What Bullet for my Lapua Improved

[Blake72]

Ok, I picked up a Lapua Improved 35 degree off a friend of mine. He built it and just started to work with it when he cut bait and built a 416 instead. So very minimal rounds and data.
32" gain twist 9.75-9.35 barrel
I have US869, Retumbo, H1000, and some RL33 - But the thing I can't decide on is bullet. What bullet would you pick??

 

[Taylorbok]

Personally I'd do either a 300gr OTM or the A-tip.
Lot's of guys going to the lighter solids, to each their own

 

[cjuve]

With the twist rate, barrel length and powders that you have I would be looking at the heavies. 300 OTM

 

[jskmtd]

I shoot the berger 300 grain otm in my 40 degree lapua improved. I have been using n570 and getting 2912 fps in a 28" barrel. It averaged .4 over 3 groups over 3 different days at 1000 yards.

 

[VLD Pilot]

My 40° 338 Improved likes the 285 ELD, 300 OTM and 300 A-Tips. Can't tell really which one it likes the best beyond the 1500 yard range yet. Seems to like the Berger the best at this point.

 

[Jcook02]

I don't have a 338 Imp., but I'm definitely shopping around for one. I will be going straight for the 300 Berger's and then later playing with the 285 ELD for fun.

 

[jimbires]

I shoot the 300 Bergers . my buddies are shooting the 300 A-tips . we regularly shoot out to 2000 yards , sometimes further .

 

[Blake72]

I found otm 300s gonna start with them. If I can get my hands on the A tips I'll compare them after my FF trial

 

[Blake72]

I'm floored by the FF loads barrel is broken in only less than 50 rounds.
Virgin lapua brass with 300 otm 2765fps
Cut one hole at 100
Target is 1050 yards

 

[yobuck]

I shoot the 300 Bergers . my buddies are shooting the 300 A-tips . we regularly shoot out to 2000 yards , sometimes further .

So Jim, my questions to you would be as follow.
Have you ever compared the lighter lower BC bullets having more initial velocity to the ones you now use?
If so, at what point as for yards does the higher BC bullet overtake the lighter one?
Have you or anyone you know ever killed an animal at that distance? Especially in Pa?
For a hunter, including long range hunters, velocity rules to a very large degree.
And that includes the 338s

 

[jessej]

I'm floored by the FF loads barrel is broken in only less than 50 rounds.
Virgin lapua brass with 300 otm 2765fps
Cut one hole at 100
Target is 1050 yards

That's a little slow. But daggum son, I wouldn't change a thing! Just concentrate on repeating those results.

 

[VLD Pilot]

So Jim, my questions to you would be as follow.
Have you ever compared the lighter lower BC bullets having more initial velocity to the ones you now use?
If so, at what point as for yards does the higher BC bullet overtake the lighter one?
Have you or anyone you know ever killed an animal at that distance? Especially in Pa?
For a hunter, including long range hunters, velocity rules to a very large degree.
And that includes the 338s

For me with my 338 LM improved, at 1700-1800 yards the 250 Berger OTM and 300 OTM are about the same on my turret. At 2K, the 250 OTM needs one minute more on the dial. 68 vs 67. The 300 OTM has more than 300 ft lbs of energy over the 250 OTM and slightly more velocity at 2K. Those are my personal numbers at 1000' elevation in 44° temps.

 

[Blake72]

That's a little slow. But daggum son, I wouldn't change a thing! Just concentrate on repeating those results.

Yes it's slow I figure it's the H1000 I'm just using it to FF.
Gonna switch to retumbo or 33 for final load. But can't deny I'm kinda shocked with what it's doing

 

[snox801]

Nobody said the cutting edge 300gr?
You guys are crazy. Yes it's single feed but they are the king of 2 mile for a reason.