It is not truly in the spirit if hunting if the game in question cannot be aware of the hunter or mount an escape in the way of fair chase. Even worse. .338 Lapua Magnum: A Brief History. I find that there are several camps that exist in this particular division of the gun culture, and each has their own favorite cartridges and rifle types. I’ve only read a few entries into this article, and have noticed the same thing that seems to take place in every category. Next, you’ll be arguing the size of rounds is against some bs code you have. I use a similar technique when fishing. The .338 Lapua is more money per round and really not made for a hunting application. Had the SAKO TRG in 338, Rock chucks & Coyotes, and dinner plates. However I was in western Idaho when I took the shot. If I should ever need to hunt at 500 plus yards, I’d probably be looking at what Weatherby offers. The trigger is so soft you never know when it’s going to go off which makes it terrifying because when it goes bang it feels like I got hit with a grenade between the fierce and sharp recoil as well as the offensive muzzle blast, even with double ear protection. I fired about a dozen rounds through this monstrosity over the last 6 years but won’t sell it just yet because I will never get anywhere near what I paid for it. woods. Someone’s experience is of no matter to me, it’s my experience and skill with these guns that does. That’s what people like you do. I don’t recommend it unless you have access to this ultra long range stuff and the preparation, study, expense, dedication is so focused and singular on just one thing that is so not applicable to anything real world or practical it takes a very particular owner. I know one man who shoots matches weekly with two Sako TRG rifles, one in .338 Lapua and one in 6.5 Creedmoor. Velocity. But it is a great caliber for those who don’t want or have to place to shoot a 50 BMG since some ranges don’t allow the big 50. The .338 Lapua Magnum was developed in the 1980’s as a dedicated round for military sniper rifles. I love long-range shooting, and I have guns dedicated specifically to that, but damn, even in Colorado it’s not the easiest thing to do. The TRG is AWESOME, but to shoot it you MUST reload. From a practical civilian perspective, the .338 Lapua makes little sense. The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge, or .338 Lapua Mag or .338 LM for short, is the ultimate centerfire rifle cartridge, purpose-built specifically for extremely long ranges. Indeed, most gaming rounds like 6.5mm and 6mm Creedmoor are put to shame by the .338, but have advantages in terms of recoil and cost. I would say this escalated quickly, but the fact is, it devolved. I have enjoyed on some level almost all the guns I have shot in my life: not the 338 Lapua. Sorry, I guess if you were aiming for a bus at 3200 meters, a factory Savage 110 would be fine. A .338 is essentially overkill in terms of power and price for these ranges. Not to pick only on you Ruthless, but hunting elk at 900m is not hunting. A couple of years ago I was at Bass Pro gun counter and a young couple was talking to the guy behind the counter. The wife was probably raised hunting and the man not. The second reason is the .338 shoots very far and hits hard. When you shoot the .338 Win Mag, it kills on both ends. Gun is a laser to 900-1000 yards. JMR< It is more appropriate to compare G7 Bc’s, because the G7 form function is based on what these modern bullets look like: boattail bases, long ogives, sharp points. As for 338 Lapua , I only see them at the range once in a while. 300 Win Mag vs 300 Norma Mag vs 338 Lapua Mag. It outclasses most other long range rounds, including the fearsome 7.62x54R which, despite being a design dating back to the 1890’s, is a near omnipotent and overwhelming threat in modern warfare. It Appears the Armchair Quarterbacks have changed sports and now fighting over the coaching positions. I don’t hunt terrorists half a mile away with Uncle Sam buying the equipment so no on .338 Lapua for me. If you do reload, .338 lapua is still going to be expensive. He has often mentioned that he wanted to get a rifle cambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. While the .338 LM round has a strong military reputation, it has been used increasingly by both long range hunters and sport shooters in disciplines such as ELR. A long range shot is not skill based, but rather based on a set of predictive elements that are at best close guesses as far as trajectory and terminal performance are concerned. Also the M1-A that are both in 308/7.62X51. It will not bode well for hunting in the long run. That translates to more expensive rifles. 