338 Lapua Magnum Reloading results.
Went out to the range today to sight in my new scope (I broke my old one) and to test some reloads. First order of business was to sight in the new scope. I reloaded some 300 grain Bergers with H1000 (86.5 grains) seated .020" off the lands to sight in with. I had determined this to be an "accurate" load for me shooting 1.2 - 1.5 MOA consistently. Much to my surprise at 100 yards I shot 5 rounds at one MOA. If you take out the one I jerked 1 inch low the remaining 4 shots were 1/2 MOA. I shot 4 more 5 shots groups that were 3/4 - 1/2 MOA each time. So my groups were repeatable. I now realize my sub par groups before were a broken scope. My new scope is a Vortex Razor HD 5-20 X50 Mil/Mil (I LOVE this scope). Now that I had my scope sighted I would start some shooting. I had tried 300 grain Laupa Scenars two times before and had horrible groups (3+ MOA). I decided to load my remaining bullets to "throw them away" just gaining trigger time and sight picture practice. I did not hope to learn much from these bullets since I had such horrible results before and had read where others had similar problems with them. But just in case I decided to use 2600 FPS (since sierra and berger 300 grain bullets seam to like that speed) and do a seating depth test just in case. Since 100 yard groups were such a wonderful surprise I decided to move out to 200 yards. My 5 shot group seated into the lands had a vertical separation on 3/4 MOA and a horizontal separation of 1/2 MOA, I would call it 3/4 MOA. 5 shot group .005" off the lands had 4 shots Just under 1/2 MOA with a jerked shot at 1 MOA. I would call it 1/2 MOA. 5 at .010" off had 3 MOA horizontal separation and 1 MOA vertical separation, I would call that one 2.5 MOA. Next was .015" off, vertical separation of 1/2 MOA and horizontal of 1 MOA, I would call it 1 MOA. Two shots were pulled the remaining 3 shots touching vertically at sub 1/2 MOA.Lastly was .020" off the lands. Vertical separation of 1/2 MOA and horizontal of 1/2 MOA. I would call it 3/4 MOA due to the slant angle. So much to my surprise even my troubled bullets are now printing well. Clearly the 300 grain Bergers at 100 yards were a 4 group cloverleaf if you discount the one I jerked bad.
A good day today....learned alot....biggest is that although I am not a great shot, I am not the horrible shot I thought I was. Second is my Savage 110 FCP is a 3/4 MOA shooter out to 200 yards. Finally I am getting very comfortable with this rifle. I can see improvements with it each time I take it out.
