222 rem and 338 edge range results

remingtonman_25_06 · Sep 9, 2009

Did some shooting tonight with a couple of my rifles. One is a rem 700 ADL in .222 rem w/Leupold vari x II 4-12 shooting 40g vmax and IMR-4198. I opened a new can of IMR-4198 so I figured I needed to fine tune my load again. It was still shooting great at 20.9g which is close to the usual 21g that I usually use. Velocity was running 150fps more though this time around at 3650fps, compared to the normal of 3500fps.

Other rifle I was shooting is my DE built 338 EDGE. Its a stainless BDL 700 action thats been trued up and trigger tuned to 1.5#. Its a 28" HART stainless/fluted sendero contour, 1-10 twist, DE muzzle brake, set in a Rem LSS stock and a Leupold vx3 6.5-20x50 LR, 30mm SF scope. Also has a scope level and ACI. I got bored and tired of waiting for my 300g SMK's to get here so I loaded up a few 215g Sierra Game Kings atop some H1000 and Retumbo. I never have shot anything but 300g SMK's so I was more curious to see what I could achieve velocity wise and see if the recoil was any different. I punched the numbers into QL and decided to start at 101.8g of H1000, then 102.8g, and lastly 103.8g. For Retumbo I started at 107.1g, and then 108.1g, couldn't get all of 109.1g in so didn't load them up. I didn't even shoot the 108.1g load either as velocity was already 3550fps with the 107.1g load which is about 250fps over what QL predicted. 102.8g of H1000 shot great giving a 3 shot group of .452" and a velocity of 3450fps, and no pressure signs.

This is the .222 remington, 700 ADL w/4-12 leupold.

This is the 338 EDGE

Here is the work up on the .222 and 40g vmax/IMR4198. .3g increments from 20.3g to 21.5g

Here is the target for the 215g SGK's and H1000 and Retumbo

The rifle did not kick any less amount that I could tell versus the 300g SMK"s at 2840fps

Now I know that I can expect around 3400fps with the 225g AB and H1000 which I want to try after my big bull hunt.

FOTIS · Sep 10, 2009

Not too bad I would say....

JD338 · Sep 10, 2009

Remmy,

Nice shooting. Have you considered the 338 cal 250 gr AB in the 338 Edge?

JD338

DrMike · Sep 10, 2009

A couple of sweet rifles. Two very exciting cartridges. Great shooting! Thanks for posting.

Guy Miner · Sep 10, 2009

A few of my friends shoot big .338's, the Edge, the straight Rem Ultra Mag and the .338 Lapua. Each did some work with the big 300 SMK's, but I believe all of them have now gone to various 250 gr hunting bullets, the AccuBond or the Sierra Game King.

Dunno since I didn't build the one I was planning, but they're very pleased with the results they're seeing with the lighter bullets.

Regards, Guy

JD338 · Sep 10, 2009

yup, the Nosler AccuBond offers predictable on game performance with a BC of .575. You just need to add a few more clicks of elevation. :wink:

JD338

jmad_81 · Sep 10, 2009

Thats some pretty damn good shooting bud! If you want to try the 225 AB I have a bag or two that my 338 WM doesn't seem to like. the 250 AB would be pretty dang cool as well. Both would put the smack down on an elk for a long ways I bet.

corbin9191 · Sep 10, 2009

remingtonman_25_06, I think that 338 edge of yours might be a little bit to much rifle for any animal over there in oregon, you might want to think about sending it my way. I could put it to alot of use over here in montana :twisted: GREAT SHOOTING MAN!

remingtonman_25_06 · Sep 10, 2009

We had this rifle built in mind to shoot the 300g SMK. You cant get the performance from any other 338 bullet to compare at LR, or any range for that matter. The energy, retained velocity, and wind drift of the 300g SMK with a .770 BC just whoops them all, plain and simple. The 300g SMK has a pretty good track record of taking game from 50-1400yards on deer and elk for years and years by some very experienced and dedicated LR hunters. I used it last year to take a spike at 915 yards and although the shot placement wasn't perfect, the 300g SMK smacked him to the ground and I bet money he was dead before he hit the ground. The 300g SMK entered in front of the shoulder at the base of the neck area and exited out the neck leaving around a 1" hole.

I have toyed with the thought of trying the 225g AB or 250g AB. I will probly try the 225g AB as I can push it faster, and the BC difference isn't much versus the 250g AB, so you dont really gain much by going the 250g route. A 225g AB at 3400fps isn't to shabby though and I can always find them locally, unlike the 300g SMK's which I'm still waiting for....

Like I said, I was just curious to see how the recoil and speed would be with a lighter bullet as I haven't put anything other then 300's through it, and I've had those box of 215g sierras forever. They surprised me with the speed, getting 200fps or so over QL predictions and to have them shoot under 1/2 MOA within the first 3 loads is pretty nice as well. The 300's kick a good bit even with the brake, and the 215's at 3450-3550fps weren't any different, definately a handful. I shoot off a leadsled for load development, so you know when that rifle is buck snorting off the lead sled and a 25# bag of shot, your dealing with some power.