[big medicine]

It was warm enough to go shooting today temp 55 degrees, Wind 10-15 MPH and more wind than I like but hea it beats not shooting. Relative humidity 81% Pressure 26.96. I only got 3 loads shot for the 308MX. I figured I would try the Hornady 150 gr GMX #30370. this bullet would only be able to be loaded with one in the chamber and one in the mag, but I figured it would be fun to work up anyway. I shot Leverevolution powder, the targets were shot at 100 yards with the wind at my back with a right to left quartering angle across the range. 42.0 gr = 1.5 inch, 42.5 gr = .25 inch..yes 1/4 inch, and 43.0 gr 1.75 inch. Hornady brasss and Win LR primer

Pic of the 42.5 gr 150 gr GMX load

The 338 MX didn't go so well. I tried the Barnes 185 gr TSX HP bullet with Hornady Brass, CCI 200 Primer and Leverevolution powder 45.5 gr = 2.75 inch, 46.0 gr = 2.25 inch, 46.5 gr = 2.75 inch, 47.0 gr = 4.0 inch, and 47.5 gr = 4.0 inch,

Also shot the 200 FTX bullet with same brass and primers

45.5 gr = 3.0 inch, 46.0 gr = 3.5 inch, 46.5 gr = 3.25 inch, 47.0 gr = 3.5 inch, 47.1 gr =3.0 inch

Not real impressed with the 338 results.

I did not check any velocities it was too windy to try and set up the chrono and I usually don't bother to check velocities until I have an accurate load. It takes concentration away from shooting a group to try and have the chrono lined up so I don't put a bullet through it.

Back to the loading bench.

 

[Halwg]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

So tell me, on the 338 loads were they much worse than factory? Seems like that gun should shoot a lot better than what you got. Looks like Hodgdon gives a max load of 47.5 gr of the LVR powder. But 3 - 3.5" groups are not what I would expect. I'm going to shoot mine with AA2520 on Saturday if there isn't any wind. I want to see what kind of groups I can get at 100 yards.

The 308 was really a winner. Makes me wonder if the LVR powder isn't optimized for lighter weight bullets, particularly in 30 caliber. Looks like the 150 gr was a pretty sweet spot for it.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

See thats what happened to me and some one said something about cripping, but I have tryed it a couple times and am not impressed so now I'm going to try A 2520 and have bought some. Dennis

 

[big medicine]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

So tell me, on the 338 loads were they much worse than factory? Seems like that gun should shoot a lot better than what you got. Looks like Hodgdon gives a max load of 47.5 gr of the LVR powder. But 3 - 3.5" groups are not what I would expect. I'm going to shoot mine with AA2520 on Saturday if there isn't any wind. I want to see what kind of groups I can get at 100 yards.

The 308 was really a winner. Makes me wonder if the LVR powder isn't optimized for lighter weight bullets, particularly in 30 caliber. Looks like the 150 gr was a pretty sweet spot for it.

My rifle shoots right around an inch or better with factory ammo and with my AA2520 load. My rifle. Shoots three inch groups at 300 yards not at 100 yards. I have my doubts that this is the same powder as the factory ammo.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

Yea! so I have two pounds of LE for sale, maybe good for blowing stumps. Dennis

 

[Win_94]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

yes 1/4 inch

That's great! Good work!

 

[Halwg]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

My rifle shoots right around an inch or better with factory ammo and with my AA2520 load. My rifle. Shoots three inch groups at 300 yards not at 100 yards. I have my doubts that this is the same powder as the factory ammo.

I've always had good results with AA 2520 and heavier bullets. It does better for me with the 200 gr and 220 gr 35 caliber bullets. It's also done very well for me in the 338 and the 200 gr FTX with the limited testing I have done. Groups as tight as the factory loads. I just don't know how the velocity compares because I haven't been able to use the Chrony due to the weather.

I'm thinking this LVR powder is the blend suited to the 30-30 and the 308. I noticed that they really didn't list a lot of calibers to use it with. I thought of getting a pound to try in the 30-30, but I have a good load with H4895, so I see no reason to change.

 

[big medicine]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

Got back out today and shot again. Time 1700, Temp 49 degrees, Wind none, Humidity 49%, pressure 30.18 great day to shoot. I shot some loads for the 308MX and the 338MX once again.

338MX Hornady Brass, CCI 200 primer AA2520 powder Barnes 185 gr TSX HP bullet. (Note: This load is only to be loaded with one in the chamber and one in the mag tube) added note (there is no published data for this load so you need to use caution at your own risk)

43.0 gr = 2 shots touching total group 1 inch, 43.5 gr = 3.0 inch, 44.0 gr = 1.5 inch, 45.5 gr = 2.25 inch

308MX loads shot with Horndy brass and Rem 7 1/2 primer Leverevolution powder
150 gr GMX (again this is one in the chamber and one in the mag tube)
42.5 gr 2 shots touching total group .75 inch, 43.0 gr = 2.0 inch, 43.5 gr = 1.25 inch, 44.0 gr = 2 shots touching total group 2.0, 44.5 gr = 2 shots touching total group 1.0 inch, 45.0 gr = 2 shots in same hole total group 1.0 inch

160 FTX 308MX bullet Leverevolution powder
41.0 gr = 3.0 inch, 41.2 gr 2 shots touching total group 1.0 inch, 42.0 gr = 2.5 inch, 42.6 gr = 3 shots touching total group just a little over .25 inch ( pic)

I had given up trying to load for the 38MX because I could not find any powder bullet combo that shot worth a dang. I spent much of 2008 trying different powder bullet combos and nothing was worth loading. Now finally something that shoots.