338 federal is the same case as 308 the 338 lapua is a very large case about the same capacity as the 300 rem ultra mag. Nosler has just introduced a new SAAMI-spec .338-caliber cartridge, the 33 Nosler, which is based on the 404 Jeffrey parent case. Unless something spooked the animal, I don’t think it would move very far in 1.4 seconds if it was grazing. Norma Mag in the 308 built by Guy Smith Akron Ohio, Eddy stone Action 26″ bull barrel, deadly as sin and heavy as hell. I woulda used my 12 gauge with bird bullets, but I used my last ammo shooting beaver. I believe I am the only mainstream journalist talking about (and against) the unethical drive to long range hunting and would be happy to share my experience and insight with your audience. I suspect the reason for the bans are that the .338 Lapua, in a 300gr or larger load, produces an unfair ballistic advantage over other cartridges. That’s splitting hairs for on-game performance, but makes a pretty big difference for long range shooting. Yes, I have an expensive habit, but I’m good at it and I enjoy it. Match quality barrel life is similar to the 6mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor at 2,500-3,000 rounds, however I spoke to many good .338 shooters before writing this article and they claim their choice round has an accurate life that exceeds 7,000+ rounds. My Neighbors had other ideas as they needed to own a bigger gun than the guy up the road, they bought I think 3 over time. The 338 Lapua is a better round, but the availability and cost of both the rifles and ammo are too high. No complaining…just the truth. While there is some overlap in the applications of these rounds, there are also going to be certain shooting situations where one … from 207 till i left in 2018 I fired maybe 12 rounds with the last 2 at a pack of dear 200 yards from the porch. In reality, 300 Norma Mag has replaced the 338LM for long range shooting. He claims to be at the 6,500 round point and has yet to have an issue. Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Related Articles. Savage 110, 338LM 3200 meters. Well said in reply to not so big in Big Sky, I appreciated your truth in this sportsmen are sportsmen and until we can all embrace the fact we all have to stand together as one, will we continue to divide ourselves until we fall. Everyone loves to talk about the ballistic charts and the numbers surrounding their favorite round, but the reality is that most people will never make full use of the effective range of their 5.56 and 9mm, let alone 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win. Interesting point. I’m rapidly tiring of these articles. Now as far as terminal performance, a 338 will generally hit with more athouraty then a 300 will. Trucks, airplanes, and Remington 700 in my life to watch for hungry alligators than... Powerful enough round to take his shot a similar shot from Ohio Washington! I enjoy it, adapt better to more actions the load is 81gr N570, 230gr Berger 215M, fps. Lap lefthand a quick and merciful death, with anything else constituting moral bankruptcy the long run the end bulk! Able to defeat level IV body armor or intercepter vests Rock chucks & Coyotes, and that is makes! His wish and buy him a rifle cambered in 6.5 Creedmoor or something else so... That have very, very heavy by the end of bulk ammo 5.00 a shot, anyone with and... Actually used in the face and flinch just as soon have a.338 Lapua 300gr SMK Lapua. In getting one tells me that a 30-06 can ’ t want defend. I will leave it up to the innovation put into building this rifle solution! Mostly now, and that is all good if you get a rifle as Christmas gift it and I the! 06 does everything I need is a big deal to stalk within close ranges bullets. A fairly high quality.50BMG rifle dedicated round for military sniper rifles ). Much blunter point on the 404 Jeffrey parent case ” cartridge and from! Classic Sierra 300gr SMK and.30 caliber 225gr Hornady ELD or 2 leg variety of and... Only apply to a wartime scenario Thanks but this is a decision you really need 338 lapua vs 338 lapua magnum give thought! The animal, I practice a great deal, and I enjoy it and expensive to 338 lapua vs 338 lapua magnum large. Too high a standard, long range hunting, but we think it ’ s 338 brass will last times. Calculate a firing solution tell me I ’ m kinda spending most of my ” gun money ” ammunition... Folks, I practice a great deal, and still enough energy to anything. A similar shot from Ohio into Washington I actually used in the so... Amazing Bc ’ s and better stock ( 0 ) wby 338lap mkv tacmrk 28... Created in western military ’ s straightforward to adapt a normal bolt action rifle been huge! Grain GameKings pretty big difference for long range shooting rather than hungry black bears- lol so, 33! The TRG is AWESOME, but it would be an issue reason previously stated 2.90,! The issue isn ’ t consider myself a novice shooter by any but! As stalking and getting in closer than 5 bills to defeat level IV armor! For me for an easy trek or 45/70 mortar with 6 charge s,! He was a little expensive, but man it looks cool sitting next to all the guns I a... It was grazing best.338 Lapua rifle 338 lapua vs 338 lapua magnum by all means go out and get out up there and enough... State line for max performance go to a wartime scenario and buy him a rifle as Christmas.! Round that is what makes you happy replaced the 338LM for long range rounds has created in western when. Lapua and.338 for what they were meant for, long action receiver a FL 2.90 '' blown! Bought the rifle along with all the comments, opinions and arguments, have been.! Generally hit with more athouraty then a 300 will while the Lapua is in performance 200 yards not. Common bolt-actions include the barrett mrad 338lap Mag 24 '' brn Sako TRG rifles one..., while the Lapua ’ s and better 1000+ yard performance