338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

M

mram10

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Minuteman
Feb 8, 2010
449
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Idaho
#1
I have been trying to work up an accurate load for my edge with the 300gr vlds and H1000. I loaded up 88.0, 88.4, 88.8 and 89.2 and shot 2 sets of each at 600yds to see what they would do. 7 of 8 were within 2" of vertical with one flier 6 inches low. This gun shoots SMK300s great, but they suck on game (based on my experiences). What have you guys done to get them to shoot? On lands? Off lands? Velocity? Etc.

Shooting was done off a bench, nice front rest and quality rear bag (sand).

Rifle - rem700, 30"brux(light palma), B&C tactical, NF 5.5-22, 2lb trigger.
 
#5
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

Let me understand you. You loaded 4 different charges shot them at 600yds all but one were within 2" vertical and you want help? What do you get with the 300smk's?
 
#6
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stranded</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let me understand you. You loaded 4 different charges shot them at 600yds all but one were within 2" vertical and you want help? What do you get with the 300smk's?</div></div>

I guess I should have read a little further. My bad, good on you Stranded to pick up on it.

One round, 6" low is one of two things:

You didn't powder the round correctly, seat or something you did with reloading.

You didn't start with a good shooting position. You loaded too much forward on the shot or got a 'soft' shoulder during the shot.

My reasoning says the latter.

If I were you, I'd keep doing things the same as you were doing. Ignore my first post as, obviously, it really is going right for you.

After you get the rounds loaded, start thinking about the shooting just like it was the reloading. Everything has to be done exactly the same way.
 
#7
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

VLD are not my problem. Every VLD I have shot in other rifles have grouped great. Hybrids are my problem. These 300gr 338 hybrids are much more picky than the VLDs. Many people have said they can't get them to shoot and ended up selling theirs. I wanted to see if anyone had figured out the sweet spot for jump with these things.

Shot today again and the loads .005 off the lands were about an 8" shotgun blast at 600yds. The loads .030 off the lands were much closer, less than 5".

89.2gr H1000 .030 off lands. Next session I will try .020 and .040 off lands, then vary powder slighty to dial in a little more. No pressure signs, so that is a good thing (~2900-2910fps).

Keep the advice and experience coming guys.
 
#8
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

You are out of my my experience. Sorry, I didn't see you mention the Hybrids. Are these the same as the Classic Hunter? I'm thinking maybe try the jump from mag length.
 
#9
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

The hybrids are the gen 1 berger 338 bullets. I buy berger vlds for my 30 and 7mm stuff religiously, but these 338s have me stumped. Today was a small breakthrough though. I would love to see what jump others are using to get these working the best though.
 
#10
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

My understanding was the hybrids were made to allow better 'jump' into the lands. I had no problem with 180 hybrids in 7mm doing that.

The principle being they give up a little BC to allow for the jump.
 
#12
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

I didn't have much luck with the hybrids in my edge either. Did get close to 1/2 moa when using heavier charges. (91+ H1000) Varied the seating depth, didn't seem to matter, gun just didn't shoot them well.

Switched to 300 smk's and have shot some stupid tiny groups at 300yds. (killed a lotta shit with 'em since switching)

Had some brass issues when trying federal. Doughnut caused huge pressure issues, caused similar issue at the target as you're experiencing. Switched to remington and problem solved.
 
#13
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

I use rem 375 RUM brass. I also have had great luck with SMK groups, but they have been horrible on animals. 3 shots on a nice bull elk, and 4 shots through a white tail doe.
 
#14
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

mram10,

I've jumped the hybrids as much as .250" depending on which caliber/rifle. A lot more tolerant than VLD's for seating depth.

Where are you hitting these animals? What point exactly are you aiming for? Three shots on a big bull elk isn't that far out of the ordinary. Four shots to a whitetail doe is completely out of the norm. It doesn't matter what you hit the white-tail with she should go down if you place the bullet right.
 
#16
Re: 338 Edge - 300gr VLD - Not grouping

Lung shots mainly. All behind the shoulder. I have hunted my whole life and killed many deer and elk. I have never had speer hotcors, silver ballistic tip or other hunting bullets take more than one shot to bring down an animal when I hit it in the criticals. The SMKs pencilled right through on the elk and deer. The last shot nicked the elks heart which is why he stopped.

As for the seating depth, I loaded some .025, 050 and 075 off the lands. I will shoot them and post the results.
 
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