View Full Version : Looking for comments and recommendations on .338 Lapua
Roguish Lawyer
03-20-2016, 15:39
I have decided to get one, will be my first. Recommendations and thoughts?
Primary use would be larger game. Might spend as much as $5k, but would prefer a good value for less so I'll have more to spend on glass.
Thanks for any comments and suggestions.
1000K yrds out of the box
https://www.gunwerks.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIn1G8BeUuc
Team Sergeant
03-21-2016, 09:00
I have decided to get one, will be my first. Recommendations and thoughts?
Primary use would be larger game. Might spend as much as $5k, but would prefer a good value for less so I'll have more to spend on glass.
Thanks for any comments and suggestions.
lol, why? Unless you reload it's about $5 a shot. And there's nothing in the North American continent that can't be taken by a .308 or .300 WM.
Unless you're planning to do a whole lot of "expensive" long range shooting it's too much gun.
Roguish Lawyer
03-21-2016, 12:40
lol, why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzsUVXXMyE
The Reaper
03-21-2016, 22:18
lol, why? Unless you reload it's about $5 a shot. And there's nothing in the North American continent that can't be taken by a .308 or .300 WM.
Unless you're planning to do a whole lot of "expensive" long range shooting it's too much gun.
I concur.
TR
Team Sergeant
03-21-2016, 22:24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzsUVXXMyE
I'm trying to save your marriage! ;)
mark46th
03-21-2016, 23:20
My fault. I'm the guy your parents warned you about.... That's about $8K in the picture.
Peregrino
03-22-2016, 07:31
My fault. I'm the guy your parents warned you about.... That's about $8K in the picture.
Needs the SureFire suppressor with the muzzle brake adaptor to make it complete. Otherwise, I'm with TS and TR.
My .02 - Have you looked at a .300 WSM? The cartridge has a number of practical advantages over 300WM while being virtually identical to 300WM WRT ballistics (think ~1200M MER and capable of taking anything in NA with some overkill depending on bullet selection). You can put together a Rem 700 in an MDT chassis with quality glass for 1/2 the price and get a lot more pleasure shooting it. Just a suggestion.
mark46th
03-22-2016, 08:00
Sorry Peregrino- I live in the moral busy-body, socialist state of California, no suppressors allowed. I have taken an antelope at 500 yards with it. Actually an easy shot. I haven't specifically hunted for a long range shot but I bring it incase the opportunity arises. I was taught by my father to take the first legal animal I see, I find it difficult to stray from that philosophy.
Roguish Lawyer
03-22-2016, 11:31
My fault. I'm the guy your parents warned you about.... That's about $8K in the picture.
I decided to get one after firing this one. My god, people, am I not allowed to have any freaking toys?
And TR, YOU of all people saying I shouldn't be building a diverse collection?
Seriously? LMAO!
:munchin
C'mon, humor me and help out here. Ideally I would like to spend 2-3k on the rifle and the rest on an S+B or other primo scope. But I realize I may need to spend more on the rifle.
Roguish Lawyer
03-22-2016, 11:34
I'm trying to save your marriage! ;)
LOL, I already told her this is happening, and she was not happy. But she knows it is inevitable!
longrange1947
03-22-2016, 12:34
Hope you have a good place to shoot it and one hell of a scope on it.
Oh yes, and damn deep pockets. If you really want that toy go for it. There are a number of very good rifles out there and depends on whether you want an out of the box or a custom gun.
Have fun and reload!! :)
Oldrotorhead
03-22-2016, 13:02
I have a McMillian TAC 338 with a Leop 8 1/5X25 mill dot. See Americansnipers.org raffle at 2015 Shot show. $30 in tickets. And no it is NFS!:munchin
mark46th
03-22-2016, 16:18
This one is a Remington 700 MLR. The next thing is to get it rebarreled and have it blueprinted. The glass did cost more than the rifle... My son got it for me for a past birthday but I know how that works...
My son got it for me for a past birthday but I know how that works...
Have you hired a food taster? ;)
Roguish Lawyer
03-22-2016, 17:38
Hope you have a good place to shoot it and one hell of a scope on it.
Oh yes, and damn deep pockets. If you really want that toy go for it. There are a number of very good rifles out there and depends on whether you want an out of the box or a custom gun.
Have fun and reload!! :)
What do you think about the out-of-the-box versions?
longrange1947
03-22-2016, 20:41
Remington multi caliber is interesting for keeping the same ergonomics but they are starting to have QC issues. Sako made a great one in their TRG series.
There are a lot of good rifles out there. I h ave been away form that arena for a while and am not current on the latest and greatest.
Get a good scope as well or you will be pissing in the wind.
mark46th
03-22-2016, 21:45
:eek::eek: Food taster?!?! I thought that last Quarter Pounder he brought me was a little off...
miclo18d
03-23-2016, 04:43
What are your thoughts on the Savage 338 Laupa? I am not planning on getting one but wondering what your thoughts were on it for the money. I ran across some guys a cople weeks ago in the Olympic National Forest that had one.
