First use of 110 BA in 338 Lapua Magnum

[jpeoples]

DATE: August 4, 2010
LOCATION: Angeles Shooting Range, Sylmar CA.
SCOPE: Nightforce NXS2256 Scope
WIND: 5 mph at 300 yds, direct right to left, zero wind at the shooting bench/

We shot a total of 56 factory rounds (250 and 300 gr) and the 110 preferred the 300 gr rounds. 5 shots touching in a 1 inch group with the 300 gr rounds at 300 yds. The spread opened up to 4 inches high and to the left of the 300 gr group with the 250 gr rounds. Felt recoil was not excessive, comparable to a 308 and much less than my Sako TRG-42 with the same 300 gr rounds. Since my knees didn't feel like walking out 600 yards and back, we settled for shooting the metal rams and pigs at that distance. Again, the 300 gr rounds worked fine with 20 hits out of 20 shots. We only made 14 hits out of 20 rounds with the 250 gr rounds using a lot of Kentucky windage to get on target.
We had trouble with the accutrigger disengaging the sear at random. I called Savage Customer Service and with a minimum of questions asked, they instructed me to take the 110 to Bolsa Gunsmithing, our gunsmith who configured the rifle and have them order a new trigger assembly.

We did not use the BORS as we are waiting until we can chrono some rounds to get actual velocity figures.

Here are some pics of the configured rifle.

[img width=600 height=426]http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/johnpeoples1/Rifles/DSC00059.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=450]http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/johnpeoples1/Rifles/DSC00058.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=180]http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/johnpeoples1/Rifles/DSC00054.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=450]http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/johnpeoples1/Rifles/DSC00068.jpg[/img]

[bodywerks]

Finally a report of excellent accuracy! Have had varying reports of shotty accuracy out of this rifle but I think the wrong bullet was the biggest culprit. Was the ammo handloads or factory? I will be going straight to handloads with mine, using the berger hybrids, h1000, and lapua brass.
Not surprised with the accutrigger issue. It seems commonplace lately. Mine will have a SSS competition trigger before it fires its first shot. I like a light trigger pull, and a reliable one at that.

[Donnie]

Was the ammo handloads or factory?

Per his post...

"We shot a total of 56 factory rounds"

[Armed in Utah]

I should really have one of those................

;D

[frank1947]

good to here about that gun I have been curious how it will shoot, You seemed to be concerned about putting the bullet in a particular spot while testing loads know need to do that to test different loads just aim at your bullseye in the same spot each time with your 300 gr. then do the same with a new terget for the 250 the important part is group size so no need to use kentucy windage just shoot for group, once you decide whitch is best then adjust scope, and your done. 1 inch 300 yards is good , I like that. good shooting

[jpeoples]

Many Thanks for the responses.

And thanks for the insight on my incorrect use of "Kentucky Windage", hard to break old habits.

As soon as we get the 110 back with the new trigger assembly, we will be using our Dillon RL550B press with Redding dies to load some Lapua cases with Berger Hybrid 300 gr Match Grade bullets ahead of starting load of 79.4 gr of Vihtavouri 170 handloads for the CED chrono testing and programming the Barrett BORS. Published book velocity for the load is 2360 fps.

We will use our supply of 250 gr bullets for our other 338 LM rifle with a 1 in 12 twist.

The 110 BA has a 1 in 9 in twist which seems to be ideal for the 300 gr rounds.

[bodywerks]

Don't load too many at that low of a charge. I think the savage, and the bullet, will be happier at 2600+. Ideally, I'd like to see 2650-2700 and hope I can get it with retumbo or h1000, or even US869.

[jpeoples]

Understand,

I am starting with a very mild load and will work my way up using different powders and loads until i find one that the rifle loves and is accurate at the 1000 yard range. First batch will be 50 rounds only.

Thanks for the advice

[bodywerks]

Jim Briggs of northland shooters supply has shipped my rifle! With any luck it will be here Thursday. If it gets here by then I will do the new trigger and bedding before I shoot it. If it gets here Friday I wont have time and will just scope it and shoot it.

[bodywerks]

I reluctantly ordered some hornady brass for it to start off with. Natchezss had it for $25 per 20. I think I am just going to throw some loads together for now to break the barrel in. My ultimate goal for accuracy loads will be lapua brass wrapped around retumbo or h1000 and the Berger 300g hybrids. I hope to have an accuracy node in the 2650-2700 range...fingers crossed.

[MrOldLude]

Very sexy rifle.

[bodywerks]

Couple quick pics of MY NEW RIFLE!!!!!! ditched the overkill rail system in favor of an plain ol' EGW 20MOA rail. I think it looks a little less tacky, although the main reason for going this route was because the objective of the scope would hit the forerail with the low rings I wanted to use(I use this scope on three rifles).
[img width=600 height=450]http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/bodywerks/2010-08-12175807.jpg[/img]
[img width=600 height=448]http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/bodywerks/2010-08-12175852.jpg[/img]
The gun is just kinda thrown together right now. I have some pod claws coming from phoenix tactical and I want to do a bedding job on it and install a SSS comp trigger next week. But for this weekend I will shoot it as is...

[pa hog]

bodywerks, nice stick! looks alot better without all the tactical rail crap hanging on it. Look even better in a Russo laminate. ;D

[bodywerks]

Got my first 30 rounds downrange. As far as the gun is concerned the quality is top-notch. I still didn't much care for the accutrigger so I ditched it after the first 20 rounds in favor of the SSS comp trigger, breaking at a tad over a pound. I also ditched the accuwedge and just torqued the action bolts to 65in/lbs. Ill be bedding it soon - probably before it shoots again.
I really need to get used to the stock in the prone position but I do like it. I just wish the butt had a height adjustment. I may end up figuring something out myself.
I bought hornady brass and just loaded some random charges of retumbo, starting at a middle-of-the-road 90 grains. I have had heavy bolt lift with every charge, and have needed to tap the bolt handle with a mallet for 50% of them. I haven't chrony'd anything yet, but I'm hoping that I am just reaching target velocity at lower charges than what the book says, because I'm looking for an accuracy node above 2700fps with these Berger hybrids...