300 grn Scenars

[waverly]

I have 338-404 Jefferies heavy gun. Barrel is 9.3 twist Broughton. I have been shooting RL-25 and 300 Sierras, but had to change lots of powder a year or so ago. It took 2.5 grns. more to reach same velocity. This gun has not shot less than 8.5-9 inches since I changed lots. It does shoot 80 to 90+ scores. I know 338's are usually great score guns, but I'm looking to shrink my groups.

Long story short I have a supply of 300 grn. Scenars( gotta do something with them), plenty of Retumbo, H1000, as well as the RL-25 I've been shooting plus a supply of RWS, Fed, CCI std. and mag primers. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR YOUR LOAD DATA. I'm looking for info from anyone that has tested the Scenars at 1k. Any recomendations with regards to fps, seating depth,( additional powders as well) and any other suggestions before testing. I'm trying to save some mileage on my barrel while testing.

The cases that I am using are RWS, also been using 215m primers. Trim length is 2.90 inches.

Thanks in advance for any info, suggestions, etc from anyone shooting, or has shot the Scenars at 1k.
Regards, Waverly McNeill

P.S. I have considered the new Bergers, but the Scenars are paid for.

 

[Charles E]

Hi Waverly,

Maybe you'll get some answers, but in the meantime, I'll mention that starting match 6 last year, I began shooting a .338/404 in Light Gun. The Bergers have shot real well -- you were there, you know how that rifle's been shooting. It's Joel's old Light Gun; he never got the Sierra (either 250 or 300) or Lapua 250's to work all that well. Same rifle with the Bergers is doing more winning than losing (Joel's a fine gunsmith).

Remember when Scott shot that 4.2 10-shot group in HG? That was with the Bergers, too.

The other bullet several people -- Dave Tooley & Scott -- have mentioned is the new 285-grain Hornady.

* * *

Both Scott & I are a bit frustrated with powders. I've gone so far as to get Tooley to order a barrel to camber up using the smaller .338/375 Ruger case. The express purpose is to use H-4831. This for the HG, and you know that's been shooting so well with the .30 BIBs; it took a lot of faith to try a change. Another powder combination we may try with the bigger chamberings is a 50-50 mix of H-4831 and H-1000. Scott's tired of straight H-1000, and Rel-25 I use has it's quirks, too.

* * *

I've been using Fed 210s and WLR primers in the .338/404. I haven't yet quite got the nerve up to try the very mild Wolf primers, but will over the winter. Testing is always a plus; I've had barrels in the .30 SOB that shot best with 215s, yet the current barrel prefers the mild Wolf LR (KVB7). Go figure.

* * *

I hear you, the Scenars are paid for, & so's the powder. But might be worth trying a box of the Berger 300 hybrids, they've been doing well in several rifles.

See you in March,

Charles