Bump. I've been looking at a Savage in 308 or 300wm (I don't think there is a single range in FL that could justify a .338 or bigger) was wondering about the opinions from the long range pros.
And for the novice long range shooter, I know that glass is important but what kind of reticle would be good for a noob?
Oldrotorhead
03-23-2016, 21:11
This might work for you. On sale $5000
http://www.ashburyprecisionordnance.com/demo-rifle-sale/
longrange1947
03-23-2016, 21:26
The Savage is a real good rifle. It has had a bad name because it is inexpensive, but out of the box it is a very accurate gun. Add to that many of the accessory houses are fully supporting the Savage rifles now. I used to recommend the Savage to guys just starting out as it was cheap and accurate and let them know if they wanted to go on in shooting.
I have no experience with the 338 but I have shot an out of the box Savage 308 Tactical, forget the number designation, but it out shot another guys Remy.
Guymullins
03-24-2016, 05:32
Very nice round, but here it is hellishly expensive to buy off the shelf ammo. Even the brass is crazy expensive for reloads.
As for rifles, I am biased toward the Sako-Tikka stable and Remington, but the Savage seems irritatingly accurate, despite its cheapo reputation.
longrange1947
03-24-2016, 07:54
Guy, I also favor those two, but there are others out there that significant players. Problem is that I have been away from the 338 long enough that I am hard pressed to give a yah or nay on them.
craigepo
03-24-2016, 08:10
Needs the SureFire suppressor with the muzzle brake adaptor to make it complete. Otherwise, I'm with TS and TR.
My .02 - Have you looked at a .300 WSM? The cartridge has a number of practical advantages over 300WM while being virtually identical to 300WM WRT ballistics (think ~1200M MER and capable of taking anything in NA with some overkill depending on bullet selection). You can put together a Rem 700 in an MDT chassis with quality glass for 1/2 the price and get a lot more pleasure shooting it. Just a suggestion.
That .300 short mag is a fantastic round, especially if you're going to build a rifle to use for hunting/carrying up big mountains. Hell on elk.
I just dropped my 7mm mag off to have the action worked and a new barrel put on. I can't trade or sell the gun, as my dad left it to me and he used it to shoot a mechanical deer (long story). But, if I did, it would be for a .300 wsm.
mark46th
03-24-2016, 08:33
Re Re-loading for the .338LM...
100 pc of Lapua Magnum unprimed brass- $289.00
1 pound of Retumbo powder- $30.00
50ea Sierra 300gr MatchKing bullets- $40-50.00 OR
50 Barnes 285gr TSX bullets- $50.00
Magnum Large Rifle Primers- A few cents apiece
I load 92 grains of Retumbo with both bullets. A pound of powder goes away in a hurry. I have the rifle zeroed at 600 yards.
Supposedly, the Lapua brass is good for up to 10 reloads. I have just gone through it for the first time, so we shall see. I tried Privi Partisan brass with poor results. A lot of split cases and blown primers.
Team Sergeant
03-24-2016, 17:08
That .300 short mag is a fantastic round, especially if you're going to build a rifle to use for hunting/carrying up big mountains. Hell on elk.
I just dropped my 7mm mag off to have the action worked and a new barrel put on. I can't trade or sell the gun, as my dad left it to me and he used it to shoot a mechanical deer (long story). But, if I did, it would be for a .300 wsm.
I don't understand the reasoning behind the .300 WSR, why the need to change perfection? ;) A shorter bolt stroke? I don't get it. Then again I never understood the reasoning behind the 6.8.
Re Re-loading for the .338LM...
100 pc of Lapua Magnum unprimed brass- $289.00
1 pound of Retumbo powder- $30.00
50ea Sierra 300gr MatchKing bullets- $40-50.00 OR
50 Barnes 285gr TSX bullets- $50.00
Magnum Large Rifle Primers- A few cents apiece
So about $4.20/round?
The theory was a short fat case is supposed to be new accurate than the same amount of powder in a longer slimmer case. Supposedly me consistent ignition. I never was a believer but others swear it is the gospel.
Was this like the .338 Norma vs .338 LM to allow for longer bullet in magazine length loading?
craigepo
03-24-2016, 20:40
I think the difference between .300 win mag and .300 WSM is much the same discussion as choosing between a .308 and a 30-06. You can get a lighter rifle and similar ligher-bullet ballistics with a .308, while the 30-06 can handle large bullets better.
IIRC, all of the Colorado guides where we hunted last carried .300 win mags, and they swore by them.
Here's a nerdy look at pros and cons of the short mag:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.300+Winchester+Short+Magnum.html
Peregrino
03-24-2016, 21:01
The difference between more efficient ignition (less powder for the same velocity), not having to screw with headspacing a belted magnum, and the advantages of a short action (lighter, stronger/more rigid, faster lock time, and more/less expensive accessories).
mark46th
03-24-2016, 21:58
Razor- Yup. But as I reload the brass each time, the cost goes down a little...
Razor- Yup. But as I reload the brass each time, the cost goes down a little...
Using Razor's figure of $4.20/round and assuming you get 10 loads from each piece of brass, the cost per round is ~$1.60.
