BigNate Posted Tuesday at 01:59 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 01:59 PM (edited) So I'm following @Magwa down the 338 LM "next zip code" trail including reloading for this pursuit. I've made a few assumptions, started accumulating stuff, and started to build out a set of questions. Assumptions Materials Powder - I'm starting with Retumbo and VV N570 primarily based on what I'm seeing is a variety of online sources including here - and because I lucked into some of each at the local big-box sporting goods store. If there's a reason to start anywhere else please let me know. Primers - Federal 215M Bullets - I've got 100 each of the Berger 300gr OTM Tactical (MPN 33109) and the Hornady 300gr A-Tip Match (MPN 33389) as they seem to be two of the most commonly chosen and they are near the top of the list for BC without going to Cutting Edge Lazers which are nominally better - but more than twice the price per unit ($125/50 vs about $90/100 for the other two). Brass - Planning to buy 100pcs of new Lapua brass. Equipment Press - I have a Dillon 550B that I'm planning to use. I'll probably load in a way that is much more like a single stage press. This is what I own - and I probably won't be buying something different unless I run into issues (will probably find an older / used but high quality single stage) or win the lottery (I'll go buy all the newest coolest Area 419 stuff)... Dies - I've not yet sourced dies - doing research - would love advice. This will be the first real dive into "precision" reloading. I'm reading up on specialty dies etc. Scales etc. - I have a relatively inexpensive digital scale that I doublecheck with a balance beam scale. I have a manual trickler and I'll be manually trickling each charge until I decide I can't stand it anymore and break down and buy something better. I've come close to buying something a few times but always bail on it because I have a hard time spending $200 - $400 on something that I'm sure I'll want to replace with an FX-120i and auto trickler... Probably an OCD issue... tell me I'm wrong... Software - I'm modeling things with GRT Immediate Questions Dies - I've seen advanced / precision micrometer dies that I understand allow tighter control over seating depth etc. Worth it? No? Also - I've used Dillon, RCBS, Hornady, and Lee dies. For most things I've used basic dies - but I want to go "premium" for this setup - given the purpose of the gun and the degree to which a tiny variance in performance will amplify deviation at long range. Measuring Gear - I have read a bit about tools to measure seating depth from the ogive instead of COAL. It would seem that this would be most appropriate if I'm really concerned about jump to the lands. Too much? Order of Adjustment - Looking for validation or correction on this approach... My intent is to set the bullet about 0.020 off the lands, then work on a load ladder in small increments to try find a load that the gun likes (accuracy node). My question is - when do you start working to adjust distance from the lands, neck tension, etc. and how do you work through the decision to go back to powder / velocity modification after starting the other processes? What Am I Missing - What questions am I not asking that I should be asking? I'm sure that I'll have plenty more questions as things go forward. I'm hoping that this thread is a place where I'll learn and where we can create something that other folks diving down this rabbit hole can ramp up... Thanks in advance... Edited Tuesday at 02:00 PM by BigNate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigNate Posted Tuesday at 05:13 PM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 05:13 PM (edited) Well - I work about a mile from Dillon Precision so I ran over this morning to get clarity with them about whether there were any size issues with 338LM in the Dillon 550B (the good news is there is no issue). The good news is that there isn't. The other good news is that after chatting with the guy at the counter for a few minutes he said "hang on a minute" - and ran to the back. He came out with a box of 300gr Nosler Custom Competition and another in the 300gr SMK. They'd brought them in for some sort of testing - and were not an inventory item. I bought the box of Noslers well below street price - because I've got about 1000 factory 2nd 300gr 338 bullets that I bought to load as subsonic 8.6 plinking rounds - that are supposed to be factory 2nd Noslers. Once I get a load worked out for the Bergers or A-Tips - I'll probably do a quick pass at the Noslers and build enough group data for it that I can load up some with the factory 2nds to see if by some chance they perform well. Edited Tuesday at 05:14 PM by BigNate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago Buy the best dies you can, and you will need a micro seater die that will not be in the set I like wilson.. also a set of bullet mandrels to set case mouth tension, I always throw a powder charge from a balance beam and then put it on my digital scale and trickle to exact, one at a time . Do Not worry about seating depth till you find the right powder and charge weight for your rifle there are many ways to do it if you want my way PM me it works... Anneal after every firing, I do not tumble or clean my brass just the primer pocket..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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