plan. The Hodgedon manual thinks that I am ok evidently.

[diver160651]

338 LM max loads

I am working up loads in my Sako 338 LM rifle and I have a question. I am pushing a Berger 250 at 2924 right now with a 27" barrel and it is shooting about .5 MOA. Not Quite one ragged hole at 100 but not bad. I am using neck sized only brass and 94gr of H1000 at the moment. I was looking to see how far I can push this. I show 94gr as the max load and 2925 is basically the max velocity, but I find that manuals are pretty conservative. I am not showing any pressure signs at all and was thinking of working up some test loads up to 95gr of H1000. I have case capacity, it is not a compressed load or anything and there are no pressure signs at all. What are some of the hottest loads that people are using out there?

[MongooseV8]

You may not find another accuracy node. Going from 94-98 grains isnt quite the same range as 42-45 in a smaller cartridge. Its been my exp that pushing for max speed and max loads almost always opens my groups up wide.

[BillyGoatMachine]

Hopefully Mamba will chime in here. I built him his URSA match rifle where he's pushing WT Flatlines over 3000 out of a standard 338lm chamber. If your not showing pressure signs yet, then just go up slowly. Your brass won't last as long but if you got the time and money...

[jeremyro]

I have about 400 rounds of factory Lapua ammo that came with the rifle, as well as about 200 once fired cases so I have just been pulling bullets and using it when I need it. I feel like i realistically have more brass than I am going to use with this rifle.