Why choose 338 over 300 win mag?
- Thread starter Kryogen
- Start date
I haven't noticed that shooting the big .338s is more expensive than the .300s. Bullets aren't that much different, many of my 30 cals run considerably more than the 80 cent 300 grain SMK. My loads are 14 grains higher for the .338 which adds up to abuck a box more. Big deal. Lapua brass costs more but lasts longer.
Factor in barrel life, and the .338s could be cheaper to shoot.
Factor in barrel life, and the .338s could be cheaper to shoot.
For many different reasons. For some its need for some its just plain fun. If you want a 338 buy it. Driving an old chevy camaro with a 350 is fun driving one with a 454 is more fun, its just that simple.
it costs more to go higher,to go faster, to go deeper, to go bigger, to go longer, this applies to everything not just guns. do you need to do it???? No, its just a matter of if you want to do it or not.
This.
It always stunned me when I see a guy shooting is .338 at 200 meters... 4-5$ a shot you better use it near it's maximum potential or it's a real waste of metal and money. And no he was not zeroing it.
I shoot .308 ( target shooting ) 90% of the time because 90% of my shooting is under 800 meters. Simple as that. I could use similar cartridges ( 30-06 etc... ) but .308 is simply cheaper and the fun factor/challenge is really there.
Really even if other long action cartridges have better BC or less wind drift. Isn't an additional challenge to compensate for the wind/conditions with a smaller round? I think so.
Not really interested in a "laser beam" round that get's almost boring or to easy to shoot after a short period of time. But that is just me.
Talking target shooting of course.
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LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
X2
I don't notice that much of a difference between my edge and my 300 win. My hunting loads for the 300 win cost more than the 338 with 300gr berger's, of course thats apples to oranges.
I would say most guys who use and keep a 338 seem to have a few rifles to play with, the "cool factor" guys don't seem to hang on to them. There is always one or two on the EE.
I've been considering building a long range magnum gun, pricing things out - and I've found the price difference between 300WM and 338 shooting is generally pretty over-stated. Go with a 338 Edge, and it's pretty dang comparable.
Unless you're planning on running factory ammo, the 338 Edge really makes a lot of sense. Better ballistics, and more energy on target downrange. And if you ARE planning on running factory ammo - then why bother with a 'precision' rig anyway? You're leaving too much on the table by not developing your own handloads.
Unless you're planning on running factory ammo, the 338 Edge really makes a lot of sense. Better ballistics, and more energy on target downrange. And if you ARE planning on running factory ammo - then why bother with a 'precision' rig anyway? You're leaving too much on the table by not developing your own handloads.
If the .338 Lapua was any where NEAR the cost of shooting a 300win Mag., I would have bought and shot one a long time ago.
People sell them more because it is not till they shoot them a bit, that they realise long range precision takes allot of shooting "ALLOT" to get good.
And simply, most gun owners just cant afford it.
Plus the novelty wears off.
I shoot a 300win Mag because I can afford to shoot it "ALLOT"more!
It shoots to a mile no problem at all.
It will shoot further, but I need to get the time for that.
And simply put, the .338 Lapua is ballistically superior. But it takes a talented/practiced shooter to realise this potential.
If I could afford it, I would own one,simple as that!
Till that time, I will be happy shooting my 300win mag out to about 2000ish.
As far as the gentleman shooting his improved .308 to 3000 yards, good job in doing the nearly impossible!!!
But I dont think he can shoot a descerable group at that distance.
And if you cant shoot a least a three shot group, to me its not truely aimed fire.
If some one ever does shoot a real, repeatable group at that distance with a .308. WOW!!! Were-not-worthy!
People sell them more because it is not till they shoot them a bit, that they realise long range precision takes allot of shooting "ALLOT" to get good.
And simply, most gun owners just cant afford it.
Plus the novelty wears off.
I shoot a 300win Mag because I can afford to shoot it "ALLOT"more!
It shoots to a mile no problem at all.
It will shoot further, but I need to get the time for that.
And simply put, the .338 Lapua is ballistically superior. But it takes a talented/practiced shooter to realise this potential.
If I could afford it, I would own one,simple as that!
Till that time, I will be happy shooting my 300win mag out to about 2000ish.
As far as the gentleman shooting his improved .308 to 3000 yards, good job in doing the nearly impossible!!!
But I dont think he can shoot a descerable group at that distance.
And if you cant shoot a least a three shot group, to me its not truely aimed fire.
If some one ever does shoot a real, repeatable group at that distance with a .308. WOW!!! Were-not-worthy!
I was once told it only costs of a little more to go first class. That being said. I was really looking for a new hunting rifle/ long range shooting platform. And after much debate I decided on the .338 lm. the performance of the .338 far out ways the performance of the .300 wm.
After 3 pages of reading, I guess what it boils down to is pocket book. All of us can afford things we want. We all have vehicles and most have houses and flat screen TVs and if it's a 338LM or a 50BMG you want, there's really no reason to have to justify what you work to pay off. I happen to own both and I go shooting and have fun doing it. I also work hard to be able to afford fuel to drive the vehicles I do. It's relevant. So maybe there are those out there that buy a certain gun to brag, good for them. Where I go shooting, there aren't grand stands for people to applaud my shooting. I personally like a bullet that flys a long ways and can still destroy stuff when it gets there. That for me floats my boat and when I want to see it destroy something, I'll even sometimes be close enough to watch it happen without having to look through my scope. Naturally the gun has to be accurate so that I can hit what I'm aiming at, at 1000+ yards but if you thought shooting a 338LM puts a smile on your face, shoot a 50cal. My 50 rnds cost me about $3 each to shoot and I think that's reasonable compared to a night of drinking with my friends. It's what's important to you that matters.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
I shoot 40 cent Hornady 208gr amax's. That’s half the price of what your shooting I’m pretty sure.
