33XC Build

[codyadams]

I'm really starting to want one of these for horse pack in high country elk hunts. No way I'm packing a 15+ lb rifle 3+ miles in, but on a horse........YUP!!

Insane work Ryan. Truly outstanding rifles!

 

[SO92]

Ryan-

This is exactly why I'm always out of money, from reading posts like this.

What does the recoil feel like on those builds? Any other bullets you'd consider outside of the 300 bergers?

You got my attention...

 

[dgarrett]

Do any of you have 300 rounds through your rifle yet? And if so how are your barrels holding up?...Dave

 

[Bravo 4]

I have right at 300 through mine and the fire cracking for the first couple inches is pretty severe as one can image. I'd take pictures of the throat but just lent out my borescope.

 

[dgarrett]

Thanks Bravo 4 .....Is the 37xc just as hard on barrels as the 33xc? Or is there a noticeable difference in barrel life?...I am steering away from the 33xc so far as something like 300 shots just isn't enough for me to give up my my slower 338 edge and 338 lapua imp for the gains but short barrel life... Also I thought the 375 cheytacs were something like 500-800 shoots of barrel life?

 

[Bravo 4]

I expect 300-500 more from this barrel, but I haven't been exactly nice to it.
I doubt the 37XC is as hard on the barrel, not quite as overbore. I would say my 33XC and .375 Snipetac are probably closer: a .375 cal being pushed by 155 grains of RL50, and a .338 cal pushed by 123 of the same powder.
As for my current barrel, I'm not too concerned with barrel life. It's a $150 Wilson from my gunsmith that was a last minute effort to get this rifle going before a debacle of an elk hunt. Its been a chore to find a load for but think I may have found something it really likes. Here are 4 shots at 100. Have a carbon waiting for this one to keel over.

 

[rpierce]

Honestly I probably won't be building many more 33xc rifles. The N570 load kills the barrel with .025 throat erosion every 100 rounds. At the milder nodes of reloader50 and h50bmg its only 125 fps faster than my 338 norma improved in a similar pressure node, barrel length, and powder. However the 33xc is single shot only and is burning 30 grains more powder for that extra 125 fps. Brass and die availability has been an issue with the 33xc as well. Its also more finicky than my 338 norma improved.

 

[jcc]

Honestly I probably won't be building many more 33xc rifles. The N570 load kills the barrel with .025 throat erosion every 100 rounds. At the milder nodes of reloader50 and h50bmg its only 125 fps faster than my 338 norma improved in a similar pressure node, barrel length, and powder. However the 33xc is single shot only and is burning 30 grains more powder for that extra 125 fps. Brass and die availability has been an issue with the 33xc as well. Its also more finicky than my 338 norma improved.

I have never seen a post about your 338 norma improved. Any more details?

 

[rpierce]

I have never seen a post about your 338 norma improved. Any more details?

I haven't posted it on here yet. Been too busy to post rifles etc since around last april. Only time Ive posted one is if its ready to ship. And even then I don't always post em. Heres a link to the 338 norma improved info i just posted, https://www.longrangehunting.com/th...ed-load-testing-info-and-builds.228538/page-9 Has some info on various powders tested as well. Ill be building another one in a lighter setup on Bordens new Bigfoot action that I will have any day. Its going to a be a sick setup so stay tuned

 

[Stockbroker]

Tagging in; have parts ordered for a customer specified 33XC build on the Borden Bigfoot repeater.
Tried to get Brux in 8 twist, but they won't do 1:8 in 338 bore. Muller Works on order.
Should be fun

 

[idcwby]

Finished up this sick 33XC for Aaron DeRose. Did full load development and everything for it. This rifle is stupid accurate. Shots 2,3&4 down the rifle measured .328"@100 with a random starting load. I ended up settling on a very mild load of H50bmg with .0015 neck tension and 300 gr bergers .020 off the lands, 2989 fps average. The ES on this load is EXTREMELY low, pic of a 3 shot string w 0 ES. 10 shot single digit was had on more than one occasion. I ended up shooting the smallest group at 580 yds Ive ever shot. .362"/.059 MOA AT 580 YDS. Obviously it won't do that every time. However the rifle is consistently holding 3" or less vertical at 1000 based on the last several groups shot with it. Heres a 3.104" group at 1000 with 1.64" vertical. With this very mild load of H50bmg there is almost zero throat erosion. Haven't been able to measure any in the last 100 rounds. I didn't get bolt click til 7 gr more powder, just to give you an idea on how mild it is. Barrel will easily last 1000 rounds. ZERO recoil on this thing. Reticle doesn't hardly leave the target at 1000.

Rifle has the following components:
Surgeon 1581 timed to a Triggertech Diamond
XLR Evolution, sick paint job by Grant Gillespie @ Viking Armament
Brux 32" barrel 9.4 tw
Slabbed 5 Port Magnum "Muscle" brake
Zero Compromise optic bedded into a Spuhr Mount
View attachment 226094View attachment 226095View attachment 226096View attachment 226097View attachment 226098View attachment 226099View attachment 226100View attachment 226101

What did this rifle weigh?

 

[Longrangers]

Where would a 338 lapua improved fall into the equation between a 33xc and 338 Norma improved?

 

[VLD Pilot]

It's like cheating when it comes to shooting in the wind lol. And then hits like a freight train when it comes into contact w my steel gong at 1000 yds

Amazing how that extra HP helps so much more when wind is present. Doesn't seem to help as much with lighter bullets in the .308 caliber. Those 300s pushed at your speeds is the ticket for the .338 caliber.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Thank you. No problem at all. I went with a 1:9.4 tw



Thank you. Im looking forward to stretching it past 2000 yds once the load is tuned and dialed in.

Ryan,
Do you have a picture for comparison of that cartridge next to a 338 Lapua ? It holds around 20% more powder than my 338 improved cartridge so I'm curious.