338 lapua

[houndsman1]

Hey guys new to forum. Has anyone loaded 338 Lapua mag with 200 grn Hornady SST? I'm using retumbo powder at 100grns and my nossler book says the O.A.C.L should be 3.580 but Hodgdon site says O.A.C.L should be 3.525 and at 3.525 I'M sitting perfect at the top of the cannelure, it seems like at that O.A.C.L of 3.525 im compressing the powder a bit, kinda confused on what to do.

[Whiterabbit]

I loaded 200 grain etips. If you are compressing powder and not getting good velocity, try a faster powder. I used H4350. Way fast for the application, but i got 3200 fps easily with lots of case capacity left over.

As for book load issues, i suggest you load to the cannelure, and see how they do. Adjust from there.

[houndsman1]

thanks but i was worried about c.o.a.l if i was compressing the powder to much

[Whiterabbit]

powder compression is not usually an issue unless it's trailboss. Any time I worry about compression, I google it. "compressing retumbo bad" or something like that. If the first five hits don't have something that clearly say don't do it, then I will try it.

Realistically, compression of very slow powders is very common in rifle cartridges as a general practice. Especially if it is slow for caliber/cartridge, which is going to be either the case here, or borderline so.

Bottom line, based on what you told me, if you asked me to put my finger and cheek on the line, I'd pull the trigger on a single loaded round, and inspect the case. Pretty sure I'd find no issue.

in other words, my opinion: go for it. I don't see any risk.

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And if you don't trust me, you don't have to. Load up 5 of them. First at no compression, next at 3.525, and the next three at in-between intervals. Work u pto the deep seat and inspect the cases in between shots. I'll bet you find no issues.

[houndsman1]

thanks, like i said on hodgdons web site it says to use that amount of powder and seat the bullet to the C.O.A.L of 3.525

[Whiterabbit]

NP. Google says you are GTG

https://www.google.com/search?q=can+I+compress+retumbo&oq=can+I+compress+retumbo&aqs=chrome..69i57.3646j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[ExtremeX]

When comparing the COAL, what bullet is specified on the Hodgdons site?

I would presume the nossler book is using a nossler bullet?

Bullets can have different profiles, lengths, and geometry, personally I would try and consult with the Hornady manual for a COAL using their projectiles if you can't find data on it for that specific bullet.

Then again, some of that stuff is just a recommendation... I would try and see how far off the lands you might be, if you can even seat them that far out.

But generally speaking, compressed loads are normal depending on the powder.

[houndsman1]

Thanks for the reply guys, I went to the local gun shop to see if they had some gun powder and they had a hornady book, and the book said the C.O.A.L should be 3.565, and with that the cannelure will be way above the neck does that make a difference?

[Whiterabbit]

It doesnt for me because i do not crimp rifle loads, even PRS loads.

[waveslayer]

You just need to measure your guns seating depth and figure out what it likes. Jammed, of the lands, etc...

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[houndsman1]

Thanks for all the reply guys really helps