Using Razor's figure of $4.20/round and assuming you get 10 loads from each piece of brass, the cost per round is ~$1.60.
That's a bit more palatable to us cheapskates. ;)
Guymullins
03-25-2016, 11:59
Using Razor's figure of $4.20/round and assuming you get 10 loads from each piece of brass, the cost per round is ~$1.60.
To put things in perspective, $1.80 will buy a Big Mac here and ammo prices are at least triple what they are in the USA.
Hope you have a good place to shoot it and one hell of a scope on it.
Oh yes, and damn deep pockets. If you really want that toy go for it. There are a number of very good rifles out there and depends on whether you want an out of the box or a custom gun.
Have fun and reload!! :)
I've had the chance to shoot AI338 a fair bit.
Very impressive, both rifle and round.
I know a few folks who own 338LM privately down here.
One of them shoots nothing but factory loads. He doesn't reload. That's expensive.
longrange1947
03-25-2016, 14:32
I personally like the Norma over the Lapua for a number of reasons.
Care must be taken with short fat as the barrel life can be adversely effected.
Never liked the 6.8, also said it was the answer to an unasked question.
Several of he 6.5s can outperform the 300 Win Mag. The belted magnum is a problem that irritates with the unexplained flyer, reason why so many now headspace off the shoulders and ignore the belt.
Did I mention I like the Norma over the Lapua, and did I add that it outperformed the Lapua during the PSR competition some years back? :munchin
PS, cheaper too. :D
I'm not having much luck finding the data, but I distinctly recall an article on a barrel burner recipe developed(DARPA?) for 300wm to close the gap with 338lm without having to bring in new weapon systems, just barrel/chamber changes on existing long action army bolt guns.
I'm paraphrasing, but IIRC it sounded like a cost effective way of approaching 338lm performance with 300wm without all of the associated costs, bar a custom recipe and a faster burning barrel.
Sounds like it makes sense up to the 98-99%tile.
-----
I'm a believer in 338lm.
First round hit, first time behind an AI338 at nearly 1100m.
Made my Savage 308 seem downright inadequate.
Savage haters are just jealous.
Savages may be ugly, but they can shoot like lasers. :)
Guymullins
03-25-2016, 16:27
I personally like the Norma over the Lapua for a number of reasons.
Care must be taken with short fat as the barrel life can be adversely effected.
Never liked the 6.8, also said it was the answer to an unasked question.
Several of he 6.5s can outperform the 300 Win Mag. The belted magnum is a p roblem that irritates with the unexplained flyer, reason why so many now headspace off the shoulders and ignore the belt.
Did I mention I like the Norma over the Lapua, and did I add that it outperformed the Lapua during the PSR competition some years back? :munchin
PS, cheaper too. :D
In my book, you cant go wrong with a company named for a damn fine opera. Norma is a fantastic manufacturer whose founders knew a thing about music. After hearing this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlSodSvo1Lg the brothers had no hesitation in naming their new company after Bellini's masterpiece.
frostfire
03-25-2016, 20:25
Several of he 6.5s can outperform the 300 Win Mag. The belted magnum is a problem that irritates with the unexplained flyer, reason why so many now headspace off the shoulders and ignore the belt.
If I win the lottery, I would buy for the latest modular AI chassis (or Sako M10) with .308 and 6.5 CM barrels. The return to zero demo today made me a believer. In my short PRS matches stint, that 6.5 is the flattest, quickest, wind-resilient tack driver. However, that's paper and steel all day long. Anyone can offer education on the terminal ballistic of the 6.5 ? Anyone hunt with it?
On a not so related note, I played with some polymer casing back at Benning as well. Imagine the possibilities ($$$ saving from less transportation weight, soldiers/snipers can carry more ammo, instant visual check for powder with reloading, etc.)
Sorry for the hijack, RL but I think you would be interested in the info as well.
mark46th
03-28-2016, 08:13
FWIW- the Lapua in the picture is on an AICS...
frostfire
03-28-2016, 12:12
RL, if your goal is to ding steel at ridiculous distances, go with a tried and true platform by GA precision. 6mm or 6.5 mm. It has placed top 5 consistently at PRS matches throughout the nation engaging sub to 1 MOA targets. At some point, you'll get bored hitting 4 to 5 MOA human or animal silhouette targets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13oFUQFJA1k
I decided to get one after firing this one. My god, people, am I not allowed to have any freaking toys?
And TR, YOU of all people saying I shouldn't be building a diverse collection?
Seriously? LMAO!
:munchin
C'mon, humor me and help out here. Ideally I would like to spend 2-3k on the rifle and the rest on an S+B or other primo scope. But I realize I may need to spend more on the rifle.
If you are dead set on .338 LM ( if it will actually be the wisest choice for your particular use )
My suggestion based on 15+ years of working with them, great out of the box solution = Sako TRG-42
IIRC you can get a basic fixed stock model around $4K over there.
tom kelly
03-30-2016, 12:45
LOL, I already told her this is happening, and she was not happy. But she knows it is inevitable!
AND PEOPLE THOUGHT DOCTORS MADE ALL THE MONEY....Tom Kelly