I need to go back and rework these loads that shot well and see if they are consistant and get some velocity data.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

You know I think we will find the perfict load for both the 308 me and the 338 me but I really don't think it will be the LE powder. but let's keep looking. Dennis

 

[dpe.ahoy]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

I just love seenin them cloverleafs. Good shootin Big Medicine. DP

 

[HowdyC]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

^^^^^
+ 1 to that!

 

[ihunter338]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx loads today

Got back out today and shot again. Time 1700, Temp 49 degrees, Wind none, Humidity 49%, pressure 30.18 great day to shoot. I shot some loads for the 308MX and the 338MX once again.

338MX Hornady Brass, CCI 200 primer AA2520 powder Barnes 185 gr TSX HP bullet. (Note: This load is only to be loaded with one in the chamber and one in the mag tube) added note (there is no published data for this load so you need to use caution at your own risk)

43.0 gr = 2 shots touching total group 1 inch, 43.5 gr = 3.0 inch, 44.0 gr = 1.5 inch, 45.5 gr = 2.25 inch

308MX loads shot with Horndy brass and Rem 7 1/2 primer Leverevolution powder
150 gr GMX (again this is one in the chamber and one in the mag tube)
42.5 gr 2 shots touching total group .75 inch, 43.0 gr = 2.0 inch, 43.5 gr = 1.25 inch, 44.0 gr = 2 shots touching total group 2.0, 44.5 gr = 2 shots touching total group 1.0 inch, 45.0 gr = 2 shots in same hole total group 1.0 inch

160 FTX 308MX bullet Leverevolution powder
41.0 gr = 3.0 inch, 41.2 gr 2 shots touching total group 1.0 inch, 42.0 gr = 2.5 inch, 42.6 gr = 3 shots touching total group just a little over .25 inch ( pic)

I had given up trying to load for the 38MX because I could not find any powder bullet combo that shot worth a dang. I spent much of 2008 trying different powder bullet combos and nothing was worth loading. Now finally something that shoots.

I need to go back and rework these loads that shot well and see if they are consistant and get some velocity data.

Great shooting. What velocities?

 

[Halwg]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

Big Med, I'll be interested to see what velocities you get. I loaded 45.7 gr of AA2520 in the 338 with the 200 gr FTX and I got 2390 with an SD of 16. Shoots really well, but a little slower than I wanted. I'm going to try to see if I can work up to 2450 fps.

 

[big medicine]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

Hal,
My 200 gr FTX load with AA2520 I did in July 09. I'm shooting 44.6 g with a MV of 2388 and SD of 6.13 it is a good shooting load. It was a .5 inch group with 2 shots in the same hole. I'm still working on the 185gr Barnes load, we'll see how it turnes out.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

OK I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but what does SD stand for?

 

[Dodge]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

Has anyone done up any loads with the Berger VLD bullets? I wonder how they will work in the 308/338,s. They should add a little down range performance and distance?

 

[got308mxlr]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

incorrect deleted - got my 8th Edition Hornady manual back and it does have the 338 MX data in it.

 

[xbones88]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

OK I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but what does SD stand for?

In this case, SD=Standard deviation, usually expressed as +0.00. It can also mean Sectional Density, usually expressed as +.000.

 

[Halwg]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

OK I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but what does SD stand for?

SD = Standard Deviation. It's a statistical analysis.

Standard deviation is a widely used measurement of variability or diversity used in statistics and probability theory. It shows how much variation or "dispersion" there is from the "average" (mean, or expected/budgeted value). A low standard deviation indicates that the data points tend to be very close to the mean, whereas high standard deviation indicates that the data are spread out over a large range of values.

So a higher SD means that each shot is more dispersed from the mean. In handloading I look for loads with the lowest SD. The load Big Med is using is very good with a SD less than 7.

It is also interesting to note that he is using 1 gr less of AA2520 than I am and achieving the same velocities. Just goes to show that every gun is different.

One other thing I might point out is that there could also be a difference in chronographs. Mine seems to consistently give me lower readings for the same loadings as other folks on this site. Makes me think my Chrony may be running a little slow. I'm thinking about buying a PACT and selling the Chrony.

 

[stykbow57]

Re: Worked up some 308Mx and 338Mx up dated 2-18-11

SD! WOW ??? Like I said I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I get by, thanks Dennis