338 Lapua- 300 SMK/RE 33- Test Results

[hafejd30]

I did a lot of research before loading to find a good starting point with my Lapua. I narrowed my powder choices down to Retumbo/H1000 and RE 33. Currently I can only get RE 33, so I went with that. I'm posting my results to only help guide people who would like to try this combo of bullet/powder as there is not a lot of data on RE 33 compared to the other two.


The Rifle:
Savage 110 BA
Sightron SIII Tactical LRMOA 6-24 X 50
Ken Farrel Rings


Load Data:
Lapua Brass- Once Fired- Trimmed to 2.715"- Sized with Redding Competition Bushing Die .365 Bushing
Bullet- 300 grain Sierra Match King- Seated with Forster Micrometer Seater
Primer- CCI 250
Powder- Alliant Reloader 33

First loads shot at 300 yds- 3 Shot Groups- No chronograph
Bullets seated .010 off lands
76 degrees
67% Humidity
30.12 Baro Pressure

Grains/Group Size
94.5- 4.3"/1.43 MOA
95.0- 1.24"/.41 MOA
95.5- 2.12"/.71 MOA
96.0- 2.25"/.75 MOA
96.5- 2.25"/.75 MOA
97.0- 2.16"/.72 MOA
97.5- 3.58"/1.10 MOA

Second test was done at 500 Yards- 3 Shot Groups- With chronograph.
80 Degrees
72 % Humidity
29.63 Baro Pressure

All Loads were 95 Grains of RE 33. Changes are the distance
From the bullet to the lands
.020 off lands- 3.46"/.69 MOA- 2670/2597/2654 FPS
.015 off lands- 2.19"/.43 MOA- 2659/2661/2674 FPS
.010 off lands- .96"/.19 MOA- 2681/2655/2665 FPS
.005 off lands- 8.5"/1.7 MOA- 2668/2694/2705 FPS (This load had noticeably more powder residue around neck after firing)

Below are the .015 and .010 groups- Quarter for size comparison

[mike21]

Very nice display of research, load development and marksmanship. You make it look very easy. For me, a .19 MOA @ 500 is awful impressive. Thanks for taking the time to post this.