hafejd30
06-18-2016, 10:08 AM
I wanted to share my recent experience with other 338 owners.
As of lately I've got around to shooting my 338 LM more. However I've noticed the groups have gone to crap. I kept switching powder/seating depth etc etc etc to no avail. I then got some advice from others more experienced in this rounds who told me the barrels foul out quick with 338's due to the bullets and powder capacity. Another 338 shooter said his goes about 10 rounds and accuracy falls off. So they need to be cleaned more often that other rounds. So I tested this theory yesterday.
Fired a group with a dirty barrel, Proly 25 ish rounds through it. Shot the first 3 shots into 14" at 800 yards. This is the issue I was having lately with depleading accuracy. It never even crossed my mind that a barrel can foul out this quickly. I gave the gun my usual cleaning regiment (takes about 15 min) then took it back to the same spot to retest.
The group is shown below. The clean bore shot is circled in pen. Then I proceeded to shoot a 3 shot group. All 4 shots held inside 3 inches at 792 yards.
I thought this may be useful to other 338 guys (and this isn't just a lapua thing but all 338 running heavy bullets/charge weights). I don't mind cleaning as this rifle doesn't get used for much other then LR hunting. I was just not used to a rifle fouling out this quick and it sure did cause some headaches.
I would've loved to see this advice on here a few months ago and hope this post may help someone in the same predicament. I'm used to cleaning after 100+ rounds with my 260 but the big boy rifles are apparently not that forgiving.
Other feel free to chime in with your 338 experiences because there is someone out there like me who would benefit from such a simply overlooked problem
Quarter in picture for comparison
338 LM
792 yards
Shilen Select Match 30"
95.5 gr RE 33/Lapua Brass/CCI 250/300 SMK
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p695/hafejd30/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi2nuw8lu.jpeg (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/hafejd30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi2nuw8lu.jpeg.html)
As of lately I've got around to shooting my 338 LM more. However I've noticed the groups have gone to crap. I kept switching powder/seating depth etc etc etc to no avail. I then got some advice from others more experienced in this rounds who told me the barrels foul out quick with 338's due to the bullets and powder capacity. Another 338 shooter said his goes about 10 rounds and accuracy falls off. So they need to be cleaned more often that other rounds. So I tested this theory yesterday.
Fired a group with a dirty barrel, Proly 25 ish rounds through it. Shot the first 3 shots into 14" at 800 yards. This is the issue I was having lately with depleading accuracy. It never even crossed my mind that a barrel can foul out this quickly. I gave the gun my usual cleaning regiment (takes about 15 min) then took it back to the same spot to retest.
The group is shown below. The clean bore shot is circled in pen. Then I proceeded to shoot a 3 shot group. All 4 shots held inside 3 inches at 792 yards.
I thought this may be useful to other 338 guys (and this isn't just a lapua thing but all 338 running heavy bullets/charge weights). I don't mind cleaning as this rifle doesn't get used for much other then LR hunting. I was just not used to a rifle fouling out this quick and it sure did cause some headaches.
I would've loved to see this advice on here a few months ago and hope this post may help someone in the same predicament. I'm used to cleaning after 100+ rounds with my 260 but the big boy rifles are apparently not that forgiving.
Other feel free to chime in with your 338 experiences because there is someone out there like me who would benefit from such a simply overlooked problem
Quarter in picture for comparison
338 LM
792 yards
Shilen Select Match 30"
95.5 gr RE 33/Lapua Brass/CCI 250/300 SMK
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p695/hafejd30/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi2nuw8lu.jpeg (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/hafejd30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi2nuw8lu.jpeg.html)