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Extended Ballistics: The .338 Lapua Magnum, 250-Grain BTHP Match Round

by Major John L. Plaster, USA (ret)

Lately I’ve done a lot of firing with my Savage 110BA, .338 Lapua Magnum rifle, taking on targets up to 1400 yards away.

My preferred load is the 250-grain match round, which is offered by Black Hills and Hornady, both of which have proved accurate in my rifle. To begin the process of fine-tuning ballistic data, I calculated the target knob settings for elevation and windage out to 1500 yards. My Millett LRS scope has 1-10th mil increment knobs, so I first worked up this data in mils.

This 1-10th Mil data is also useful for my Bushnell HDMR riflescope, which has both 1-10th Mil knobs and a Horus H59 reticle, which contains a grid of holds and leads at increments of 1/5th Mil.

Knowing that most other shooters have 1/4 MOA target knobs, I worked up that data too, offering you both Mil and MOA versions. Whichever you use, KEEP IN MIND that this data is a starting point and, like me, you’ll fine-tune it by firing at assorted distances.

Although there are slight variances between the Hornady and Black Hills loads (due to a 50-feet-per-second difference in muzzle velocity), their trajectories are so close that you can use this as starting data for fine-tuning either round.

Also, note that my LRS scope has a 35mm tube and a 56mm objective lens, requiring that it be mounted 2 inches above the bore, a half-inch higher than some other scopes.

I analyzed the trajectory differences between mounting it 2 inches above the bore, and 1-1/2 inches, and found the variances less than 1/2 MOA all the way to 1000 yards – or less than 2/10ths of a mil. Again, that’s close enough to start, after which you can fine-tune your data.

See also  6.5mm Creedmoor for Coyote Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Coyote Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the 6.5mm Creedmoor a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for coyote hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the 6.5mm Creedmoor is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest coyote. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the coyote, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the coyote in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a coyote in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the 6.5mm Creedmoor within the ideal range of suitable calibers for coyote hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is A GOOD CHOICE for coyote hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber 6.5mm Creedmoor Animal Species Coyote Muzzle Energy 2300 foot-pounds Animal Weight 30 lbs Shot Distance 100 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a 6.5mm Creedmoor? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a 6.5mm Creedmoor round is approximately 2300 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male coyote? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male coyote is approximately 30 lbs. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in coyote hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for coyote to be approximately 100 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the 6.5mm Creedmoor. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the coyote being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether 6.5mm Creedmoor is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest coyote - and to this question, the response again is yes, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is A GOOD CHOICE for coyote hunting. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting coyote to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

This original trajectory and windage data were computed using Sierra Infinity 6 software, after which I manually converted it into 1/10th mil and 1/4 MOA target knob settings. Sierra’s software assumes a 24-inch barrel, sea-level altitude and 59-degrees F. temperature and, as cited above, my scope mounted two inches above the bore.

1/10th Mil Settings for the .338 Lapua Magnum, 250-grain BTHP Match Round

Settings rounded off to the closest 1/10th of a Mil Distance Trajectory Path 1/10th Mil Elev. Setting 10 MPH Wind Drift 1/10th Mil Wind Setting Yards Inches Mils + 1/10th clicks Inches Mils + 1/10th Mil clicks 100 Zero Zero Zero Zero 125 -0.18″ None None None 150 -0.64″ 0 Mil + 1 click 1.1″ 0 Mils + 2 clicks 175 -1.39″ 0 Mil + 2 clicks 1.5″ 0 Mils + 2 clicks 200 -2.45″ 0 Mil + 3 clicks 2.0″ 0 Mils + 3 clicks 225 -3.81″ 0 Mil + 5 clicks 2.5″ 0 Mils + 3 clicks 250 -5.50″ 0 Mil + 6 clicks 3.1″ 0 Mils + 3 clicks 275 -7.51″ 0 Mil + 8 clicks 3.8″ 0 Mils + 4 clicks 300 -9.86″ 0 Mil + 9 clicks 4.6″ 0 Mils + 4 clicks 325 -12.55″ 1 Mil + 0 clicks 5.4″ 0 Mils + 5 clicks 350 -15.60″ 1 Mil + 2 clicks 6.3″ 0 Mils + 5 clicks 375 -19.02″ 1 Mil + 4 clicks 7.3″ 0 Mils + 5 clicks 400 -22.80″ 1 Mil + 6 clicks 8.4″ 0 Mils + 6 clicks 425 -26.99″ 1 Mil + 8 clicks 9.5″ 0 Mils + 6 clicks 450 -31.57″ 2 Mils + 0 clicks 10.8″ 0 Mils + 7 clicks 475 -36.56″ 2 Mils + 1 click 12.0″ 0 Mils + 7 clicks 500 -41.98″ 2 Mils + 3 clicks 13.5″ 0 Mils + 8 clicks 525 -47.83″ 2 Mils + 5 clicks 15.0″ 0 Mils + 8 clicks 550 -54.13″ 2 Mils + 7 clicks 16.5″ 0 Mils + 8 clicks 575 -60.90″ 3 Mils + 0 clicks 18.2″ 0 Mils + 9 clicks 600 -68.14″ 3 Mils + 1 click 20.0″ 0 Mils + 9 clicks 625 -75.87″ 3 Mils + 4 clicks 21.8″ 1 Mil + 0 clicks 650 -84.10″ 3 Mils + 7 clicks 24.0″ 1 Mil + 0 clicks 675 -92.87″ 3 Mils + 8 clicks 25.8″ 1 Mil + 0 clicks 700 -102.17″ 4 Mils + 0 clicks 28.0″ 1 Mil + 1 click 725 -112.03″ 4 Mils + 3 clicks 30.1″ 1 Mil + 2 clicks 750 -122.44″ 4 Mils + 5 clicks 32.5 1 Mil + 2 clicks 775 -133.45″ 4 Mils + 8 clicks 35.0″ 1 Mil + 3 clicks 800 -145.00″ 5 Mils + 0 clicks 37.5″ 1 Mil + 3 clicks 825 -157.30″ 5 Mils + 3 clicks 40.2″ 1 Mil + 4 clicks 850 -170.20″ 5 Mils + 6 clicks 43.0″ 1 Mil + 4 clicks 875 -183.70″ 5 Mils + 8 clicks 46.0″ 1 Mil + 5 clicks 900 -198.00″ 6 Mils + 1 click 49.0″ 1 Mil + 5 clicks 925 -213.00″ 6 Mils + 4 clicks 52.0″ 1 Mil + 6 clicks 950 -229.00″ 6 Mils + 7 clicks 55.0″ 1 Mil + 6 clicks 975 -245.00″ 7 Mils + 0 clicks 59.0″ 1 Mil + 7 clicks 1000 -262.00″ 7 Mils + 3 clicks 62.0″ 1 Mil + 7 clicks 025 -280.00″ 7 Mils + 6 clicks 66.0″ 1 Mil + 8 clicks 1050 -299.00″ 7 Mils + 9 clicks 70.0″ 1 Mil + 8 clicks

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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