338 Edge - 265 HATs Muzzle Velocity

[Pdvdh]

For the 338 Edge owners who might have the interest:

I worked up a maximum load in my 338 Edge with the 265 gr GenII HATs today. My rifle has a Hart 26" 10-twist barrel. MVs recorded over two chronographs, an Oehler 33 and a PACT PC2.

MV = 2980 fps
95.5 gr H1000
CCI 250M
RWS 404 Jeffery Brass

For comparitive purposes, my maximum load with the 300 gr SMKs was 2840 fps, so I'm shooting the HATs about 140 fps faster than the 300 SMKs. There was no appreciable velocity gain past about 95 grains of H1000 in this 26" barrel. With a 28 or 30" barrel I may have gained additional velocity with additional powder.

Pressure wise I believe I was getting toward maximum at about 96.5 gr H1000 in the RWS brass. The RWS brass is tough stuff so approach 95-96 grains of H1000 with caution if using Remington brass.

 

[Fiftydriver]

Hows the accuracy level?

Any bullet drop tests yet to see what the drop is over long range, probably not, just hope you report when you get it, very interesting.

140 fps boost is certainly useful if BC is same or higher!!!!

Keep us posted.

 

[Booney]

What are the bc of the 265HAT.

 

[Pdvdh]

No drops, associated BC, or accuracy data yet. That's my next step. I'll post again when I have some data.

 

[Down Under Hunter]

Thanks mate ! I am watching with interest..

DUH

 

[TAP]

So the 1-10" twist stabilized them with no problems? I have been interested in trying some of them but wasn't sure how they would shoot in the 1 in 10" barrel that is on mine. May have to get some and try them.

 

[Eaglet]

So the 1-10" twist stabilized them with no problems? I have been interested in trying some of them but wasn't sure how they would shoot in the 1 in 10" barrel that is on mine. May have to get some and try them.

Until he shoots them on paper, we won't know for sure if the 1 in 10" stabilize them.

 

[Pdvdh]

Well I went to the range to shoot the 265 HATs on target today and learned that my scope went belly up. Must have happened during maximum load workup when I was shooting over the chronographs in the back yard. Got all set up to shoot and when I tried to focus at 300 yds it looked like I had Coke bottle bottoms for scope lenses. Something came apart inside. gun)I'll be sending the scope back for warranty replacement tomorrow.

Sorry, but collecting the range data will now take longer than I'd planned. Dang... I was hoping to get on with it. I'll either have to swap out scopes or wait for a warranty replacement scope to arrive. Guess I'll see how much patience I have.

Yes, a 10-twist barrel has stabilized these 265s at 200' above sea level in Lightvarmint's rifle, so I'm not expecting a stabilization problem - "knock on wood". I'm not sure how many rifles Lightvarmint has fired them in but he's thinking the 10-twist Edge will stabilize them.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Well I went to the range to shoot the 265 HATs on target today and learned that my scope went belly up. Must have happened during maximum load workup when I was shooting over the chronographs in the back yard. Got all set up to shoot and when I tried to focus at 300 yds it looked like I had Coke bottle bottoms for scope lenses. Something came apart inside. gun)I'll be sending the scope back for warranty replacement tomorrow.

...

Too bad about the scope, what kind/model is it?

thanks,
AJ

 

[Pdvdh]

AJ,

Scope is a 3-18x42mm IOR with reticle in the Second Focal Plane - tactical with illuminated reticle. Bummer... may have to place a Sightron SIII on there in the interim, but I'm not big on swapping scopes around once I've got'em up and running.

 

[Fiftydriver]

I have shot the monsterous 350 gr ULD RBBTs at 2700 fps in a 1-10 twist and they were amazingly accurate. THey are MUCH longer then the 265 gr HAT so I would suspect there will be no stabilization problems.

About the IOR, I have heard many stories about just what happened to you. In fact, I have heard enough that I will not recommend them on any rifle larger then 300 Win Mag when equiped with a muzzle brake. Without a brake, they seem to take pretty much anything you can throw at them but the negative G forces generated by the muzzle brake simply tears them apart.

Seems they do not have lens supports on both side of the lenses. To bad, they would be great scopes but if you use a muzzle brake on a high capacity magnum chambering, I would stay clear of the IORs.

 

[Eaglet]

Fifty,
now you tell us!

Just kidding.

Kirby that's good to know because in my own mind I would have recommended this brand even though I do not have one.

 

[Fiftydriver]

I do not want to give IOR alot of bad press but I do want to post my experience.

Please remember that I said that if your rifle does not have a muzzle brake, these scopes seem to be able to take pretty much anything you can throw at them. I have had them on my 338 Kahn, 338 AX and 338 AM heavy rifles without brakes.

I have also used them on rifles with smaller chamberings with and without muzzle brakes and they work great. Its just with the larger caliber, large capacity magnums that I would not use one on.

I really do like the IOR scopes. They are very clear, bright and crisp. I LOVE the MP-8 reticle as well. They could use a bit more vertical adjustment range and obviously something to be done so they can be used on higher intensity magnums.

Also remember that in the "real world" tactical means 308 winchester!!!!

 

[TAP]

Thanks for the info, Kirby.