New 112 Target 338 LM with Extremely Short Throat

[Harpoon1]

Savages are known for having tight chambers. What COAL are you going by? The reason I ask that is because when I loaded mine to the COAL listed from Alliant (was using RL33 load data), it wouldn't chamber without hitting the lands. But when I used the COAL listed in Hornady's manual, it chambered fine. But if you seat the bullet deeper you will have to reduce your powder charge accordingly. I too have a 112 Magnum Target and other than that, haven't had any problems, and it shoots really well. I've got a 30" barrel I'm eventually going to put on it, but for now still using the factory barrel and just loading to a length to accommodate the chamber as is.

Used the COAL right out of the latest Nosler reloading book. It’s their bullet, figured why not.

Mine shoots lights out, I couldn’t be happier with the accuracy, at least so far, just wish it had some more room to try different combinations. I got a screaming deal on it, so even with a custom throat job, I’d feel like I’m still ahead.

I put a Fat B@stard brake and Limbsaver recoil pad on it and now it feels like shooting a 308! And the reloads are about $1.25. What’s not to like? :peace:

[Texas10]

FWIW: From my loading notes for a Savage 112 in 338LM, serial no. K22XXXX;

CBTO for the 300 SMK (p/n 9300T) at touch of lands was 2.976, best load was 88.4 gr H1000, CCI 250 and .040 jump.

CBTO for the 285 ELD-M at touch of lands was 2.985, best load was 86.5 gr H1000, GM215M and .025 jump

Are your measurements anywhere near these?

[Harpoon1]

Try any of them you like, not saying you wont get an accurate load, simply saying a 250 will out perform it to probably about 1500 yds because of higher velocity. Some guys I know are even using them in 338x378s which turns up more velocity than the standard Lapua.
Use what ever you like, but your only kidding yourself in thinking the 300 gr is a superior bullet simply due to a higher BC number on the box. If so, why then dosent everybody use 240s in a 300 Win Mag if a higher BC bullet would make it better?
That would be because you cant drive them fast enough to get the BC benefit of that bullet with that cartridge, and the same is true with 338s.

Well, I purchased the gun to shoot a mile+!

And according to StrelokPro, the 300 Noslers out perform the 250 Hornady’s at that distance and beyond. Nosler says their BC is .800. Which is probably a little on the optimistic side but, the Bergers have an even higher BC, so switching to them would give me an even greater advantage over the 250’s.

I agree the 250’s are probably better inside of that but, it’s horses for courses, and like I said, I got this to go deep!

[Harpoon1]

FWIW: From my loading notes for a Savage 112 in 338LM, serial no. K22XXXX;

CBTO for the 300 SMK (p/n 9300T) at touch of lands was 2.976, best load was 88.4 gr H1000, CCI 250 and .040 jump.

CBTO for the 285 ELD-M at touch of lands was 2.985, best load was 86.5 gr H1000, GM215M and .025 jump

Are your measurements anywhere near these?


Havent tried either one of those yet.

Nosler 300 CC “touching” were 2.851 CBTO & 3.583 COAL

Hornady 230 ELD-X “touching” were 2.783 CBTO & COAL 3.527

Nosler manual calls for 3.650 COAL with the 300’s.

Im using the same powder and primers with Lapua Brass, the Noslers are avg 2725 with 89.5 grns of H1000. There’s another node down around 87.0 grns. Probably back off to that and monkey with the seating depth as much as I can get away with.

[Texas10]

Forgot to mention the 285 ELD-M load shot very well at a mile. I wasn't the shooter, just developed the load for him. Used Nosler brass.

In the past, it's been my experience that the CC is the kissing cousin of the SMK, and if that's the case, your CBTO numbers are about .150" short of mine. Interesting.....

The gun I was loading for had less than 300 rds down the barrel, so throat wear would not explain the difference. I detected no measurable change in CBTO during load development.

I started to get hard extraction at 90.3 gr H1000 and 300 SMK, booking about 2700 FPS. Didn't actually measure it, my Chrono went T.U. about that time.

[yobuck]

[QUOTE=Harpoon1;454206]Well, I purchased the gun to shoot a mile+!

And according to StrelokPro, the 300 Noslers out perform the 250 Hornady’s at that distance and beyond. Nosler says their BC is .800. Which is probably a little on the optimistic side but, the Bergers have an even higher BC, so switching to them would give me an even greater advantage over the 250’s.


Well enjoy yourself, that would or at least should be the whole idea. Pick a nice day with little wind and things will tend to go better.
I would suggest putting up a target or picking one out at about 1500 as well as a mile if at all possible. Be prepared for a surprise in the performance difference between the two distances.
BC numbers are used today as a means to sell bullets. But velocity controls what that number actually is to a large degree.
Im not aware of any bullet maker indicating the required velocity in order to achieve the listed BC number however.
Some do list the recommended twist in order to stabilize them, but ive not seen any velocity suggestions.
Custom bullet makers like Cutting Edge tend to avoid posting BC numbers on their boxes for that very reason.
The best way for you to find out what works and what dosent is to do as you plan and try for yourself.

[jimbo88mm]

I have found that as of late, there seems to be some inconsistency with the throats in savage rifles. One of my shooting buds and I have the same Savage 12FV in 308 (Cabelas special). His throat is so short that factory ammo jams the lands. My throat seems pretty normal. This same buddy also has a savage axis in 308 as a cheap hunting rifle.. and that has a normal throat.

In regards to the 112 338, I have the same rifle, I'm shooting 285 elds with H1000 @ 2800 fps. My overall length on them is 3.8" and that gets me 15 thou from the lands. I did run tubbs final finish bullets through the barrel, and it did push the lands out a little bit. I measured it but I dont recall.. It wasnt much.. maybe 25 thou or less.

Since your intended purpose is to shoot a mile.. and the 112 is one of their target actions.. I would message Savage about it and see if they are willing to do something about it warranty wise. I know it sucks but having a tight throat like that I think compromises your goals. Let them know that different brands of factory ammo are all showing signs of being jammed.

For what its worth, I had to send mine back in for warranty work due to light primer strikes 20% of the time. After spending more time (and money) than I should have trying different brass, primers, cleaning, measuring and adjusting firing pin protrusion, etc, etc.. I finally sent it in. They replaced a few parts (firing pin, spring, couple other parts) and got it back to me in a couple of weeks. The issue is completely resolved.. should have sent it in months ago.

Good Luck!

[Harpoon1]

An update.

Things may have not been quite as bad as I first thought. It’s starting to appear like it may have been more of a case of an extremely rough cut free bore and lead, than one of being too short. With very high angular tool marks causing most of the problem.

Purchased a cheap iPhone bore scope and had look see in the chamber, neck, throat, etc.... The neck, free bore and lead all looked better than I had expected, all appear to be proportional, with a nice gentle transistion into the lands and grooves.

With slightyly more than 200 rounds through it now, the free bore clearance seems to be opening up somewhat now. It’s a tricky process trying to get exacting measurements in there. With a large difference between methods used. And it’s just a relative number, a baseline, anyway.

I’ll measure again after another 100 rounds or so and report back what I find.