I picked 300WM over the 338LM(Savage 110BA) because its cheaper to shoot. Easier on the shoulder(haven’t shot 338LM but I'm guessin' its going to kick harder) and it has less muzzle blast.
I have to do more load testing with the 208gr amax's but I think they might be supersonic out to close to a mile.
But if you need that bigger caliber then you need it.
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.
It moves the plates around better, hits louder and because of less wind drift makes hitting easier. For some reason there seems to be less surprises.Its not like I don't like .300s, I've got 4 of them..
Zombies LOL!!
Seriously though. If I was going to pick one caliber to do most everything with, it would probably be the 300WM. I like the bullet choice but my wallet allows for bullet choice in 50cal so I've gone that route. HUGE SMILES!!
The last 500 box of Sierra Match kings cost me $319 or 64 cents apiece. The 208 grain A-maxs I bought today were 42 cents apiece. That works out to a big $220 over 1000 rounds saveings. A couple hundred bucks over a couple years just doesn't make it onto my radar screen, compared to say the fuel burnt to launch those 1000 bullets.
My .300s out-number my .338s, and for some things are a better choice. I've also got heavy barrels in .308, fast twist .223 and a 22/243 Middlested. They are cheaper to shoot than a .300, are they therefore superior?
I generally shoot smaller things. Like my 204ruger or 6br.
So paying 42 cents a bullet was a big jump for me.
- Location
- calgary alberta
1) Access to cheaper practice ammunition, or even surplus
Ok if it is all about cheap, think rimfire.
2) Shorter, lighter rifles.
Short and light is fine for close range hunting but not so much for longer range hunting or target shooting. Lighter rifles tend to recoil harder than heavier 1s in the same caliber
3) Higher mag capacity
Learn to shoot, mag capacity is irrelevant to accuracy.
4) Shorter bolt actions
And the advantage here is the old shorter stiffer myth? If we are talking a BR rifle maybe, but on the average rifle there is NO advantage here.
5) Better scope mounting flexibility. Shorter receiver lets you set it back more. Come on please tell me you don't really believe this crap? A better quality optic has TONS of eye relief and a picatinny rail will allow you to mount the scope anywhere you are likely to need it to be. Exactly how far back do you need a scope to be?
6) Interchangeable ammunition with military and para-military firearms
I am a little lost here
For anyone into precision shooting they won't be swapping their ammo between their 308 cal bolt action match rifle and their norc M14
So you have to load seperate calibers, so what?
7) 30-06 performance without the kick of 300win mag
Sorry I shoot 308, 30-06 and 300 Win Mag and know better. 308 approaches but is less of everything than 30-06 is and 30-06 approaches but is less in all regards than 300 Win Mag has. Any ballisitcs program will comfirm this.
8) Less chance of accuracy loss due to longer receiver and barrel Really??
So by your theory a 1/2 moa shooter with a short barrel and short action is more accurate than a 1/2 moa shooter in a long action with a longer barrel?
9) 308 velocity is far less affected by shorter barrels.
Every caliber has an optimal barrel length to a degree but that is a pretty braod and unsupported statement in my opinion.
10) Range brass is more common (where I live) and less powder is used to reload. 30cal bullets never a bad choice for a reloader, 338 may cost more or have less availability
Now THIS I buy, 308 brass is far more common and is regularly discarded by other shooters so guys that are too cheap to buy good brass have something to reload.
You ARE correct that 338 cal bullets are more expensive than 308 cal bullets, simply due to the fact that there is more material used. 1 lb of lead costs less than 2lbs same with copper. Small cases require less powder, this is true.
I shoot 308 A LOT!!! and it is a nice efficient little caliber. However compared to what can be accomplished with a 338 Lapua it is not even on the same planet when real distance is the goal. I have shot the 308 out to 1400 yards with great success. You REALLY gotta listen to hear the clink on the gong and you save a ton of $$ on paint for repainting the gongs as it barely chips the paint.
At the 2000 yards and well beyond that some of us have shot at with the 338s the 308 just does not any have a chance of keeping up.
MANY guys buy a large caliber LR rifle and never even begin to make use of what they are capable of. Some of us however DO.
If all your wallet will support is 308, thats cool. If you are content or forced by locale to be capped at under 1000 yards , thats cool too and the advantages of the 338 Lapua are then wasted apart from the S&G factor.
But to spout nonsense about a large caliber that is tremendously effective at serious long range makes no sense to me.
I agree with you that many guys purchase "gross overkill" for hunting rifles and that 308, 06 and 300 win mag are all plenty for most closer range ungulate hunting situations, but for those of us who have the ability and practice enough to hunt long range more power is just insurance that is nice to have not to mention makes extreme LR shooting easier as the 338 projectiles have a significantly higher BC hold the velocity FAR longer , have a better trajectory and having much more mass makes for easier LR kills..
For those of us who have the place and time to shoot at extreme long range the 338 is very practical.
If you can , come on out with your guns and shoot with us, you will soon see exactly how ineffective they are at real long distnace and who knows you may get the 338 bug once you get behind 1.
- Location
- Napanee, Ontario
Ive tossed around the idea of getting a 338 too, simply put, I don't have the opportunity to shoot at 600-1000 yards often enough to justify the expense. I can shoot a .5inch group at 100 just as well with a 308 as I can a 338 for a quarter of the price. This is not a practical hunting round, it is a sniper round designed for long distances. See .338 Lapua article on Wikipedia. This round was designed as a long range sniper round capable of extreme pnetration at long ranges and is very capable in that capacity.
