Range Report 338 LM Factory Ammo

[Nik H]

Well tomorrow I get to bring my new AI AXMC home.

There seems to be a lot of factory ammo out there including rounds from Hornady, Berger, Black Hills, etc. I have had great luck with the Berger 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges.

What brands and bullet types are you guys finding to be accurate?

 

[AIAW]

Well tomorrow I get to bring my new AI AXMC home.

There seems to be a lot of factory ammo out there including rounds from Hornady, Berger, Black Hills, etc. I have had great luck with the Berger 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges.

What brands and bullet types are you guys finding to be accurate?

Oh you did get one... I remember you thinking about it in another thread. Congrats!

I wish I could help with factory ammo. I personally have never shot a single round of factory through my AXMC. However, a good buddy of mine that I shoot with has had excellent results with the Black Hills Gold (http://www.black-hills.com/shop/bh-gold-ammo/338-lapua-2/)

I want to say he had very good performance from the Berger 300’s also. Doesn‘t beat good handloads of course, but both are excellent for retail ammo.

Are you going to eventually load for it? 338LM is a pricey venture to not have the ability to custom-tune them!

 

[Nik H]

I did take the plunge after AI made the LH .308 bolt bodies available. I figure the magazine piece will soon follow and it made more sense to purchase the AXMC. A member here had a NIB one for sale and we worked out an equitable price. Very much doubt that I will sell the AT that I also own.

I don't think I will ever reload. No time for it for one. Cost of doing it right is another. And I know I would be one of the guys that would drive himself nuts perfecting a load.

It really has not been an issue for me so far but I generally never say never.

I'll check out the BH ammo. I had good luck with some of their other calibers. I will likely order the Bergers as well. Their 6.5 Creedmor ammo is nuts. I have chronographed 20 round strings on a couple of occasions and both were single digit SD values.

 

[Howland]

I've only shot the factory Hornady Match 285 and FGMM 300. Of the two, the Hornady Match was more accurate. The best five shot group was .333 MOA at 400 yards.

If you ever plan on reloading or just selling once fired brass, consider the FGMM had relatively loose primer pockets after one firing.

 

[hiddenmongoose]

lapua 250gr lock base. very good results

 

[mojavejim]

The lot of the Berger 300 OTM that I bought had IS-D's in the mid 20's out of my AXMC 27" barrel. But on sale @ Brownell's and 10% off I couldn't buy the components for the price.

 

[Nik H]

The lot of the Berger 300 OTM that I bought had IS-D's in the mid 20's out of my AXMC 27" barrel. But on sale @ Brownell's and 10% off I couldn't buy the components for the price.

Thanks...that is super interesting regarding those SDs. I don't reload so this may be a dumb question fbut for larger cartridges like this, are single digit SDs common when you handload?

 

[OLD308]

Thought about one of the small ammo makers building you a custom load? If you send the brass back it should save to a pile of money without you having it reload. The factory 338LM ammo is like all factory ammo, severely knee capped in performance. Also the 338LM is one of a few cartridges that reloading from the start saves money.

I totally get you not wanting to reload, but one of these small custom load shops may be a viable option. Just my thoughts, hope it helps.

 

[Nik H]

Thought about one of the small ammo makers building you a custom load? If you send the brass back it should save to a pile of money without you having it reload. The factory 338LM ammo is like all factory ammo, severely knee capped in performance. Also the 338LM is one of a few cartridges that reloading from the start saves money.

I totally get you not wanting to reload, but one of these small custom load shops may be a viable option. Just my thoughts, hope it helps.

I should check that out...you mean like Andrew McCourt?

 

[mojavejim]

Yes my reloads have low single digit SD's. I've only shot 20 out of 200 so when I need some new brass I'll pull them apart & use it & the bullets.

 

[OLD308]

No specific recommendation, Google should return multiple options. Just seems like a better option for you. All it will cost you is time collecting you brass and mailing it back to the loader.

 

[nn8734]

I have had good luck with Lapua factory ammo in my TWolf. 250g scenars to 1k.

I will soon begin load development with 300g Berger OTMs and my once fired brass.

Edit: Congrats on your AXMC!

 

[sharpshot50]

Nik,

My lefty AXMC absolutely loves the Hornady 285 match and all three offerings from Lapua that I’ve tried (250 scenars, 300 scenars, and 250 lockbase).

They don’t do quite as well as my hand loads but they still come in at well under a half inch at 250 yards.