.338 win mag recoil

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Mitchja95

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Gentlemen: Need help. recently acquired a ruger m77 MKII in .338 win mag. Loading 215 Sierra Gamekings. I like and will stick with them. Problem: recoil is blunting the tips on rounds in the magazine. I work my loads up for sub MOA. I've never shot a magnum like this before and am wondering if I need to worry about this. I could not detect that the bullet was moving in the case neck. But the ramp is mangling the bullet. Is it possible to crimp a bullet with no cannelure?
Thank you in advance
 
Lee makes a crimper that clamps the entire neck (around the bullet) but I'm not sure how it will effect accuracy. Quick question, are you worried about the bullets moving in the case or are you concerned about the blunting of the tips?
 
Can you load the rounds to a longer OAL thus reducing the amount of front and back slam?
As for the crimping, you may be able to use a "profile or taper crimp" w.o damaging the bullets.
 
I shoot a Savage and prefer 250 SGK, but I have run some of the 215's. I have never experienced bullet setback. Those exposed lead tips are vulnerable, though. What groups are you getting? You mention "the ramp is mangling" your bullets. Maybe I'm missing something, but that sounds different than the tips getting a flat spot in the magazine.

In my experience, it's difficult to get sub-MOA with this round. The only bullet I have managed that with is Barnes TTSX 210's. Most do 1 1/2" or a little better. Still, that hits the proverbial pie plate at 600, good enough for a hunting round, which this is.

The .338 certainly gets your attention, but there are plenty of harder kicking magazine fed rifles out there. Neck tension should hold the bullet in a properly sized case, and I have not heard of any special treatment in this regard.
 
I had the same problem with lead tipped bullets in both my 338 and 7mm Mag. Nosler Accubonds cured that, as will any plastic tip bullet.
 
I'm not an expert, but let's look at each one logically....

Blunted tips. Well, either they are or aren't affecting accuracy - are they? If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

As for setting back, you need to simply take calipers to the range and measure for setback. If there is, then that absolutely needs to be corrected, so you don't spike pressures.
 
For clarification: Are you talking about .300WinMag or .338Lapua? I don't think Ruger made them in the .338Lapua. But with gunsmiths these days, just about anything is possible.
 
I reload for 300 and 340WBY. I have seen this deformation on both plenty. I fired them anyway at the range. I have never noticed any gross aberration.

This was noticed mainly on factory ammo. I reloaded mostly Barnes TTX. One batch of Hornady 190gr JSPBT did this also, but again I can't remember any flying off of the paper. I don't think this would affect hunting accuracy at routine ranges.

Deformation may an issue for a competitive shooter, but I sure wouldn't pull any bullets with a flat tip.
 
Gentlemen, thank you all for your comments.
I was a little hurried in my initial description. Let me clarify a few points. This was my first outing with the rifle and the Sierra bullet. I loaded a number of different charges of re19 starting at 72 gr and worked my way up and fire form some cases along the way. I have not had the chance to really shoot for groups yet. The rifle is shooting steady around 2" in all charges even with a trigger i have to put my foot against. I have no reservations that after some trigger and bedding work, maybe a sharper scope, I'll cut the groups to 1". (I'm not really a sub MOA shooter)
Regarding the bullet deformities. I'll elaborate. The top bullet in the magazine was the one knocked out of round and The 2nd and third bullets Had the flattened tips. This weekend I'll test for accuracy. I'll check accuracy loading them one at a time vs firing them loading from the magazine.
Math teacher: I have the highest regard for nostler BTs and accubonds. Shoot them exclusively in my other rifles: .243 win, .308 win, 7-08 rem and 7 mm rem mag. Was not Looking forward to spending $1 a bullet for .338 accubonds, so I was hoping to make the best of the sierras.
Olddav: can you tell me the name of that crimper? Have you or any one you know used it?
Mobuck: I think I'm at maximum oal now but interesting idea. Thank you.
Kraigwy: another great tip. Thank you, sir
Ligonierbill: I love tweaking for accuracy. But, yes, I'll settle for a reasonable hunting accuracy. I've never shot at a critter past 300 yards. But, I hunt the grasslands In Western Nebraska and I want to trust my setup.
Unlicensed dremel: I had my calipers with me but because of the flattened tips I didn't know what to measure. I drew a sharpy line around the bullet at the case neck opening and am confident the bullets did not shift.
Gentlemen: thank you all so much for your time and attention. I'm looking forward to your further input
 
Well, color me stupid. I was so tunnel-visioned on the other 2 cartridges I mentioned that I completely forgot about the .338WinMag was an actual cartridge as well.

Man, I'm getting OLD! Sorry to poke at you for no reason other than my ignorance, Mitch...
 
"...recoil is blunting the tips..." Hi. That's not an issue. The only part of the bullet that matters is the base.
"...The rifle is shooting steady around 2"..." That's actually outstanding for a hunting rifle. MOA accuracy isn't required for hunting.
 
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