Range Report TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

[DeauxJoe]

I noticed something odd at the range this weekend and I am wondering if it is just me or if anyone else has has something of the sort happen to them before. I was shooting groups at 100 yards just to break the barrel in and get used to the rifle. I couldnt get really tight groups. I shot several groups that came out very similar. I would have 2 shots just up and right of the MOA on the target the 3 was touching the center and 4 and 5 would be just low and right of the MOA on the target. I did this three times! Is this just my poor shooting or is that part of the break in deal and all. Round count is about 60 so far. I am no expert marksman but I had a Rem 700 in .270 before and I was putting down sub MOA groups @ 100.

 

[DeauxJoe]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

Guess it is a dumber question than I thought lol.

 

[turbo54]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeauxJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is this just my poor shooting or is that part of the break in deal and all. Round count is about 60 so far. I am no expert marksman but I had a Rem 700 in .270 before and I was putting down sub MOA groups @ 100. </div></div>

Yes.

A 338LM is a difficult caliber to get control of and shoot great.

Keep practicing. You'll be getting good about the same time as the barrel is going away - which will make you second guess yourself.

 

[ar-don71]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

there are so many factors that come into play.

what comes too mind with my experience with the 338lm is that the bullets are not fully stabilized untill after 100 yards.

my trg-42 will shoot the same size groups at 200 yards as it does at 100.

at 60 rounds your rifle sould be broken in but you may need a little more trigger time.

it took me about 100 rounds to get comfortable with the rifle.everyone is different.

also what ammo are you using?hand loads or factory

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

Don't waste your time or ammo trying to figure out why at 100 yards you aren't shooting tight groups with that cartridge. Hopefully you have the option of shooting 600 yards or more. Stretch it out and become nervous if it isn't consistent at distances it starts to settle down at.

Anything less isn't worth it unless you don't have the distance to shoot in which case choosing a different caliber would be prudent...or you have nothing better to do...I guess I've been there before.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

Check the stock screws. If it continues the pattern alter the time between shots
and see if it changes. A bedding issue may be the problem.

 

[DeauxJoe]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

Sorry for the lack of updates. I was shooting very cheap PMI (I think) ammo just to break in the barrel. That + trigger timer was the problem. Switched ammo problem solved.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

Cheap and 338 Lapua is an oxymoron my friend. Who is PMI?

 

[cali_tz]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

my experience with 338LM says that shooting any ammo, match or surplus, at 100 yards is a waste of money and time. As above mentioned, the match projectiles don't seem to stabilize and group well until, for me, 300 yards. And my best results with this caliber are well past 1000 yards where it does amazing things.

 

[HPLLC]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

The TRG 42 should shoot at or under 1MOA with good loads. My buddy has one and says it shoots really well.

If the gun didn't shoot 1MOA it would be really an oxymoron- a .338LM [1600yard cartridge], a $3000 rifle [precision rifle] without precision....

I would ensure you are using a sandsock (bag of sand or sock full of beans or whatever you prefer) as the rear support, bipod as the front support. Shooting prone with your body generally in line and centered with the barrel bore is ideal. Ensure you have achieved mechanical zero by closing and opening your eyes without the reticle drifting off target. Ensure the trigger is breaking crisply with minimal over-travel and not overly heavy (the TRG42 trigger is adjustable if I'm not mistaken).

I would then look at the ammunition quality, the scope mount rigidity, action screw torque, the barrel crown, and the muzzle brake alignment and muzzle brake style, as well as check to ensure the barrel is floating (IE use a cotton cloth to clear the barrel channel and check for interference fit).

I've not tested but have heard muzzle brake makers claim that if the aperture isn't aligned with the bore within .0005" concentricity, the accuracy will suffer. I have seen accuracy suffer from eccentric muzzle devices, but haven't measured how eccentric those were. Also if baffles in the brake are more than .2" wide at the aperture, accuracy will suffer.

I would expect the weapon to have a properly designed brake, but proper alignment could be off as not all parts are perfect.

If everything is good, you may be able to improve accuracy by bedding the action with a pressure point (devcon bedding the barrel to stock for the first 1.5-2" in front of the action.) < rifles sometime respond well to that.

 

[bowstryder]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

who was it that said .338 lm's were chambered for 5 dollar bills?? LOL It's sort of a true statement though. You need good ammo to get good results and even with good ammo, you need to get out to some distance to let the projectiles get the proper time to "sleep" then you will know why you purchased it!
Another thing that folks don't think about, if you only shoot these things to 1000 yds once, you've wasted your money. I found farms and ranges that I got permission to shoot BEFORE I ever decided to build one. It's simply an exercise of money wasting to blow rounds out at shorter ranges. My hunting rifles are plenty accurate enough for anything inside of 500 or more. just my .02

 

[turbo54]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bowstryder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">who was it that said .338 lm's were chambered for 5 dollar bills?? LOL It's sort of a true statement though. You need good ammo to get good results and even with good ammo, you need to get out to some distance to let the projectiles get the proper time to "sleep" then you will know why you purchased it!
Another thing that folks don't think about, if you only shoot these things to 1000 yds once, you've wasted your money. I found farms and ranges that I got permission to shoot BEFORE I ever decided to build one. It's simply an exercise of money wasting to blow rounds out at shorter ranges. My hunting rifles are plenty accurate enough for anything inside of 500 or more. just my .02 </div></div>

So true! It is seriously, seriously hard to truly justify these beasts! I am an AVID shooter, and have only fired ~50 rounds through mine because as much as I shoot, I rarely find myself somewhere I can take 1000+ yard shots. Anything less than 1000 is a waste as far as I'm concerned. Even 750-800 yards isn't quite enough!

 

[SVG308]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

It isn't so bad reloading for $20-23/box. Look at it this way - you are still shooting cheaper than someone who doesn't reload shooting a 308!

 

[Tactical]

Re: TRG 42 in .338 Lm Question

I had a TRG41 with 1x12 twist that shot 250s great but 300s it would not shoot. I now have a TRG42 that shoots like a hand built custom rifle ( under .50 moa 5 shot groups with factory ammo of Lapua 2500 LockBase) and one hole groups with 300 Scenars

The rifles shoot very well. They are light though and some guys tend to shoot larger groups with light rifles. Not the rifles fault though.