My 338 Sherman Shortmag

[elkaholic]

This is my first chassis rifle. MPA chassis. Origin action, fluted #9 Bartlein @ 26". This thing is hands down the best shooting rifle Ive ever had. The target is typical 3 shots at 100. 200 yd targets are just about as good. Havent gotten a chance to shoot at long ranges, due to shootings bans all last year. Hottest driest year on record, with lots of fires. I will have a hunting rifle in this cartridge soon. This rifle weighs 17#, and sure is fun to shoot.
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I have some RL 17, but havent tried it. I dont think I need to. Not sure why we all get so hung up on velocity hahaha

Thats a great looking build and Id say a shooter too!!

 

[Marky_mark]

These work pretty good

 

[Tidesloe]

Thats a great looking build and Id say a shooter too!!

Thanks! Wasnt sure what I was getting into, but turned out better than I expected. I got lucky with it. Well see if I can make a hunting rifle in this cartridge shoot well too. I certainly appreciate your expertise, vision and effort!!

 

[jsmitt6]

Thanks! Wasnt sure what I was getting into, but turned out better than I expected. I got lucky with it. Well see if I can make a hunting rifle in this cartridge shoot well too. I certainly appreciate your expertise, vision and effort!!

I run a standard 338SS for my hunting rifle. 26" barrel from Preferred Barrels, MPA Ultralite chassis, Defiance AnTi action. I have shot the Berger 250's at 2725 using H4350. I am going to be moving to the 225 Accubond though. I had a less than desirable experience with the 250 Berger this year on a mule deer. I found some Varget in stock so I will try a few different combinations to see what kind of velocity I can get. Ideally I am hoping for somewhere around 2900fps. Good luck, you'll love it!

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I run a standard 338SS for my hunting rifle. 26" barrel from Preferred Barrels, MPA Ultralite chassis, Defiance AnTi action. I have shot the Berger 250's at 2725 using H4350. I am going to be moving to the 225 Accubond though. I had a less than desirable experience with the 250 Berger this year on a mule deer. I found some Varget in stock so I will try a few different combinations to see what kind of velocity I can get. Ideally I am hoping for somewhere around 2900fps. Good luck, you'll love it!

How many grains of H4350 under that 250 Berger?

 

[jsmitt6]

How many grains of H4350 under that 250 Berger?

Currently 62 grains. I didnt hit pressure, but that was the max I had loaded before the hunt and the accuracy was more than acceptable for me. I think you could push 63-64 grains (I have not tried this so work up) and get closer to 2800 FPS though.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have the standard Sherman not any of the SS. Was curious to see how H4350 did for you.

I got pressure at 62.5gr/2601 FPS with a Hornady 250, not a Berger, but figured weights are same, should reveal potential.

 

[elkaholic]

I have the standard Sherman not any of the SS. Was curious to see how H4350 did for you.

I got pressure at 62.5gr/2601 FPS with a Hornady 250, not a Berger, but figured weights are same, should reveal potential.

The std Sherman likes different powders than the SS. Its quite a difference!

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have usually got within 50 FPS with H4350 and Rl17. Since the Rl17 fairy is still nonexistent, I am trying to work something. Also prefer the temp stability of H4350, even to sacrifice FPS.

 

[elkaholic]

I have usually got within 50 FPS with H4350 and Rl17. Since the Rl17 fairy is still nonexistent, I am trying to work something. Also prefer the temp stability of H4350, even to sacrifice FPS.

Depends on what case you shoot it in. The Sherman likes RL17 far better than 4350 but the SS narrows the Gap somewhat.
Ive blown primers on fast powders that run well in the SS even though the Sherman has greater capacity. With h100 V, RL17, N550 the Sherman will outrun the SS. With Varget, W760 and some other faster powders, the SS really closes the gap.
And still people say case design doesn't matter!

 

[jsmitt6]

Depends on what case you shoot it in. The Sherman likes RL17 far better than 4350 but the SS narrows the Gap somewhat.
Ive blown primers on fast powders that run well in the SS even though the Sherman has greater capacity. With h100 V, RL17, N550 the Sherman will outrun the SS. With Varget, W760 and some other faster powders, the SS really closes the gap.
And still people say case design doesn't matter!

Would you attempt trying H100v in the 338 SS? Possibly close to H4350 or no? Or would Varget reign supreme by a long shot?

 

[KMG]

Depends on what case you shoot it in. The Sherman likes RL17 far better than 4350 but the SS narrows the Gap somewhat.
Ive blown primers on fast powders that run well in the SS even though the Sherman has greater capacity. With h100 V, RL17, N550 the Sherman will outrun the SS. With Varget, W760 and some other faster powders, the SS really closes the gap.
And still people say case

Would you attempt trying H100v in the 338 SS? Possibly close to H4350 or no? Or would Varget reign supreme by a long shot?

I'm running rl17 & 240 BLDZR right now, but h100v is my next in-line to try. Docgalan had some impressive #'s with that powder.

 

[elkaholic]

Would you attempt trying H100v in the 338 SS? Possibly close to H4350 or no? Or would Varget reign supreme by a long shot?

3-4 grains slower than 4350

 

[Tidesloe]

I run a standard 338SS for my hunting rifle. 26" barrel from Preferred Barrels, MPA Ultralite chassis, Defiance AnTi action. I have shot the Berger 250's at 2725 using H4350. I am going to be moving to the 225 Accubond though. I had a less than desirable experience with the 250 Berger this year on a mule deer. I found some Varget in stock so I will try a few different combinations to see what kind of velocity I can get. Ideally I am hoping for somewhere around 2900fps. Good luck, you'll love it!

I understand what your saying about the Bergers. I've actually not had any bad experiences with them over 7-8 kills on mule deer and elk from 150 out to 578 yds. All dropped on the spot, without all the meat loss. All were 180 gr VLD's. I guess it matters where you hit em on the meat loss. I figure if you use them long enough youll experience a failure. I've heard all of the nightmare stories and guys saying theyll never use one again. That also seems to be the case with most bullets. All of the powders are hard to get these days. Its disturbing man!!! I've got a bunch of Varget, so I'll probably stick with it, as Im getting fairly good velocity, at 2817 fps, but Ive got a long throat, and seating the bullet so far out its nearly falling out of the neck. I think I can still go up, but its a good safe load, and Im good with it. Doesnt really matter with a 17-18# rifle, I'm not packing that much steel around the mountains. Im gonna end up putting a much lighter contour barrel, with standard throat, for hunting. Thatll be on hold for a little while as I just somehow jumped on a 338 Mega. The SS conversion to hunting rifle will wait for a few more months. Ive got H4350, and hadnt even thought of trying it. I do have a couple of #'s of RL-17, and will end up seeing what I can do with it, when I get a hunting barrel on it.
Enjoy it man!!