338 Sherman Build (This Is My Boomstick!)

[benchracer]

I have not yet had a chance to try Superformance, but based on some follow up from Jace, it's not looking very promising for temp stability. His first results looked good but on a follow, he concluded that stability was far from stellar and he was going back to H100V! It sounds like you may have experienced the same thing.....rich

I had been thinking along similar lines. My use of Norma brass vs Jace's use of RWS brass probably accounts for some of the difference in results, as well.

I haven't been doing much testing with the 338 Sherman, as I am holding out for some RWS brass (hoping to get my hands on some this fall). The fire bans here in AZ haven't helped matters. Can't shoot outside of a formal range right now and I REALLY need to be in some places where I can stretch things out.

Ultimately, I am praying for rain and ADG brass!!!

 

[elkaholic]

In which order??

 

[benchracer]

In which order??

I guess I would need to have the rain before the brass would do me any good. But, I would want the ADG on my doorstep the day the fire bans are lifted!

 

[cjl2010]

I guess I would need to have the rain before the brass would do me any good. But, I would want the ADG on my doorstep the day the fire bans are lifted!

I'm gonna lose my mind punching paper out to 300 yards. Monsoons need to hurry up so we can get in the woods again!

 

[elkaholic]

I tested the 285's today to see how well I could utilize some S L O W powders. I started off by proofing my hunting load of 65 grains H100V behind a 250 Berger. It clocked 2821 which was 14' faster than when I tested it at 25 degrees cooler. This is about right for H100V.
I then shot loads of 70 grs Magpro at 2582 and 68 and 69 N560 at 2609 and 2644. The 69 gr load was close to max but don't know if I could pack anymore in?

 

[ramrod79]

Unless I missed it and if I did I'll have to finally go get glasses but did anyone try VV 550 yet with any good results

 

[elkaholic]

Unless I missed it and if I did I'll have to finally go get glasses but did anyone try VV 550 yet with any good results

I used some with the 200's and got over 3100 but didn't try with the heavies! I

 

[benchracer]

I have continued to progress with the 338 Sherman, but am behind in updating my findings. Updates are on the way. For now, here is a summary of what is coming:

1. Re-visited the Hornady 230 ELD-X and chose to make it my all-around choice.
2. Gained access to long enough range to experiment with TRUE ladder testing.
3. Encountered problems with RL-26 that caused me to abandon its use in the 338 Sherman. Regretfully. Sigh.
4. Load work with VV N560 and RL-16.
5. Load work with Hornady 285 ELD-M.

 

[benchracer]

My quest for RWS .270 brass has been long, frustrating, and fruitless. Until now. Found a distributor of loaded RWS .270 ammo and got out my wallet:

https://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/products.php?cat=781&pg=5

Shipping on 2 boxes, or more, is free. I ordered 3 boxes. Should have them in a few days.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Curious as to how it would do with the 250gr Lazers from CEB

 

[benchracer]

Curious as to how it would do with the 250gr Lazers from CEB

In post #33 and post #49, I did velocity testing with the Cutting Edge 252 MTH, using RL-26 and RL-17. It behaved almost identically to the Berger 250 EH, in terms of muzzle velocity. I would expect the accuracy node to be similar also, appearing in the vicinity of 2800 fps. The MTH bullets have a slightly higher bc than the Berger 250's. The Lazers have a bc that is very similar to the Bergers. All three bullets would have similar flight characteristics.

From RWS brass, I would expect the 225 Lazers could be run at an honest 3000 fps. They have a bc nearly identical to the Hornady 230 ELD-X, though the Lazers can be pushed more than 100 fps faster.

 

[Wild Monkey]

https://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=20377&cat=275&page=2

Nothing against the "Sherman", but I'm positive the .338-300 Win Mag has it covered and brass is Cheap and Plentiful.

 

[benchracer]

The point of the exercise has been to achieve magnum ballistics from a standard bolt face. This is about maximizing efficiency, rather than searching out a bigger hammer.

 

[codyadams]

https://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=20377&cat=275&page=2

Nothing against the "Sherman", but I'm positive the .338-300 Win Mag has it covered and brass is Cheap and Plentiful.

Nothing against a .338-300 win mag, but a 338 Norma has that covered, with availability of better Lapua brass, and nothing against a .338 Norma, but a .338 Lapua improved has that covered, with better shoulder angle and more performance, and nothing against a .338 Lapua improved, but a 338 HCM has that covered, with cheytac like performance on a lapua sized action, and nothing against........
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