Striker: 338 Edge update

[358Hammer]

[img width=337 height=450]http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk460/emeraldislandlover/338Edgeupdate.jpg[/img]

11-24-09 26 degrees and beginning to snow.

338 Edge update on the Striker. Saw an interesting phenomenon today. This morning I was doing some velocity testing with Reloader 17 in the 338 WSM. The very bottom white bull target is the standard 72grs of H4350 and the 185 gr Barnes TSX at 2800fps.

The fifth target up (2 groups) is a three shot group using 70 grains of reloader 17 and the 200 grain Accubond at 2760-2763 for all loads tested??? You will see two holes south of the bull. That was a three shot group using Rel 17 and yes I kind of got excited on the third shot.

I took the Edge along this morning for something to shoot while the other guns cooled between sessions. The top target is the same 97grs of H4831 that I now have a bunch loaded up for. First shot 2920 or roughly on par where it has been shooting. Second shot 2953, what in the world is happening? Third shot 2952. I check the round count on the barrel and I am just at 50 rounds through that barrel. Have loaded the same few rounds four times to see how the primer pockets are holding up. No problems so far anywhere on the case. Pressure cup area still returning back after firing. Got to love match quality chambering! Oh yea, analogy: The Benchmark barrel has just broke in giving me another 30fps velocity over all previous tests. SO I fire a few more for good behavior. My good behavier. No change in load and I am at 2950fps.

Still smiling an hour after the range time.

Neal

[1Shot]

...Well, if you miss it's going to be on you..lol.. ;D

[pa hog]

Thats a really cool Rig!! Great shooting and did you ever shoot 300gr SMK out of the .338WSM? I wonder what velocity you'd get out of a 28" Bull barrel with RL17?

[358Hammer]

I am thinking from these first go arounds with reloader 17 that it would be too fast a burning powder for any kind of velocity with the 300 gr bullets. The bolt was a tad sticky when opening and with H4350 and H4831 it wasn't.

With the 250gr Accubond we are getting 2650 so I am going to guestimate between 2400 and 2500fps with a 17" barrel.

Neal