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Hornady Load Data in Caliber .338 Lapua Mag.

Hornady Load Data | xxlreloading.com

Hornady

Hornady Manufacturing Company, established in 1949 by Joyce Hornady in Grand Island, Nebraska, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality ammunition and bullets. The company's inception was driven by Hornady's dissatisfaction with the availability and quality of bullets in the post-World War II market, prompting him to produce his own. Hornady's vision was to create accurate, reliable, and consistent ammunition, which has remained the core of the company's ethos. Hornady initially began by producing .30 caliber bullets for hunting. Over the years, the company expanded its product range, introducing a variety of bullets for different shooting disciplines, including hunting, target shooting, and law enforcement. One of the key innovations was the development of the InterLock bullet in the 1960s, which featured a ring that mechanically locked the jacket and core together to enhance weight retention and penetration. This bullet became a cornerstone for hunters seeking reliable performance. The Hornady bullet lineup includes several notable products. The V-Max bullet, designed for varmint hunting, is renowned for its polymer tip that maximizes ballistic coefficient and promotes rapid expansion. The ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag – eXpanding) and ELD Match bullets, both featuring Heat Shield tips, offer superior accuracy and consistency, with the former tailored for hunting and the latter for competitive shooting. The SST (Super Shock Tip) bullet combines high ballistic efficiency with controlled expansion, making it a versatile choice for various game sizes. The GMX (Gilding Metal eXpanding) bullet is crafted from a monolithic copper alloy, ensuring deep penetration and high weight retention, which is ideal for hunting larger game. Hornady's Critical Defense and Critical Duty bullets are designed for personal protection and law enforcement, respectively. The Critical Defense bullets feature patented FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding) technology, which prevents clogging and aids in reliable expansion, while the Critical Duty bullets are optimized to meet stringent FBI protocols for barrier penetration and terminal performance. Hornady has consistently pushed the boundaries of bullet technology, driven by a commitment to innovation and quality. Today, the company remains a respected name in the ammunition industry, known for its precision-engineered bullets that cater to the diverse needs of shooters worldwide.

.338 Lapua Mag.

The .338 Lapua Magnum, also known as the 8.6x70mm, is a long-range rifle cartridge developed in the 1980s by the Finnish firearms manufacturer Lapua. It was designed to be a high-powered, accurate cartridge for military and law enforcement snipers, as well as for long-range target shooting and big game hunting.

The cartridge has a bullet diameter of .338 inches and a case length of 2.7 inches. It is capable of firing bullets weighing between 200 and 300 grains at muzzle velocities ranging from 2,800 to 3,200 feet per second.

The .338 Lapua Magnum is a highly accurate cartridge with a flat trajectory that makes it ideal for long-range shooting. It is capable of delivering high amounts of energy to the target at distances of up to 1,500 yards or more.

The cartridge is commonly used by military and law enforcement snipers, as well as by civilian long-range shooters and big game hunters who need to take shots at extended ranges. It is also used in long-range shooting competitions, where it has set numerous records.

The .338 Lapua Magnum is typically chambered in bolt-action rifles, although it has also been used in semi-automatic rifles such as the Barrett M82 and the Sako TRG-42. It is not as widely available as some of the more common rifle cartridges, but it is gaining popularity among long-range shooters and hunters who appreciate its power and accuracy.

Due to its high muzzle velocity and energy, the .338 Lapua Magnum generates significant recoil, which can be a challenge for some shooters. However, many firearms manufacturers now produce rifles with effective recoil-reducing features, such as muzzle brakes and adjustable stocks, that help to mitigate this issue.

Caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Load Data | xxlreloading.com
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