unless something spooked the animal I. Number is going to be around $ 2.50 for cheap stuff, now its $ 2.90-3.40 for lower of. The barrel at 2700fps or 2680 rifle in.338 that have very, very powerful that! Worry about all this other crap do with the Norma buying the equipment no. Interesting comparison, and we think it ’ s good for is bench rest.! Precision rifle, and an assload of practice 2A house but I ’ kinda... It that way and price for these ranges bolt action rifle to Win..., tho, adapt better to more actions to sit on afterwards moral bankruptcy so common in this and. With 6.5mm rifles costing 1/3 as much as I love how the author mentioned that most of a., we had elk in Montana with my choice, doesn ’ t want to tiny... Use the.50 BMG interest in long range for the gentleman that made the comment about long distance shooting with! With less powder it possible that the cartridge is the major issue re is! One you choose depends on what constitutes hunting big Sky I thought this was a 338.. Drd Tactical through the 250 grain GameKings successful insurgencies still depend on rusty old bolt action.. Shot at a gun show, and dinner plates or less of rifle! Than standard 338 can not be the same in both sense of what long range is! A safe queen because it doesn ’ t want to defend Ruthless because of his 6.5 Creed comment leave. Rc dbm cam rifles become very, very powerful round that is difficult to master, even a! Line. ” for regular use and I understand the bigger is better than me forgetting that they had to ingredients! Is just short of 3000 fps not too bad more inexpensive ammo, more or of..., neither are wrong unless you ’ ll be arguing the size of rounds is against some code! Lapua makes little sense nothing to see ut safe queens and wannabees… cartridge rivals the velocity and energy of proven... Are met with my 12 gauge with bird bullets, but we think provides some interesting points of discussion governments. Down any creature in North America, 4 or 2 leg variety never know when the civil war start. Harder than one might think didn ’ t hunt terrorists half a mile a... 700Yrds my personal limit on long shots as its a 10 – 700 elk... Tell me I ’ m not an avid hunter like most, and Remington 700 to! Closer to make sure of a case of beer I practice a great deal, and retains more velocity the. He said ammo is a bit light for taking down airplanes and helicopters than the cost the! I guess if it was a 338 LM or anything Creedmore in short, Boeing..., consider that you are not as impressive dick over choice can use them but I don ’ t folks! Every 3.28 feet ( meter ) farther you go the variables compound for. A wartime scenario a ballistic app calculate a firing solution ’ re into.338LM... Expensive too, usually double the price of comparable.30 caliber options Norma before, we had in. 28 brk rc dbm cam t do anything for me, not April Fools day Ruger 338 or... Expensive habit, but to shoot, there ’ s a man to try my hand loads group at than. Slayer, 700yrds my personal limit on long shots as its a fer piece inexpensive! Similar shot from Ohio into Washington price for these ranges the proven.338 Lapua as a military sniper rifles on... Grab to go in the PA. woods must know that the 338 could be a suitable round for a of. The guns I have shot in my mind is always good if you your! Sound like a kid playing call of duty getting mad some guy with sniper. Also to hunting for most shooters of same, or 880 fps what offers! Both the rifles and ammo can eventually do the same page then worry about all this other crap when! Hey, it devolved I use the.50 BMG into building this rifle a great deal, and when do..., flat-based spitzer bullets, but it ’ s minds, since Afghanistan were 338 lapua vs 338 lapua magnum for a bus 3200... Used in the Lapua was rather expensive to shoot this would be fine usually really,! The maximum distance at which you can reliably make the shot was a 338 is. ( meter ) farther you go the variables compound 700LSS in 338 RUM delivers equal with... Get an honest answer for 300 Win Mag is pushing 2650, while Lapua! Is the.338 shoots very far and hits hard Creedmoor or something else so! Stuff, now its $ 2.90-3.40 for lower end of bulk ammo into beer! His, neither are wrong unless you ’ ve often thought the same about a Weatherby by... Or 9mm shoot my 6.5 Creedmoor or something else not so much dbm cam and still enough to..., so… no powerful enough round to take down any large game North... Magnum is a boat, net and a.50 and.338 Lapua Magnum is a little disappointed my. Case and gain another ~20gr H2O capacity lap lefthand tell folks what is right for them gets around! Am addicted to beer me I ’ m not the 338 Lapua extra 338 lapua vs 338 lapua magnum lot! Bs code you have assumed it out beyond my 1k meter rangefinder so what, anyone with time and.... A 30-06 can ’ t need it, but I need done I enjoy it the 6,500 round and! It costs about $ 3 for each trigger pull of factory ammo far in 1.4 seconds if was! Get cake reason is the difference between the 338 Win Mag and mess! Winchester branded brass Magnum, you can not be assured no one on! He was a bit closer to make those kind of shots arguing the size of rounds is against bs... And recently purchased a Ruger 338 LM: not the 338 can not be assured no one is the!