.338 LM length fix recommendations

[jmatt511]

Okay, I was HUA and need help correcting my mistake. I was looking for Berger 300gr OTM rounds in .338 Lapua Magnum when I found them at MidwayUSA. I just didn't read the synopsis. The problem is the overall length exceeds the SAAMI dimensions and will not fit in the magazine, let alone the chamber. COAL is 3.794". In my exuberance, I purchased 100 rounds (getting ready for our wonderful new laws).

Any recommendations? Can I disassemble each round and then reassemble to the correct SAAMI overall length? I was planning to start reloading, but not quite yet. Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.

[waveslayer]

You can seat them deeper, but you run the risk of pressure problems. What's the small print say.

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[smpd357sig]

Where are you getting your load data? Berger load data shows COAL of 3.681". These bullets work excellent in my AX338 and 110BA.

[LynnJr]

According to the ad they are built to SAAMI spec but if they don't fit you can pull the Berger bullet and replace it with a Sierra 300.
The Sierra bullet seats about 0.150 deeper into the case and has a blunter ogive so if fits into magazines easier.

[jmatt511]

Where are you getting your load data? Berger load data shows COAL of 3.681". These bullets work excellent in my AX338 and 110BA.

These rounds were made by Applied Ballistics.

[JMP]

Seat them deeper. You can get a bit more with a CIP dimensioned mag, but the reality of trying to make the 338 Lapua do well at extreme distances is that you probably want to single feed unless you can find a way to shoot it from a CheyTac mag.

[jmatt511]

Seat them deeper. You can get a bit more with a CIP dimensioned mag, but the reality of trying to make the 338 Lapua do well at extreme distances is that you probably want to single feed unless you can find a way to shoot it from a CheyTac mag.

I guess that would make sense, but what about the possibility of over pressure?

[LynnJr]

The 300 grain Sierra is much shorter than the Berger OTM when they are both seated to the same length using a comparator due to the ogive shape.
If you seat the Bergers deeper they may not be as accurate.

[jmatt511]

Gentlemen, I feel foolish.

The rounds came today. Given the shape of the Berger bullet, the round fit into the chamber smoothly, without binding and from appearances just engaged the lands and grooves. Though I cannot fit more than one round into the magazine (AI magazine in a Surgeon receiver) it's good enough for government work and one round at a time accuracy work, which is why I was looking for ammunition in this configuration.

The rifle is less than 1/2 moa if I do my job. Looking forward to some desert work and pushing the distance out.

Thanks all for your assistance and understand (especially when laughs may have been in order).