338-300 PRC... Sherman Improved!

[KH_Outdoors]

Little bit of practice today. Positional training with the Hatch Bipod in prone/sitting/kneeling/standing as well as using my pack & bags for rear supports. I'm pretty surprised how manageable the system is at sub 9 lbs but also low power. Most of the practice with the NXS 2.5-10x42 scope was at 5x.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

These just came in, the new Hammer 210 gr HHT bullets. I was hoping they would come out with more 338 options, and lighter ones in the HHT line! This particular model falls right into the same category of bullets I set this rifle up for. The bearing surface is almost identical to the 225 AB, 230 ELDX, 250 EH & SMK options.

210 HHT vs 225 AB below:

 

[Shane Lindsey]

That's a sweet looking rifle. Got me thinking.

What is the Benchmark "light magnum" contour? I see numbers, but not that one. Just curious as I have a Bartlein Sendero on one now and not wanting to know the spacing in the channel.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

That's a sweet looking rifle. Got me thinking.

What is the Benchmark "light magnum" contour? I see numbers, but not that one. Just curious as I have a Bartlein Sendero on one now and not wanting to know the spacing in the channel.

Here's a pic with specs below. The "Light Magnum" is a contour that Travis at TS gets turned by Benchmark. It will fit in the same channel as a Benchmark "Sendero Light" also.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Ready to test! Mocked up at .030" off the lands in my chamber, the 210 HHT's fit great. I'm going to test these out with H4350 & N550.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Ready to test! Mocked up at .030" off the lands in my chamber, the 210 HHT's fit great. I'm going to test these out with H4350 & N550.

View attachment 568945

I bet these will be money. I did the 175s in my 338 Sherman at 3200.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

I bet these will be money. I did the 175s in my 338 Sherman at 3200.

Betting you're right, I'm excited to see what these can do! The 225's going 2900-3000 have been pretty darn impressive. I'm guessing these will be in that 3000-3100+ range.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I am getting 3098 with the 213s in a 22" 338 Lapua with RL23. May need to go to a faster powder.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

I am getting 3098 with the 213s in a 22" 338 Lapua with RL23. May need to go to a faster powder.

Sounds epic!

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Little update on 210 HHT's, went out and got some baseline numbers and found pressure etc...

210 HHT pressure ladders:

H4350
78 - 2998
79 - 3029
80 - 3056
81 - 3080
82 - 3135 - possible faint bolt click
83 - Discontinued

N550
75 - 3045
76 - 3083
77 - 3126
78 - 3157 - Hard bolt click, slightly heavier bolt lift
79 - Discontinued

H4350 Notes: 80 gr is a full case, 81 is nearly compressed but can still hear some kernels bouncing around. 82 & 83 gr are compressed & changed seating depth. Not completely sure I hit pressure on this one as I stopped before anything diffinitive. I am not a fan of compressed or high case fill when it starts messing with seating depth consistency. Will shoot 80/81 gr for groups.

N550 Notes: Hit pressure alot sooner than expected. It produces nearly the same speed as H4350 with 5 gr less powder charge. Definitely found pressure at 78 gr. 77 gr is on the fringe of pressure with the slight velocity spike. Will shoot 75/76/77 gr for groups.

Going to go load a few more and see how they group!

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Initial results with the 210 HHT's are dang impressive!

H4350 took the win between the two powders tested. Still no pressure signs on 80/81 gr. Very low ES/SD's too. Honestly each charge shot so well I'd go with either one, but I'm probably going to load up a few more of each and see if the point of impact stays consistent.

N550 kinda surprised me here. It has a fairly consistent point of impact accross 75/76/77 gr, but seemed more scattered. The ES/SD's were pretty up & down. 77 gr ended up getting a light bolt click on 2/3 shots so it is getting into pressure. Ill save this powder for another day.

H4350:

N550: