338 Mega

I didn't weigh it, but if I had to guess it is in the 3 lb range.
That is based on the fact that the total weight is right around ten pounds and the stock is right around three of that. The scope and mounts are right at 2.
It also feels very similar to my 7-08AI build that has a 20" rem varmint profiled barrel that weighs about 3.5.
 
Well, I finally had a chance to get it to the range and fireform that brass. The load did pretty well (68.3 grains of Vectan Tubal 7000, a Speer 200 grain SP seated way out to get some jam, and Wolf LRM primers). I was able to shoot out the one inch orange dot I had for an aiming point with about 30 rounds. The last 15 rounds I took it to the 300 yard line and went 14-15 on a 6" gong without dialing at all, just using the holdover hashes. I shot just over the top on the one I missed. I am confident that with the right load this gun will shoot.

I will say one thing. While that SRS brake makes the recoil a cake-walk, the muzzle blast is pretty heavy. Especially when you have the bullet baffles out in front of you. I think that until my suppressor gets out of jail, I will be shooting this one up at the property out in the open.
 
Well, I finally had a chance to get it to the range and fireform that brass. The load did pretty well (68.3 grains of Vectan Tubal 7000, a Speer 200 grain SP seated way out to get some jam, and Wolf LRM primers). I was able to shoot out the one inch orange dot I had for an aiming point with about 30 rounds. The last 15 rounds I took it to the 300 yard line and went 14-15 on a 6" gong without dialing at all, just using the holdover hashes. I shot just over the top on the one I missed. I am confident that with the right load this gun will shoot.

I will say one thing. While that SRS brake makes the recoil a cake-walk, the muzzle blast is pretty heavy. Especially when you have the bullet baffles out in front of you. I think that until my suppressor gets out of jail, I will be shooting this one up at the property out in the open.
good start. Keep us posted!
 
I have lurked and never posted, but Rich suggested I share all my data for the 338 Mega. I'm including all my powder tested, charges, and velocitiese. I'll also include a chart that might be close to accurate for energy and velocities, etc. My final loads for the 250 Berger OTM and the 250 SBD2 are at the end. FYI, I am on my 18th firing for my first 16 pieces of brass. This is exceptional brass life given the performance I'm getting out of my final loads. Hope this helps.

338 Sherman Mega
ADG Sherman 300 Mega Brass CCI 250 Primer
Case Length after Necking up=2.147 Case Length after Fire Forming-2.137
Fire Formed with 64 gr. RL19 (2540 FPS) with Spear 225 gr. Bullet jammed at .020"

Final Neck tension is .004 (364 bushing)


Pressure Testing
250 Berger OTM (.010" off lands) RL26
75 gr.2886
75.52892
762917
76.52955
772918
77.52928-No pressure but load feels compressed but not pushing the bullet out.

250 Super Bulldozer 2 H4350
65
2707​
65.5
2708​
66
2738​
66.5
2753​
67
2770​
67.5
2772​
68
2789​
68.5
2794​
69
2820​
69.5
2854​
70
2861​
70.5
2864​
71
2909​

250 Super Bulldozer 2 N550
682892
68.52914
692918
69.52939
702943
70.52963
713003-Pressure Signs

338 Sherman Mega 1000 Yard Data (250 Super Bulldozer 2)



Muzzle Vel1K Vel1K Energy1K MOASupersonic (roughly)
27701869193924.61900
28001891198624.01900
28501931207223.01950
29001973215922.12000
29502013224921.32050
30002053234120.52100


Here are my final loads, but at least the info above can let you see the ballpark velocities for a few different powders with two different bullets.
338 Sherman Mega (250 Berger OTM)
250 Berger OTM
ADG Brass
Case Length=2.139"
Shoulder set at 1.767" with E-420 Gauge
Ogive=2.265" (.110" Off Lands)
CCI 250 Primer
68.5 gr. N550 @ 2940 fps


338 Sherman Mega (250 SBD2)
250 Super Bulldozer 2
ADG Brass
Case Length=2.139"
Shoulder set at 1.767" with E-420 Gauge
Ogive=2.283" (.090" Off Lands)
CCI 250 Primer
67.8 gr. N550 @ 2860 fps
Is this with the long reamer, and what is your freebore?
 
I figured it was time to do a separate post since my 338 Mega is done and I've put a few rounds downrange. For those who missed my specs and pictures in the Sherman Mega thread here it is again:

Picked it up from Preece Precision and definitely looks amazing! I have no doubt it will shoot just as good as it looks.
Sako 85 action
23" krieger sendero fluted by kampfeld customs 1:9.35"
Salmon River Solutions Ti Pro 3 brake
Fierce stock
Near Manufacturing 10 moa rail
Leupold mark5hd 3.6-18

View attachment 282368

The 338 Mega is getting close to being done with barrel break-in. I have put 37 rounds down the tube with fireforming and break-in. With the rounds I've put down just being 225 grain Sierra Pro Hunters, that are flat base spire points, it has impressed to 820 yards on steel with no load development. I have 23 pieces of formed Hornady brass and 8 ready to form Nosler brass. After seeing the results Rich Sherman had in the 7 Mega with Nosler I'm not going to focus on it.
I plan on starting load development with the 250 Berger, 265 Long Range Accubond, 285 ELD-M, and possibly 300 Berger. So far I've only used H414 for initial shooting since I have it and dont use it for anything else.
Some maximum COL measurements that may interest:
265 LRAB 3.320"
285 ELD-M 3.328"
300 Berger 3.394"
The 250 Berger has such a short bearing surface that when touching the lands it is only barely into the neck. With this reamer you will have to pick how much bearing surface you want and jump. Hopefully they are pretty insensitive to jump. That being said if someone wanted to run this bullet and smaller (non mono) it would fit in a XM action with the bullet seated properly around 3.170" COL if another shorter freebore reamer was made.
Hoping to have some more info before I go back to work this weekend but this NW heatwave is killing me. I only have a small window from 500-600 am to shoot before its stupid hot. I'll get information up as I have it.
Great looking rifle!
The 338 bullets, as you mentioned, are vastly different in length. You have the LA FB which is designed for the heavies. For those wanting to shoot the 250 Berger and shorter bullrts, my .100" FB reamer is what you want.
 
Finally got my suppressor out of jail and my Manners shipped the week before, so mine is now in its final configuration.
IMG_0106.jpeg
IMG_0105.jpeg
 
Well, I was able to start in on load development today. I loaded up some 225 grain Accubonds as we have our annual Nilgai hunt coming up in Feb, so I would like to find a load for that hunt first. I started low and am working my way up. As you will see below, I still have some room to continue upwards.

Load specs are: ADG brass, fireformed only, Rem 9.5M primer, 3.160 COAL

Hybrid 100V

68.5 - 2694 fps, 14.5 SD
69.0 - 2711 fps, 13.3 SD
69.5 - 2739 fps, 7.4 SD
70.0 - 2776 fps, 9.6 SD

VV550

68.5 - 2775 fps, 7.0 SD
69.0 - 2780 fps, 7.5 SD
69.5 - 2801 fps, 7.0 SD
70.0 - 2827 fps, 9.5 SD
 
Well, I was able to start in on load development today. I loaded up some 225 grain Accubonds as we have our annual Nilgai hunt coming up in Feb, so I would like to find a load for that hunt first. I started low and am working my way up. As you will see below, I still have some room to continue upwards.

Load specs are: ADG brass, fireformed only, Rem 9.5M primer, 3.160 COAL

Hybrid 100V

68.5 - 2694 fps, 14.5 SD
69.0 - 2711 fps, 13.3 SD
69.5 - 2739 fps, 7.4 SD
70.0 - 2776 fps, 9.6 SD

VV550

68.5 - 2775 fps, 7.0 SD
69.0 - 2780 fps, 7.5 SD
69.5 - 2801 fps, 7.0 SD
70.0 - 2827 fps, 9.5 SD
What is your bbl length? Normal or long reamer?
 
Barrel length is 21.5", long reamer. Those 225 Accubonds are jumping around 0.090" when I have 2X diameter seating depth.

I have some 250-270 grain bullets that I will start working with as well.
Awesome, thanks! Just picked up the 250 NAB and want to start the load test. Did you have any pressure at 70.0?
 
I decided that H100V wasn't going to give me the velocity I wanted before hitting pressure, so I continued upward with the VV550.

Here is what I shot today.

Load specs are: ADG brass (fireformed only), 225 grain Nosler ABs, Rem 9.5M primer, 3.160 COAL

VV550

70.5 - 2875 fps, 5.3 SD
71.0 - 2894 fps, 5.0 SD
71.5 - 2922 fps, 15.7 SD
72.0 - 2946 fps, 12.4 SD - slight bolt lift stiffness

Interestingly enough, the 71.5 5-shot group measured 0.640" and the 72.0 group measured 0.876". The other two groups were over an inch. I will load up a few more in the 71.5 range to shoot some more groups. If it continues to shoot those groups, I will use this load for my Nilgai hunt in Feb.

I also have some 250 grain Accubonds and some 250 grain Lapua Scenars that I will load some ladders for and see what happens with those as well.
 
What are you guys doing as far as fireforming, if anything at all. I'm experimenting with this round on fireforming brass before load development. What I'm seeing and did not expect is after one fireforming load, I'm having to bump shoulder back .006 for that brass to chamber with no resistance. Not sure if maybe growing in the web area is causing this, or what exactly is going on.
 
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