What ammo or handloads work best in your AI AX338 with 27'' barrel 1 in 9.5 twist...

[Canuck1977]

As the title says, what ammo or handloads work best in your AI AX338 with 27'' barrel 1 in 9.5 twist? I know they have a strange twist, not a true 1 in 10...

Please let me know, looking for a starting point.

Thanks to all.

 

[mmcmah]

Not sure if my prior reply went through... Apologies for reposting if it did.

Did you ever get any information? If so, I'd appreciate it as well, as I just picked up an AX338 yesterday.

Thanks.

 

[siglover]

I just bought the same rifle and asked the safe question last week. I got one reply so either people didn't like the way i asked or not many people own this rifle.


Here's what i'm working with myself.

Powder -Retumbo
Primer - Federal 215 and CCI 250

Bullets -
Lapua 300 gr
Sierra 300 gr
Hornady 285 gr - Some believe this could be one of the best bullets. I just got them so I should be able to test these in the next few weeks.

I found this to be a very accurate load so far. I still need to test hornady.
Retumbo 88 gr
Federal 215
Sierra 300gr

 

[mmcmah]

Thanks. That all seems right in line with what I've been able to find too. If I recall correctly, though, I had read somewhere between 92-95 gr for the powder.

I'll let you know as I develop too.

Many thanks again.

 

[siglover]

You are correct I started on the Low\Medium side. Plus i was only shooting to a 100 yards sighting in my scope.

My next batch will be 91-92 out to 400 yards. yes please keep us updates on what you find out. Congrats on the rifle its a beauty and lots of fun to shoot. Here'a picture of mine.

 

[E. Bryant]

I found this to be a very accurate load so far. I still need to test hornady.
Retumbo 88 gr
Federal 215
Sierra 300gr

What is your overall length on this load?

 

[mmcmah]

Thanks. Beautiful indeed! I haven't shot mine yet (got it yesterday), but I'm itching to do so!!

I put some pictures in this thread: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...ooting-accessories-fantastic.html#post2706893

 

[siglover]

What is your overall length on this load?

These are the measurement i took. I still need to measure the hornady.

Lapua 3.706
Sierra 3.716

 

[siglover]

Thanks. Beautiful indeed! I haven't shot mine yet (got it yesterday), but I'm itching to do so!!

I put some pictures in this thread: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...ooting-accessories-fantastic.html#post2706893

Very nice I see you went all out

 

[mmcmah]

Any other way ??

 

[mmcmah]

BTW, I forgot to ask you before what scope you have on yours?

 

[siglover]

Any other way ??

I didn't splurge on the auto cheek and butt pad. Excellent choice I wish i did. Anyone on the fence about that option i would get it.

 

[siglover]

BTW, I forgot to ask you before what scope you have on yours?

I went with the Nightforce ATARC

 

[mmcmah]

I didn't splurge on the auto cheek and butt pad. Excellent choice I wish i did. Anyone on the fence about that option i would get it.

I completely agree on the adjustable check and butt pad. I did not find that the non-adjusted sizes fit me at all. The guys at Mile High encouraged me to take it outside and to try different positions. I just couldn't get comfortable without adjusting them.

I've heard very good things about the ATACR. How do you like it? How do you like the rifle and the caliber?

 

[E. Bryant]

These are the measurement i took. I still need to measure the hornady.

Lapua 3.706
Sierra 3.716

Thanks for the info. I tried to feed mine with some leftover handloads from a previous rifle (90-something gr of Retumbo behind a 250gr SMK, loaded to ~3.620" for SAAMI-length AICS mags), and it's clearly not happy with the combination.

 

[siglover]

I completely agree on the adjustable check and butt pad. I did not find that the non-adjusted sizes fit me at all. The guys at Mile High encouraged me to take it outside and to try different positions. I just couldn't get comfortable without adjusting them.

I've heard very good things about the ATACR. How do you like it? How do you like the rifle and the caliber?

What can i say its worth every cent This is my first 338 so you can probably imagine I had no recoil management my first outing. With that said if you can control the recoil this rifle has no problem shooting in the same hole time after time. It will make a novice shooter like myself look good. Its just an awesome rifle I couldn't be happier. I need to ask mile high if i can get the adjustable butt stock. I know exactly what you mean by getting comfortable. I love the scope the glass is very nice, i upgraded from an NSX.

Here's a 5 shot group at a 100 yards while sighting in the scope. I had a flyer (probably due to flinch from my friends 338 going off next to me).

 

[siglover]

Thanks for the info. I tried to feed mine with some leftover handloads from a previous rifle (90-something gr of Retumbo behind a 250gr SMK, loaded to ~3.620" for SAAMI-length AICS mags), and it's clearly not happy with the combination.

I had a ton of room even at 3.716. I think this one of the big advantages to the AX mags.

 

[E. Bryant]

I had a ton of room even at 3.716. I think this one of the big advantages to the AX mags.

I've measured the mag to offer nearly 3.830" of OAL, which is well beyond what should be needed to load the 300gr projectiles into the lands (somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.740", according to my Hornady tool).

 

[siglover]

I've measured the mag to offer nearly 3.830" of OAL, which is well beyond what should be needed to load the 300gr projectiles into the lands (somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.740", according to my Hornady tool).

That's about what i get, then I dial it back about -0.040.

 

[mmcmah]

Nice group. How many outings before you got the recoil management down?

This is my first 338 as well. Looking forward to trying it out and getting the uncertainty of the recoil out of my mind.

 

[siglover]

Nice group. How many outings before you got the recoil management down?

This is my first 338 as well. Looking forward to trying it out and getting the uncertainty of the recoil out of my mind.

I've only been out once and it wasn't the best place.. Unfortunately in my neck of the woods the majority of our shootings is off the bench which makes it a little harder with recoil management. It didn't help that the bench at my 100 yard range are made out of wood and very shity.

Furture out we have a 1000+ yard range with prone shooting and concrete benches. I don't foresee the recoil being an issue at all in the prone position like it is on a bad bench. I also think on a stable bench recoil will be very manageable in the proper position . I'm looking forward to getting out to this range very soon to see what it can do in a better long distance shooting environment.

 

[apricot]

not sure if you can own a supressor where you live... but it will turn that into a 243 as far as recoil. sweet rig btw.

 

[siglover]

Here’s my best 5 shot group my first time out to 1000 yards. I had the pleasure of doing this at peacekeeper in West VA which is an awesome venue for long range shooting. It was a perfect day with very little wind. I loved their electronic targets they are super cool. Anyone that hasn’t been here you should check them out it’s a playground for gun lovers. I was told this group was about 10 inchs.. The AX definitely had a bigger role in this group then my shooting that’s for sure.. Its just an awesome rifle I couldn’t be happier with it.. I’ve included the load I think performed the best in mine. On this day I had loads for Hornady, Lapua and Sierra but Berger’s consistently performed the best hands down.

New Lapua Brass
COL 2.820
Federal 215
Rotumbo 89.5 Velocity 2650
Berger OTM Tactical 300 gn